Checkmate to War

The first day of work. Well…I have to hurry up and get ready. Hmm… let’s go for a nice suit and an azure tie! Now then, breakfast and straight to work! Onwards to the bullet train. Get to work but wait, today is…deadline Monday – I completely forgot! I have to run, like now! Door open… door open, please!! Yes! Gotta go!

I ran towards the train that had just snaked its way towards the station. Once the train had come to a sharp stop and the doors burst open, I dashed so fast; I didn’t even notice the beautiful cherry blossom trees lining the pathway.

Minutes later, I burst through the office door and tripped over my boss’s foot: a thud when I hit the ground.

“You’re late!” said my boss, sternly.

I ran to my cubicle and immediately started typing. I could feel my boss’s stare through my back.

“How did this happen, why did I choose this job? How I hate it!” “Hey,” a voice chirped.
“Ah!” I yelped. It was my colleague, Ivary.
“Sorry, you just dozed off and started to mumble.

“Oh, thanks!” I said, red as a tomato. “Hey Ivary, do you want to-”

Hours had dashed by and the clock struck five o’clock, signaling it was time to go. “Gosh, darn,” I said. Ivary had left.

This was the best time of the day. The end of a boring day of work and beginning of a thrilling passion.

Well, I had to hurry or I’d be late too. My phone started ringing. “Hello Black eagle, we need you. I got what you asked for.” said my colleague, Frankie.

“A pistol. Really, Frankie?” I exclaimed in frustration.

“What, they’re expensive!” Frankie whined.

“Fine, let’s go. Coordinates?” I asked.

“No need. I’ll come for you. In fact, I see you are ready. 6 O’clock,”

Frankie’s bike buzzed through traffic and stopped right in front of the office.

“Hop on!” He said.
“Is that even yours?” I asked Frankie.

“Let’s just say I borrowed it. Hop on. The peace treaty, you know the train tracks which connect us to the U.S.?” he started.“Yes,” I answered in slight confusion.

“They are trying to bomb it, tonight. They still think Japan is to blame. There is talk of war!” He continued.

“Pathetic! Let’s get to it!” I said while she roared the engine back to life. The bike leapt forward, almost throwing me off before I grabbed my shoulders to steady himself. He speed-shifted through the gears in seconds, launching the motorcycle down the access road which looped to the South of the Alleyway.

We’re here” I said, smiling at Frankie.

A Feminine black figure in a mask appeared in front of us. “Well… well…well! Look at what the cat dragged in. So many guests! Ready to arrest me? ” she said while pulling out her gun.

“Who are you!” Frankie shouted. “The name’s Ember. Now if you want to know the plans, catch me if you can.” She screamed while running into a black van. I tapped the motorcycle seat signaling to Frankie to sit.

“She’s getting away!” I said, urging him on. I throttled hard leaving smears of rubber on the forecourt. After about a kilometer, the van left the road, turning right onto a strip of red asphalt.

I pulled over, staring at the sign ahead. “An abandoned building,” I said, confused. “They’re getting away idiot!” Frankie retorted.

I immediately revved the engine, “Hang on tight!” I shouted.

The motorcycle blazed through the rusty, mangled gates. The entrance to the main building was screened by cherry blossom trees. I twisted the handlebars of the motorcycle to the left and right to avoid the debris and obstacles.

“They stopped, but why near an abandoned building?” Frankie said.

As we stood in utter confusion, we heard an explosion. We barely had time to flinch. The evening sky turned bloody red accompanied by the roar of fire. The blast flung us so high into the air. We crashed near the iron gates. Our ears were ringing from the deafening bang.

Frankie pointed towards the building showing Ember holding a gun towards a woman’s chest. The woman’s screams filled my head, because as I tried to get closer I realized it was Ivary. She was covered in cuts and bruises. I told Frankie to stay put here. He didn’t hesitate to take the offer. I took a deep breath and ran towards the building.

As soon as I hit the curb, I slammed the door and ran up the stairs, ignoring the throbbing ache in my lungs and shoulder. I caught a glimpse of Ember ahead of me and pulled out my gun, ready to shoot. She wasn’t alone. xz

Two assassins are a challenge but three were game over. I had to be smart. I crept through the room, crushing gravel with my feet to confuse them. One of the assassins said “Did you hear that just now? ”

“No you’re hearing the fire. Where is the spy? He’s going to get us killed if he doesn’t show up now! He better hurry or we will all burn to a crisp,” said Ember. Just then, one of the assassins was walking towards the direction I was hiding.

I had to act quickly and make a choice between shooting Ember and the assassins and risking Ivary’s life or deal with the assassins and come for Ember last.

“No! She would have time to escape. “I mumbled to myself.

I shot the assassin who was standing beside Ember in his arms and legs. I aimed my gun at Ember and shot her arm, sending the gun flying.

“Ivary! Are you ok?” I shouted. With disbelief, she mouthed “You’re a spy!? How??”

“Long story short, it runs in my family.” I said while carrying her down the staircase.

An ache had penetrated my lungs and was becoming unbearable. Everything became blurry. I couldn’t focus. My mind was racing, and my lungs were aching. I dashed through the door carrying Ivary. Shrieks of sirens were surrounding the building. I put Ivary down and she was crowded by news reporters and paramedics. I crept through some shrubs and waited. Shortly, Frankie joined me.

“We’ve gotta go! They’re going to set the train tracks to a blaze exactly at midnight. We only have an hour and three minutes to stop-”

We crawled behind unsuspecting crowds towards the motorcycle. I sat astride the motorcycle and powered up the engine. “Hang on tight, this might get rough” I said. I spun the motorcycle. Two other police cars were outside and they were helping permit another fire engine to pass. We hurtled out the gates, as cars crawled along the road along the road bumper. The motorcycle swung out into the center keeping both wheels on the orange center line.

We followed the curve eating up the distance. A large truck was blocking the road “Hold on!” I said while speeding up. I eased off the throttle for a split second, confusing Frankie and then I hit the power and leaned forward in the perfect wheelie. I launched the motorcycle up a car and faced the bike nose down over the boot of a Land Cruiser in front.

“How many more minutes? “I shouted, “One hour. Focus on the road!” Frankie retorted.

We arrived and got to work. Underneath the railway in the Central Station where thousands of people walked and waited about, lay a bomb. I started to disarm the bomb while Frankie cleared curious on lookers.

I looked over at Frankie and smiled. It was a success. Another day, another mission.

“Another thing! You might have to change your day job!” Frankie chuckled.

Abbye Weke