Ritual on The Run

Daniel skidded the car to a halt. With blood drumming loudly in his ears, he closed his eyes and began counting down from five.

Five. Deep breath in. Four. Let it out. Three. Filled lungs. Two. Release.

Before he could open his eyes, a rifle cracked. The metallic scent of copper filled his nose as the windshield shattered. The vibration shuddered through him. Startled but cool-headed, he knew he was out of time for mediation. Getting out was all he could do, so he put the car in drive and sped out of the garage.

Dammit, I almost had it finished. How could they have tracked me down so easily?

Agitated that his efforts to cover his tracks had failed, he whipped the car around the garage curves. Tire screeches echoed. A black SUV followed. Sweat loosened his grip on the wheel. He barreled onto the street, dodging commuters. His foot slammed the gas. Overestimated skill, he swerved, nearly hit a truck. The lights blinded him, and horns set the tempo for his heartbeat. His anxiety rose. He jerked back into the lane, gaining distance for now.

He saw the lights of the Ritz-Carlton ahead and, looking at his watch to see he had only five minutes left, decided to risk it all.

This is the last chance I’ll get before they catch up to me.

He skidded to the hotel, put it in park, grabbed his 1911, tucked it in his coat, and got out without turning off the car. Thanking himself for wearing a suit, he tossed the keys to the valet and entered the mostly empty lobby. A few fat businessmen chatted up women at the bar. Daniel noted them and scanned the room. No one was above suspicion. At the desk, he checked his watch: three minutes left.

“One room, make it quick, please.” He handed the young girl his credit card before she could ask for it.

"O-Okay, and a name for the room, Sir?” Her hands hesitated over the keyboard.

“Daniel Fischer.”

She hastily typed the name into her computer and sprang for the key. Her eyes darted all around the lobby, and her hands trembled as she handed him his card and key.

“Room 413. Anything else I can help you with tonight, Sir?”

“Yes, someone is going to come ask for me in a moment. Tell them my room number and send them up.”

“Y-Yes, Sir. Enjoy your stay.” She replied, but Daniel was already speed-walking to the elevator.

He pressed the button to call the elevator and heaved a sigh of relief when it immediately dinged and opened. He glanced at his watch: only two minutes remained. He jumped in the elevator, pressed the button for the top floor, and, feeling it lurch upward, prepared himself for another attempt. As he steadied himself against the wall, he closed his eyes.

Five. He sucked in all the air his lungs could hold. Four. He emptied his breath. Three. His nerves were buzzing. Two. He let the breath go and felt electrical sparking all through his body. One.

Daniel squeezed his eyes shut.

Come on, come on….

And then suddenly, his head rang as if someone had used his body as a bell clapper. He could feel each blood cell rushing under his skin. Opening his eyes slowly, his mind cleared of fog, and he looked around the elevator as it came to its stop. The doors opened to the top floor.

Chin up, chest out, hands in pockets, Daniel stepped out and strolled to his room. He knew he was finally one step ahead, and it was a great relief to him after weeks on the run from hidden assassins.

Reaching the door, he pulled out the card and slowly entered the room. The lights were on. He swiftly checked each nook and cranny for hidden assailants. Deeming the room empty, he poured himself a hefty glass of tequila from the minibar. He sat in the armchair that faced the door. He unholstered his pistol and set it on the table next to him. He predicted he might not even need it when it came down to it. Years of being chased had refined his hand-to-hand combat skills. Anyway, he preferred the feeling of success he got from overcoming his enemies in the old-fashioned way. No weapons necessary.

Sipping his drink, he saw six minutes had passed and guessed he had two before his enemies arrived. That was fine; he ached for a good fight. He remembered the threat that started it all: “We know what you are." His body buzzed, eager to show them exactly what he was.

Suddenly, the door handle clinked as someone tried it from the outside.

Finally. Let’s get this show on the road.

They rapped four knocks upon the door. Daniel scoffed.

Do they think I would get up to open it for them?

And then the voice of a woman called out, “Daniel? Daniel? It’s me, let me in, come on.”

Daniel's blood turned to ice. He leapt up, yanked open the door, and saw Eve—long legs, alluring grin. A vivid memory flashed before him: their last goodbye. He couldn’t live with himself if she got hurt in his crossfire. So, he told her they couldn’t be together anymore. He had hoped to see her again one day after he had truly escaped his enemies. But seeing her now, he was more petrified than ever before.

“Dear God, you can’t be here right now, Eve! This is the worst time!” Daniel scolded her and grabbed her arm, pulling her into the room.

Confused by Daniel’s roughness, Eve retorted, “Well, sorry! I thought you would be excited to see me! I saw you walking in. Looked like you were up for company. The lady at the desk even told me you were expecting someone! Or were you just waiting for another -”

Daniel sat her on the bed and cut her off, “Oh, not that again! Not now, please. It’s not about you.”

“Oh, right! It’s about you, like always.”

“Seriously, please, keep your voice down. Now look, they are coming again.” A confused look spread on Eve’s face before she finally realized what Daniel meant.

“Oh, no. No, no, no,” Eve stood up and took off for the door, “That was enough excitement for me last time! I won’t do it again, Daniel,” her voice choked on the tears that were welling.

Daniel’s heart panged with guilt as the gravity of the situation became more real. He grabbed Eve’s arm, pulled her from the door, "Listen, Eve, I don’t want you here, but they know who you are now. It’s safer with me—" Shuffling sounded outside the door.

Daniel shoved her into the closet just next to the door and gave a low whisper, “You have to stay in here, okay? Do not come out until I tell you to.” He quietly shut the closet door and tiptoed to the armchair. Sweat drenched his suit, and his body pulsed with anxiety. Loud bangs on the door shook the room. Overcome with anticipation, he closed his eyes to steady himself. The stakes had been raised again.

Deep breath in. BANG! Deep breath out. He raised his right palm towards the door, feeling a familiar droning in his mind. He slowly opened his eyes, the air around him heavy as if it were electrically charged. Unlike last time, he felt a piercing pain at his temples, a sign that he was overexerting himself. Drawing the armed men to a halt, he knew he would not last very long and steeled himself for the battle to come.