Hair///Trigger

The streets of District 7 are much more alive than District 1. The clock reads 1900, but the streets around me are still very much alive. District 1 roads, by comparison, are a wasteland after sunset. Not that there's much to do; everything is already closed by then. The cargo I'm carrying is valuable, so having less cars around during dangerous hours puts less people in danger.

My "job" technically isn't directly connected to Janine's hunter squad, but I can still be a delivery boy without "breaking any rules." Officially, I have "no idea" I'm carrying additional equipment for Wolfgang or some fancy, special "demon ammo" for Janine. My cover? This delicious pizza in the back seat.

For the last few months I've been working for the Hunters, I've become more aware of minor details ranging from which shop lights stay on after closing, to how District 1's poorly kept roads affect my tires. And I'm especially aware of the car that's been following me for the past few blocks. I've been keeping them behind me by weaving between cars such that my stalkers won't be able to pull up beside me. No matter where I go, or how I drive, they still follow me. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I can't help but imagine us shooting at each other if they caught up.

I just need to stay calm and remember everything Jess and Feng have taught me.

"Heron, you there?" I call headquarters.

"Tracking now. Threat level?" She asks me without skipping a beat. I called her on our 'emergency' channel. After a few more discussions on the matter of my safety, she set up a separate channel for me to use only when I felt I was at risk. The real emergency channel goes to everyone, but we hope to not use that one.

"Don't know yet. Being followed. Could be coincidence, but they've been behind me for a while."

"Don't chance it. I'm not at HQ right now. Move to waypoint. Map." My map screen just updated with a new destination. It still surprises me how quickly she can switch from playful to predator.

"Wolfgang, can you support? Over."

The only ones on this channel are Jess, Wolfgang, and myself. We can ping the others at any time, but we don't need to bother them for everything. As Wolfgang said before, Hunters are expected to think and operate autonomously. And I don't need any more reasons for Janine to worry about me.

"No. Too far from you." Wolfgang says he can't help. I am starting to panic a little. I have Janine's handgun in my glove box. She and Feng have taught me how to shoot, but I can't fight off a whole car full of people.

"But, I called Feng."

"Heron, 'cargo.' This is Feng. Check map, over." Feng's voice joins the radio.

"Heron. Roger." Jess's tone immediately changes.

"'Cargo' to Feng, loud and clear. Threat is still following. Even after u-turns and other attempts at evasion, still following. Over." I reply, because I'm the "cargo."

"Heron, relay map to 'cargo.'"

I'm worried about the car following me, but I can keep calm. I'm in good hands with these guys.

"'Cargo,' move along map. Over."

"Wilco." Seconds after Jess's transmission, the map display in my car highlights a lengthy straightaway along the same damaged roads I thought about earlier.

A car like the one tailing me can't match this car's traction and acceleration, so I can go full speed, whereas the other could slip and skid. Problem is, I doubt I have enough gas for what I think Feng is planning.

"'Cargo' to Feng. Black on fuel. Don't think I can safely run long at high speed with my tank this low."

I hope he has another plan in case this all goes wrong. I just need to keep breathing. Keep focused. Did I use the right terms? Hopefully all those FPS games pay off today.

"Roger, Wait out."

Feng's transmission ends. I forget how quickly these guys can talk to each other. 'Wait out' meant I've got to wait for a little longer before he gets back to me. For now, I'll circle around the block until I can get an—

"Feng, 'Cargo.' Ram the police checkpoint. Read back." I didn't even get to change lanes before Feng sent his next message. What the hell is he asking!?

Hes asking me to 'read back,' as in repeat that ridiculous message back to him? Did I hear him right?

"Say again? I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. Can you clarify? Over?" I ask. He didn't say what I think he said, did he?

"Full throttle. Checkpoint, smash gate. Read back."

He's serious. In that case, I brace my nerves. As soon as this light turns green, I'll turn left towards the police checkpoint into District 1.

I check behind me. That car is, thankfully, still too far back. Plate memorized. I just have to get out the current situation safely—ideally without crashing into anything else except that gate.

"Copy that, Feng. Moving."

Breathe. I'll be ok.

"Wrong. Verify what I said, and do it right. Over." Man. I think I'm pissing him off somehow. Is it weird that Feng's asking me to announce that I'm about to destroy police property?

"Wolfgang to 'cargo.' This could be your life. Out."

Well, that got my attention quick. "'Cargo' to Feng, accelerating to break gate at next light."

"Correction, ignore light. Make noise, break down the f.u.c.k.i.n.g gate." Feng just sent me another ridiculous order. After a brief pause, "Heron, wait."

"Heron." Jess checks back in, though I can barely hear her tiny voice over the screeching of my tires right now. I feel crazy.

I am now skidding. Holy shit, I am moving sideways. All those racing games, and now I get to do it in real life. Breathe.

Janine's math textbook just flew across the car. I love that girl. This job is crazy. Feng owes me a pizza. Dear brain, thank you for being ridiculous with humor under stress.

Clutch.

Match skid.

Wheel.

I nearly fail to regain traction and almost smash into a stopped bus, but damn. I am literally being paid to drift on the clock. I see heads turning from the police checkpoint ahead of me. I've just got to weave around a few cars before I can start accelerating. This is actually happening. Holy shit.

"Feng, 'cargo.' Good shit." He must be watching my position on the monitor. Guess that means I 'did it right.'

"Heron, location. Over."

"Was ice cream. Fuel is max. Moving to HQ."

Did Jess just say she was getting ice cream!? AND she's mocking my fuel situation? My life could be on the line right now!

"Roger. Relay info to 'cargo.' Wait." He just casually dismissed her 'ice cream?' And Jess has the balls to announce over the radio that she was getting ice cream during a situation like this?

I start to question the sense of security I felt earlier.

"'Cargo." Feng pages me as I begin accelerating. I feel bad for whoever is on shift at that checkpoint.

"Get arrested. Out."

WHAT!?