Nicole

The rest of the team met outside minutes later, lined up in front of our private condo with Coach Jackson standing in front of us, holding the tablet that displayed Simon's face to us.

"So far, according to Agents Rebecca, Tyler, and DT, no suspicious activity has yet been detected. I must say, this is going to be one tricky task so I want you all to understand this, be careful when making the arrest... Try not to hurt the suspects in any way unless it's absolutely necessary, meaning, only attack if they're truly a threat. I'm not hoping to get sued because one of you shot a totally innocent man and/or woman, understood?"

"Yes, sir!" we all said.

"Splendid. We're already off to a smooth start. Know your roles, communication is key. Good luck, squad." he said and we saluted before he signed off.

Coach shut the tablet in its case, "Well, you heard him. Let's get moving."

We did exactly that, heading to our cars and immediately following the road to the show. This mission required serious teamwork. We mainly had to rely on the hawkeyes to guide us through the whole thing to prevent us from being seen and to stay updated as to who is where and when at the same time. The place was huge and I've heard that a numerous amount of people are expected to attend this event, which adds a plus side as well as a negative. It'll be easy to hide in the crowd but, unfortunately, it'll be hard to keep track of everyone attending the event.

Jaden and I were both dressed as normal circus goers, armed with a silent pistol and our MK-18s in our backpacks. Our bags were specially rigged to hide our weapons and surpass metal detectors with the help of sensory defecting chips. I carried my Tiger claw as well because I still planned on using it. When the guards go to check our bags, they will only see casual items and shouldn't be able to catch the camouflaged pockets inside.

"That is one long-ass line..." Jaden said, looking out of the window as I found a parking spot across the street.

The line of circus goers went from the entrance and curved around the block, almost getting in the way of traffic. The doors were already open and the guards were already in the process of letting people in, the line moving up an inch by the minute.

"I did not expect so many people." I scanned the line of impatient and excited folks waiting to get inside as we exited our ride.

"I told you. These shows are really popular. A once in a lifetime experience. Of course so many people want to be here." he went ahead and started for the back of the line.

I followed behind, clicking my earpiece on, "Any clear entranceways, hawkeye?" I asked.

A moment later D.T, responded, "I'm searching now..."

I nodded, "This is going to take a minute." I told Jaden.

"No problem. As long as he comes back before we're at the front of this line."

"I doubt he'll take that long."

D.T suddenly clicked back on, "One... Second and... Now! Get to the back of the building, the janitor left the door open."

I tapped Jaden's shoulder and gestured him to follow me, "Thanks, D."

We headed to the back of the building finding the open door and the janitor not too far from it. He whistled a tune, distracted with the task of rinsing out his mop with a hose. I used my fingers to silently instruct Jaden what route we were using to get passed him and he nodded, quickly understanding. Then, carefully, we hid in the shadows of the building, making our way to the door. We soon slipped inside without being seen, and successfully entered the empty hall.

Conversations were audible from the majority of the rooms and the sounds of busy walking were clearly heard near the area. The smell of heavy perfume and hairspray filled the air around us and messy wardrobe racks stood outside of some of the rooms, showing that plenty of activity occurred here and will most likely continue.

"Psst." Jaden pointed to the air vent a few inches down the ceiling. He had the same thing I had in mind. To get moving as soon as possible.

I nodded and we both headed quietly to the vent. I looked up at the vent, mentally measuring the space between us and the ceiling then turned to Jaden.

"Let me borrow your shoulder," I whispered.

He nodded then squatted for me. I climbed onto his shoulders, pulling out my tiger claw and began unscrewing the bolts one by one.

"Doors open in 2 minutes, people!" someone yelled down the halls.

Jaden quickly ducked us behind the wardrobe rack, knocking a few clothes off of their hangers.

"Oh sh-"

I quickly covered his mouth, holding my breath to keep it as quiet as it possibly could get.

Don't. Say... A word... I told him in my mind as if he could telepathically hear me.

I heard the manager come to a stop at our hall, "What the... Ugh! Where's that lazy janitor! I told him to do something about those damned rats!" he groaned as he headed back the other way, continuing to yell for cast members to get ready.

When the coast was clear, we resumed working on the vent. I loosened the last bolt and pulled myself inside of the air vent, helping Jaden inside after.

"That was a close one..." Jaden sighed as he shut the vent.

"This is what we've trained for. Taking risks. It all isn't going to be easy-breezy, you know." I said, before gesturing him to follow.

We quietly crawled through, making as little noise as possible until we noticed some lighting. I came to a stop at that next vent. Through the cages, I could see the inside of one of the rooms. A few of the performers were getting dressed in outrageous costumes and over-the-top makeup and hair. The room was getting foggy from hairspray, decreasing the visibility inside.

I scanned the room, trying to find something suspicious but it all looked normal. Well... Normal for a circus show. The performers freaked me out a little bit.

"Woah..." Jaden whispered. "How are we supposed to know who's a threat? They all carry weapons."

"You're right..." I noticed the lady from the end of the room, practicing her juggling act with machetes to the big-haired woman sharpening two large claymores.

I clicked on my earpiece, contacting Rebecca, "Red. See anything out of the ordinary?"

"Other than the performers themselves? No... But I did overhear one of the dancers say something about 'releasing the demons'. I don't know what that means but it sounds scary."

I rolled my eyes, "Or it could be something that's a part of their act."

She let out a frustrated sigh, "Okay​, well how's it coming along for you guys? I'm sure you two hadn't made any progress either."

I chuckled because she was right, "Well... You got me there. Look, I'll check back with you when I see anything, you do the same for any other slight suspicions you notice."

"Sounds good."

I turned to Jaden, "Looks like this is going to be harder than we thought."

"I see..." he sneered in annoyance.

We continued to crawl through the vent, navigating our way to the main center, where the audience will be seated. Loud chattering began to crescendo as we moved closer. Suddenly, booming introduction music started to fill the stadium, making the crowd roar up into cheers as we headed towards the light coming through the caging of another vent.

"Let's exit through here," Jaden suggested.

I looked through the vent, into the empty bathroom. I then loosened the bolts and we both hopped down after each other. Now it's time for the more serious part.

"It sounds like the show is starting," Jaden said, checking himself out in the mirror.

"Which is why we need to go take our seats now." I forcefully grabbed his hand and yanked him with me towards the door.

"I know that, damn. You don't have to break my arm." he laughed, pacing up to keep up with my speed.

We rushed out of the bathroom, passing by a man who was just about to go in. He stared wide-eyed at me, to Jaden, to the bathroom, obviously assuming the worst scenario.

I didn't pay any mind to him but Jaden's dumbass looked back and winked at him, thinking I wouldn't see.

"Stop it." I snapped.

He raised his free hand faultlessly, "He thought it first."

I shook my head as we casually entered the cheap seats at the back row, sitting at the end so it would be an easy exit for when we sneak out to investigate backstage.

This place was huge! It looked a lot bigger with the seats filled compared to when we examined it through cameras while the building was empty.

We came just in time too. The lights dimmed and a spotlight focused on the host in a black tux at the center of the stadium.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Kids of all ages! Welcome to the Twisted Reality. Are you all ready to experience a night full of excitement and... Illusions?"

Everyone cheered loudly around us.

"Are you ready for freak performances and insane stunts?"

People cheered even louder.

"How about... A grand finale... By the one... The only... Fire Catcher!"

Everyone screamed at the top of their lungs, making me want to shoot them all for splitting my eardrums. The name "Fire Catcher" was clearly no stranger to the public. From the looks of it, she was the performer the audience really anticipated over the most.

Jaden looked at me from the sound of her name. I liked the look in his eye. He was ready for the challenge. I responded with a smirk then turned back to the show.

"But first, let's put our hands together for our first performance of the night... Bella Ella!"

The audience clapped enthusiastically as he walked off and a woman with freakishly long, gold and white hair took the center, performing an exotic smoke dance. As mystifying music ascended, a dark, gentle hue of blue lighting filled the atmosphere, causing the audience to quiet down into "ooh's" and "ah's". Her hips swayed fluidly as dense white smoke crept across the stage, spellbinding the audience with her fluent twirls and flexibility.

I guess you could say it was kind of cool. Especially the part when she whipped her hair fast enough to make the smoke twist into a soft tornado.

Jaden put his arm around me and leaned into my ear, saying, "You should dance like that for me one day."

I almost glared but ended up smirking instead, "Sure. If you wear the fishnet outfit..."

He furrowed his brows, thinking for a moment before he smiled and said, "You'd be surprised at how good I'll look in that. I can be your personal stripper if you want."

Ew.

I pushed his arm off of me, "Yeah, no." I laughed at the thought.

"Your loss..." he removed his backpack and pulled out a bag of potato chips, offering me some.

Obviously, I accepted with a handful before gazing around at the audience to check for any movement. So far, all seemed completely seated and safe but I kept my guard up, half-ignoring the performance to sneak glances throughout the entertained audience.

As we snacked, Jaden got distracted when someone talked in his earpiece. I grabbed another handful of chips, watching his expression go from smiling to a concerning frown. After a moment, he looked at me with clear worry in his eyes, "There's a kid backstage..."

My body tingled at the sudden sense of trouble. How did someone already manage to sneak a kid out of here? "Where backstage?" I asked.

"Near the dressing rooms," he answered.

I stood up, "Let's go check before it's too late."

He nodded before telling the hawkeye to tap into the main stadium's security cameras so we could duck out of the crowd and head backstage while they keep an eye out for suspicious activity amongst the audience. When we arrived backstage, the first thing I noticed was the scenery. It was a hectic mess back there. Clothes and props were everywhere, almost covering all of where used to be a floor.

I followed Jaden because he was the one getting directions from the hawkeye.

"Wait. Jaden." I stopped him, noticing a person's shadow around the corner. When it moved in our direction, we quickly ducked behind one of the elephant props.

The security guard walked by, humming to himself.

"The room is around this corner," Jaden whispered.

"We can't go yet... The guard."

He watched the guard pace back and forth for a moment. He then picked up a hanger and chucked it in the opposite direction the guard was walking. We both quickly ducked down as the guard alertly turned around, with his hand on his taser.

"Who's there?" he followed the spot to where the hanger fell.

When he got far enough, Jaden grabbed my wrist and led me around the corner.

"Good thinking." I praised.

He smiled at me and continued listening to the directions.

"It'll be fine... Here follow me..." We heard a voice say down the hall.

"I think I found her," Jaden told the hawkeye with a frown.

We peeped over the wall and saw one of the performers leading a child inside of the room.

It's the first victim...

"Come..." I gestured before heading towards that closed door.

I pressed my face against the door to listen.

"I told you. You'll be alright. I'm just going to put this here..." a women's voice said.

"I'm scared..." the child said with his voice shaking.

We're going to get you out of there...

I moved my hand to the knob, ready to burst inside.

"Don't be... Your performance will be perfect."

Performance?

Jaden and I both looked at each other with the same expressions. Confusion.

"That's what I want." the boy said. "I already messed up once, I don't want to embarrass myself again."

Really...? Just another performer.

With a sigh, we headed back the other way, towards the stadium.

"False alarm, Tyler..." Jaden informed in a tone of disappointment.

I was too. This mission feels like a big waste of time at this point.

Remember what you're here for. To find answers.

Right. And that's exactly what I'm going to do. There's no way those kids in previous shows just went missing without a trace back to the criminal. We just have to stay patient and make sure the suspects and their staff are always under watch. Maybe it's time to take some risks, corner our suspects by limiting their access to certain rooms...

I stopped us from going back to the stadium and pulled Jaden inside with me into the janitor's closet once the lightbulb in my head went off.

He raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"Hold on..." I contacted Dylan.

"What's up, agent Greene?"

"Are all of the entrances and exits guarded by our members?" I asked.

"Positive. Some of the doors have been locked as well. We should be aware of everyone coming in and out, anyone trying to use the locked doors will immediately be confronted."

"That's all I needed to hear." With all the escape ways already blocked, it will be easier to track our suspect and the cornering process will be that much simpler, leading to a smooth arrest. All we need to do is come up with a plan that'll do the job as clean as possible.

I could hear someone else coming in from the other end of my earpiece but there was no answer for a moment.

"Tyler? Rebecca?" I asked.

"Nicole..." Rebecca whispered.

"What is it?"

"Fire Catcher... She's with Freak Show..."

She found them!

"Where are you?" I said with serious concern. The fear in her voice gave me a horrible feeling that sent chills down my spine.

"I'm by their room... I can hear them, I can hear their plan..." she paused then cursed under her breath. Before I was able to ask for directions so we could surround them when she makes the arrest, she suddenly told me, "They're splitting up... Go to the tech room. Tell Jaden to go to the rehearsal room. Hurry!"

"Wait, wait, Rebecca listen... What are they planning?"

Her voice became quieter, almost a whisper, "They're targeting two kids tonight... A blonde girl and a brunette boy... It doesn't look good. I don't think chains and duct tape is part of their act."

"Look, Rebecca." I started sternly, "Before they split, go and make the arrest, they won't see it coming. We'll be there shortly. Just tell us where you-"

"No... I can't..." She whispered, "This won't work."

"What the hell, Rebecca? That was the plan, wasn't it?" I angrily threw my bag to the floor, yanking my gun out of it.

I have to do everything around here.

"I told you, I can't! Not on my own, they're loaded with insane weapons. Fire Catcher has flammable daggers and Freak Show's got a whip." she groaned.

We didn't arm you with weapons and cuffs for decoration! Are you fucking new here?!

"Okay, okay... Just hide. Don't be seen, we're coming." I told her, trying to remain calm.

"I'm going to keep my eyes on the kids. I don't want those freaks to reach 'em first." she quickly said.

"Understood. Stay safe."

"Same to you." her voice slightly trembled before she signed off.

I looked at Jaden and let out a deep sigh. "She found them."

"Freak show and Fire Catcher?"

I nodded, "We have to split up. You remember the map we studied, right?"

He nodded, "By heart..."

"Good. She told me that you need to find the rehearsal room. I'll take the tech room. I don't care what happens, just make the arrest and alert us once you lay eyes on one of them."

"Are you sure you want to do this alone?" he asked nervously. Nervous for me.

"We need to catch them quick. Trust me, I'll be fine." I assured as I loaded my MK-18.

He smiled, "Got it... Any little thing that seems strange, let me know. We're dealing with a bitch that plays with fire who's married to a creepy clown. Remember that."

"Same for you... Good luck."

He opened the door and we both separated into different directions. It felt a little empty without him by my side but it also felt very familiar. It was just like the old days when I had no partner. The freedom of working at my own pace, not worrying about risking a member's life due to my choices, it felt so much more enjoyable. More suitable for me.

During my journey to the tech room, I had to do a lot of hiding and distracting to get by every 10 feet or so to avoid being noticed by the working staff. It was all worth it in the end because I found the room at the end of the building.

I stood in front of the large metal door with my gun drawn out in front of me.

1... 2... 3!

I bursted through the room, "Nobody move!"

What the...?

The room was empty...

You've gotta be kidding me.

I clicked my earpiece, pursing my lips, "Rebecca..."

No one answered.

"Rebecca! Come in!" I demanded sternly.

"Yes?"

I sighed, "Are you sure they said tech room?"

"I'm... Quite positive..."

"Okay then, why... Hold on." I narrowed my eyes at the security cameras. These were the ones owned by the stadium. Only 8 out of 132 cameras were functioning. "This is weird..."

"What's weird?"

"These security cameras... Only 8 of them are working. 8 out of 132..."

I watched the cameras, seeing the performers come and go through the halls.

I added Jaden to the call and told him about the cameras.

"You think that's weird? I just found bloody footprints near the rehearsal room but they disappear halfway down." He informed. "Looks as if someone was getting forced back here..."

My hands grew cold. Cold with a sense of trouble. "Hawkeye?"

"Nothing as weird as that." D.T answered, "Whoever they're targeting has no way of getting out of the stadium. They should be safe for now. As long as they aren't with the killers that is."

"Then whose blood is this?" Jaden sounded spooked.

"I don't know..." I watched the cameras finding Fire Catcher walking down the halls. "But I suggest you get to a safe place."

"Yeah, she's right. I don't think any of us knows what we're getting ourselves into." D.T said in a low voice. "I'm finding a rather cryptic sequential pattern in each of the guards' watching positions. Every 15 to 20 minutes, they rotate and switch positions with each other. None of them take breaks..."

That is very peculiar...

I moved closer to the cameras to look at the positioning of some of those guards, "They may be part of the scheme..."

"I have a strong feeling of that." D.T agreed. "When I trace the radar map of where one guard is standing to the one adjacent from him, they all seem to rotate around one specific location, exactly 4 degrees from the direct center."

"And what's that?"

"A practice room..." he told me.

The rehearsal room? Jaden can't go in there yet. At least not alone.

Fire Catcher looked directly at the camera I was watching then before I knew it, she threw a dagger at it, knocking the power right out... Leaving 7 cameras left. "Did you get that, Jaden? Get somewhere safe." I commanded, eyeing the camera.

He didn't answer.

"Jaden do you copy...? Jaden!"

Nothing.

My heart skipped a beat and a sudden feeling of conflict and anxiousness filled my nerves quickly.

Answer me!

"Jaden!"

"I can't connect with him," D.T told me and I could hear him clicking some buttons as he tried to get a connection.

I scratched my head as cold sweat chilled my spine, "Red, can you connect with Jaden?"

No answer.

"Rebecca?"

None.

"D.T... What's going on?" my heartbeat began hammering loud enough for me to hear it and fear quickly filled the blood in my veins.

"I- I don't know... I'm connected with Rebecca but she's not answering. Dylan?"

"Yes, sir," he answered.

"Try to get us connected with Jaden."

There were tapping sounds on his end. "It's connected... Brown... Brown! Hall!" he called but he didn't get an answer either. "Why aren't they answering?"

"Guys... The girl." Dani spoke. "She's gone!"

Seriously?

"How did she get out?" I asked sternly.

"I don't know. She was sitting right in front of me. A few audience members walked, blocked my view and now she's gone."

I began to feel an outrage forming.

This is exactly why I work alone! Everything was so much smoother then, now all of this just went downhill. What if they've been captured?

The kids... They're gonna kill the kids.

And my partners.

No, they won't. Don't think that.

Fucking bullshit!

Glaring, I rushed out of the tech room to start my search for them. I could feel fire blazing and rising rapidly within me. I needed to unleash my rage on those freak bastards... NOW!