No Safe Place

He was sitting at that railway station, exhausted, when he felt someone place a hand on his shoulder.

Adrian rolled his eyes and groaned before whipping around. The man was already on his knees, Adrian’s foot planted firmly on the bench for perfect leverage.

“Your boss really needs to get the picture,” he growled. “No means no. I don’t care how many agents he sends. I’m not coming back.”

He twisted the man’s arm sharply, hearing the clean pop of the joint dislocating before shoving him away.

The man howled in pain, staggering backward and cradling his shoulder. He looked over his shoulder several times as he hurried away, until Adrian was finally out of sight.

Adrian paced across the railway station, waiting for the train that would take him far from here.

When the train finally arrived, he boarded without hesitation, found a seat, and watched until the train pulled away from the station. Only then did he allow himself to rest.

Adrian rested his head back against the seat, folding his arms across his chest, and closed his eyes, waiting for the rhythmic clickety-clack of the wheels to lull him to sleep.

The sound of the car door opening and closing caused him to open one eye. A plain passenger walked through and sat across from him, opening a newspaper.

Adrian closes his eye again, unbothered. But as the minutes passed, he felt eyes on him. He looked up to see the passenger eyeing him over the newspaper, thinking they were discreet, but being plainly obvious to Adrian.

When the passenger noticed Adrian’s gaze, they raised the newspaper. Adrian closed his eyes again, but it was mere seconds before he felt eyes on him again.

“Do we have a problem?” he grumbled, yanking the passenger’s newspaper down before they could hide again.

“You look terrible.”

Adrian huffed, rolling his eyes. “Thanks.”

“It’s been a long three days, hasn’t it?”

Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “Who the hell are you?” Training kicked in and he automatically assessed the possibility of danger, but the passenger either wasn’t armed or was much more discreet than the average agent.

“Someone who isn't working for your former employer.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced.

“Someone who can help you disappear.” There’s a long pause before they continue. “That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

“I've been trying that for three days.”

“Running is not disappearing. I have the resources to prove the difference.”

Adrian leans forward dangerously. “You have one minute to convince me.”

The stranger’s mouth slowly curves into a smile. “I know why you walked away.”

Adrian's expression hardened.

“I know what they asked you to do.”

“You don't know anything about me.”

“I know you refused.” The stranger paused, letting the words sink in. “I just haven’t figured out why.”

“Why the hell do you care?”

“Because I know what happens next.”

Adrian frowned. “What?”

“They'll keep coming.”

“I figured that out.”

“No. You haven't.” The stranger folded the newspaper and set it on the seat beside them. “You think they want you back because you know too much. You think if you keep moving, eventually they'll stop looking.”

Adrian said nothing.

“They won't.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

“I suggest you stop running.”

“And how do you propose I do that?”

“I can give you a new identity. A new life. Money. A place they can't reach you.”

Adrian stared at them. “And the catch?”

“There isn't one.”

Adrian laughed. “There's always a catch.”

“Fine. One.” The stranger leaned forward. “You tell me why.”

A long stretch of silence settled between them.

“Tell me why you refused to kill a child when they asked. You're a man who follows orders. Why not that one?”

Adrian went completely still. His eyes narrowed as he studied the face staring back at him, searching for something familiar. There was something about them. Something he should know. “Who are you?” The words came out slow and measured.

“I told you. Someone who can make you disappear.”

“And I'm supposed to believe you'll do that simply because I tell you why?”

“I have my suspicions why.” The stranger leaned back. “I just need you to confirm them.”

“I don’t kill children.”

“That's it?”

Adrian's jaw tightened. “That's it.”

“You killed the others.”

“They weren't children.”

“So that's your line?”

“That's not what I said.”

“Then tell me what it is.”

Adrian looked out the window. He was silent as shrubs passed by in a blur. “Some orders don't deserve to be followed,” he finally said.

The stranger watched him for a long moment. Then they smiled. “There it is.”

Adrian looked back at them. “There what is?”

“I need someone who still knows the difference between following orders and doing the right thing.”

“So you’re just another fucking recruiter?”

“Of sorts.”

Adrian stared at them. “Are you going to give me any straight answers?”

The stranger only smiled.

Adrian waited.

Nothing.

He leaned back in his seat, letting out a frustrated breath. “You know, you're really fucking annoying.”

“I've been told.”

The stranger reached into their coat and pulled out a small card, sliding it across the table.

Adrian looked down at it, but didn't touch it.

“Call me when you're tired of running.”

The stranger stood and walked toward the door between the cars.

Adrian finally picked up the card, turning it over in his fingers.

There was only a name and a phone number. No company. No address. Nothing else.

He looked up. The stranger was gone.