Ivan swung around the corner as fast as he could, running after his quarry. He stopped. No one was there. He looked round the street. It was deserted. Quite. Too quite. Ivan tensed as Charlotte whispered into his ear

"Thermals, going up"

The Thermals turned on, and a quick glance told him a cat was in the alley to his right, a mouse scurried in the sewers underground, but nothing else was around. Ivan held the SPEAR up, and slowly walked up the street.

"Put all sensors online. I swear he's here." said Ivan

"But the thermal-"

"Yes, I know, the thermal showed he wasn't here, but we've seen him split into five! What else does he have up his sleeve?"

"Alright then, go check the alley over to our south-west."

Ivan slowly crept his way over.

He never made it there. The blow to the back of the head knocked him out.

***

Ivan woke up. He looked around drowsily, and noticed he was in a small room. Off to his right, he saw someone with dark skin, the target, sorting through a box. The man picked up something in the box and turned around. Ivan pretended he was still knocked out. The man briskly crossed the room, went over to a table and set down... Ivan's SPEAR! Ivan growled a little in anger. He looked at himself, and saw that his GUARD was gone, probably in the same box. All he had was the pistol concealed around his waist, and his combat knife. Ivan crept towards the box. He opened it and indeed found his GUARD inside. He picked up his helmet, and crawled stealthy towards the dark skinned man. Ivan rose his helmet.

"My turn" he muttered as he brought the heavy helmet down on his foe. He gave him a kick, and turned to the box. He put his GUARD on, and awakened Charlotte from her sleep mode. He grabbed his SPEAR and pointed it at the target. He pulled the trigger. As soon as the bullets hit the target, he disappeared.

"Damn magic tricks..." Ivan said angrily. The Assassin may turn into the Assassinated.

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Sig by Sugarpoultry

[Ivan Thompson]