THE MESSAGE

She moved a little bit towards John whilst staring at him in the eyes. Maya let out another sly smile before saying “I could go on and on about your days in pri–”

“Don't you dare say another word!” John cut her short, roaring his words at her.

Maya chuckled softly before saying “I don't intend to…but…I have something important to tell you.”

“Why didn't…haven't you carried out your mission yet? Why am I still alive?” John couldn't help but ask.

“What I am about to tell you is concerning that.” Maya answered him as the lightning and thunderstorms roared from the sky while the rain only got even more heavier.

“What is it?” John asked slowly with fear building up in his heart.

“You are supposed to be dead.” Maya said almost in whispers.

“What?” John asked in utter disbelief.

“I was supposed to kill you two weeks ago after gathering all the information I needed to know about you. I didn't go through with the plan though.” Maya stated plainly.

“Why?" John asked like he had lost his voice and self.

Taking a deep breath, Maya began to explain. “I arrived at your house on the day we agreed upon. I found my way inside and was climbing the stairs to your bedroom, when the person who hired me called.”

“And what did they say? What did she say?” John asked curiously.

“They told me to stop what I was doing and wait for further instructions. I was confused, but I did as they said. A few minutes later, they called back and told me to leave immediately. I have no idea what happened, but I followed their orders. I was told to retreat…Abort the mission.” Maya answered honestly.

“Why did they say that? What happened next?” John asked with his interest piqued up. The intensity of the environment had grown by a thousand.

“I went home after that day, and a week later, I received another call from the person who hired me. They told me to deliver a message to you on a specific day and time - and that day is today. I don't know what the message means, or why they want me to deliver it. But here I am, ready to do as they ask.” Maya disclosed to John.

With fear creeping in his heart, John inquired with a quivering voice, “What…is the message?”

“Are you sure you want to hear it?” Maya asked him with her eyes, giving away a feeling that John couldn't describe.

“Yes.” He muttered in whispers.

“You're not as safe as you think you are. Your world is not what it seems, and there are dangers that you may not be aware of. Keep an eye out on your belongings, and don't trust everyone around you. Your future is uncertain, and you may be in danger from the people you least expect. Look for your safe space because your doom is near!” Maya revealed with a foreboding and suspenseful tone.

“What does that mean?” John asked with fear of the unknown creeping in his heart.

“I don't know what it means. I thought you would understand it better.” Maya replied to him simply.

“Well, I don't. Keep an eye out on your belongings…your doom is near. What do you think they are warning me about? What do you think the caller is trying to tell me?” John asked with confusion written all over his face as he could not fathom the meaning of the message.

“Well, I don't not know but a little piece of advice from me to you…” Maya started off “Run. As fast as you can. Run…far, far away. I do not know much about this whole situation but I can tell you that there is something going on…something very wrong.”

“Why do you say so?” John inquired.

“I have been a hired assassin for the past five years and counting and I can tell you that…no one ever cancels on an order with me.” Maya said confidently.

“Can you tell me more?”

“I do not give out refunds and when you contact me, there's no going back. I always…always carry out my mission. But this caller of mine, she paid in full and paid extra just for me to let you go. She even added more for me to deliver this message to you.” Maya disclosed to him.

“This is all too crazy!” John yelled out in disbelief, waving his head vehemently.

Maya gripped hard unto his suit end yelled out “Listen Mr John Smith! The people you trust are plotting against you…there is no time to check if this is crazy or not crazy. You need to act fast and figure out who is after your life!”

“And how do you intend I do that?” John yelled back in confusion.

“I do not know. You will have to figure it out all on your own. My job here is done! I have delivered the message and I will be on my way. I hope we never have to meet again.” Maya said softly to John.

“No, you can't leave like this. There's so much more that I don't know. Can you…help me out?” John pleaded with Maya.

“I wish I could. All I can say is…it's not just one person that's after your life. There are a lot more than you can count. You start looking back.” Maya disclosed to him.

“Looking back on what?” John blurted out.

“The past. Maybe you might find something there. Someone who would likely want you dead. Someone who you hurt deeply.” Maya made it known to him.

John went silent as he began to ponder deeply on Maya's words. Who has he offended before? He thought but no one came to mind. He couldn't figure out who might want him dead and he didn't know what to look for in the pain. He began to develop headaches just thinking about the whole issue. Today has not been going great.

“I will take my leave now.” Maya announced to him.

John looked up to meet her and said “It's raining heavily. Can you wait right here let me get you an umbrella from my boot?”

Maya nodded her head and John opened the car door while he went out in the heavy rains to get her the umbrella. He opened his car boot and got it, he hurriedly walked back into his car and turned to face the passenger's seat to hand over the umbrella to her only to figure out that she was gone!

“Where did she go to?” John muttered in disbelief at how fast she could have left…leaving no traces behind. Almost like a ghost!

He frantically searched around and looked in the rain if he could see a figure of her anywhere but she was nowhere to be found. A sudden gush of cold wind gripped John and he did not know where it came from as all the windows were locked.

Suddenly, John's phone began to ring. He looked at the screen thinking that it would be Maya but it was just George, his right hand man. He picked the call and put the phone close to his ears.

“Sir, we have a problem!” George uttered immediately.