Red light runs the length of the corridor in thin rows, the ominous glow pooling around my feet as my shoes tap delicately on the concrete floor.

The cool air chills my cheeks, and I zip my jacket further up my neck.

The guard in front of me startles, his black gun faltering in his grip. “How did you get in here?” He squeals, his voice young—a squeak of an old door frame. The guard fumbled with his gun again, holding it up to his shoulder. Even in the low light, I can see the tremble of his lips, a faint shadow of a first-beard on his chin. “How did you get past security?”

I could confess—my mother says I do like to brag—but I haven't the time, and the poor boy looks frightened enough.

“I couldn't possibly tell you...” I say instead and take a small step forward, my steps silent, and my plait slips over my shoulder to swing like a pendulum down my back. “Far, far too complicated.”

The young guard flinches as I take another step. Now closer, I can see his eyes, round like coins, wide with fear; his finger twitches on the trigger of his weapon.

It was clear he had not expected company—especially not a girl.

Maybe he never expected company so far down where he thought it would be safe.

I tilt my head—smile—then grab the guards gun, and throw it to the floor with a clatter.

And before he has time to react, before he can even blink those sweet eyes, I uncork a glass beaker and waft it under his nose.

Within an instant, I can see the gas has worked. A dopey smile flops onto his face, curling up to meet the lazy downturn of his eyes.

The guard stumbles, and I hook my arm around him, taking on his weight. I grunt as his shoulder bumps my chin. “That’s right, come with me.”

“Where are we going?” The young guard mumbles, his breath warm, tickling the back of my neck.

“I’m going to show you a secret. Do you want to know how I got in?”

“Uh-huh.”

A bead of sweat rolls down back as I heave the guard a little way down the corridor. His chunky black boots stomp lazily on the floor, the echoes bouncing off the walls, beating with the pace of my heart.

“We’re here,” I say as we stop outside a storage room. I gesture to it, the door opening with a click. “This is how I got in,” I pause briefly for dramatic effect, then add, “In-tru-da door. Get it? Because I’m an intruder, and I came in through a door.”

Not this door, mind you.

The guard wobbles on his feet, and he wrinkles up his nose, his dark brows knitting together. “An intruder?”

I had hoped for a laugh, at least a shy giggle, but I suppose one can’t have everything. Especially not after successfully breaking into a secure facility without a hitch.

“Yes, my dear. Now, take a perch here—there’s a good boy,” The young guard slips down the wall like a drop of water, pulling his knees close to his chest as his butt hits the floor. A roll of toilet paper tumbles from a shelf above, striking the guard hat. His hat tilts, and I righten it.

Then, reaching into the pouch at my hip, I remove a small vial, the viscous blue, bioluminescent liquid glowing in the dim light.

I pull up the sleeve of his uniform, my fingers brushing briefly over the black cat tattoo on his wrist, before I sigh and poke the needle into the vein.

“There, now sleep. But I’m afraid when you wake; you will be fired.” I pull down his sleeve. “Apologies, but you’ll be safe in here, and that's better than being dead.”

Turning on my heels, I make my way back down the corridor, pick up the guards discarded gun and begin to finish what I started... Getting my revenge.