Chapter 3

After Serena left the building, as the team prepared to storm in, she suddenly started getting emotional again.

“Derek, am I just… useless?”

“Don’t say that, Serena. You did great. For your first time, not being terrified is already a big win.”

“No, Derek, I need to prove myself. I don’t want to be dead weight. Give me a rifle, let me take down that perp.”

“Fine. Take this sniper rifle and head to the roof.”

“Everyone listen: no one moves without my command!”

The comms went silent. No one wanted to waste another word on those two.

My eyes never left the hostage-taker. Only three minutes remained until his self-imposed deadline.

But through my scope, I saw his state was worsening. He probably wouldn't keep his word.

“Cassidy, I’m here!”

Serena kicked open the rooftop access door, panting as she ran over and stood beside me, clutching the rifle.

“Cassidy, teach me how to shoot!”

“I don’t have time for your games.”

I ignored her, dropping only that one line, and returned my focus to the scene in my scope.

She immediately bristled. She kicked me hard in the back, then dropped her rifle and stomped right on my spine.

“Cassidy, come on, tell me! Stop holding out on me!”

That kick was no joke. It felt like a sledgehammer, my lower back and ribs burning with pain.

The lives of my teammates were in my hands. I couldn’t move. I had to hold my position.

Seeing my silence, she escalated, grabbing my arm with both hands and shaking it back and forth.

Being a sniper isn't a game. It's about stability, precision, and ruthlessness. I’d undergone special forces training; her weak grip was no match for my training; I could hold my arm steady all day.

My arm didn’t budge.

I was at my breaking point, finally snapping:

“Serena, if you want to throw a tantrum, go somewhere else! Don’t get in my way!”

She immediately started sniffling, complaining into her mic:

“Derek, Cassidy won’t even talk to me! I begged her so many times, but she won’t teach me… I knew I was dumb, I can’t do anything, boo-hoo…”

Derek, without a word, immediately lashed out at me over the comms:

“What’s there to hide? You’re an unmannered and unruly piece of work, no wonder you're so dense!”

I was an orphan. His words struck a nerve deep inside me, hitting my most vulnerable spot. In the past, countless people had used it to mock and humiliate me. After graduation, I had only ever told Derek about it.

He once told me he would be my family.

But now, he used the cruelest words to shatter what little trust I had left.

I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palms. But I knew this wasn't the time to retaliate. I’d settle this score with him after the mission.

I refocused on the hostage-taker through my scope, only to realize he wasn't looking towards the doors or windows anymore. His gaze was fixed right on us.

From this distance, with my glare guard on, there was no way we could be seen…

My mind tightened. I glanced sharply at the rifle Serena had dropped on the ground. Its scope was bare, completely uncovered.

She hadn't attached the glare cloth!

Our position was exposed!