Edge of the Game (Part-1)

The neon lights of the city flickered below as Ava adjusted her leather jacket, her boots crunching softly against the rooftop gravel. The brisk night air carried a faint scent of rain, but she had bigger problems than the weather.

Behind her, three men climbed onto the roof, their footsteps loud and deliberate.

“You know,” Ava said without turning around, “if you're trying to sneak up on someone, maybe don't wear those clunky boots.”

The leader of the group, a bulky man with a scar cutting across his cheek, chuckled darkly. “You've got guts, I'll give you that. But you're outnumbered.”

Ava finally turned, hands in her pockets, her expression bored. “Three against one? Doesn't seem fair. You should've brought MORE friends.”

One of the goons stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. “We're not here to chat, lady. Hand over the drive.”

Ava pulled a small, metallic USB stick from her pocket, holding it up between her fingers. “This LITTLE thing?” She smirked. “What's on it must be pretty valuable if your boss sent the Three Stooges after me.”

Scarface snarled. “That's the last joke you'll make, sweetheart.”

Ava raised an eyebrow. “Sweetheart? Really? What is this, a bad action movie?”

Without warning, the goon lunged at her.

Ava sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing his arm and twisting it behind his back.

With a sharp kick to his knee, she sent him crumpling to the ground.

Scarface cursed. “Get HER!”

The second guy rushed her, swinging wildly. Ava ducked under his punch, grabbing his wrist and pulling him forward. She kneed him in the stomach and flipped him onto his back with a satisfying thud.

“Two down,” she said, brushing her hands off. “You're up, Scarface.”

He pulled a knife from his belt, the blade glinting under the moonlight. “You're going to REGRET this.”

Ava rolled her eyes. “Oh no, a knife. I'm so scared.”

He charged at her, slashing wildly. Ava dodged with precision, her movements quick and fluid. She grabbed a metal pipe lying on the rooftop and used it to block his strikes.

“Here's a tip,” she said, parrying his next attack. “When you bring a knife to a fight, make sure you actually know how to USE it.”

With a swift spin, she disarmed him, sending the knife skidding across the rooftop. Before he could react, Ava jabbed him in the ribs with the pipe, then swept his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard, groaning in pain.

Ava crouched down next to him, twirling the USB stick in her fingers. “Tell your boss this: if he wants his precious files, he can come get them himself. But next time, he might want to reconsider who he messes with.”

She stood up, pocketed the drive, and walked to the edge of the rooftop.

“You can KEEP the knife,” she called over her shoulder. “Think of it as a consolation prize.”

With that, Ava jumped off the roof, landing gracefully on the fire escape below. She disappeared into the shadows, leaving the three men groaning in defeat.

The city lights blurred together as she moved swiftly through the alleyways, her heart steady, her mind sharp. Another night, another victory

Ava smirked to herself. “Outnumbered, my ass.”

Just as she turned a corner, a sudden blast of light hit her, nearly blinding her.

She froze, her instincts screaming that something was wrong.

From the shadows ahead, a voice she didn't recognize called out, “Running's not an option.”

Ava spun around, her hand already on the gun at her waist, but she stopped when she saw the source of the light. Standing before her was a figure cloaked in black, wearing a sleek helmet that reflected the city lights.

“WHO ARE YOU?” she demanded, her voice steady, despite the shock running through her veins.

The figure's voice was mechanical, distorted. “I'm here to COLLECT the drive. And you... are coming with me.”

Ava's pulse quickened. Something about the way the figure spoke felt personal. A flash of recognition crossed her mind, but it was gone in an instant.

“I don't think so,” Ava shot back, taking a defensive stance.

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-------------- TO BE CONTINUED -----------

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Author's Note:

Hey there! Just to let you know that part 2 of the story will be written by Rowan Finley. Stay tuned for more fun and mischief coming your way soon!

Thank you so much for reading!