Undercover

A Flash Fiction by Coralie

He held up two fingers, but I was pretty sure I saw at least twelve. Maybe more.

“Hey man,” his voice boomed in my ears. I winced. “You don’t look so good.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t feel so good.”

I spat to the side and rubbed my hands together.

“Well, what happened?” he asked, clearly uneasy.

“What do you think happened?! They nearly beat me to a pulp out there!”

I tried to get up, but the world tilted around me. I decided to stay put. My stomach growled. I tried to ignore it.

“I’m not going back…I won’t.”

With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, “You have to. We need you out there.” He paused. My head throbbed. “They trust you.”

A grunt. “Trust is a funny way of puttin’ it.”

“If you just hang in a little long–”

“I said I won’t go back! Get someone else to do it.”

“No one else is close enough to the gang. We don’t have enough time to send someone else in. You’ve already established a relationship with them.”

I closed my eyes, trying to make sense of the words.

“They’ll figure it out.”

He shook his head, “No, they won’t.”

I blinked to clear my head, but I still saw way too many doubles. It was hard to concentrate on anything, especially with my stomach yelling at me. I hoped this meeting wouldn’t go on too much longer.

When he didn’t get a response, he spoke softly, “You’re the best we’ve got.”

The fool. He wanted to bring down Ricky Gurdress, but he couldn’t promise protection. Sure he boasted of backup and presented his plans, but he wasn’t the one out there in the lion’s den. He wasn’t the one playing with snakes. He wasn’t the one they’d torture and slaughter if they found out his partner was undercover.

“You’ll regret this if I end up dead.” The muttering was softer on my ears. My stomach growled so loudly that I was sure he heard it. I decided it was time to leave. I’d spent enough time here already.

I took one last breath to steady myself before getting up. Feeling less lightheaded, I flew over to the table. I spat and rubbed my hands together again when I landed between the two men.

“Harry…” the voice hissed. It was softer, but still shook the world around me. Did no one understand my sensitive ears?

“Harry,” the big ugly repeated, staring right at me. “Get the fly swatter!”

Before I could fully register the threat, I felt the air around me shift. I tried to leap into the air again, but my escape was futile. Big Ugly’s partner already had me!

I cried out in agony, but my screams were cut short as the wind was torn from my lungs.

“Got him!” he shouted triumphantly.

Pain rushed into every part of me. I was pretty sure my leg was never meant to twist in that direction. Half of my world went black and I knew he’d nailed my eyes. I could only see one or two doubles. Something oozed out around me. I felt my life draining quickly. I felt regret. I’d heard stories. I knew my life would be short. I should have listened to my mother. I could have had one more meal…I should never have gone undercover. I should never have tried to be a fly on the wall.