It had been over two weeks since Iris last saw any real action. The quiet was unbearable. No missions. No new cases. The once chaotic hum of her life had morphed into a suffocating stillness that gnawed at her, threatening to drive her crazy.
Her mind drifted back to the days of adrenaline-fueled raids. Now, all she had were the ghosts of past cases that kept her awake at night. Her fingers toyed with the hem of her jacket as she walked down the sidewalk, the city's bustling noise a stark contrast to the quiet storm inside her.
Then, her phone buzzed.
Nora.
Her heart skipped a beat. Nora's calls weren't casual. When she called, it meant trouble.
She answered quickly.
"Iris." Nora's voice crackled on the line, full of urgency. "You free tonight? I need your help... It's a murder case."
Iris slowed her pace, her breath catching in her throat. A murder? Her thoughts flickered back to the media frenzy—Wayne Corporation's CEO's daughter had been found dead. The reports spoke of a brutal string of deaths, each one more horrifying than the last. But now, it wasn't just a headline. It was real.
"Tell me everything."
The call ended abruptly, a follow-up message pinging her phone with the address. She didn't hesitate. She had learned long ago that when Nora called, there was no room for hesitation.
As she moved towards the location, memories of the past—of her first meeting with Nora—flooded her mind.
Seven years ago, Nora was a sixteen-year-old girl, reckless, dangerous, a girl who lived for the high of escape. Fake IDs. Drugs. Clubs. She was deep into the world of self-destruction when Iris first crossed paths with her.
That night, she found Nora snorting lines in a dingy bar. It was a moment that would change everything.
Iris had raided Nora's house, unearthing a tragedy. The girl wasn't just lost. She was broken. Abused. Her body, covered in bruises, was a silent scream for help.
It wasn't pity that kept Iris from arresting her—it was the understanding that this girl had something more in her. She wasn't a lost cause. She just needed someone to pull her out of the darkness. So Iris did. She got Nora's parents arrested and placed her into protective care. Over the years, they had grown close. Mentor and student, sister and friend. Nora's path had changed, but the fire in her eyes remained, now channeled into criminology.
"You've come a long way, Nora," Iris whispered to herself as she neared the meeting spot.
She found Nora standing outside, arms crossed, a familiar smirk on her face. Despite the tension in the air, Iris couldn't help but smile. The younger woman had grown, but that spark of defiance still lingered.
"Big sis," Nora said, throwing a fist up for their signature greeting. "Thanks for showing up."
"Always. What's going on?"
Nora's face grew serious. "This case... It's worse than anything we've dealt with before. But hear me out. If you don't want in, I'll understand."
Iris's heart tightened. Nora wouldn't be so cautious unless the situation was dire.
"The victims... they all had one thing in common," Nora continued, her voice steady but strained. "They were all connected to the Belone Club."
Iris froze. The Belone Club. She had heard the rumors. A private, exclusive venue for the city's most powerful—elites, criminals, and everything in between. No one dared cross its line. No one.
"And what's the plan?" Iris asked, her voice low.
Nora's gaze flickered with the weight of what she was about to suggest. "We don't have enough evidence to get a warrant. The only way in is through the front door. We need someone who can blend in, someone who won't raise suspicion."
Iris narrowed her eyes. "You want me to go undercover."
Nora nodded. "It's the only way."
"What exactly am I supposed to do?" Iris asked, raising an eyebrow. "Shake my hips and serve drinks?"
Nora flushed. "No! The entertainers... they're more than just dancers. They have access to the club's inner circles. We need surveillance inside. That's where you come in."
Iris's chest tightened. She could already feel the weight of the mission pressing down on her, the danger, the unpredictability of it all. But there was no backing out now.
She folded her arms. "You're lucky I like the thrill."
Nora grinned, but the glimmer of relief in her eyes was short-lived. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "This isn't just any club, Iris. The murders... they're brutal. The victims? They showed signs of torture. We believe it's one person behind it all. And he's smart. He's covering his tracks."
Iris's jaw tightened. She clenched her fists at her sides, her mind already calculating every possible danger.
"Bastards," she muttered. "Fine. I'll do it."
Nora's eyes brightened with gratitude. "I knew you'd come through."
But Iris didn't answer. She was already mentally preparing for the dive into the underworld of the city. She was ready to get her hands dirty. She wasn't just going to uncover a killer; she was going to bring down the whole network.
Nora handed her a flash drive. "Blueprints of the club. You're going in tonight."
Iris froze. "Tonight? You've got to be kidding me."
"It's a private dinner for some of the city's top elites. The security's tight, but it'll give you the perfect distraction to plant the cameras."
Iris rubbed her temples. "You're really giving me this mission last-minute?"
Nora gave a sheepish smile. "You always say you work best under pressure."
Iris groaned. "And I'm going to regret this."
"Absolutely," Nora grinned. "But you've got this, Iris. I'll be watching your back, every step of the way."
Iris turned towards the door, her mind sharp with the adrenaline beginning to rise. Tonight, she would step into the lion's den, and she wasn't leaving until she found the truth.
"So, sis, you're going undercover tonight." Nora's voice softened, her eyes searching Iris's face for any signs of hesitation. "Please, be careful."
Teaser of the Day:
She is a secret agent.
A dangerous entity.
By day, she's no one.
By night? She's the one they call when the truth is too dangerous to speak aloud.
She's here to end the game.