Dust and smoke were everywhere leaving the entrance completely closed off. Granite pushed and pushed but the cover would not budge. Shut up in darkness, he breathed in a smoky air relief. (This is why I always keep a plan b and c.)

The little shelter was plan b. His fingers brush alongside searching for c. A hand grasps onto a jagged latch.

(There we go. We just need to turn here.) The panel shifted to the left. He pulls himself through the opening.

Grabs the glider fasten to the slide of the cliff and soar away. (So that bastard wants to kill me. It won't be so easy.)

Pierce leaves his study after drudging over the last few papers he was willing to review today. He slowly makes his way upstairs, hoping to squeeze in a little rest before his afternoon appointments. He had no sooner dropped his second foot onto the upstairs hardwood floor. When he heard an angry rasped from the side.

"Reaper came by for a smoke and decided to leave me around a little longer. I thought it would be good to send you to ride back with him." He watched the old dog turn his head. to the side to fix him with a stare.

"I remember telling you certain people are off-limits to you. " He retorts back to the assassin who had the fury of hell in his eyes.

“I remember clearly but you seem to forget my warning of lack of patience for grumpy old men who don’t know a hunting dog from a wild wolf.”

Pierce's eyes soften in amusement. "Okay, I admit I might have been a little harsh in my discipline. What will it take to make this ugly issue clear itself up? Throw me a price."

Granite smirks. "Well, we will have to add some penalty fee. The price will be steep plus the loss of your head if you try this crap again." He steps back, keeping his pistol on his target.

“There is still the issue of my son.”

"We have decided to part ways, it's no longer an issue, let's leave it there." (He just wants me out of his sight. So I will just stay invisible. I work better unseen anyways. I will hang around you a little longer, taking my leave when I can let go.) "Let's talk business."

The more serious matter finally settled, Granite heads back to the clearing lurking his way unseen to the top. Gloomy silence flooded the area, due to the harsh beginning of its day. He grabs some of his things from the car. Then walk over to where they were practicing shots. Grabs the bag and box with the pistol, turning to head back, but he turns back one last time. Taking slow steady steps back to the jeep placing the specialized piece back in the Jeep. "I'm giving this to you, Tender. If you come back it will be waiting for you. " He takes a deep breath before heading back. Thoughts of their short time together torturing his heart as he closes the door on their story.

He whipped out his phone. Press 3 on his speed dial. “Hey Cam, is there any news on ‘you know who’?” Keep me posted. I may be moving on soon. If I don’t check in I am on the move. He nods. “I was planning on sticking around for a while but I don’t think it will have any benefits after all. I am better off-” His words falter as his steps halted.

Granite's eagle spots a handsome figure making his way up towards the clearing. "Yeah, I'm here. I'm just thinking there might still be some possibilities here. " (We will let the future write itself, Tender.)