finish the story contest entry

I was rushing home after a late night at work. My husband had called to tell me the baby was sick. Why did I have to come back to work so soon? Then again, it wasn't like I had a choice. I knew when I joined the agency that our mission did not leave much room for a personal life.

I am normally cautious when leaving work, but this time I was distracted and did not see the man rush up behind me. I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

Was this man going to rob me? Rape me? "Please, I have kids. Take my money. Take my jewelry," I pleaded.

"Shut up, lady. Where are the files?" a gruff voice ordered from behind.

"I don't know what you're talking about?" I squeaked. I knew full well which files he meant. Since my agency investigates misconduct by public officials, I had by now figured out that he was working for some powerful people. My foremost concern had to be protecting the lives of the undercover agents who would be in danger if those files got into the wrong hands.

"Ok mister," I sobbed, "I'm just a secretary so I don't know much, but I'll try to give you what you want. Let me get my door pass."

"Where is it. I'll get it," he snapped nervously.

"Look in the bottom of the middle section of my briefcase," I told him cautiously.

As he started to dig around, I seized my opportunity. I swung my elbow around and shoved hard into his ribs. Then I kneed him in the groin and used a jujitsu hold to render his arms useless. I forced him down on his stomach and held him with one hand and my knee while I checked him for weapons and removed his mask. He flipped over, threw me down, and began choking me. Someone must have heard or seen the commotion and called the police because I could hear sirens in the distance getting closer.

"If this keeps up I'll be dead before they even get here." I thought about my baby and could not let that happen. I summoned all my strength and kicked him forcefully away from me. As the police descended upon us, the stunned attacker stared incredulously. He looked back towards the sound of the sirens and immediately bolted. I would have chased him but I had already collapsed, spent, onto the ground.

A young cop pulled up next to me. "Don't worry little lady, we're here to help you."

"Asthmatic," I panted, "Inhaler. In. Briefcase." I took a tug off my inhaler and slipped it into my pocket.

A captain arrived on the scene. "We'll need this briefcase for evidence. No one touches anything," he barked at the young officer. I didn't care if he took it. The files were all on the flash drive hidden inside my inhaler.