Operation M.I.A: Missing in Action (IN NEED OF REVISING)

Chapter XXIV

"Wow. That was rather... smashing?" Mia says, unsure of herself.

"God... you're making me wanna die..." Luke mutters to himself.

MACKENZIE

Music: Ending from Gradius Deluxe Pack

"That was easily the most anti-climactic fight ever," Sam sighs once we've finished burying the body.

"Well... this was the final place on the map for us to go to..." Heath says, looking over the map once more. All of the marks have now disappeared from it.

"Then I say we call this a success and head home," Avery says. Everybody else seems thrilled with the idea.

Except for me.

Instead of celebrating with everyone else and getting ready for our flight back home, I walk over to a wall and sit down against it, putting my head in my arms. It doesn't take long for everybody else to join me. Mia and Shanna take a seat on either side of me.

"Hey... Why are you so down in the dumps?" Mia asks, concerned.

I lift my head up and take a look at my sister and eight of the best friends I could've ever wanted (plus Brielle and the hovercraft). The people who've stuck by me no matter what. The people who gave me the life I always dreamed. There's no holding back now. It's time to let my secret free. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, then start explaining.

"Okay... so, you might recall that a couple of weeks ago, I learned that I was abducted at childbirth by the illuminati," I start. My friends nod slowly, as if not sure where I'm going with this. "Well, after Mia and I were taken out to dinner, I was told that my birth parents had been contacted, and..." My voice trails off. I simply cannot bring myself to finish the sentence.

Luckily for me, Avery seems to have figured it out. She gasps and says, "Mackenzie... no way..."

"Yes. I may have to leave." I feel a tear sliding down my face. I wipe it away and then start sniffling. All around me, my friends are showing looks of dismay and horror. Even Brielle seems rather shocked. The hovercraft flies toward me and extends a claw out to pat me on the shoulder. Even though it's a little strange, I silently thank the hovercraft for being supportive.

Heath makes his comment first. "Mackenzie, they can't do this to you."

"I don't think I have a choice," I reply, my eyes starting to water up again. I take a look at Mia, the one who so willingly took me in when I had nowhere to go, the one who helped me adjust to a new lifestyle, and the person who made me who I am today. She looks shocked just like everyone does, but she also looks... hurt.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Mia frowns.

"Our parents told me not to! And I even tried a few times, but I just never got the chance!" By this point, I've raised my voice to yelling volume. I've lost the ability to care at this point.

"You never got the chance? Believe me, there were plenty of chances! Besides, so what if mom and dad told you not to say anything? You can't just keep something like this from me! I'm supposed to be the person who you can talk to about anything!"

"I know, and I'm sorry," I say, wrapping my arms around Mia. She returns the hug, and I let myself quietly cry over her shoulder, letting it wash away any guilt remaining.

"When are you leaving?" Shanna asks.

"Nothing's been confirmed yet. But I don't have high hopes at the moment, so I've been savoring every last moment of the trips we've taken recently. And now that we've reached the end of this mission..." I fight to hold back tears.