I'm on a plane flying to New York. Mia's jabbering on and on in my ear, but, it's really hard to concentrate when all I can think about is Blake and if he's been sent to his death.
The problem with being an agent is that you basically can't date anybody.
You can't date outside of the agency because you literally will not be able to talk to your partner about anything. Your life revolves around work, so you'll likely never see your partner because you could be in any city, state or country ant any given moment. And you can't take them along. Also, most agents have a higher IQ than most people and need the time to have intellectual conversations. Marry a doctor or a scientist, but there's only so many to go around. They'll be able to talk to you about their work, but you can't say a word about your own. Secrets keep your marriage afloat. Am I right? Note the sarcasm. And you barely have time for anything. You'll see them on your wedding day but never again? That's definitely the key to a healthy relationship. And don't get me started on worrying. How many times are you going to leave and they'll receive a call from another country, likely in a foreign language telling them you got shot or got hurt. Hell, Mia went to a high school sleepover and got hospitalized. And it gets worse way worse. I for one would never want to put my partner through that.
And if you date an agent? Well, everything I mentioned above applies. But it goes both ways. You still can't talk about work, unless you have special permission from the director. And in this situation, you kind of know what type of work your significant other engages in. Which really doesn't help anyone.
Ugh! What am I going to do! I need to talk to Blake's parents. Their both agents and I've known them forever.
Suddenly, I feel someone shaking me out of my daydream, or a nightmare depending on how you look at it.
"Sir, you need to see this." The agent tells me. Even Mia, who was busy chatting and scrolling on her phone looks up to me. She comes and joins me on the couch.
I wonder what this is about.
Alexandra Mills appears on the screen. Oh good god. I'm definitely looking forward to this.
"Hello, agents! A pleasure to see you all again. Well, you can see me, I can't see you. So sad. Anyway, I'm sure all of you can recognize this place!"
She turns the camera around and I find myself staring at the ballroom at home. Well, at HQ.
"You figured it out yet? Of course, you have! At least some of you must have brains!" I have the urge to look at Mia, but my eyes are glued to the screen. I won't dare look away. "I also have a few guests here. I'm sure you know who they are!"
She points the camera behind her. I see the Lewises, Blake's parents, Albert, Maggie and Alan. How did she get Alan? There are also a bunch of other agents there. She seems to have every single agent in captivity. Last but certainly, I see the person that makes my blood boil.
My mom.
I'm livid. I need to turn back now. I start to get up, but I feel a hand placed on my shoulder.
"Zavy. Calm down." Mia tells me.
"But-" I begin
"I know she's your mom and you're grateful for everything and all that, but you can't help if you're captured or killed. Get your head back in the game. We'll regroup with Blake and the others and proceed from there. Now. Concentrate."
It's not that I'm terrified of Mia, It's just that she has an amazing way with words.
Oh who am I kidding, Mia terrifies me. Yet somehow she's one of my best friends.
"It's just, you know my history. My mom's the one who saved me from so much. She's the one who's always been around."
"I know Zavy. But like I said, if you want to help her, then make a good plan, and come back. Then you might actually help instead of just causing more damage."
"Yeah, I guess."
"I'm always right," Mia tells me with a smirk. And I can't help smile back. I don't know, Mia just has that effect on everyone she meets.
The rest of the plane ride I can't help just think of my mother. The amazing, beautiful woman that forever changed my life when I was four years old.
I guess I should explain.
I grew up in a really poor, really unsafe neighbourhood in Texas. There were tons of gangs, and crime rates were really high. I lived there with my aunt and uncle, and their two kids. A son and a daughter.
Drugs were always nearby. Guns too. It's not the kind of environment a four-year-old should be in.
My parents, on the other hand, were never around. My mother was killed years before then, and my father was never n the picture. Now, fifteen years later, I know who he is, but I have no interest in ever letting him know I exist.
Anyway, my childhood was that of drug dealers and gang fights. I used to go to sleep hearing guns going off in the background.
Then one day, and I remember it clear as day, even if all my other memories from that time are muddled, a newcomer showed up.
She took up residence in one of the old houses in the neighbourhood. Most people didn't trust her a first, but when she started getting involved, people began liking her. And she was an amazing baker. That may or may not have swayed my four-year-old self.
Fast forward a few months, and she was part of the group that was arresting half of the people in town. My aunt and uncle included. Their kids went with their paternal grandparents, so, not related to me, but I had nowhere to go.
The woman, Kristen Steel, as she revealed herself to be, asked me if I wanted to go and live with her. And I responded with a firm Yes. Well, as firm as a four-year-old could respond.
And then she became my mom, and she's been that way ever since.
Never again did I go to sleep hearing guns, minus that one infiltration mission. Never again did I see drugs being passed right under my nose. Now, I see my cousins once a year, but they don't know anything about my current work. I'm grateful they got out of the trouble they were in, but I still like to keep an eye on them. Their parents managed to get out 5 years ago, but since then, they haven't bothered me. Plus, their own kids are of legal age, so they don't have anybody get into trouble. They're still watched by the authorities, and I'm grateful.
The next couple of hours on that plane are torturous. Sasha keeps sending us pictures of the hostages, all with timestamps so that we know this is current information. It's getting to the point where I can barely concentrate on the task in front of me.
It was about 20 minutes before our scheduled landing when Sasha did the unthinkable. At least to me.
She took a picture of my mom, only her.
Rage took over, luckily, Mia stared me down and forced me to breathe. I can't help but be grateful to her.
"Zavy, It's better to get there, get reinforcement and then go back. There isn't much of a time difference."
I know she's right, as per usual. Can only nod.
"Sir, Ma'am, we'll be landing now." The pilot's voice is heard over the intercom. The faster we get there, the faster I can get home. "Please buckle up."
As soon as we land, I see that Blake left a car for us to take to our destination
It is at that moment that we receive another video message from Sasha.
"Hi, little agents! It's me again! I'm getting bored just sitting around here and waiting around! I want something interesting to happen, and luckily for me, I have you little guinea pigs to help me. Well, your kind. By you, I mean all your little friends right. over. Here." She says that with a grin. "If you don't come here within say, the next two hours, Imma start hurting them... if you make me wait it'll only get worse!"
I'm turning back now. I need to go back and help in any way I can! These people raised me.
In the corner of my eye, I see Alan inconspicuously waving his arm around. At first, it seems like nothing, but upon closer inspection, I see that this may be some sort of message. I signal Mia to come to me, seeing as she'll probably understand the message better than me, and certainly faster than me. If it is a message, that is.
She looks at it for a few seconds before turning back to me.
"It's a lesser-known form of sign language. He's telling us not to even think about trying to come to HQ without a plan. Regroup in the city, but nowhere near HQ. I guess we have to go back home."
"What have I been saying?"
"I'm calling Blake, he needs to know this." Mia ignores me and proceeds to pull out her phone.
"Blakey, we need to go home. They need help. Of course, I saw the message. Okay. Thank you. See you soon." She then turns back to me. "Blake saw the message. He's taking a few agents and coming here himself. I'm going to help deal with the situation here."
"Why?"
"Because they need someone who knows the case. And Blake's parents are also there, so he needs to go." She replies to me.
Luckily, we don't have to wait for too long for Blake.
When Blake gets out of the car, I see that he took Talia's father with him, which by my understanding was due to his knowledge of field medicine. There are also 4 more agents with him.
"Is this going to be enough?" I ask.
"I've already called other locations. They're sparing a few men for us." He turns to Mia. "When this is done, I demand lunch!"
"As long as you're paying!" She says, hugging him and getting into the car Blake had just come out of.
Blake turns to me.
"Let's get the party started." And walks into the jet, the others following him.
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First Published December 8th, 2019
Hey guys!
I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Last week, I took a little break from writing, mostly because I had to finish my essay and I was also very sick. You gotta love flu season, am I right? I'm kidding. Anyway, most of last week it was impossible for me to look at my computer for too long without wanting to pass out. But I'm feeling a bit better and am back into writing! Yay!
Anyway, If you think this chapter deserves it, please leave a vote and comments on how I can improve my writing!
Happy Reading!
Dani💙