I ran as fast as I could in my high heels. This was one of the only reasons I hated being a girl who worked for Gordon and Sarah. They required that we wear our uniforms at all times while in the building which meant I had to wear high heel shoes I couldn't walk in. There was a reason I didn't wear them full time before I was transferred here. oh well I thought to myself. Gordon wanted to see me. That meant 1of 3 things, all were desirable to me. One: I was fired for my accidental mistake out working the previous week: not likely, I had apologized and still got transferred to my current location. Two: this was all a mistake and I would be transferred to the international unit which was my real dream or Three: this wasn't a mistake and I was being sent out to work. Any of those three got me out of the building and, therefore out of these shoes. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door of Gordon's office. A stern "enter" came from the other side. I opened the door and entered. I could never figure out how any of the "CEOs" found anything on their desks. The desks were always a mess. II noticed that Gordon was no different. Anyway, back on track. Gordon did not look happy to have BEEN AWOKEN AT SUCH AN EARLY HOUR. Seated there on the other side of the desk was my partner, Ben. He didn't look very happy either. Oh no here we go I thought, he's here to rat me out again. "Took you long enough." commented Gordon. Sorry Sir" I said" I'm new here you know. Your employees could sure use a lesson in manners. Sorry completely off topic I Know. why am I here." I asked. " I want you to look at all these papers. Other than the obvious, what do they have in common?" he said. Oh, another mind test? you can't fool me I thought. Still as sharp as a tack. I looked at them. My picture was on the front page of all of them. How did this happen? I thought that I had bailed before the media showed. Gordon went on to tell me how disappointed in me, the company's star worker, he was. I couldn't help but beam a little at that. not the whole disappointed thing, but the star employee thing. All my bosses at the company had pretty much admitted to me that I was their favorite. I guess their right. I'm young, hardworking, get the job done and listen, well most of the time. It probably doesn't hurt that I'm "hot" and all the males go gaga over me. Gordon told me that I was still able to work. Yes, I thought. I wouldn't be spending the next year bored at home. He continued that a priceable had just been released from jail, for charges of blackmail. The guard was looking for someone to keep an eye on her. I was recommended for the job. Gordon was also sending Bernie with me so I didn't do anything stupid. Ha I thought. This will be fun. "Now that I told you two what you'll be doing, get out! Your clothes are in your locker and Lilyferd is waiting in the tec room for you when your changed." I got up, closed the door, and headed for my locker room. I quickly turned the lock on my locker and opened it up. Inside there was a yellow sparkle dress, black shrug, and yellow shoes. At least these aren't heels, I thought. I quickly changed and locked my uniform and ID card away. I stepped out and instantly, like always, Bernie couldn't stop staring at me. "It's impolite to stare you know. " I told him. "Well than maybe you shouldn't look so damn hot." he commented back. Everyone knew we were informally together. " How about we just listen and stay focused hm? Lilyferd is waiting for us you know." I said back. "Good plan" he commented. We walked to where we knew Lilyferd was waiting for us. She gave us both our ID cards student cards and the keys to our home. She also gave Ben the keys to a hot new ride. Since I tended to crash them within the first 24 hours. Ok so maybe I wasn't as careful as I should be but hey, couldn't help it most of the time. I liked pushing the cars to max capacity and usually crashed. But the joy I felt was more than worth it to me anyway. She also gave us new jewelry and cell phones. I was all over my new cell phone. As we walked out to our ride I thought about my role again. As we arrived at our new home I couldn't stop staring at it. It was huge. I went straight to my room and put my few belongings away. Ben and I decided take out was the best option for dinner. After we ate I went to my room and looked in my closet for an outfit. I noticed I was pretty well stocked. I chose a pretty black sparkle skirt with a nice shirt and blazer. I also chose knee high socks and flats. I laid it out on my dresser and went to bed. When my alarm went off the next morning I noticed that there was a noise was coming from the kitchen. I stretched and padded into the kitchen. "Well good morning sleepyhead. I let you sleep in a little. I'm not going to make breakfast because we'll just be having lunch when we get to school. I got your backpack ready. Just go change out of your pj's." I then told him ok. I quickly put on my outfit and ripped a brush though my hair. It was a good morning because I was ready on time. Ben drove me to school. He told me our schedules were different so I would go straight to lunch, but he would go on to class. I said ok. As I got out of the car though, I almost blew our cover. My thing clattered to the ground. I quickly picked it up. As I felt its cold metal against my skin, my stress levels decreased. I was ready. Ben snapped at me to put it away before someone noticed. Fine I said. I put it back in its holder which happened to be under my skirt. I took a deep breath and pictured the school map. I made my way to the cafeteria with confidence. It was right near the gym. I was just about to go in, When I felt a hand reach out and grab my arm hard. It pulled me into the gym locker room. It was a girl that pulled me in. " What were you thinking?! She said. "Coming to school not in uniform! That is as bad if not worse than skipping class! Change right now."
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I'm new here and..." Her face softened at this. " No more explanation is needed. I thought you were one of those rebels. Principle Cinch put an end to it pretty fast. You can borrow my extra for the rest of the day. I would go see dean Cadence at the end of the day though. Because Cinch will check tomorrow. If we don't have the extra there she will flip and we'll be in detention. Name's Sour Sweet by the way. " the girl told me. I accepted the uniform gratefully. I asked her turn around so that I could change. I didn't tell her the real reason of course. That would blow our cover. I told her a few moments later that it was safe to turn around. She volunteered to show me around. I accepted gratefully. WE left and joined the long lunch line. We just talked. As we came to the lunch lady, I just copied Sour. I soon had a plate full of food. She said that she was going to go join her friends for lunch. I asked if I could join her. She said of course. We walked to her table. I sat right next to her. I ate my food and talked. My phone beeped in the middle of the whole thing. I pulled it out of my bag. ' My covers been blown I repeat my covers been blown. You'll have to find another way home. We can't afford for both of our covers to be blown.' I quickly texted him back.
"So, who was it?"
"Oh, it was just my brother. He was telling me he can't give me a ride home. I don't suppose one of you could give me a ride. "
"I might. Where do you live?"
"Brookmoor suites. We just moved in last night."
"Seriously?! How can you afford it?"
" I don't. Ben and I live in foster care. So, they pay for it."
"Wow ok. I can take you home. I live a few miles from there.
"Thanks, I owe you."
We talked and laughed the rest of lunch. We also compared classes for the rest of the day. I had next period with Sour Sweet. Then the next class after that with Indigo and Sour. And the last class with all off them. I quickly tugged on a tee and pair of shorts once I got to the gym. Archery was the activity of the day. I rocked it. After all I did start my training camp on a bow. The rest of the day wasn't memorable. Indigo took me home just like she promised. The next few weeks were a lot of fun. I spent the daytime in school and the evenings taking turns staying home with Ben and going out with the girls. A few days into my third month, Sunny Flare, one of my friends, confessed to me who her mother was. I told her her secret was safe with me. A few days later the police showed up for me. I tried to tell them that I was one of them, but they didn't believe me. I sobbed myself to sleep that night. Someone I trusted had betrayed me. One week past and no one came for me. One day in my third week I tried to reason with the guard to give me one phone call. It was quite obvious that Sarah and Gordon knew but didn't care. I begged to make one phone call to my "boyfriend" Ben. He said fine, but five minutes. I called and prayed that he would pick up. He did. I told him everything including that I was sure we had a mole inside. He told me he wanted to see me in person. I gave him the address. He was there in five. I told him I had suspected that this was true even before anything happened. I gave him the key to my house and diary. I also told him to tell the girls where I was and that I needed to see them. They had to be ready to skip town if we had to. I got a good night sleep that night. I was rudely awoken by a guard who said I had visitors. I tried my best to wake up before I got to the visitors' area. However, I didn't.
"Oh, we didn't wake you up, did we?" Came a familiar voice inside.
"Sunny!" I cried as I threw myself into her waiting arms. I saw that the other three were there too.
"You didn't skip class just for me did you?" I asked noticing that they had their uniforms on.
" No. Conveniently the school bathrooms flooded, so we're on delay." Sour Sweet mentioned.
"Ya that was probably Ben. He told me he'd do his best to protect you until I get back. Hopefully it will be tomorrow. I told him what happened You know." I said.
"So that day. Was everything you said true? Do you work in law enforcement?"
" Yes. Yes, I do. I wanted to tell you sooner but I never could. I wanted to protect you, myself, and the rest of the school. I work at the local MIA building. I am here undercover. Principal Cinch was suspected of being someone else. Someone I've been looking for since I started working. But your confession, Sunny confirmed it. I don't know if any of you know, but Cinch isn't who she says she is. She is actually Mirada Lynch. She is wanted in at least 5 nations that I know of on charges ranging from cheating on taxes to perjury. I was the one who caught her trying to board a flight out of here. I was a little stupid then though. I regret that I did what I did, but my past is behind me. And I've worked my butt off to make up for it. Well the whole reason I called you here."
"To confess to us the truth?" Indigo Zap commented.
"Well yes but also to tell you and give you these. There is an address on the back. Tell them I sent you. Get mine too. And go home and be ready to leave in an instant to our new lives. Wait! Do any of you have your cellphone here? I know who the mole is and Bernie is headed straight for them. I need to warn him. He's been trained but I know he won't be able to handle himself."
"Nope. They took them at the door." Said Indigo, Sour, Lemon, and Sugar said.
"I still have mine. It's a Satellite phone. It's non-traceable. Sometimes it's pretty awesome being the daughter of a not so good person." Sunny says
"Thanks" I said. I dialed Bernie. I left him a message. He called me back almost right away.
"Where are you?" I ask.
"About 5 minutes from headquarters. Why?"
"Stay away from there. I figured out who the moles are. And you're headed right for them!"
"Wait a minute here. Moles?! I thought there was just one."
"Me too. But no there are three. I was crazy not to see it. That friend of yours is one. The other two are Sarah and Gordon. That's how the cops knew about me and Sunny. They've been trying to get rid of us since we started. We're the only thing that is in their way."
"I remember now. They've always told us to get out when the phone rang. I won't go. What do you need me to do?"
"Get me out of here to start. I have a pile of money in my room to get me out. The girls will handle the rest. Oh, but still pack a suitcase. We're skipping town. We have to."
"Ok I trust you. I love you so much."
"I know. I love you so much too."
As I hung up and gave Sunny back her phone, the guard came in and told us our time was up. I asked if I could at least hug them goodbye. He said of course. Just one precaution against you. He took out his cuffs and cuffed my hands behind my back. There he said you can say goodbye now. I hugged them and told them what to do. They finally let me go. As we parted ways, I faked emotional tears. I knew this would keep us safe. As the guard lead me back, I thought about everything. I asked for a book. I was just finishing it, when the guard came for me. He said someone was waiting to take me home. When we got to the entrance, I saw Bernie almost the second I arrived. The guard nodded and I ran into Bernie's arms. He hugged me tight and I held on just as tight. When we finally separated for air, he told me that the girls were waiting, changed. I ducked in and changed into my own clothes. It felt so good to be me again. Bernie told me that I would be driving. I had so much joy in that moment I can't even describe it. I was just so happy. As we started out of town in our new id's, I began to relax. When we hit Camalot, I agreed we were far enough away to get food and rest. I agreed to pay for dinner and the rooms. As we settled down to sleep that night, I snuck into Bernie's room to ask a question. "Hey, I know you're not sleeping yet. Are the twins safe?" I asked.
"Of course they are. They are with my family for the night and will reunite with us tomorrow in our hometown."
"So, we're headed home?"
"Ya. I figured that the boss here wouldn't forget about me and you. We were the best of the best after all."
"Ok." I said. I went to get some sleep. I was trained to go days without sleep, but I don't know what I would be like, and I didn't want to scare the girls. The next morning everyone else was up when I got up. They said they planned to let me sleep in since I was packed and dressed. I slept in my clothes out of habit. We agreed grab and go breakfast would be best. S and B had probably figured out that we weren't coming back. They were probably trying to beat us. We had a good day on em but they probably had taken a company car. When those things got going, the driver would catch up pretty quickly. We couldn't risk it all for nothing. I didn't get to drive at first. I programmed my satellite phone, yes I have one, to tell us if S's phone got anywhere near us. After it beeped they let me drive. I got us there safely. As I drove though, I started remembering all the good times I had here as a kid, but then I shook out of it. I had to focus on getting us safely to base camp. I knew that I was the best of the best but a million doubts ran though my head. But I also pushed those aside too. When we reached headquarters, I started to rummage though my backpack for my ID card. Then I remembered that I didn't have it. I knew there was a visitor's entrance around back which lead though a basic tour. I put my phone in my purse, and took off anything that would set off the metal detectors. I knew that wouldn't end well. Once the twins had set it off by accident when they left their phones in their pockets and they sat in the holding cells until I could come get them out. I removed my holder and weapon and put it in the glove box. I told the others to do the same. We all did. I walked in. I was recognized right a way. The greeter and I started to laugh and have a generally good time.
"Hey Alex I wish I could hang with you some more, but I actually came here on business. If I could see Amelia that would be great. She needs to know something."
"Sure" she said. "I can safely buzz you and Bernie back, but not your friends. You know the rules."
"It's ok" I told her. "They know. And I need them to be kept safe too. I'm pretty sure their parents would quite literally kill me if anything happens to their babies."
" All right if you say they already know then I'll do it. Don't do anything stupid though ok? I'm responsible for that."
"I promise." I said. As she buzzed us back my phone beeped again. It said I had a maximum of five minutes before they arrived here. I walked back into her office area, I had a look of real confidence and calmness which was way different than I felt. People said hello to me and I returned the greeting. When we arrived at Amelia's office, I knocked on the door. A faked pleasant come in came from the other side. I had apparently caught her at a bad time. I went in anyway after a quick lecture to Ben about keeping 'leaches' on the others especially Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat and Sour Sweet. Who knew what those three would get up to. As I walked in, Amelia noticed it was me right away. She embraced me as if I was her own child. I guess considering the way relationships worked at work I was. After the embrace, she small talked with me. I interrupted her saying I wish I had come to small talk and talk about recent stupid laws that passed, (favorite pass time by the way) but I had come for more urgent matters. We had three moles chasing me and my friends and we had no time to waste. She asked if Ben was with me. I said of course. At that moment, a siren sounded load and clear. I freaked out. Ben! I thought. What did you get into this time? I whipped open the door and did a quick head count. Wait. I thought. Where's Sunny? Ben must have known what I was thinking, he said that Sunny had to go to the bathroom and after that he didn't know. Probably snuck out into the garden. I said We had to get out there and get her before someone else did. I got out there and kindly, at least I thought I was, pulled her back inside. After we were safely inside, I gave her a piece of my mind. Amelia interrupted me however. She said that the cameras had shown that the trio had arrived, but were having problems with the ID card reader. She also said that we would be sending out a greeting team containing me, Ben, and a few others. I start to head for the door, but Amelia stopped me cold in my tracks. She wondered where I was going without my under armor on. I told her I didn't think it was a good idea to wear it. She said we know they're dangerous so we should. I said fine but only to stop wasting time. As we walked out of the door, we had to duck to avoid a flying ID card pack. Whoa. I said. Gordon then stepped forward, pushing his sister and two others out of his way, and said: "Should've known it was you causing these problems. I see the two leaders are here, but where are your favorite underlings? They chicken out?!"
I tried to keep my cool, but when he talked about my friends like that, I just snapped. "First of all, they're my friends and are free to leave at any time. Second of all they haven't had all the training I have, so unlike you, I care. I told them to stay safe. So they're safely inside locked down. So there." All the people around me are shocked that I did that. I then started to just talk to Sarah. I thought I was beginning to get through to her. I then felt a sticky substance on both my right arm and leg. I realized it was blood. I tried to get up, but I blacked out from all the pain in my arm and leg.
A few months later.
I was trying to open my eyes. Next to me, or at least I thought, came a voice.
"She's waking up. Hurry she's waking up."
My vision came back slowly and all around me I saw the ones I loved.
" wa what happened?" I asked.
It was Amelia who answered. "You don't remember?" I shook my head. They all turned to each other as if debating how much to tell me. While this all happened, I struggled to sit up. Sunny and Indigo rushed to help me. They told me that how I had managed to survive was a mystery. I had broken my arm and shattered my vital leg artery. They told me what had happened. And the fact that I was now a nationwide hero. I smiled. I did a quick head count and asked first: "Where's Ben?" And then: " Did you get them? The ones who hurt me I mean."
"We did indeed." Came a voice from outside the room. What came next surprised me entirely. In strolled Sarah in a standard Academy issued uniform, and right behind her was not only Ben my partner but the faces I so clearly remember form the last few moments before I blacked out. In chains, no less. What came next was as if Sarah had read my mind.
" Since we did this for you, Ben and I figured you would want to read them their rights. Ya know just cause you are ok in all."
"Of course I will. Where did you leave off?"
"We already have told them of the charges."
"Ok then. Bring em over. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court law. You have the right to an attorney and to have one with you when questioned. If you don't have one or can't afford one, one will be appointed by the court for you. Do you understand what I just read to you? Knowing that you have these rights, do you still wish to talk to us now?"
" I understand. I want a lawyer." They all said.
"Should have seen that coming. All right you know what to do. And the rest of you? Please leave. I'd like to talk to Sarah alone."
"Hey."
"Hey. So, you got off the hook huh? Why?"
"Well, Amelia couldn't just ignore all my loyal years and the fact that I put my life on the line for you. So, I got 9 Months' probation. I picked you as my supervisor. So, we won't be separated from each other for the next six months. Oh, and the star placing ceremony is tonight. I'll be by later to get you."
"How many?"
"3 gone and 6 injured and 1 missing. Well I'm going to go. Try and take a nap ok?"
A few hours later she strolled into my room looking stunning in her all black outfit. She brought me a black scarf to tie back my hair since my arm is still too dangerous to change my clothes. After the ceremony, I went to apologize to the family of all victims. After that I fell asleep.
A few months later.
" You gals ready for the trial tomorrow?" I asked as I put the finishing touches on my blazer. Most of them agreed. Sunny Flare said that she wasn't. I then remembered that it would be her mother on trial. I quickly apologized for my insensitivity. She said that she was used to it. Before we went to sleep that night, I reminded all of them that Sarah would be under court protection and the rest of us would meet her there. As we walked toward the courthouse the next day, as I expected, the media was all over our new outfits. I posed for pictures as I walked in the courthouse. Once inside I reunited with my girls, including Sarah and of course our team of lawyers. As the day went on, I became more and more of a tissue. Finally, it was my turn to testify. I was helped up to the stand by Sour Sweet considering my leg hadn't completely healed yet. I took my other and gave my report. After that we were dismissed for the day. After three months of this, the jury came back with a verdict.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?"
"We have your honor."
I gave Sunny Flare a reinforcing hand squeeze saying I'm right here. At least she brought tissues this time.
"We find the defendants guilty on all charges."
I let out a sigh of relief. We all were safe. We all let out of the courtroom happy. Amalia walked up to me.
"Congrats we did it. Me and the rest of the team are going out to celebrate. Wanna come?"
"Normally I would but it looks like my friend Sunny is going to need me. It was her mother after all."
"I understand. Have fun and let loose ok?"
I smiled as I walked away. My friends and I would spend the night together for the first time in forever. But little did we all know that a new force was rising and would stop at nothing to get revenge...
And that someone was Trixie Lulamoon.
To be continued
