The cold wind brushed her face as she left her apartment for the last time. She had to make two stops before reporting to her post with her leader. As much as it would pain her she couldn't leave without tying up all her loose ends, well her one loose end. Walking to her car she took in her surrounds, going through the usual checklist in her mind. The last thing she needs right now is an ambush or assassination attempt. Those can be messy and she had things to do.
She drove down the two lane county road lost in her head. So much was happening all at once and she was about to embark and something she could call her life's mission. Being able to play two sides of the same coin was something she was good at, no great at and her leader knew it. Being able to take part in many generations worth of work meant everything especially when it was thought to be almost completed.
She pulled off the road at a truck stop thirty miles outside town. Only two other cars were present. A tall man dressed in a navy jacket with jeans appeared from behind a gas pump and began to approach her smiling.
"I swear if this weather doesn't lift up soon I'm moving to California." he said as he leaned against her trunk.
"I like it, makes the air feel crisp."
"I suppose. So what's going on. You were less than vague."
She bit her cheek. She had rehearsed this a thousands times in the shower and in her head over the past week since she got the news. How do you explain that you're a traitor and have to go do work for the opposition for three years to get ready to end the world. You don't that's how.
"I have to go away for awhile, I've been called into undercover work again." she said not meeting his eyes.
"Yeah so? Why are you making a big deal of something you've done a hundred times. You'll go away for a few weeks and come back. Maybe this time we'll get something better than tacos for your return party." he said with a laugh
"No this is permanent. I won't be coming back for a long time."
"A couple months?"
"Years, I just wanted to say goodbye before..." Now it took more willpower than she expected to hold back a tear. This needed to end fast. Before he could say a word she dove back into her drivers seat and closed the door.
As she turned the ignition she stole a look back at him. He had to have already composed himself to a blank face but his eyes were redder than normal. It was only been on and off fling for a year but it was something to her. As she pulled out she stole another look in the mirror and saw him walking back with his hand running through his hair.
"Bye Warren." She said as she sped off.