Uh... Oops? *Dodges flying tomatoes* I'm really sorry guys- I'm trying! I actually downloaded this app on my iPod called "WritingChain" (or something like that) that's supposed to keep me motivated to write a certain amount of words every day, so we'll see if it helps...
Disclaimer: Is the series completed within the designated time amount? That's your first clue that it's not mine. But since the chapter's finally here, enjoy it :D


"You two will have a lot to learn before you can chat with our visitors," Cassandra started as she examined the fresh meat that her henchmen brought in just moments ago. "I hope you don't get too twitchy until then- my friends have told me much about what happens when either of you want something too badly."

Kathleen used the sickly-sweet southern accent that Cecile was best known for when she replied. "As long as there's a good job to look forward to, I should be able to mind my own. I make no promises, of course."

A ghost of a smirk lit Cassandra's face at the woman's spirit before she turned to Jeremy.

"And you, Gary? There's something about you that seems like trouble- we strive for trouble. Do you think you can manage a few months without our visitors?"

As much as he hated everything about the world they had been entered into, Jeremy let out a natural-sounding chuckle before answering, "As Cecile said, I can make no promises. However, I do believe that the visitors are going to miss out on such a treat until we meet. For their sake, I hope they get to meet me soon." In an afterthought, Jeremy thought, "The faster they meet me, the sooner they'll be out of here."

Cassandra thought their responses over, analyzing how far she could push them until they really started to push back.

"To keep you satisfied until you're ready- and to let you learn how the professionals work- I'll let you witness a chat with our newest visitor from behind the mirror. I must warn you, though- she's a feisty one."

At this, Kathleen and Jeremy's eyes lit up, but for a different reason than Cassandra thought. The only thing that the Director told them about their subject was that she was a prodigy that hadn't let the expectations down and her name was Cameron Morgan. Though the name sounded familiar to the both of them, they couldn't figure out why.

"So when do we get to meet her?" Gary asked smoothly.

"I see we're a bit impatient, aren't we?" Cassandra paused long enough for Jeremy to realize that she was expecting an answer, so he shrugged.

"Well, I suppose we could go now, and spring a little visit on her. Won't she be pleased…" Cassandra mused for a second longer before briskly walking down the dank corridor, reaching a door with a giant "1" painted on it.

"You'll be in here." She commanded, not even looking at them before she walked through the next door down.

"Are you ready?" Jeremy muttered to Kathleen as the door closed behind Cassandra.

"Um…" Her voice was shaky and there was the feeling of something stuck in her throat, but Kathleen continued with, "Yeah. Let's see her."

Jeremy nodded and placed his hand on the cool metal of the doorknob, mentally preparing himself before slipping into the empty room.

The first thing to meet Jeremy's sight was a six-by-three window and two chairs in an otherwise-empty room. Kathleen stood on her tippy-toes, trying to see past Jeremy as he assessed the room. After a few seconds, she realized that it might seem conspicuous to anyone walking past that two newbies were just standing in the doorway, so Kathleen gave Jeremy's back a little shove to get him into the room.

"Sorry," he muttered, just realizing that he hadn't moved since he opened the door. He lifted his hand to point at the window before saying, "I think she's the subject."

He heard a faint click, a moment of silence for Kathleen to assess the scene in the window, then a soft gasp as she realized what was so different from what they had expected.

Mrs. Goode had just walked into the other room, greeting her captive with a flash of an evil smile before saying, "Say hello to our guests- not that you can see them. They'll be watching for now, so that they can get an idea as to how we treat very special guests like yourself."

Cammie- who was just a child in Jeremy and Kathleen's eyes- looked up to glare at Cassandra before spitting, the wad of saliva landing on Ms. Goode's cheek. Kathleen wished to just save Cammie right then, not caring if she herself were to die in the process as long as Cammie would get out.

Jeremy seemed to see Kathleen's impatience, and he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"You know what the director said. We have to wait until Cassandra trusts us enough before we can move her. If the kid stood two months of this already, she'll last until we can make sure she can get out safely. Even if it doesn't look it, this is her best chance."

Although Kathleen didn't want to say it- or even think it- she was a spy first, and an optimist never; so she muttered, "What if she doesn't?"

Jeremy didn't have an answer for her.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

Cassandra's special "treat" didn't do anything good for Kathleen and Jeremy's stomachs, but when Ms. Goode walked out of the room with a smile on her face and an unconscious child in the background, they forced themselves to be Cecile and Gary.

"So?" Cassandra asked giddily, "How'd you like it?"

Kathleen would've already killed Cassandra, but Cecile just shrugged and answered, "I've seen feistier." While Gary glanced at Cassandra with a bored expression.

"You have quite a lot of talk for a convict with a record," Cassandra shot back, her pride wounded.

"Feisty means that they scream at you. Of course we've got records." Cecile answered for the both of them. "We're not rich enough for soundproof walls like you are, and gagging them just ruins the fun."

Cassandra laughed, as if Cecile had just told her a new joke.

"I think I'm going to like you…" Cassandra mused, before turning to Gary. "But you… You don't talk much, do you?"

As if to prove the point, he shrugged.

"Alright. Well, I hope your methods make up for it…" Cassandra- seeming to realize that they were all just standing around the door- started walking down the hallway as if she owned the place. Maybe she did. Either way, she didn't bother to check if Cecile and Gary were following her as she continued. "Dealing with Cameron makes me hungry, and I swear to God if she makes me fat, I'll kill that girl.

"Anyway, back to you two. You'll start your skill development after we have some lunch. With your experience, it'll probably take you about… three months? Before you can deal with the brat. Sadly, she's the only one we have that still gets visits. The rest are hostages, kidnapees, or people that've tried to do us in.

"I'm not sure why we have so many damned employees- all they do is go out to find more employees. I mean, I've been assigned the Morgan girl, and nobody else has an important job! Sure, you two are going to be trained by Aylee until you can take over the brat's living conditions, but what the hell? Everyone else just makes sure we multiply like rats!

"I'm sure that there's a base somewhere not too far away that needs people- can't we even the score a little? We're one of the microscopic bases… Like all those Wal-Marts, then there's that one that everyone sees and thinks, 'That's a Wal-Mart! Man… they've really lowered their standards!' I don't want to be that Wal-Mart!" By the end of her rant, Cassandra was practically shouting.

But did people give her a what-the-hell's-your-problem Look? Or even glance at the insane head-of-base? Nope- they didn't dare to. Some stifled their laughter, but others were either too terrified or used to it to gain any amusement from her. Although one person- her personal secretary, Jeremy assumed- rushed up to her and asked, "Did you go visit Cammie today? You know you shouldn't visit her more than every other day…"

"I'm fine." Cassandra snapped, briskly leading Cecile and Gary to the cafeteria as if nothing had happened.

"I hope you brought your money with you, because Aylee's vigorous."

Kathleen and Jeremy gulped, glancing at each other with a look of, "Got any spare change?" before sighing.

Today just keeps getting longer… Kathleen couldn't help to think as she shuffled into the cafeteria with her partner and secret enemy.


Good? Bad? Flame-worthy? How'd you like Ms. Goode's little rant? Or the fact that Cammie's driving her nuts? I've been doing some major editing (sort of) but haven't gotten to posting it because I haven't gotten to this chapter yet, and it'll make no sense to anyone rereading/starting to read this where it stops being edited, but it should be done soonish. Concrit, flames, suggestions and anything else are welcome :D Have fun with it!