Forever and Always

Chapter 9: The Escaping

Zach glanced at me and we sprinted back to school, trying and failing not to attract too much attention. Something was wrong.

All the students got back in the building just before the sirens rang, "CODE BLACK! CODE BLACK! CODE BLACK!"

There was a helicopter circling the roof, one side door opening, a ladder descending down it. I strained to hear Mr. Solomon's instructions through the comms. "All students to report back to their dorms. That leaves no exception, all students to report~"

Zach looked frustrated at the instructions. I couldn't balme him, part of me wanted to make sure everyone got to safety. Another part of me wanted to get on that roof and make the enemy regret coming here, but most of all, I wanted to dissappear when I heard Aunt Abbys voice through the comms. It was a if her sharp voice made everything real. She sounded really calm about all of this but before I could marvel at her skills, she said, "Zach, Cammie, Gallagher van, outside the gates, now, and under no circumstances are you to be separated, I'll meet you there."

There were people spreading out all over the roof now, how could I just leave? When I opened my mouth to argue, she cut me off, "Do I look like an idiot to you Cammie? We know what they want, and they aren't going to get it. Trust me." Maybe it was the fact that she a had taken a bullet from these people but something in her voice made me respond to her wishes and Zach and I tore through the dispersing crowd.

"How're we supposed to get out? It's a Code Black," I said. Zach had a sudden determination in his eyes, and he said, "Jimmy will have to come in useful sometime right?" And he urged me through the same passageway I had used a whole semester to sneak out to meet Josh. A million memories could have raced through my mind but I pushed them out.

Sure enough, the van was right out side the gate, Abby was already starting it. We dashed into the back seat, and threw our carry-on bags to the floor (how did they get there) and turned around to watch the action on the roof, and there I got the biggest surprise of the night.

Not one person was injured, nor allies nor enemies, in fact, nobody from Gallagher was even on the roof. I knew that the trespassing agents knew where I was, I could feel all their eyes trained on the van that was speeding of towards the airport. They were climbing back into the helicopter, leaving the school untouched and traveling in the total opposite direction. "What is going on!?" I turned to Aunt Abby for answers.

"I'd tell you if I knew squirt, but I'm guessing they hoped to get-whatever they were after- at Gallagher. Seeing you two reach the middle of town before they could do anything, I think they were trying not to attract too much attention."

"And why didn't they seem to care that the whole of Gallagher knew they were coming ten minutes before they arrived?" Zach asked; his hand still in mine.

"They were either trying to create a diversion, create chaos, or had an entirely different plan, but it was definitely intended." She added under her breath, "Or they were either really brave or really stupid." I laughed shakily.

"And what exactly were we doing?" he continued.

"Oh, well we've been suspecting that this would happen…" but I cut her off by saying, "For how long?"

But it was Zach who answered, "Since this morning." I laughed again, and Abby joined me for a second before continuing, "So the staff has been working on security and now, during a Code Black, the building becomes a turtle shell; nothing can go in or out. It isn't exactly the best way to go, so we aren't going to keep it like that all year, but precautions are necessary. We didn't want people getting hurt this time around."

We sat in silence for a moment before Abby brought up the details we were supposed to find out at midnight.

"Alright, details, number one; you are going to go to California, yadda yadda yadda, on a private auto-pilot jet. We decided to hide the fact that it's Gallagher for obvious reasons.

"Number two; there is a contact system in the plane so you won't be left in the dark through the journey, even though I think you will be anyway. Number three; stick to your cover at all times. We have tweaked it a bit here and there, the new versions are in your carry-on bags, memorize them. Are there any questions until now?"

We shook our heads and then, remembering she couldn't see us, I said, "Not yet." My voice was still shaking.

She said, "Good, because here comes the slightly complicated part. Your covers aren't really…believable. Well, they are, but they could be better. So, you roommates will be joining you in a few days. It's much more believable to have seven students from Virginia doing a simple high school project for a couple of months. We have to make their covers as well, and, since Macey is the Senators daughter, that could take some time." Before I could react, she continued, "but remember, for them, this is a test, and protecting their best friends but for you two, it's so much more."

"Alright… what are we supposed to do once we get there?"

"Oh, right, you have CIA escorts. Not agents, but trusted people. For the first few days, just lay low, get to know your surroundings. And patiently wait for instructions. One of the things both of you are worst at." Zach smirked at this.

The rest of the ride went in silence. I thought about what the Circle of Cavan was looking for this time around and why they left so quickly. For some reason, their lack of action scared me more than Boston. Zach must have noticed something because he squeezed my hand reassuringly. I must have dozed of for a while because the next thing I knew, Zach was shaking me gently and Abby was on the phone. She walked over when I got out of the van.

"Alright kiddos, I'll get you on the flight and I'll let you know if we find anything when I get back. If I can, of course. Safe flight," she smiled and walked around, opening her hair and shaking it out. At least she isn't a ghost.

"Come on Gallagher, our flight's whenever we want it to be. And I'd like to sleep through it."

"It-um-is?" I asked.

"Nope, it's in 48 minutes. Half an hour to get through security." I rolled my eyes.

I didn't know, but as I boarded the jet. A picture of dad in my iPod, a pendant next to my heart, Zach alongside me, I felt perfectly safe but thoroughly scared. And worried; was everyone at Gallagher ok? What would it take to make it stay that way? Through the midst of emotions, I realized that tonight was not going to be a dreamless night for me.

A/N: How was it? I really loved writing this chapter for some reason. And looky here, no cliffy! Well, not really. Now review please, and if you have any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to tell me.

-Sami