Double Agent
"Excursion"
"Casey! Where have you been?" My mom exclaimed when I strolled into the house. I paused when I noticed how it would look having the 'dating' step-siblings come back together.
"Uh we just went on a short date." I answered, trying and failing to put my arm around Derek without it looking strange. I shook him and gave him a look that said back me up.
"Right! We went to the uh.." He glanced around the room and spied the bookshelf when all his other options were toys and chairs. I hoped my mom wouldn't see through his obvious lie. "Library. I guess it was a study date but we didn't finish, so shall we continue?" Derek practically scurried to the base of the stairs.
"Actually, Casey, you and I need to have a talk." I nodded and we followed her into the kitchen. She turned to see Derek beside me and added "Privately."
"Oh, umm I'll be upstairs then." He said to me but I held out my hand, he looked confused but I shook it and he relented, when he realized I was handing him the USB. Mom watched the exchange looking opposed to the 'romantic' gesture. If she knew what was really going on she would be more than opposed.
"What's up mom?" I asked.
"I'm not exactly happy about your relationship with Derek but I'm willing to accept it if you explain to me how it happened." At least I had come up with an answer for this particular question beforehand.
"There's not much to tell, mom. You can't expect two hormonal teenagers to live together and go to school together without one of them to develop a crush of some sort."
"So, how long have you liked him?" I was about to make up an answer but got slightly offended.
"Why do you assume I liked him first?" She looked surprised at the question.
"I only assumed because you've always been such a romantic girl, just tell me how serious this is getting, Casey. I know how you guys get along and if this is some fling, I don't want this house to be your battlefield afterwards." Satisfied with her explanation, I continued down the rabbit hole of making things up on the fly.
"It must have been at the beginning of this year." I lied. I recalled how we had actually began to get along better in reality around that time, we still didn't have a lot in common or so we thought but it was then that we learned each other's idiosyncrasies. "I guess growing up together made something just click, I'm not sure precisely when.."
"I did notice a change in Derek's mannerisms recently, he is so much different from the boy I met years ago." If only you knew. I smiled and nodded slightly, an ache in my chest surfacing at the thought of the Venturi's ever losing Derek or even our blended family to his secret life.
"Yeah, he has changed. So much so that he's waiting for me to finish our study session."
"Okay you go ahead but Casey?"
"Hm?"
"Next time you go on a date, I want a chaperone there." A babysitter!?
"Mom, I really don't think that's necessary.." I tried to laugh it off, seriously we are almost adults!
"I'm serious, it'll only be for one or two then I'll leave you be. I just don't want you getting hurt, both of you." I sighed, didn't look like I could get out of this one no matter how mature my mother knew I was.
"Alright then." With that I continued upstairs to my room.
"Did you find anything yet?" I whispered to Derek in his room. He didn't look away from his monitor and answered.
"I found a few different documents in this file. One has a bunch of random numbers and letters with dates attached to them, the other has a list of names. I'm currently looking up the names on the Internet."
"Good work, maybe you aren't hopeless after all." Finally, he acts competent.
"Oh thanks." He replied, voice dripping with sarcasm. I put a hand on his shoulder to get a closer look, and he stiffened and stared at it.
"Sorry, can I take a look at that other doc?" I retracted the hand that seemed to be bothering him, he nodded and wheeled himself out of my way. What is his problem? I scanned the document, at first the dates looked familiar but I couldn't place why. Disregarding that I continued to the 'random' numbers, they seemed to have a certain pattern among them, they all had four digits and some of the first two numbers matched but others didn't. I thought about it for a second but decided to move onto the letters at the end, one combination stuck out to me 'OLT'. OLT, where have I seen this acronym before? "These don't seem that random to me. The first two numbers have been the same from a week ago until yesterday's date, and I think the remaining numbers are just sequential being '01' or '09' gives me that impression anyway. So we can rule out phone numbers for now but it doesn't help us figure out what they stand for. And OLT, I've seen it before."
"Well besides the more cryptic file, the names of the other are mainly CEOs living in Ontario. Some of them are here in London too, and another thing is lately, these names have been popping up in the news about their work."
"Interesting. Oh and so you know, I wasn't kidding when I praised you, I never would have been able to get these files without your help. Thank you."
"Yeah, no problem." He scratched the back of his head, looking uncertain and nearly bashful. I would have found a way to retrieve them on my own but without a doubt his distraction made it easier.
"Okay enough with the gratitude, let's try to find out what the Kelly's gave to the police. I don't think a repeat of our stunt today would get us the info the officers gave them unfortunately, so we'll have to settle for this."
"Excursion"
After Casey had left for her room, I waited until I was sure the household was sleeping. The clock beside my bed said it was 4am now. Finally feeling alone, I lifted my shirt and pulled a manilla folder out from underneath. Sitting at my desk, with nothing but my lamp and computer screen illuminating my room, my eyes were glued to the folder. What do I do? I internally struggled between destroying the folder and opening it. Eventually I decided, I would look in then decide later whether to destroy it. Content with my decision I flipped it open. The first item in the folder was a picture of a girl dancing at what seemed to be a competition, I grabbed the stack and went through them one by one, reading the dates on the back of each. The first photo's date was almost four years ago. The next made me queasy at how close the cameraman was, it showed a small family eating and laughing together at a busy cafe or restaurant. The subject of focus for this specific photograph was Casey. Not the same Casey I terrorized throughout high school, this Casey was young, cute and on the surface looked innocent but even with the smile on her face I could see her hidden gloom. The same misery that I didn't even notice until our fateful encounter in the alley.
"Trip, this first task is somewhat small. All you need to do is tell me something." Mr. Kelly was standing by his desk and made a move to reach below, it was obscured from my vision but I could hear the sound of a drawer being opened.
"What is it?" I was anxious about the situation, an inner voice telling me it was time to go.
"Tell me where Love is." My heart raced. Before I could react he spotted the fear in my eyes. "Your face says it all. Even your idiot Riptides should know you aren't clever enough to end the assassin's daughter. Tell me what Love told you and what game she is playing at." I was stuck, I knew I couldn't trust the Kelly's word for anything but I also didn't trust Casey all that much either. I thought about it for a split second but Casey, in any scenario, seemed to be the best choice of the two.
"W-what makes you think I even know where she is?" But then again, how could I trust someone who hid her true self from the world and most of all her family? How can I know she won't betray me too? I was brought out of my stupor, when Mr. Kelly spoke again already impatient with my feigned innocence.
"Well maybe you don't know and I'm not sure why she sent you here but I know for a fact she couldn't be dead, being that you are still breathing. She knows too much. If you really can't tell me where she is holed up, then get into contact with her and take her to Antonio's in the downtown mall. Tomorrow."
"What if I don't?" It was at this moment, I could identify exactly what Mr. Kelly held in his hand. A folder, with the what looked like 'confidential' written in bold red letters on the side.
"Believe me, Trip, I can protect you. Love can't even help herself now that she has crossed me." He warned, next he flung the file towards me it landed before me on his desk. "Take this it will tell you who Love actually is, I'll know your answer if you return it to me. Oh and once she is there, it'd be best not to stick around."
The next day I woke up sluggishly. I stayed up late going through Casey's file, it scared me to think about how much they knew about her. To be honest, I was considering whether Casey really could help me, due to the fact that Riptides would find me sooner or later despite them thinking I might be dead. I know she is pretty bad ass but she did tell me, she'd pick her family over mine. Both the Kelly's and the Riptides were untrustworthy but Casey is just one person against and two organizations. How can she even believe her plan is feasible?
I grabbed the file again, seeing as I hadn't finished it last night, I reached for the last page curious as to why the file was so brief in spite of it going back so many years. I got my explanation on the last report. 'Target lost'. So thankfully they didn't know where we lived, I felt a wave of relief wash over me mostly for selfish reasons. Well I tried to convince myself that I was only reassured because they didn't know where I lived but there was a minuscule part of me that was comforted by the knowledge Casey was safe too. Then the conversation I had with Mr. Kelly popped in my head, maybe she isn't safe yet, since I could tell I was on Casey's side I resolved to tell her. Why didn't I tell her right away? I reasoned it was because Casey was one of the only people who knew my darkest secret and I instinctively took the opportunity for my own self-preservation but it felt more like a half-truth. They were still searching for her and if found, my family would be in danger not to mention they'd discover the truth about me.
"Hey, Case." I called from my bedroom door. She happened to be leaving her room right at that moment. I got her attention and she looked at me, her face seeming just as sleepy as I felt. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. "I need to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"I..." I finally noticed that Lizzy was heading for the bathroom too, and then Ed descended from his room from the attic obviously going downstairs for food before cleaning up. "Uhh, I'll tell you later." Casey gave me an annoyed face and our younger siblings paused to hoot at us. Embarrassed at their presumptions I closed my door and settled for taking a shower after breakfast.
I was definitely irked this morning, every chance I got to talk to Casey was interrupted by another member of our family. She was sitting across the table when I realized I could just text her! I mentally face-palmed and whipped out my phone, typing as quickly as possible, 'i have to tell you something really important asap'. I sent it and luckily she didn't have her ringer on. She lazily looked at her phone once it buzzed then flicked her gaze at me for a split second, she didn't reply but I perceived a newfound haste when she ate.
"I'm finished, great eggs mom." Nora smiled at the compliment. "Can Derek and I um leave together?" I was apprehensive at her strange question.
"Is it a date?" Nora asked.
"Not really, I think it's more of an outing." Casey said, persuasively.
"Well then you won't mind if I tag along, right? Since this isn't a date." I could see some kind of unexplained tension between them as Casey resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Of course not." Casey relented, she gave me a pointed look and darted upstairs.
"What is going on? Are we being supervised every time we happen to leave the house together now?" I asked once I was able to get into Casey's room without anyone noticing.
"It feels like it, remember they think we're dating. My mom wants us to have a chaperone if we go on dates." She seemed kind of amused but ultimately miffed about the lack of privacy we now had. "Didn't you have something you needed to tell me?"
"Yeah, Mr. Kelly-" Casey put her hand over my mouth and this time I knew what the widening of her eyes meant. Someone was coming up the stairs. Damn, every time! I hid in her closet knowing my spot under her bed would be searched if it was my dad.
"Casey! Are you ready yet?" After one quick knock, Nora appeared in the doorway. I could only see a sliver of the room and willed my body to remain still so I wouldn't make any noise.
"Give me five minutes, I just need to do my hair." Casey said shielding the closet with her body from the other side of her bed.
"It looks fine, by the way where are we going for your 'not a date'?"
"Um the mall? Oh my god, the mall! I forgot I agreed to go shopping with Em today!" Casey seemed genuinely distressed for forgetting.
"Okay the mall it is, don't worry about Emily she's a sweet-tempered girl. I'll be downstairs when you're done." Once the door clicked shut, I ventured out of the cramped closet. Casey was busy on her phone, texting Emily I assumed.
"You can tell me whatever later, now get out. I need to finish getting ready" She stated once she looked up from her phone.
"But you look ready enough! This is really important, it's about miste-" She ushered me out of the room with a strength I forgot she possessed. Before I could continue she shut her door. It's okay I have to be able to tell her eventually. Thinking it might be better to just give her the file with her info in it, I took it from underneath my pillow and brought it along, explaining to Nora it was a resume and job application. She looked impressed and laughed at the 'confidential' written on the side thinking it silly. I gripped it tightly so nothing would fall out.
"Excursion"
We picked up Emily on the way and arrived at the mall before noon. Em and I were raiding the stores we never really went in before, searching for pencil skirts and mature button-ups.
"It's scary isn't it?" Em asked while we headed for the check-out.
"What is?" I asked paying for my clothes first.
"Graduating and all, like everything will be over soon."
"Yeah, I haven't even decided where I'm going for college." I agreed.
"You know Sheldon called me the other day, he wants me to go to school where he's going." She giggled but I knew she kind of wanted to see him again. If she or I moved away I knew I'd miss this girl, she was always making me feel like a normal teenager.
"Maybe you should think about it, he really is a nice guy." She smiled but glanced behind my shoulder. I followed her gaze and spotted her target. Derek. Oh no, she's been crushing on him forever, she will never forgive me for this. I guiltily hoped my mom wouldn't make it obvious what she was doing with us but I knew Em would wonder why she tagged along.
"Why is Derek here? He isn't even buying anything." Em questioned, I felt like a deer in headlights and couldn't think of a good answer because I hadn't even thought of how strange it would seem to her that he willingly came to shop.
"Come on guys! What's the hold up? I'm hungry!" Derek yelled from outside the store, waiting on a bench with Nora who had bought a few items as well from a different store. I gulped. Please don't let her know yet.I felt like I was sweating bullets, scared Emily might ask again and bolted out of the store.
"We're done, we're done. Let's go to the food court then." We all headed in the direction of the greasy foods but coming across another hallway my mom hesitated.
"Hey, why don't we go to a restaurant instead, it is a special occasion after all." My mom suggested.
"It isn't really." Em responded confused.
"Um actually it sort of is..." I said. It's now or never. "Em, we need to talk." I pulled her away towards the bathrooms, it was relatively quiet for a mall but it didn't make the words come any easier. "I know I should have told you earlier but I forgot, I uh I'm, we're dating now." I couldn't bring myself to look her in the eyes.
"Who? What are you talking about?" I tried to meet her eyes but they flickered back down to the floor. I cleared my throat which felt dry, please still be my friend.
"Me and Derek?" I attempted to make it sound pleasant. I failed.
"Wait, what?! How on Earth could you forget to tell me you're dating your step-brother!? And how could you? You know how long I've liked him, Casey, since we were kids!" Her voice sounded like she wanted to be mad but I heard the heartbreak in it. My eyes got watery as I finally looked at her, her face contorted in anguish but unlike me I could see no tears.
"I'm so sorry Em, I didn't mean to hurt you." I gave up on her forgiving me. Why? Why didn't I think about this before I went with the stupid lie?
"Well, you did." And with that she rushed to the exit.
"What happened?" Mom asked noticing my downcast eyes.
"Nothing, Em just got called to go home. Let's go eat." I answered, hoping it came across as chipper.
"Okay, where do you want to go? And don't tell me you want fast food." She remarked.
"How about that one?" Derek suggested. Antonio's read the sign. It was a fancier restaurant than the rest in the mall, it had a lounge and a canopied patio just outside the entrance where people could eat but there were usually taken during peak hours.
"Oooh this one must be new, what do you think Case?"
"Sure." I replied. We were seated quickly but like I thought our table was indoors, and in a booth. The interior was spacious and had exquisite wood furnishings, the paintings looked to be valuable as well. On instinct, I sat next my mom and she gave me a funny look.
"You know, I don't care if you want to sit next to Derek."
"Oh no, that's okay." I said quickly.
"Come on, I want to take a picture. Sit."
"Yeah, Case." Derek smirked and patted the place beside him. I relented and sat. I thought she was kidding but my mom took a few photos while Derek and I struggled to look like a natural couple. She only stopped when the server came by with the menus, asking what we wanted for beverages.
"I'm fine with water." I stated. Apparently, she had seen the pictures being taken and after chit-chatting. She commented.
"You two make a lovely couple." She smiled. My face felt warm and I laughed nervously.
"Thanks!" Derek exclaimed when he realized I wasn't going to say anything, I didn't know what to say honestly. I had a weird feeling in my stomach.
"Aww." Mom cooed reviewing her images. "she is so right."
"Mom." I groaned, she made me feel like I was still in elementary. Eventually, we decided on our dishes. Just as our server got into the kitchen to relay our meals, a voice rang out loudly across the restaurant.
"EVERYBODY DOWN!" It got everyone's attention but what made people get down was when the man fired a gun towards the ceiling. I saw my mom freeze in terror. Other customers were frantic and some began crying. The man was walking by the tables but made a beeline toward our table once he looked up from a piece of paper. "You. Come with us." He demanded of me. Furious I didn't bring any protection with me, I reviewed what I might be able to use to disable the man from a mental image of the utensils on the table, I did not look away from him. When I didn't get up right away, he pointed his Uzi at me, and I could feel Derek grab my forearm.
"No." I said firmly, desperately thinking of best case scenarios. After what felt like less than a second, I jumped up and tackled the man, in surprise he shot in my direction. I gripped my upper arm, recognizing the pain of a gunshot wound. He got his barring and pointed toward the booth, Mom, Derek! I grabbed his barrel with my bloody hand wincing at the burning of the recently fired weapon, I threw it as far as I could before he could fire again. I checked Derek and my mom, she seemed fine but her side began turning red and Derek basically jumped across the table to help her. "Mom!" I cried. As I made my way to her, the man began to abduct me, I fought him off but his accomplices gripped my legs. I kicked and wrestled them and reached for my mom. But I couldn't reach her. My vision blurred from tears and pain. "NO!" No, this can't be happening!
A/N: Longest chapter yet, hope you enjoy.
RG