Here's the new chapter! Thanks for the reviews!
"It's time to go Gallagher Girl." Zach told me as I watched the sun start its climb into the sky, gold rays just barely visible over the trees. I closed my eyes as a sense of déjà vu slowly crept through my mind. I hated what I was about to do. As soon as I left, I couldn't expect my mom to ever forgive me, and I would be a terrible person if I admitted that I knew she would regardless.
"Ok." I said. No words were forming in my mind. There was nothing else to say. The last time I snuck out I had every intent to return, this time, well this time I was just hoping to stay alive long enough to finish writing my coveops report.
Zach walked towards the window and motioned for me to go before him. In any other situation, I would've thought the gesture chivalrous but jumping from the third story building wasn't exactly on my list of things to do. I pushed the nervous feeling aside and jumped. For a few seconds I felt like I was flying, the cold air hitting my face. I landed in the snow wincing slightly at the tingling feeling that shot from my feet to my ankles. I looked down and saw the large body shape mark in the snow from where they had to practically push Bex out the window.
Zach landed beside me, and we started walking. The gaping holes in the ground from our landings appeared to be just remnants of their former selves, snow falling so quickly that if we didn't start moving there could be a possibility we could share the same fate. The scene in front of me was quite amusing. We looked like a bunch of kids running away from home. Completely unprepared, in sleep pants, t-shirts, and a pairs of socks, but it's what had to be done. If we had change to warm clothes, our kidnapping story would easily be dismissed.
No one said anything. The cold was too much to bare and it was something each of us wanted to do on our own. With each step, the melted snow squished uncomfortably between my toes and I counted how many miles, yards, feet, and inches we had left.
We had walked about two miles (three yards, two feet, and eleven inches to be exact) before Preston asked, "H-how much farther?" I wanted to answer exactly, but the question wasn't directed to me, and Zach answered before I had the chance.
"Just over this hill. About a mile and a half, he should be there with the car." Zach answered. I didn't ask any questions when Zach told me that he had gotten in contact with someone from his past, someone who no doubt attended Blackthorn. I had no idea how he managed to contact anyone this secluded in the forest, but he did it and our plan could continue as, well, planned.
A gust of wind blew hitting my face, and it felt like little cold needles pricking at my cheeks. I involuntarily started shaking and became conscious of the fact that my teeth had started chattering uncontrollably. I felt a warm arm around me and I snuggled into Zach's body trying to keep warm. I know statistically we were covering less ground because of it, but I needed the feeling of reassurance he gave me. I needed the warmth, I needed the love, but most importantly I needed him. And honestly, I preferred him closer than farther away.
"You cold Gallagher Girl?" He asked and I could practically hear the smirk that he no doubt wore on his face.
"N-not funny Zach." I replied.
We kept walking like that for some time until Bex said, "Well this is just bloody perfect. I liked it better when you were still in the Embassy, Preston." I turned my head to see Bex hugging herself trying to keep warm. I looked past her to see that Preston had his arm around Macey just like Zach had his around me. I wanted to laugh, but I wasn't in the mood to deal with the wrath of an angry Bex in this kind of weather.
"Why, did you want to snuggle up with me?" Macey asked laughing, and though Bex didn't show it, I could tell she was getting mad.
Bex shrugged and said, "Not bloody likely. I just don't like being the only one freezing to death out here."
Preston let go of Macey and made his way over to Bex with his arms outstretched. "Would a hug make you feel better Bex?" Preston asked and the look of surprise on Bex's face was priceless. Once over the shock, she put her hands up defensively while smiling and managed to laughed out, "I swear Preston if you hug me," But she was too late. Preston gave her a big bear hug and we were all laughing by then, the cold and the burden of the mission forgotten, even if only for that moment. Preston always knew how to make a serious situation funny and that was something that I admired about him.
We started walking again, this time Zach and I were only holding hands because I felt guilty about Bex being fifth wheeled. It was funny, I was leaving my mom and making her think that I'd been kidnapped by the same organization that had murdered my father, and I was worried about Bex's feelings. I'm a teenager though, and I guess there are things that the best teacher in the world can't train out of you.
We finally made it over the hill and I saw a tall figure leaning against the side of a black Cadillac SUV, with windows so tinted they looked like mirrors. The man turned his head towards us. He had strong features, and skin so white, it was almost the same color as the snow that was melting in his dark hair. His hair fell just above his eyes which were covered by even darker aviator sunglasses. A smirk so familiar to me played on his lips, and he looked as if he hadn't shaved in a couple days, his face adorned with the very beginning stages of a beard.
"I bet he'd keep you warm Bex." Macey whispered and Bex nodded vigorously in agreement. They hadn't noticed yet, but I didn't blame them. I had spent so much time giving Zach side long glances when we weren't dating. I had spent so much time taking in every feature so I wouldn't forget him when I ran away last year when we were. It would be impossible for me not to notice.
"Hey little Zachy." He said lowering the black aviator sunglasses he was wearing. The same dark eyes that Zach shared with his mother, Zach shared with this stranger. My mind was racing, trying to come up with a logical explanation. Maybe, maybe it was just coincidental. I read in one of Macey's magazines that we all had a twin in this world, but deep down I knew that that wasn't true. This man looked too much like Zach for any other explanation; he looked too much like Catherine Goode for any other explanation.
"Aaron." Zach replied coldly. I could practically feel the tension.
The man causally walked towards us and said, "Awe come on Zachy, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" He still wore the smirk he'd plastered on his face since he saw us come over the hill.
"Aaron, this is Macey McHenry, Preston Winters, Rebecca Baxter, and Cameron Morgan. Everyone, this is my brother, Aaron." Zach said and though I was not looking at my friends, I could imagine the shock on their faces at that moment. I on the other hand, had a sick feeling in my stomach that typically went with a sense of betrayal. Zach and I were so close; I told him almost everything, for him to keep something like that from me, it hurt. But then again, I told him almost everything, but not everything. Maybe it was something he never wanted me to know about. Whatever the reason was, I had a sudden urge to know.
"Preston Winters as in the ambassador from hell's kid?" Aaron asked.
Preston stiffened and replied, "Yea."
"Well if you're working with my little brother that means you're going against the old man. Kick ass dude." Aaron said smiling and I saw Preston smile at the compliment.
"Rebecca Baxter," He said narrowing his eyes to convey that he was thinking. "Now you're not related to Grace and Abe Baxter are you?" He finished.
"They're my parents." Bex said.
"Well if you're anything like them, then I believe it will be a huge honor to work with you." Aaron added and he had managed to win over two of my friends in a matter of seconds.
"Now Macey McHenry." He said making his way over to Macey. The look on her face read indifference, but I could see the look in her eyes said that she couldn't wait for her turn to be complimented. "I have no idea who you are," he started and I wanted to laugh at the way her face fell, "but I'd love to change that." He added a wink and Macey smiled while Preston looked extremely jealous, though I know he'd never admit it.
I looked over at Zach whose eyes were narrowed and forehead creased in anger. I took his hand in my own and squeezed it reassuringly, trying to help him keep his cool. Very seldom did Zach ever lose it, actually the last time I saw him that angry was in the Catacombs. He must have had a good reason to dislike his brother so much.
"Now Cameron Morgan, you're quite famous in the spy world. It's a great to put a face to the name, and finally meet the person who could make my tin man of a little brother discover he had a heart." He said placing a hand on Zach's shoulder. Zach simply shrugged him off and started walking over to the car.
"Did you bring the clothes?" Zach asked.
"Yah, they're in the back." His brother replied, dropping the smirk after finally noticing that Zach was not happy with him.
"Ok then, get us to a gas so we can change and get on the road. Our flight's in four days."
I know a brother no one knew about, a little farfetched, but not totally impossible. There's a lot about Zach we don't know and this isn't something too out of the question. I'm sort of using him as a door to Zach's past, his childhood, the things that no one knows about, and he's not likely to talk about. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review so I can know your thoughts on everything!