Chapter 24

I had driven like a man possessed back to Chicago. Pushing the frustratingly slow hire car past its microchip's limiter. Even after ignoring the speed signs it still took me four hours to reach Diana's mansion. The guards posted on the gate had looked alarmed as I skidded to a halt in front of them, flashing them my deadliest stare as they moved towards the vehicle. With flustered expressions and fighting a stutter one of them had informed their employer of my arrival and the gates had swung open. Now I was stood in her large open plan living area, quivering with pent up rage as I waited for my former handler to materialise.

My head felt like it had a nest of hornets living inside of it. If accepting my feelings for Perry had brought me clarity previously, now it had thrown me into a state of urgency I had never experienced before. I clenched and unclenched my fists as the seconds ticked by, and ground my teeth impatiently. Every wasted minute was another minute she had to endure some unknown horror. I couldn't allow that.

"You made good time I must say." Diana's voice echoed down from the mezzanine balcony above the living head whipped round to locate her and a small tremor of annoyance ran through me as I took in her calm expression.

"I made adequate time." I shot back in a cold voice. She chuckled un-phased by my abrupt mood, her perfectly painted mouth lifting slightly at the corner. I kept my eyes fixed on her as she moved along the balcony and languidly descended the stairs. She had always maintained an air of composure in times of crisis, however through my fog of panic her manner aggravated me. I tried to keep my self-control as she walked towards me, her heels clicking loudly in the deserted room.

Having forewarned her of the predicament I now found myself in, she had made this a private meeting. Even her most trusted staff were a risk to me at the moment. She stopped at a respectful distance and gave me a small, reassuring smile as she clasped her hands neatly in front of her. It always hit me how different her and Perry were when I had been in close proximity with both of them. Our previous visit here had highlighted it even more, with Diana assessing the escalating situation pragmatically and Peregrine letting her emotions and natural intelligence rule her actions. Before this observation would have merely piqued my interest at the unlikely relationship I had forged with two such opposing personalities. But now it sent a dark stab of longing into my abdomen for my unruly, rough-edged companion.

"I looked up the coordinates you gave me. It's a shopping centre located in Sioux Falls, Iowa." I narrowed my eyes; it seemed a bit too public for an exchange. My mind was trying to make sense of Cicada's motives in all this, but the pain and anger at Peregrine's abduction was making it difficult to see clearly.

"Fine. Where is the child?" I snapped at Diana. She raised an eyebrow at my obviously antagonistic tone but didn't rise to it.

"She is somewhere. You don't actually intend to give her to Cicada do you?" I felt my muscles tense in a brief moment of anger at Diana's obstructiveness. She noticed my agitation and raised both eyebrows in a look of surprise. "The 47 I know wouldn't give in so easily to their demands." Suspicion clouded her face then, as something seemed to dawn on her. "What's happened? Why are you so rattled?"

I made an effort to relax my stance; there was one similarity between Diana and Perry, their uncanny ability to see straight through me. "Peregrine is in danger, they threatened to kill her if I didn't comply." Much to my astonishment she let out a snort.

"And she's been in this position before if I recall. That incident in Fallon's mansion that started all this, Italy where you beat up half of the ICA's task force to save her. Both times you ran through all the options before taking the best route to get to her. So why rush in now and give up the thing she's been fighting for?" Her comment was like a sharp slap in the face. I blinked slowly at my former handler, remembering all those times she had been right and all those times I wish she hadn't. It was true; I had rescued Perry before, but in the past if things really had turned out to be too risky I was sure I would have walked away. Like Satu Mare. But now…well, now it wasn't just her life on the line. It was mine too.

"The child. Where is she?" I hissed venomously at her in response. Diana shook her head sadly, closing her eyes for an instant.

"I was afraid this would happen when you dragged her back from Wales." The swirling mass of my thoughts stilled for a moment.

"What do you mean?" My voice was low and threatening but the woman in front of me didn't flinch. She gave me a sad, knowing smile.

"You've always been loyal 47. I should know. And I always wondered what you would be like if you ever developed strong feelings for another. I guess I know now." We stared at each other in silence. Words of denial started to rise out of me, then my jaw tensed and I pushed them back down. There seemed little point in lying anymore, Diana was an observant person who I had known for longer than most. Claiming she was wrong was only an insult to her. She chuckled again, taking my silence as confirmation.

"I thought as much. However, your affection towards Peregrine has blinded you to the ideal option. Giving Seren to Cicada is out of the question, she is far too valuable…to Perry that is. Besides if you did that you'd likely damage whatever relationship you had with her." The truth in her words left a bitter taste in my mouth. If I traded the child for Perry she would never forgive me, but I couldn't walk away or risk getting her killed. A low growl slipped from between my clenched teeth as I felt myself being backed into a corner.

"Is ma back?"

The high voice rang out over the room. I turned to look at where Diana had made her entrance before and saw a pair of familiar blue eyes staring down at me from the balcony above. They narrowed as the child saw me watching, distrust evident in them as she moved back from the edge. "No Seren. She isn't. Go back to your room please." Diana's voice was level, but tinged with an edge of steel as she answered the child, her gaze still fixed firmly on me. There was no response from above, but I was conscious she was still there, observing unseen.

I turned to look at Diana once more, my expression still hard. "I don't have time to argue anymore, give me the child and let me leave." Diana shot me an amused expression.

"This is an argument? Well I never would have guessed it. I thought we were having a healthy discussion about an ongoing mission." I didn't answer, but felt my jaw tighten again in annoyance at her flippant attitude to all this. Morgan was in danger; why couldn't she see that?

"By the way, why exactly did you leave her alone in that motel? I would have thought with your recently discovered 'feelings' and my warning when you left here last time, that you wouldn't have let her out of your sight." This time my hands balled into tight fists as her accusation hit me.

"You told me your contact wouldn't appreciate both of us showing up at his doorstep. I took your advice and went alone, but not without arming her I assure you." Diana's aloof expression suddenly shifted into one of confusion, and I felt a heavy weight drop into my stomach like a corpse sinking in a river.

"What contact? What are you talking about?" Now there was a hint of fear in her tone and the weight pressed down further as a cold, unwelcome realisation sank in.

"You didn't send them…the messages telling us to go to Arthur." She shook her head slowly, her eyes widening enough to tell me I was right.

"No. Arthur hasn't been on my radar for four years at least. He fled the country long ago. Whoever sent you those messages, it wasn't me." The weight settled deep in my gut, making me feel nauseous with anger. I had been tricked like some fledgling agent. Lured away by an obvious ploy and separated from my handler on purpose. Now that I was looking at the events of the last few hours clearly in the cold harsh light of reality, I could see how stupid I had been. It was my fault she was gone. If I hadn't been blinded by these ridiculous emotions I would have seen it, surely.

"Give me the girl. Now." I channelled my anger at my own error into my voice. A deadly growl escaping me as I started to lose control of myself. Diana took a small step back. It wasn't a dramatic action, but I knew her well enough to read the alarm in her features.

"It's not a good idea 47. Please listen." But I was done listening. I had stood here long enough and the tremor in Diana's voice only bolstered my resolve. I marched past my former handler and headed towards the stairs. I could sense the child's attention on me as I took them two at a time and headed to where I had seen her last. Just as I had predicted she was still there, flattened against the wall of the mezzanine balcony. She regarded me warily, her thin pale arms pressed against the rough slate behind her.

"Do you want to see your mother again?" I asked in a low voice. The anger I was feeling still managing to leak through slightly. She didn't speak, her wide blue eyes burrowing into my head. Then she nodded, her brown hair which was loose around her ears swaying with the movement. I felt a pang of longing at the sight of it, remembering how it would catch the light when Morgan was next to a window. Holding out a hand, I barked gruffly at her.

"Come then."

The child shrank back for an instant. She looked so young in the clothes Diana had dressed her in; a grey pleated skirt and pale pink polo shirt. Worlds away from the practical, jeans and t-shirt she had worn when I first met her. The differences between the two women responsible hit me again and I swallowed down the guilt as she cautiously moved forward and placed her tiny hand in mine.

"You'll take me to ma?" She asked in a firm voice. I nodded, completing the deception and towed the child after me as I made my way back down the stairs. Diana was waiting at the bottom, her arms folded, her expression stern.

"You are being foolish 47. It doesn't suit you." I tried to ignore her imperious look as I dragged the child somewhat forcefully towards the door. She didn't struggle despite my less than gentle handling of her and I shot a quick look down to gauge why. She was staring back at Diana, a fearful look in her eyes. My conscious stabbed harshly at me again, the guilt building slowly. Damn these infernal emotions.

I flung the door open and marched down the stone steps towards my old Audi that Diana had retrieved for me. My feet crunched in a steady rhythm over the gravel drive, the child's a quicker, more uneven beat next to mine. I loosened my grip a little to make it easier for her to walk and glanced down to see her staring at her surroundings. Her expression still etched with fear as she looked around her.

"This isn't what Peregrine would have wanted." Diana's voice rang out behind me as she watched my progress from her doorway. I was aware we had a small audience out here, her numerous security guards watching from the gardens around us. I skidded to a halt next to the car, the child bouncing nimbly on the balls of her feet so as to avoid crashing into my thigh. I turned to face her, careful to keep my expression neutral. Which was easier said than done nowadays.

"She isn't here to say what she wants, and if I don't do this she isn't going to be around at all. These people are dangerous Diana, they've practically destroyed everything you've built here. All you have left is this mansion and a few foot soldiers. I agreed to end this and promised Morgan I'd make her safe and I intend to." Diana didn't respond, her eyes simply widening at my choice to use my handler's proper name. Neither did she make to move after me as I opened the passenger door and propelled the child into the car. She sat there meekly, looking up at me through the glass as I shut the door after her.

Moving round to the other side I opened the other door, flicking a last look at my old partner. The distance between us since Morgan's return seemed to have grown further in such a short time. The woman who I had trusted above all others let out a heavy sigh before calling after me.

"That isn't all you promised, remember that 47. I hope you know what you're doing." We stared at each other across the expansive drive. An unspoken warning passing from Diana to me. Deep down I knew I was being rash, but I had grown tired of the people around me telling me who I was and what to do. Ort-Meyer, Soders, Travis, even Diana; they had all dictated how I saw myself. The only exception was Morgan. She had given me permission to be human, make mistakes, be flawed, instead of only expecting perfection and obedience. And that was worth fighting for.

Without another word, I slid into the Audi and started the engine. Glancing at the child next to me I noticed all traces of fear were gone from her face. She was staring at me quizzically. "Put your seat belt on." I commanded, as I turned the car and watched the red headed figure of Diana recede in the rear view mirror.

The girl shifted uneasily in her seat drawing my attention away from the road. She hadn't moved or spoken since leaving Chicago about three hours ago, so even though the movement was subtle it was unexpected. It had unnerved me to begin with how still she could be for a child her age, then I had remembered who she was and a cold shiver ran up my spine.

Victoria had been the only young person I had interacted with for an extended period for time, and she was a world away from the creation sat next to me now. I was unsure whether it was Morgan's uncanny ability to ignore the less ideal aspects of a person rubbing off on me, but I had to keep reminding myself that she wasn't a normal six year old, she was literally a carbon copy of me. A science experiment.

It was odd how adverse I was to this child compared to Victoria. She had been the first person I had sympathised with, having been brought up in the same environment I had. I had formed the nearest thing to a bond with that girl before Morgan had come crashing into existence and broke all the rules. But I felt nothing but mind numbing distain for the thing sat next to me. Which made no sense, she was one half of me after all; wasn't the most basic human instinct to protect one's own DNA? More to the point the other half was a person I cared deeply for, a person I was going out of my way to get out of harm. Regardless of these undeniable facts, all I felt when I looked at the child was a cold emptiness and mild annoyance as she stared back with identical eyes.

"I need to go." She said abruptly, her expression blank. I wondered briefly if this was how I had looked to everyone before letting my emotions rule me. A carefully placed mask, the cool gaze of those almost iridescent blue eyes. It made me marvel at how Morgan had ever developed feelings for me in the first place.

"Hold it." I shot back, a sneer of disgust twisting my mouth. The girl's brow furrowed for an instant.

"I can't." She said in a matter of fact tone that didn't belong coming out of a six year old's mouth. I let out a laboured sigh and flicked my eyes back to the road.

"Fine." I muttered, as I scanned the signs passing by for any hint of a motel or rest stop. We hit a small town shortly after, somewhere called Springdale, and I pulled into a convenience store inwardly hoping they had bathrooms. The absurdity of the situation was not lost on me as I opened the passenger door for the child to hop out. I watched in mild amusement as she brushed her hands down the front of her pleated skirt, trying to flatten it, then gave it a harsh tug, her face morphing into one of utter distain at the garment. The amusement quickly switched to the painful stabbing I had felt ever since Morgan had vanished again. The familiarity of the child's attitude towards the skirt a mirror image of her guardian's.

The pain was starting to spread and I could feel the beginnings of a alarmingly familiar headache forming in the back of my mind. Following the child like a shadow into the store I flicked a habitual look at the alcohol on display. The shock of the old gesture jolted me out of my dejected state and I forced myself to focus on the cashier stood behind the counter.

The elderly woman, who likely owned the store, smiled kindly at me as I approached. Her eyes flashed down to my heels where I knew the girl was now stood, then back up to my face, her smile widening further.

"How can I help you, sir?" She asked in a soft voice.

"Do you have a restroom?" I replied in a quiet monotone, eager to be done with this and back on the road. The woman glanced at the girl again, her eyes twinkling.

"Sure we do. It's in the back sweetie, want me to show you?"

"No thank you." I had to stop myself from flinching at the child's happy, juvenile tone. It was unlike anything I had heard her use before. True, her voice was naturally high in tone for a person of her age but it had always had a weighted quality to it, as if it held an intelligence far beyond her years. This voice was saccharine sweet, more fitting for a far younger girl than her. The woman didn't seem to notice my surprise, her cheeks dimpling with the broadness of her smile now. She looked as if she was staring at her own grandchild, much less a stranger she had never laid eyes on before.

"Oh aren't you just the cutest. Go ahead then sweetie." She gestured towards the back of the store to her left. I reluctantly looked down at the child.

"I'll come. To help." I said, haltingly. Not sure how to interact with her in front of the woman. The child shook her head, a charming smile stretching across her face. Her cheeks dimpling and a warm, childish glow entering her previously mature eyes.

"I'll be fine. I can do it all on my own." I felt my brow furrow at the condescending way in which she said it, although to the woman watching it would sound like a young child taking pride in her actions. Then my heart stopped briefly as she flashed me a cheeky grin, so achingly similar to Morgan's it was almost like looking at her even with the pale skin and blue eyes. She skipped off in the direction the woman had indicated, leaving me staring after her, the blood draining from my face.

I collected myself before turning back to the woman, she was giving me an appreciative look. "Your daughter is adorable, and so polite. You must be a very proud Dad?" I was sure the alarm inside me didn't reflect on my face, although it was a struggle. I arranged my features into an approximation of a smile, and tried to keep the horror out of my tone as I replied.

"Thank you. She takes after her mother." The words slipped out before I could process what I had said. The woman simply raised an eyebrow at my comment, her face holding back a laugh.

"Well, she gets her looks from you. That's for sure." She ran her eyes up and down the length of me, her cheeks colouring a little more as she ended back on my face. "So are you in town long? I haven't seen you here before."

"We're just passing through. Visiting family near Sioux City." I found adding an element of truth to a lie always made the deception sit easier with the recipient. Humans were irritatingly good at spotting false hoods, no matter how proficient the actor.

"My that's a trek. You stopping here overnight?" I was just forming another convincing lie for the woman before a small, voice piped up somewhere near my waist.

"I'm getting tired now, and hungry. Can we stop?" I flashed an icy stare down to the child who was looking up at me, her eyes wide and innocent.

"It's probably for the best. There's a hotel across the street. My daughter runs it, I'd be happy to help you get a room." I glanced out of the glass front of the store, desperate to be out of this situation. The sun was already beginning to sink below the horizon and I felt a sinking sense of resignation. I could keep driving through the night, easily and reach the coordinates by dawn. But going into that scenario with no rest and no plan was a step too far, even for my illogical state.

"That would be helpful, thank you." I replied through gritted teeth to the well-meaning woman. She smiled and picked up a phone behind the counter. I looked down at the child next to me again and a sudden wave of outrage welled up inside of me as I saw the glint of triumph in her eyes.

"Don't touch anything." I ordered, laying my pistol on the sideboard carefully and gathering my cleaning tools. The child watched me with round eyes from her single bed, her bare legs folded underneath her.

She hadn't said a word to me after the encounter with the store owner, and had merely smiled shyly at the hotel staff when they showed us to a room. She had however watched me intently as I checked the room, making a note of all the best escape routes and possible vantage points from outside. I didn't like the way she seemed to be absorbing everything I did, her neutral expression belaying nothing of what was going on in her head. Not wanting to interact with her more than I had to, I turned away from the eerie child and set about cleaning my gun. Deliberately blocking her view of the weapon as I settled into the comfortingly familiar task.

Keeping my hands busy was the only thing I could think of to dissipate some of the nervous energy building inside of me. As much as having the night to think things over was logical, my unruly emotions were arguing vehemently against it. If this was how normal people lived their lives, no wonder they got little done, I thought bitterly as I began to disassemble my pistol. My brain switched easily to autopilot as I continued, and I could feel my pulse dropping with every moment. Despite this, images of Morgan in immense pain or pale and lifeless still flashed through my mind's eye. With each horrific thought a fresh wave of pain swept through my already agonised chest.

Once my task was complete, I sat quietly, steadying my breathing and forcing the animal part of my brain to relinquish control. The more I drove the disturbing images of Morgan away, the clearer I could think. I was running through the likely scenarios I would encounter in the mall tomorrow when a slight movement by my elbow jolted me out of my thoughts. I whipped my head down to look at what had disturbed me and felt a momentary stab of surprise as I looked down at the child stood silently by me.

"Are you going to need a gun to get to ma?" The brief feeling of shock was instantaneously brushed aside by an immense sense of annoyance.

"Go back to your bed." I snapped at the girl as she stared at my now gleaming silenced pistol resting on the table in front of me. She slowly turned her head to look up at me, her face blank but her eyes burning with that razor sharp intelligence I knew so well.

"I'm not touching anything." She replied rationally, and I ground my teeth together in frustration. My carefully fought back calm beginning to erode again.

"Do as you're told." The child shot me what I could only describe as a sarcastic look at my unoriginal response to her. It did nothing for my fragile mood. She assessed me for a moment longer before shrugging in a very Morgan way and hopping back on her bed nimbly. I frowned at her as she watched me from the more tolerable distance of her bed.

"Is it dangerous, where she is?" I marvelled again at the difference between the childish girl from earlier in the convenience store to now. There was a maturity in the way she spoke that I wasn't expecting, and I wondered how I hadn't picked up on it on the farm before. I decided to choose my words carefully, no need alarming the child unnecessarily; it would only cause problems for me.

"I like to be cautious. Your mother is probably fine." She cocked her head to the side, her eyes narrowing. They bored into me, sharp points of steel trying to read my thoughts. In an instant she switched, her head straightening, her eyes becoming wide and innocent again. She shot me a shy smile and began to worm her way under the covers.

"Okay. The sooner I sleep; the sooner I see her again right?" I blinked in bemusement as the child disappeared under the bed covers, turning so her back was to me. I didn't know how to read her at all, and that scared me greatly. Due to her fairly normal upbringing it was hard to tell how much awareness she had for her true origins. I wondered if like Victoria she had an untapped well of programmed abilities that would prove an issue later. She felt like a bomb that could go off at any minute. And the surreal feeling of looking into a face that was not my own but similar in so many ways was starting to grate on me.

I intended to keep her at arm's length, all I had to do was use her to get to Cicada and Morgan and then I could forget about her. I watched her small, slow breathing form, unsure whether she was actually asleep, and thought that moment couldn't come soon enough.