.o Visitors o.

Cammie POV

"Aunt Abby!" I cried, "What are you doing here?"

"Just visiting my favorite niece," Abby replied. She was sitting on the couch in the small living room. I hadn't seen her in months since I came to Georgetown. And she is one of the people who might know what's going on.

I rolled my eyes. "Uh huh. Is everything alright? How's Mom?"

"Fine, fine," Abby said, waving her hand and standing up to give me a hug. "I just came to say 'hello' yesterday, and that girl across the hall said you had left. Where did you go?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Oh, just to New York."

Abby raised an eyebrow, "Tina?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

"What she say? Any news?"

"Nothing new about the attack, but she did tell me about a breakout at Youngblood."

"Yeah, come here," she said, walking to the kitchen table where a computer was set up. She pulled up some CIA files and turned the computer towards me. It was the files on the escapees, but something seemed off. The first one stated that one girl was nineteen, blonde, 5'7'', deadly with knives- that was it. No details, no history-nothing, not even why she was locked up. The next one was just as vague. Black haired girl, just turned nineteen, 5'3'', seemed to be mentally unstable- well even more so than others at the asylum. That's it.

That wasn't right. Tina had told me that no one knew who they were or anything important about them besides they were dangerous- and that was obvious since they had been at Youngblood. She had mentioned the files at Youngblood had been destroyed too. But these were the CIA files. They should have the information!

"This isn't right," I said.

"Yeah, I know," Abby replied, "Langley doesn't know what happened to the files. It seems like someone hacked into Langley, but the only people capable of that work at Langley. Besides, not many people can do it undetected."

Well, I knew someone who could have done it. I banished the thought as soon as it came; there was absolutely no way Liz did this. Still, she might be able to help find out who did. And why would whoever hacked the files leave anything at all? Why not just destroy the files?

"Has Liz looked into it?" I asked Abby.

"Not that I know of," Abby replied. "She's been at Gallagher with me."

"Oh, yeah- wait, if you're here, and Joe's with Zach, then who's covering CoveOps? Townsend?"

"Nah, your mom's covering it. Townsend's in London overseeing the President's daughter's security team. "

"When does Bianca leave?" I asked.

"The fifteenth. I believe she's spending a week in London."

I nodded, thinking. I couldn't help a sense of worry for the girl. I knew more than anyone what it felt like to be targeted by terrorist for an unknown reason. And I had had my friends and my training to help me deal with it, but Bianca wasn't a Gallagher Girl. Macey had tried, but her parents wouldn't have it. Plus, Bianca told Macey she didn't really mind staying home, as long as Macey stayed. I knew she had Macey; that was comforting to me. This trip to London still felt ominous though.

"Tina said Macey asked her to cover the reports," I said. "And you say Townsend's overseeing the security team in London."

"Yeah."

"And London has one of the best MI6 agents ever," I continued.

"Uh huh..."

I sighed. "Then why do I feel like something's wrong?"

Abby studied me for a while. "I don't know, Squirt, but you can't leave Georgetown in the middle of the week, so don't get any ideas. You still have a cover to maintain."

"I know, I know," I sighed.

"Plus, I think it's best to stop leaving so often if you want to keep your cover," Abby warned me.

I sighed. "Okay. I'll stay here for the next month or so. I just don't like not helping!"

Abby came to stand in front of me. "I know, Squirt, but sometimes you have to leave it to others. Bianca is not your subject, she's Macey's."

"I know. But why would anyone do this?"

"There are a lot of reasons. You know that."

I thought of what Joe told me years ago. There are six reasons anyone does anything: Love. Faith. Greed. Boredom. Fear. Revenge. I wonder what is motivating this attacker.

"Okay, yes. But who would do this? And are the attack and the breakout connected? And who hacked Langley? And why would the hacker leave what they did? Why not just destroy the files altogether?" I burst, all the questions that had been swirling in my head flowing out.

Abby sighed and pulled out a chair and sat down. "You know we don't know who did this- neither does Zach for that matter. He and Joe are trying to find any connections from the attacks to anyone Zach knows or knew. As for the attack and breakout, they are connected. We've looked into the guy who talked to Zach and found out he was a guard at Youngblood." Abby shook her head. "That's probably why the attacker knew exactly how to break those two girls out undetected."

"That's probably why the man was killed right after delivering the message to Zach," I said.

"Yes," Abby said, "And as for the hacker, well I think it's safe to guess it's the same person, or people. Though I do wonder why they left the information." She shook her head. "I don't know, Squirt." She stood up and clapped her hands, "Well, I have to go back to- well, where I'm going," she winked.

I helped her put up her computer and walked her to the door. The door across the hall opened, then closed quickly -but not completely. Lyla was trying to either watch us without us knowing or was just waiting until we left.

Abby didn't even acknowledge the door across the hall opened, but I knew she noticed. She turned and said, "Okay, see you later, Squirt. Remember what I said- don't get too toasty." She nodded ever so slightly towards Lyla's door. "And about the other thing- don't worry, we'll tell you if we need anything."

I nodded, "Alright, thanks, Aunt Abby. Tell Mom I said 'hi.'"

"Will do, Squirt." And with that Abby was gone.

Lyla waited about five seconds, then opened the door- acting as if she didn't know I was there of course. She looked up at me. "Hey,-" she snapped her fingers, trying to remember my name.

"Cammie."

"Yeah, sorry, Cammie. I didn't realize we were neighbors! You know we should hang out sometime. Want to catch a movie this weekend?" Lyla asked. I was stunned. Sure I knew there was absolutely nothing abnormal about her, but she didn't know me at all. Well, besides sitting next to me in three classes. But, I thought about what Abby told me- don't get too toasty. Well that could go either way; I could become 'that mystery girl' and people get suspicious, or I could hang out with Lyla and have the same thing happen that did with Josh.

But you won't lie to her like you did Josh- I thought.

Lyla was still waiting for an answer. I smiled and said, "Sure, that would be fun!"

She grinned, "Great! I'll come over on Friday to see what movie we want to see!" She turned and waved, then turned the corner and was gone. I smiled. Maybe I could do this.

Bianca POV

I groaned and rolled over as my alarm started playing. The music only grew louder, and I jumped up when the blanket was ripped off me. Glaring, I stood up, stretched and went to brush my teeth, possibly closing the door too loud. It was almost seven a.m. and Macey wasn't supposed to be in my room for about half an hour, but it seemed she was being annoyingly early today.

Finished with brushing my teeth, I walked to my closet to pick out an outfit for today. I pulled out my outfit- a purple top with a black skirt and black tights and boots. Macey gave me the thumbs up. I grinned. Despite her waking me up at ridiculous times, I loved Macey, she was the only person I've known who actually understands me- the real me.

Ten minutes later, I was dressed and Macey was ready to help me with my hair. I honestly don't know what I would have done if Macey hadn't come. Of course when she first came I hated the idea of another private security agent. All of the old ones never let me do anything. I had to sit here, stay there, be exactly here or there, couldn't try this, it was dangerous to eat that- even at home! It was maddening. It was like I was a doll or a baby. Of course I know that they were doing their job, and as annoying as they were, I'm glad they kept me safe- that didn't stop me from getting rid of each and every one of them though.

Then Macey came.

And honestly, when I first met her, she scared me.

After so long of hiding what I felt and thought- what I really felt, not the snob attitude or brat talk- for someone to come in and just know- it was freaky. The fact that she almost sliced my nose off when we met didn't help either.

Of course, while I was freaked out, I was also freaking out! Finally, there was someone who didn't lecture me anytime I walked five feet away to look at something, someone who listened to my complaints and actually talked to me! It took me a while to realize I could really trust Macey and really open up to her, but it was the best feeling ever when I did. I guess, in a way, Macey brought me to life.

And now I had even more respect for Macey. Not only was she the best security ever because of understanding me, but she was freakin awesome! I mean she had shown me what she could do. But it was different now that I really saw what she could do! She saved me from- whoever that freak bomb guy was. Now that I think about it I never was told what was going on. Guess I never asked. Huh, I would have to find out what is going on. Normally Macey told me anything I asked- well, except how she became so good. I was still trying to figure that out.

Macey was finished with my hair. It was down in its brown, natural curls, with the front in two braids on each side pulled back and pinned at the back of my head- my favorite hairstyle.

I turned and grinned at her. "So, what we doing today?" I asked. Macey normally took care up my schedule.

Macey smirked at me. "Oh, we have an awesome day ahead of us."

"Really? What?"

"Packing!"

"Urgh!"

Don't get me wrong- I was super excited to be going to London! I've been wanting to go since I was little. Although how Macey was able to get permission to take me I have no idea. She was just awesome like that.

I still hated packing though.

"Purple or green?" I asked Macey.

She looked up from finding a pair of shoes. "Green."

I nodded and packed the green top.

After a while of quiet packing- well besides us singing with Paramore- Macey stood up and put her finger to her ear. I turned the music low and waited until Macey looked up. She smiled and said, "Hey, remember I told you I had some friends?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Well, one of them is here to meet you. She's going to be going to London with us and covering the reports that the media is going to want- so you know, be nice."

I rolled my eyes, "Uh huh."

"Don't worry, she's cool- a little nosy, but cool," Macey assured me.

Macey left the room for a second. When she came back a girl about Macey's age with wavy, strawberry-blonde hair and hazel eyes was behind her.

"Hi, Bianca! I'm Tina Walters!" she chirped.

"Hi, wait- Tina Walters, as in the WW News, Tina Walters?" I asked.

"Mm Hm," she nodded.

I turned on Macey. "You didn't tell me you knew Tina Walters!" I kinda yelled. I turned back to Tina, "You're the only reporter I actually follow and like!"

Macey laughed. "See, I told you," she said to Tina.

"Okay, I admit it," Tina replied, "I was nervous for nothing."

"Uh, why were you nervous?" I asked although I had a guess.

Tina didn't say anything while Macey laughed again. "Well, you kinda have a bad reputation among reporters, Bianca."

Tina nodded, "Yeah, every reporter who tries to interview you, well, they never forget."

I grinned, "I'm just honest, not my fault things seem to go wrong," I shrugged. Every reporter always twisted what I said and made me seem like a helpless, little girl or a bratty snob. So after a while, I got sick of it and well, every interview has had a funny 'accident' since.

"Uh huh," Macey muttered.

"Anyways," I said, turning to Tina, "You got nothing to worry about. I'll be good. Mostly."

"Good. You better," Macey said, narrowing her eyes, smirking, "You don't get on Tina's bad side. It's not pretty."

"Excuse me? If I remember right, you were the one at school who-" she stopped suddenly, almost like she said too much. Wait, did she say at school?

"You went to Macey's school?"

Macey shot Tina a look like 'Way to go'.

"Um, yeah, I went to Gallagher."

Why would it be such a big deal for me to know they both went to The Gallagher Academy? It's just a rich girl school. Wait, didn't Macey say she got permission to take me to London because she had some friends? Why would Tina be different than other reporters that would follow me? Is it just because Macey knows her or...

"Bianca we have to finish packing," Macey said.

"Fine." I would have to think about it later.

While we were packing, Tina asked me a few questions. Not normal interview questions though; it seemed like she really wanted to get to know me like a friend. And she seemed like Macey, as in she seemed to understand what I thought. I still wanted to find out what made her different. I had come up with a theory, but it seemed crazy. I still wanted to test it though. My opportunity came with lunch.

Someone brought us lunch at one. After we ate I kept the knife and held on to it. Macey and Tina were talking about the trip. They were next to the bookshelf, and I was by my bed. Ever since Macey threw that dagger when we first met, I had asked her to show me how to throw, just for fun. Now, I took the knife and threw it at Tina.

Well, okay- next to Tina. My aim was the shelf, not her. I'm not that crazy.

Just as I guessed, before the knife landed Tina had grabbed a book and caught it, in on fluid, spinning move.

"Ah ha! I knew it! You're an agent too! That's why you're the one coming with us!" I cried, smirking. "Don't worry I won't say anything."

Tina looked from me, to the knife in the book, then to Macey her eyes wide. "I- I-"

Macey sighed and rolled her eyes, "It's okay Tina, I was going to tell her anyway."

Tina sighed, obviously relieved. "Great," then turning to me, smiling she said, "You've got good aim, but your speed is lacking."

The rest of the day was spent packing, talking with Tina and listening to music as Macey and Tina talked spy stuff. Apparently, we were meeting someone else at the airport in England too. That was fine, tomorrow we were going to London!

Mystery POV

I took a deep breath as I approached the door. I had just finished acquiring everything we needed to leave tomorrow.

I picked the lock to the house we were now staying in. (Not that the owners knew we were there. They were gone for the week.)

Walking in the first thing I noticed was how many pencils and pixie pictures were everywhere. The next were the knives flying through the air. I had been gone for a day to get the stuff we needed. How bad could they have gotten?

"Oi! What are you doing?" I yelled at the blonde.

She stopped throwing and looked at me. She looked seriously peeved. "Sorry. I was just trying to do something to keep me busy! You know, since you left for two days!"

I rolled my eyes. "One day and you guys are being tracked by the CIA; I'm not letting you get sloppy because your bored! This is too important! Or do you not want to do this anymore?"

That shut her up. "I thought so. Where's Pixie?"

"Outside."

"It's raining."

"I know! You know how she is!" the blonde said, clearly annoyed. "Oh, and by the way, she's back."

"What? Since when?"

"Oh, she had a nightmare after you asked her to hack Langley. Apparently, that knocked her back to reality enough to come back to earth. She kept muttering stuff about her dad. I think that was her nightmare."

"You didn't try to comfort her?"

The blonde sent me a deadly glare.

I sighed. "Right, sorry, forgot who I was talking to," I muttered and went outside.

The backyard of the house was big for the actual size of the house. A playset was in the corner, on the other side there were two tall pine trees and a swing hung from one of the tree's branches. The little black haired girl was sitting on the swing in the rain. As I approached her I heard her clear, soft voice singing quietly.

"Let me stay, where the wind will whisper to me.,

Where the raindrops as they're falling tell a story"

"Hey, you."

The girl turned towards me. Her eyes were still wide, but they had lost childlike distance they had had since I broke her out, like she was dreaming. She looked more aware of her surroundings and less like she was seeing something that wasn't there. Now her eyes looked like they were seeing everything, analyzing and calculating, but not cruel- just awake.

"Hi," she said. Her voice sounded clearer too. Stronger, less distant.

We were silent for a while, just standing there, letting the cool rain drizzle down on us. After a few minutes, she broke the silence, "It's strange."

"What is?"

She shook her head. "Being- I don't know, back I guess. I've never gone for that long. Didn't know I could."

I nodded. I couldn't really understand what happened to her when she was in her- for lack of a better word- traces. It seemed like she was half aware of things going on around her or like she was in a dream world. She always seemed like a five-year-old when she was in one. Except for the drawings she did were better than professional sketch artist. All I knew was she seemed to go into one whenever she was in distress.

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

"Yeah," she said, then scowled, "Not that the Viper in there was any help." She nodded toward the house, where we could still see knives flying around.

"You know how she is," I sighed. "So do you know everything?"

She nodded, her eyes growing misty, "We were caught that night," she said quietly.

"Yeah," I nodded, looking down. "I'm sorry I-"

"Not your fault," she said.

"Not yours either," I said, then added quickly, "Or hers," nodding towards the house.

"I know," then after a while, she asked, "He never looked?"

I scoffed, "Of course not."

"And now it's the fourteenth of March, and we're leaving for London tomorrow."

I nodded. "I just got everything we need- passports, disguises, clothes, money, and the other stuff."

She smiled and stood, "Well, being away for over nine months has left me stiff- wanna play?" she said, standing up.

I smiled and stood as well, "You're on."

I pounced at her, bringing out my dagger- only to stumble as she spun out of the way, grabbed my arm with the knife, twisted it until I was forced to drop it, let go and did a one-handed backflip before I even registered that I missed my target.

I stood there, staring at her as she did another backflip and jumped, grabbing the top bar on the small playset that was in the backyard. She pulled herself up and scaled the set until she was fifteen feet up and had nothing else to climb. She turned and smiled, raising an eyebrow at me.

I shrugged, "It's been months; I forgot how good you were."

The petite, black-haired girl laughed- a clear, sweet, rare sound from her. She jumped, flipped midair and landed on her feet. "Catch me if you can!" she called as she dashed away.

I laughed as I ran after her. It was nice to have my cousin back.