Chapter 5

Black Becomes My Least Favorite Color

*Macie*

I was boiling. First they show up in my living room and then the girl had the nerve to tell me it was an accident? How do you make a break-in look like an accident? I had never been that mad before.

"You've got to be kidding me! You cannot just barge into my living room and tell me it's classified!" I took a deep breath. I wasn't used to yelling at people. Plus, Emma kept giving me sympathy looks with her hazel eyes that were sending pure regret down my spine. I wanted to apologize, but it wasn't my place, it was theirs.

"We would love to tell you everything, but we're already in big trouble. We don't want to make it worse. If you want, we can try to get clearance for you, but that's very unlikely," said Felix kindly as he swept his dark strawberry blond hair out of his face.

"Felix! We are in trouble because of you and your mistakes! You shouldn't be guaranteeing them anything since we're already in trouble with H.Q.!" scolded Emma. I noticed that the colored streaks in her bleach blond hair were changing colors rapidly; as if they were connected to her emotions. They turned around and started talking to each other with heated voices.

"Are the two of you going to continue bickering or are you going to tell us something?" Kaitlyn's fearless, sarcastic voice popped in unexpectedly. The intruders stared her down and I realized how strong looking Emma and Felix were. Felix looked like he could throw Kaitlyn ten yards without thinking twice and Emma, as petite as she was, had a lot of muscle in her long arms and legs. I realized I was actually worrying about my cousin's safety. And my own. Thank goodness Jamie and Mathew are safe upstairs. I thought with relief.

"Okay, I'll tell you," Emma said. She sighed and eyed Felix who was obviously dismayed.

"Here, let's sit at the table and talk, if you promise not to tip it over too." I told Emma. Felix cracked a smile at this remark, and Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow, surprised by my boldness. To be honest, so was I. When we were all seated at the table, Emma began.

"We work for the government. We were supposed to be investigating your neighbors for confidential reasons. They are out of town and we were sent to search their house. Of course, Felix got the addresses mixed up and we ended up here." Felix jumped at his name. His cocky, superior exterior broke, revealing a damaged ego. He must hate to make mistakes. "There was no car home, so we didn't think twice about entering the house. Once inside, Felix bumped into me and I fell back on the couch and knocked it over. I'm sorry."

"So am I. It really wasn't supposed to work out like this." Felix added, his voice filled with compassion.

"That's it?" Kaitlyn said. Emma nodded. I could tell she wanted to believe them as much as I did. But there's something about their story that doesn't add up. They're young, sixteen probably. Why would the government recruit sixteen year olds? Why were they investigating my neighbor? They're not very stealthy either. Maybe they're new. My eyes drifted to the front door, which was locked. Why re-lock it? Thoughts whirled in my mind.

"I think I want to talk to your supervisor," I said quietly, almost to myself.

"It's almost midnight! You couldn't possibly think she'd be awake at this bloody hour?" Felix's voice rose and Emma whacked him to try and silence him.

"If you really work for the government, then any good supervisor would stay up to hear the results of the field report or leave someone else they trusted up. Therefore, it should be no problem to call your boss so we may speak with her."

They were stumped at her response. I reached behind me and grabbed my phone from the kitchen counter. Everyone watched as I dialed the number 9-1-1. Emma looked disappointed, Felix looked betrayed, and Kaitlyn was eying me like I was a new toy on Christmas and she was five again.

I was about to press call when I blacked out.