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Chapter 5: Strictly Business

Angel

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My heart just leaped again but I knew I'd have to find a way to explain myself fast before anything else. Roger caught me in the act and I had a feeling that 'power management' would not suffice for an explanation as to why I would be trespassing property. I planned, you know, to see him again, but not like this. In a totally embarrassing skintight suit (more for functionality than style) that showed every single curve of my body. Not to mention I probably just blew my cover… I always wished to appear attractive to men-- always a good self-esteem booster and way to manipulate-- but for some reason I felt ashamed and naked in front of Roger… It was more good for him than me.

"I've seen those curves before," his deep voice resounded throughout the tunnel. "You were just using me, weren't you. Miss Casseey."

He walked in front of me, looking at me up and down. I glared at his black eyes, black as my own, trying to discern the pupils.

"Not bad, Mr. Negotiator," I said, trying to sound calm, cool, collected, slick but I heard my voice more irritated than anything else. Trying to appear unaffected by his presence. "Thanks to you I was able to find the perfect route."

"I told you I don't take jobs from untrustworthy clients," he said.

Ouch. Untrustworthy?

"Humph. You've already done what I've wanted you to do," I said. "And then some." I proceeded to take out his shades, which I had to tuck in between my you-knows. I had no room in my suit to carry anything other than the nanotech gadgets required for the mission. I'd often had to resort to plan double D when it came to storage place, but it oftentimes did the job. I'm sure Roger would think that I was flirting with him, but I wouldn't dare at a time like this. I had a job to do. Strictly business, remember? I waved the shades in front of his face which was only two feet away from me.

"So let me take a guess. You're not with power management are you, miss."

Uh-oh. Trying to be as distractive as possible, I slid the sunglasses onto his suit. "Call me Angel," I said with a smile, holding my palm towards him at an angle. Pray to God it worked.

"Well, fallen… angel," he said. I tried to analyze his body language and facial expression. Negative. He certainly wasn't 'flirting' back. Hopefully, he wouldn't ask too much about my true intentions.

A strange noise shook the tunnel, coming from behind him.. Roger turned around. And then I saw something even stranger. Something that looked like blue serpents racing towards us. The tunnel was entirely lit in electric blue.

Roger grabbed me down to the ground forcefully. The serpents crawled away above us. We were safe. For now. I had a feeling he just saved me from something very painful. I grunted.

"The wrath," Roger said. "The wrath of God."

What did he say? Anyways, his arm was still around me. It felt very strange for some reason. And I hated that I had to depend on Roger for my safety during the moment. I've always hated the feeling of being the damsel-in-distress. The ceiling above us shook again and rocks fell to the floor.

But I couldn't help it. I was getting scared and confused.

I didn't know how scary this mission was going to be. They told me I had to deal with electricity, sneak around, and go through a tunnel, but I didn't know it was this bad. Especially since I'm claustrophobic. I felt like a little child. A helpless weak little thing.

I had to be brave, though. My mother always told me that. There's no sense in showing your fear. Doesn't do any good. Showing your emotions means you're showing your weakness to your enemies.

There was a burst as the pipes erupted, sending shoots of water into the tunnel.

"Let's go!" Roger yelled, his strong arms hoisting me up into the air as if I was a feather. He grabbed by my wrist forcefully and wouldn't let go. I had to run as fast he was or else I'd plummet to the ground.

"Why is this happening? All I did was reactivate the turbines!" I screamed, my adrenaline pumping. I imagined Roger and I getting drowned in this tunnel, never getting out alive, never to see the light of day again.

Roger didn't answer-- not like he could. I thought he was mad at me.

They told me this mission was a 100% safe and foolproof. And me, the foolish Angel, believed those liars.

Roger let go of my hand as we emerged out of the side of the cottage. I massaged my wrists and followed him. He was standing tall, gazing out into the river. I hunched over and put on hands on my knees, attempting to catch my breath. Roger next to me looked like that mad dash didn't affect him at all. I was physically in shape-- I had to be for my job-- but this guy was Paradigm City's top Negotiator.

"Where did that old man go to?" he asked.

"Who? What old man?" I asked, staring into the river. I felt so ashamed, so guilty for putting Roger, myself, and who knows who else into Electric City into so much trouble. For believing the blasted company after they had reassured me completely. I felt him looking at me.

"Huh!" I pointed to the body of water. There was something light colored under the murky surface. It was followed by several dark triangles. It looked like it was approaching us, getting closer. And then I heard an odd noise. It sounded like a whale. I looked up at the sky. The clouds were ominous and heavy, as if they were ashamed at me, too. The sound of the river's lapping increased. It wasn't a tranquil controlled river anymore. It was an ocean.

Roger started running again. The strange whale passed us and he was trying to catch up to it to get a better look. I followed him.

"What is that?" I screamed. "Nobody said anything about this!" I was furious with Paradigm; I was going to make sure I would convey that dissatisfaction.