After this HUGE hiatus (I am sorry, I am sorry) now the next chapter.
I don't know whether the twist is so "twisty" - let me know.

Disclaiemr: I still only own Xandra.

Chapter 24: Run

About an hour later, her email-notification blinked - the beautybox-provider had answered.

Dear Ms Edvardson,
We are sad to hear about that change. Nevertheless, your termination has been approved, effect IMMEDIATELY!
We are hoping you will join us soon again.

Regards,

Custom Service 33zt567

Alert: Get 10% off your new Suzuki Swift with the gift code $weetE$cape

Suddenly, the door to her compartment opened silently - no alarm blared. As Xandra had already packed her things into the tote bag that they had given her (a tote bag, really?!) she was ready to go. Quietly, she slipped out, trying to open the door into the vault. It wasn't locked. The hallway was empty, the cameras weren't blinking. Xandra figured she had about a twenty second window until they would notice. For some reason she knew where she had to go, apparently another perk of the transformation. However, after fifty metres there were voices around the next corner. Quickly, she ducked into the next room, which turned out to be storage of some kind. Unfortunately it wasn't weapons, only cleaning supplies. However, the dark hoodie someone apparently used when working with certain chemicals (if the disgusting smell of vinegar was any indication) has a hood and would at least cover up her striking hair. Holding her breath, she put it on, before listening closely. The few guards outside didn't seem to move soon, though they seemed relaxed. Xandra knew she needed to pass them, and quickly. Her tote bag easily fit in a cleaning bucket and she also grabbed a broom for cover. The agents were so engrossed in their talk that they didn't notice a cleaning person brushing past them - was S.H.I.E.L.D. hiring idiots nowadays? The surveillance cameras were blinking again so she had to keep looking at the ground until she reached the vehicle bay. Praying that it was the right code, she puched 33zt567 into the keypad. It opened. Droping the broom, she pulled out the bag - now they would notice her very soon anyway. She frantically looked around for a Suzuki Swift - there was only one, standing very close to the exit. Unassuming and grey, not to flashy - perfect to blend in. When she tried to pull the driver door open, she found it had been remotely unlocked. Xandra didn't need a key to start it - if she did she would have had a problem now. Manouveuring it out of the parking bay, she had just reached the exist when the alarm started to blare.

"Please enter the override code," a friendly mechanic voice promted.

Xandra hastily entered SweetEscape, getting desperate when it didn't work. Only at the third try she discovered the Dollar-sign - $weetE$cape actually made the gate slide open. She pressed on the gas pedal as she drove off, just as voices could be heard behind her.

"Turn left now," the voice went on.

As she had no idea where she was, Xandra simply decided to trust the beautyboy-provider and drive, in the hope they didn't give the same information to the agents that were surely behind her now.

She noticed quite soon she was in a more rural area - now, what was best? Get out as far as possible or get lost in the mass of people? Mass of people was probably better, then she could just ditch the car. Suddenly, there was another comment from the car.

"Left, then right into Madison Ave. No traffic cam. Under the white house is an emergency bag. Car keys are in it. Pass the garden and the next two roads. It is the blue Ford. You know wheat to do from there."

Xandra nodded to herself. Apparently, they had thought of everything. As instructed she left the car and found the bagpack (yeyy!) under the house she quickly changed into a less-smelling long-sleeved t-shirt and an unassuming black jacket with a hood, together with a taupe trenchcoat and a beanie. There was some cash, not a lot (not that she needed it, a burner phone and the promised car keys. Xandra took some time buying a plane ticket for a flight from Boston to New York City over the phone, departing in two hours. It should be enough time to make it, she mused. Slightly regretfully the fugitive stepped on the gadget, successfully silencing it. As she marched through the gardens, she wondered whether they had already found the other car. Hopefully not. The Ford was also small but it would be enough to get her to her destination, possibly even unnoticed. The journey could start.

It was curious, seven hours since she started off and she still wasn't getting tired. It must be about six in the morning, and she was getting closer to Chicago. She had only stopped to quickly refill the car and then at a McDonald's drive-through for three sodas to go and a couple of breakfast items, carefully not looking at the cameras, hair covered under the beanie. The woman drove more carefully now, very aware that she didn't have any license in case they pulled her over. Finally she parked the car at the main train station, then the young woman dropped into the closest hairdresser she could find. As she motioned at her hair, the friendly guy apparently assumed it had been an accident and was more than willing to change the silver to a toned down brown-blond cut into a longbob with a fringe. Afterwards, Alexandra all but ran into the next shop to buy some make-up and cheap sunglasses, doing her best to alter her appearance with these simple items. Security cameras and facial recognition would probably still be able to find her, but maybe it could buy her some more time. The money was just enough to buy a bus ticket in the direction she wanted to go, she had no intention of leaving more traces by using a cab. Finally, she stood in front of a run-down appartment complex. Xandra scoffed. No wonder her contact never came here anymore. The whole place ozed loneliness and desperation. With a lock-picking set that a good samaritan (good joke!) had put into the bagpack, it was easy to break into the house. Great, now she wasn't just on the run but also tresspassing. It was quite silent inside, only muffled voices could be heard behind some doors, babys crying, two men arguing, a woman laughing. Xandra stopped in front of a nondescript door on the third floor. She knew she would be unable to break into it, that it would be far too reinforced for her abilities. So she felt around on the side of fthe door until she could feel the very well concealed panel. Pressing her thumb against it, the now brown-haired woman smiled as the door clicked and she could push it open. Small mercys.

Her heightened senses told Xandra that she was alone and that nobody had been here for quite some time. The air was stale, but she had a hunch that opening a window right now was not a wise idea. All in all, the flat looked just like its owner - clean, edgy, a bit cold and only quirky if you knew where to look. Like this one colourful blanket on the couch, or the bright blue umbrella next to the door. (Why? Just...why?) In the bedroom under the bed, under the carpet, there was a secret compartment that held weapons, amunition, protection gear, passports and other papers and credit cards. With a smirk Xandra noticed she wasn't the only one who had a stash here - apparently Romanoff and Barton also used their host's generosity for their advantage. A host who also had three different IDs stocked here,too, though she definitely had more in other places. Xandra quickly chose her British passport as the haircolour matched her best though she would have to get some contact lenses later. At least she now had more financial resources, a bank account held by an offshore company on the Caimans that was barely legal and that S.H.I.E.L.D. should not know about. Or at least barely anyone at the agency.

Now she was left here contemplating her next move - it would be crucial. Coulson and May would very likely soon look through her bluff with the plane, at least when they checked the cameras at the New York airport. But maybe it had kept them busy for the morning. Laying low here for a while would be an option, there were supplies here. She needed more information on where to go, until she got them she might as well stay here and get at least a couple hours of sleep. With that in mind, she snuggled down on the comfortable couch (apparently made for sleeping) and was out as soon as she had closed her eyes.

I hope you enjoyed it! Who do you think the flat belongs to? Let me know!