Hidden Motives

Disguised

"We have developed a strategic plan to save Maddox" Adyline said. "We are going to be 'attacking' the abandoned building tonight. It's risky and we can't afford to lose. I do have worries though, in order to save Maddox others will be put in danger. That is no question. I hope for the safety of you all, but I can not guarantee it. You all know this career path is risky but full of reward."

I looked around and a man with some paper in his hands stepped up. He looked very professional and important. "Let me explain how this plan is going to work" said the man."We are going to split up into groups. I've already assigned them and since we have an important guest from another mission here. As in, someone who we should be protecting not putting at risk. That group will be larger. Adyline I am going to put you in a group with Morgan...I mean Walsh. Payne join that group. The rest of you will be in pairs that I will disclose of right now. Got it?"

The room all shook their heads. Adyline then walked over to me as did Max. We were a group. Of course we were. That thought scared me, especially since the man kind of slipped up on my real last name. I was hoping it wasn't too obvious. Max could not find out about my true identity. Or at least not for now.

Adyline looked at me and it was as if her eyes were saying "sorry". I smiled at her to reassure her that it was fine. This was not in her control. We all then looked up at the man who had finished assigning the groups. "Now I am going to explain to you what key part each group or pair will play. Now, this is your group's role unless I tell you otherwise. Some of you will have individual parts as well. Um...group one, Walsh's and Payne. You will be focused on locating Maddox. You three will act like normal teens. Zara Walsh we will have to disguise you for reasons only you know. You're an important piece. You all will scan the premises and use whatever social tools you need to get access inside the building. It should be abandoned, but guards will definitely be stationed there. Outsmart them. I know you three can. Then once you locate Maddox you will send the signal to teams 2 and 3." The man then turned to face another two groups. "You two groups will be in charge of securing Maddox's escape. I have combined you two groups so we have more bodies. The more bodies the more power. You do all have to blend in until you get the signal though so that might be difficult. But you are in charge of essentially rescuing Maddox." He then turned to the final group. "Group 4 you will be in charge of cleanup. This means you will rush into the building and make sure no one is left alive inside. We don't need word of the ambush getting out to their boss. If we kill the guards it will take longer for the boss to discover that Maddox is gone." Group four was Mary and Dave. I smiled at them and Mary looked back at me with a grin. She always made me feel safe. Dave threw a small wave my way.

Everyone took in this information and nodded. "Ok then. We will start the ambush at 9 pm sharp. That's 3 hours for you all to get to the location secretly and if necessary change into proper clothing or disguises. Travel with your groups and remember, don't blow this!" said the man confidently.

Everyone nodded once more before rushing to the door to leave the room. Outside I found Adyline. "Hey Adyline" I said.

"Hey!" she said. "We need to get you upstairs. We obviously have the best disguises here! Maybe Max won't even recognize you!" she laughed.

I smiled and said "I'm so annoyed that I need a disguise. It's not like my dad's going to be there! I don't understand"

Adyline whispered "You never know, and besides boss doesn't like taking big risks like that unless he has to. We should go get you changed before we get short on time. I'm also going to call Max ad tell him to meet us at my car in an hour."

I rolled my eyes as I walked to the elevator. We went up a floor and a kind woman took me in. She completely altered my appearance through makeup and the use of clothes. I did not look like myself. The wig she used also looked realistic. I had blonde hair and was much taller. I am not sure how she did this, but it was impressive. She also put brown contacts in my eyes. The clothes she made me wear were not my style. They were way too girly for me, but overall the woman did her job. I did not look like myself at all. Not even one bit. I could hardly even recognize myself at this point. I walked out to where Adyline was sitting and I could tell she couldn't recognize me. She looked at me and smiled while continuing to look down at her phone. She thought I was just a stranger. "Adylinee" I laughed. 

She looked up quickly and said "Oh my god! I did not think that was you! That's so crazy!" She then stood up and came closer. She inspected my new features and laughed. "Yeah this is way too real. Are you sure it's really Zara in there!" she laughed.

"It's me, It's me" I laughed. 

"Well, we should go see what Max thinks about this!" Adyline said while running to the elevator. "Come on! We are kind of late already!"

I ran behind her after thanking the women. We ran outside the building and the fresh air hit me. We were both dying of laughter, barely able to breathe. We then slowly walked to the car and saw Max standing there. I'm sure he didn't believe that it was me next to Adyline because he just quickly glanced over me. He would've definitely done that intense stare thing if he knew. 

That was until we came closer. He caught on and did exactly what I thought he was going to do. He stared into my eyes deeply. He could see through me and was sure that I stood before him. He knew me better than Adyline did. He knew my features and was a great analyzer. He knew me better than anyone and that scared me. 

While thoughts flew through my mind his gaze remained locked. He watched me and took note of every one of my movements along with every single one of my breaths. He watched and all he saw was me. The real me. No facade was in his way. He was smart. To smart.