A Spy's Home---Book 2: Wounds, Both Old and New

Chapter 16

The next morning....

The talk from yesterday was still weighing on my mind, as I laid in bed thinking and listening to the raindrops falling onto the window pane. "Get it together, Zylina..." the mystery man's words repeated through my head, and I had to admit that even though I don't know his identity, he was right.

"Enough thinking, more doing." I said aloud, as I practically rolled off the bed. I looked down at the information that was scattered around the table, as I pulled back my hair into a pony-tail.

"All the information about Susie and that hospital is right here. I just need to draw out my strategy." I thought to myself. I drew out my plan, looked over it a few times, then planned some more. I knew I couldn't use the strategy that Rory and I used for the first one because of two reasons: Rory wasn't with me, and I didn't want the Academy to guess my every move.

Though it was raining, I could still use it to my advantage; the Academy wouldn't let agents stand guard outside if it was raining. It could get them sick, and they never want agents sick on missions like these.

I looked at the time: 9:00am. I could go a little earlier since it was more cloudy, and would get darker than usual in the evenings. I walked over to my duffle bag, and pulled out a navy blue sweatshirt and black pants. There was also the bandana I always kept in my pockets.

I spread them out on my bed, and looked at my duffel bag. "Should I pack it since I will most likely be gone by tomorrow?" I asked myself. I decided to pack it just for the sake of filling time.

As I packed, my hand brushed over my phone while putting my wallet away, and my head immediately looked down at it like it was an instinct. Sighing deeply, I picked up the device, opened it, and went to the contacts: Rory.

"He hates you Zylina, he hates you that you left." the "evil" voice in my mind taunted. "No, he doesn't." I reassured myself. I thought it over; if I call Rory or his parents now, it would probably ruin my focus. "Don't worry Rory, I'll contact you later." I said, taking a deep breath, and sighing it out.

I flipped the phone closed, tossed it next to my duffel bag, and then finished packing the rest of my things. My plan was to get to the abandoned hospital at 7pm, and then leave the same night to get back to Ohio.

Ring

Ring

Ring

I heard my phone ringing, and I picked it up confused; didn't I tell Sarah and Benjamin not to call me? I flipped it open, and pressed it against my ear. "Hello?"

"Zylina, is this you?" a familiar voice asked on the other end. I took in a quiet, yet sharp breath as I recognized Carlos's voice. "Yeah, are you alright? You sound exhausted." I answered; he actually did sound tired, like he hadn't slept in days.

I heard a chuckle on the other end, before hearing him say, "Yeah, I'm fine, but I'm surprised you left your phone number for me. Was that intentional?"

I shrugged my shoulders, sat down on the dining room chair, and replied, "Maybe, but hey you gave your phone number, so we might as well trade." My comment made me smile and I heard Carlos give out a quiet snicker. Suddenly my heart stung as a realization dawned on me; After this mission was complete I would have to leave Carlos, and staying in contact with him, would put him in greater risk.

My smile faded away, and I choked out, "Carlos, you have to delete my contact, you have to throw away my phone number." There was a stunned silence between us, and I could basically "hear' Carlos's confusion. As I waited for an answer from him, I perched my elbow on the table, and pinched the bridge of my nose. What's wrong with me?! Giving him my phone number!

"Zylina, what's wrong?" Carlos asked; I could hear the panic and the pure concern filling his voice, and I nearly broke into a sob right there, but thankfully I held my tears back.

"I'm sorry Carlos, I'm sorry we met, I'm sorry for the trouble I brought you and your family." I forced the words out of my mouth through clenched teeth. "What do you mean? Zylina, are you still there?" he asked; I was there physically, but not mentally. "I'm sorry." I softly whispered; no force no choking on my words, just a soft whisper before flipping shut my phone, and just staring at the wall.

Reality caught up to me eventually, and I count's stop myself from dropping the phone and breaking into a silent sob. I gripped my hair tightly, and jammed my elbow into my legs, as I tried to keep myself from hyperventilating. After a couple minutes, I finally calmed down, stood up, picked up the phone off the ground, before tossing it into the duffel bag and zipping it tight. "I'm leaving tonight, and then that will be the end of it." I told myself, grabbing my "stealth clothes" and going into the bedroom to change into them. 

TBC...