A Spy's Home---Book 3: A Friend I've Never Met

Chapter 17

Lilian's Point of View

I leaned my head against the dumpster after I ended the call with my brother. There were thoughts filling my mind, screaming at me that I wasn't ready to do this. I shook those blasted thoughts from my mind, and peeked out from behind the dumpster; there were keys on the belt of the cadet who was guarding the door.

Pulling the bandana I was given over my mouth and nose, and draping the hood over my head, I took a deep breath to mentally prepare myself for what I was about to do.

I slowly got onto the soles of my feet, and gripped the edge of the dumpster. I picked up a rock, and threw it at the cadet, hitting the side of his temple perfectly. "What the..." I heard him exclaim.

I peeked out and saw he was looking around, and the moment he turned his back, I sprinted to the side of the building, knocked him out, caught him before he fell, and snatched the keys from the belt.

"Alright, part one is done. On to the hard part." I mumbled to myself. However, when I stuck the key in it wouldn't work; none of them would. "What?" I exclaimed, quietly. I looked above me, and saw a metal staircase going up to a door above me; a fire escape!

I smacked my forehead, and began to climb the stairs, trying to be as stealthy as I possibly could. Once I was finally at the door, I started sticking keys into the keyhole. It took a few tries, but it finally clicked open.

I tossed the keys down, and I heard them clink as they hit the pavement. I nudged the door open, and stepped cautiously into the shadowy corridors. I scanned the halls to make sure I was clear, and kept walking forward.

There was no one on this level, but I did hear footsteps above me, and voices below me. I remember Zylina and Rory's advice to me before we left. "The kid will most likely be on the floor with the most cadets."

I clenched my jaw at the thought of having to get through all the cadets to reach Axel. Do this for Axel; help him reunite with his family.

Swallowing down my anxiety and fear, I stepped towards the staircase that went to the upstairs. "Click!" That sound made my breath get caught in my throat, my muscles tense, and made me halt in my tracks.

"Agent Z, you're shorter than I remember," A middle-aged, male voice uttered. I felt the spin-chilling feel of the barrel of a gun being pressed against the middle of my spine.

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Rory's Point of View

I gazed at the crumbling building as I kept thinking about what Luke had said about Zylina being part of an experiment; what if the file also has information on Zylina's parents? Maybe it will tell us whether they're alive or....not.

I was startled from my thoughts when I heard the car engine. I looked over my shoulder and saw Luke's truck driving up the driveway. "Hey!" I called out to Zylina and Luke, as they exited the truck.

As they strolled over to where I was at, Luke asked, "Have you been inside yet?" I shook my head, and responded, "I was waiting for you guys."

"Alright, let's get this done quickly so we can go help out Lilian." Luke said, cracking his knuckles. Without another word we walked inside the building, not taking the air vents this time.

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Lilian's Point of View

"Turn around." the man ordered, pushing the barrel deeper, which caused me to flinch.

I heard the man scoff, and say, "You seem scared, Zylina. I thought you were the bravest out of all of us." I turned my head a little, but not enough for him to see my eyes, and I remember what my brother taught me; it may not have been much, but it would have to do for now.

"Turn around, now! Don't make me say it again." the man ordered. "Alright, alright." I said, keeping my voice low so he wasn't able to identify it.

I closed my eyes, knowing they would probably give me away since Zylina had green eyes, and I have blue eyes. I felt myself turn around completely, and the warm breath of the man in front of me.

I heard him scoff, and say, "Open your eyes, traitor." "If you insist," I replied, and they shot open. I smiled underneath the handkerchief when I saw the middle-aged man's smirk turn into a surprised expression.

"W...Who are you?" he asked. In response, I hit his arm, causing the gun to be thrown across the room, and slid across the marble floor. Before he could react to my attack, I landed a swift kick to his gut causing him to stagger back.

Keeping my eyes on the agent, I crept over to retrieve the gun; after picking it up, I walked over to the man, and aimed it at him. "Where's the kid?" I interrogated him, as he looked up into the barrel that threatened to take his life.

"I don't know who you are, kid, but you're definitely not Zylina. Who are you?" the man spat. I clenched my jaw as memories of the attack on my family flooded my mind. Seeing this agent only caused my grudge to grow more, and out of that anger, I didn't hesitate to slam the butt of the gun down right on the man's head.

I watched him as he collapsed to the floor, and groaned, but still conscious. "You're not in a position to ask questions here, now tell me where Axel is." I retaliated. The man looked up, and stared at me with narrowed eyes for a few moments.

"You're trembling. Are you scared?" he pointed out, as he pushed himself to his knees, his right hand still on his head.

I didn't answer; instead I narrowed my eyes right back at him. The man smirked and laughed at my hesitancy, before exclaiming, "You are scared."

I could hear footsteps behind me, and it reminded me that time was of the essence. I decided not to kill the agent; instead I swung my leg up and kicked the side of his temple, causing him to slump down unconscious.

I threw the gun to the ground, not wanting to shoot someone, and sprinted down the hallway to look for a place to hide. However as I was running, a hand grappled onto my wrist, and pinned me to the wall.

I looked up to be greeted by a young boy about 15 or 16. I recognized his face; this was Josiah! The kid who had helped Rory and Zylina!

"Are you with Zylina?" he asked, catching me off guard. I quickly nodded my head, but immediately scolded myself for being so stupid; how could I trust this boy? Just because he helped Zylina and Rory once?

"I know you don't trust me, and it's your choice whether to listen to my words or not, but Zylina and Rory gave me hope that there was a way to escape from the Academy. Axel is up one more floor; the nearest stair-case is just straight ahead and Axel's room is on the third door to your left." he explained to me, almost like he was reading my mind.

Josiah released his grip, and moved out of my way so I could leave. I backed away, keeping my eyes on him until I reached the stair-case and sprinted up. 

TBC....