Teen Spy: The Observer

Chapter 37

Kiara finally sits down again, her back resting on the wall. She won't apologize for wanting an explanation, but she recognizes this may not be the best moment for it. They need to work together, not tear each other apart.

Kiara sees Will silently communicating something to Sasha with his eyes. After a brief pause, Sasha mumbles something that Kiara doesn't catch.

"What?"

She sends a confused look at Will, who then looks at Sasha pointedly.

"I said: I'm sorry..." Sasha says louder shocking Kiara. "...about everything"

Kiara opens her mouth to say something, anything, but nothing comes out.

"I was just trying to protect you from this type of life." Sasha continues.

Kiara has the impression she is referencing more than just her attitude in the mission.

"By what? Making me hate you and this experience enough to make me want to quit"

"Something like that."

"And you thought that would work?" Kiara says incredulously.

She is genuinely curious, though. She is finally getting some insight of what goes on in Sasha's mind. She wants to understand her reasoning.

"Maybe... alright, yes. Until a friend recently reminded me about your stubbornness." Sasha says in a teasing tone.

"It's determination." Kiara defends herself.

"Whatever. The point is that by trying to protect you, I hurt you- and Jessy, Ney and Zoey- more. For that, I'm sorry."

A part of Kiara is glad to hear those words. The emotional wounds Sasha had inflicted over the years soothing at the acknowledgment. But Kiara still has to make something clear.

"I never asked for your protection, Sasha"

"I know, but..." She pauses and Kiara lets her gather her thoughts. "You've seen firsthand how dangerous these missions can turn out... Do you remember how my mom died?"

"Yes, in a car accident" Kiara states, distinctly remembering the funeral.

"That's what we told everyone, but my mom was an agent... It wasn't a car accident that took her away. It was a mission."

Kiara was stunned. She remembered Mrs. McGreevy as a warm and loving person. It was hard to reconcile those memories with how tough most agents are.

"I don't want to lose anyone else like that. So, I focused on my training and...

"Kept your distance and made sure to end our friendship." Kiara finishes for her.

Oddly, she can comprehend why Sasha thought that would work. A part of her is also relieved to finally know what happened between them. It's sad, but there's also a sense of closure.

"Yep. You would have also noticed me keeping secrets from you and that wouldn't have ended well. I'm sure you'll eventually have that same problem. If it hasn't happened already."

"They are starting to ask many questions. Jessy confronted me earlier today." Kiara confesses realizing it only happened that same morning. It feels like days have gone by since that.

"And how did that go?" Sasha says.

Kiara looks at Will, having forgotten for a second that he is listening to everything. "Well... she thinks Will and I are sneaking around."

"That should appease them for a while, but sooner or later you will have to either fake-date or come up with another excuse." Sasha warns. "If you fake-date, or date for real, how long before they want to intervene because you are spending too much time with him?"

Kiara draws a blank and seeks out Will She makes eye contact with him, but he only shrugs not knowing either.

"I don't know. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there." Kiara admits. "How have you managed with the cheer squad? And Ryan, too"

Kiara can't help but ask as she analyzes Sasha's behavior from what she has seen at school.

"The cheer squad... well we're not very close. They fear me and only tolerate me because I'm popular. And Ryan..." Sasha groans. "I guess it's one of the reasons he cheated on me. I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved with him, but... Let's just say I got lonely, he aligned with my cover and, at one point, I really had a crush on him."

Kiara pities her. That's not how she wants to be as she continues being a spy. She contrasts this with what she knows of Will, her only other reference. He still has friends, and they seem close. Maybe they don't know about his double life, but that doesn't mean they are not friends. Clearly there is a way to still have a social life without putting it in danger.

Sasha clears her throat.

"Anyway, when I saw your agent profile, I thought all my work had been for nothing. I figured I would make you hate it so much you would quit."

Their conversation is interrupted by the sound of the elevator arriving.

"We'll finish this conversation when all this is over." Kiara promises Sasha.

She stands up and waits. She hears footsteps approaching, before the guards that captured them come into view. The first one stops in front of Will's cell. He opens it and quickly handcuffs a passive Will. The guard that confronted her moves pass her cell and does the same to Sasha. Kiara expects the last guard to enter her cell, but he lets the guy from the museum take his place as he waits outside.

He places the handcuffs around Kiara's wrists, but he doesn't close them. Instead, he invades her personal space.

"When we step out of the cell, throw me blackguards against one of the guards" He whispers to her ear in English. "Then use the taser against the other guard."

"Move. My father doesn't like to be kept waiting." The guy says in a louder voice.

Before she can point out the flaws in the plan, he pushes her outside her cell. Kiara doesn't have time to second guess this guy's motives or the news bomb he just landed. She only reacts as instructed and vows to deal with him later.

They step in the middle of the group. Sasha and her guard are in front. Will and his are last. The third guard moves behind the guy, keeping an eye on Kiara. Luckily, the guy blocks the guards view of her hands.