Laughter. The urge to burst out laughing was the first thought that came to Sang's mind when she took in the view before her. She knew it was absolutely ridiculous to have such a thought when she was in such a dire situation but she'd had enough and to be honest she could use some humour in her life. She bit down hard on her bottom lip to kerb in her urge to laugh. No one had spoken since Owen's greeting and Sang began to feel out of place. They all seemed baffled as to why she was on the verge of hysteria. It was hard to focus when the guys were all around her. Sang finally decided to break the silence and said, "it's not much of a surprise to see me considering you're the ones in my apartment."
"Touché." Replied Owen coolly.
"So, can we get this over with then? I escaped, my shoulder aches - hey this is turning into a rhyme."
"Miss Sorenson. This is no time for humour. Do you know what you've done?"
"No. Care to enlighten me?"
"We'll enlighten you once we've got you where we need you. Unfortunately that's not here."
"What? You can't just remove me from my own apartment." said Sang, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms defensively over her chest.
"Oh I think you'll find we can."
Sang's skin broke out in goosebumps. "Wait, what?"
"North? Cuff her."
"What the...what are you doing?" Sang asked, as North stepped forward, a pair of metal handcuffs in his hands. Sang let out a hysterical laugh, "you're arresting me? Really?"
"We have no other choice."
"Of course you have a choice. What authority do the bad guys have over the good guys?"
"Bad guys?"
Sang rolled her eyes again. This was becoming tedious. "Yeah. Bad guys. You. The Academy. Can we stop playing this game? Why do you think I was trying to get information on you? I know your shady business dealings, you know I do."
It was Owen's turn to look baffled. "Miss Sorenson. Let me get this straight. You think we're the bad guys?"
"Uh, yeah."
The Academy guys all exchanged glances as the words left Sang's mouth. Gabriel's eyebrows were furrowed as he looked at her. Really looked at her.
"Sang," he began, "what you saw at the warehouse...it wasn't what it looked like"
"Gee, that sounds so believable!" exclaimed Sang sarcastically. "I think I know a drug exchange when I see one, sweetie." She said. Gabriel bit back a smile. "When someone gets drugs from another for a sum of money I'm pretty sure that's called a drug deal."
"Can we just cuff her already?" interrupted North, irritated.
"Hey!" cried Sang.
North ignored her as he came towards her. Silas quickly grabbed hold of Sang's arms and tucked them behind her back. Sang couldn't move. Two of the physically strongest guys in their group holding her down? She had no chance. Anger replaced her frustration as she struggled in Silas' grip. "Where the hell are you going to take me?" she asked.
"Don't worry, we're not taking you to the Academy if that's what you're worried about" replied North, neatly cuffing her hands together with a small click.
"Then where?"
"Let's take her to the Diner and lock her in the storage room." Chirped in Luke. This earned him a glare from North.
"No. We're taking you a safe house."
"A safe house?"
"To keep you safe."
"To keep me safe?"
"Are you a parrot?"
"Yes." The guys laughed. Sang didn't feel like laughing as she was abruptly jerked forward by North.
"Easy, dude." Silas muttered to North.
"Wait! Can I at least get some stuff? What do you expect me to do without clothes and toiletries? Hello? I am a female." Argued Sang. With a sigh, North looked at Gabriel.
"Take her to her room and grab what she needs. Stuff it all in a bag." Instructed Owen, passing Gabriel a black duffel bag.
"Come on, Trouble." Said Gabriel as he took her by the elbow to her room. Once there, Sang pointed out what she needed, and Gabriel put it all in the bag. They then went into the bathroom and Sang blushed as she told him what she also needed from there. Once everything was in the bag, they made their way back into the living room. Everyone except Gabriel was huddled over the table, papers strewn over the surface. Sang and Gabriel walked towards the table to get a closer look. It was the profiles she'd made when she'd first got the assignment. Her face flushed bright red as she remembered what she'd written on the backs of the profiles.
Each guy picked up their own profile and Sang crossed her fingers that they wouldn't read the backs.
"Guys, wait." said Nathan. Sang's heart sank. "There's stuff written on the back. Kota, what does yours say?" asked Nathan, frowning as looked at Kota's paper. Kota looked surprised as he turned over his profile.
"'Looks too smart for his own good'," read out Kota, blushing. Sang wanted to die. She was so embarrassed. He raised an eyebrow at Sang and she shrugged, trying to feign nonchalance.
"Mine says 'ginger ninja'". Stated Nathan, smirking. "You think I'm a ninja?"
"'Killer smile', eh, Sang?" winked Sean, a small smile playing on his lips.
"'Fire eyes'? What?" asked Victor, confused.
"'Built like a truck'" read out Silas. He smirked. "Damn straight."
"'What a punk'? Sang, I'm offended!" bantered Gabriel, amused.
"'Needs a haircut'. I do?" asked Luke, touching the ends of his hair. The guys laughed as they looked at his fake hurt expression.
"'Wouldn't want to meet him in an alley. What the f-" began North, but was interrupted by Owen, who muttered something inaudible in his ear. This calmed North down.
Owen was the last to check his profile.
"'Needs to lighten up'." Owen raised an eyebrow at Sang who was sure she was the colour of a tomato. Even her ears were burning from the scrutiny. "You'd think so, wouldn't you, Miss Sorenson?" Sang was too shaken to even speak. She was absolutely mortified at herself. She wondered when she would stop embarrassing herself. To her utter surprise, the guys burst out laughing. Even Owen was smiling, which Sang couldn't believe. His smile was probably only a millimetre but it was breath-taking. The others were slapping each other on the back, some bent over trying to catch their breath.
"This...has got to be...the funniest...thing...I've ever read..." Gabriel breathed. He had been laughing so hard his face was almost as red as Sang imagined hers was. Sang didn't know what to make of the situation. Here she was, handcuffed and humiliated, but the situation had lost some of the previous tension and the mood was lighter, humorous, even. All too soon the laughter died down.
"Sang, you're really something alright." Said Nathan, wiping away tears.
"I agree." Said Victor, his smile was light but his gaze was intense.
"Well I'm afraid this frivolous time has come to and end. You are entirely unique, Miss Sorenson." Said Owen, his eyes meeting hers. She blushed. "North. You, Kota, Victor, Gabriel, and Miss Sorenson take your car back to the house. Sean, Silas, Nathan, Luke and I will come in the other car." He ordered. Sang wondered why so many were coming with her. Then it became obvious; they didn't want her running off anywhere. She sighed. Gabriel shoved her bag over his shoulder.
"Bid your apartment goodbye Miss Sorenson, it may be some time before you return back here." Said Owen. Sang took a look around her apartment. This had been her home shortly after she'd been recruited by TIBI all those years ago. She was surprised as she realised she wouldn't miss it as much as she'd thought. Sure, it was her only home, it was personal to her, but there was just something lacking. She figured it was the lack of company and the impermanency of her life. She smiled sadly as she was lead out through her front door.
