Code Phrase: Flight of Death

"... So are you going to carry it to the plane or not?" The stranger asked, offering Arida the shady package. Arida shook her head. The package might not be good if the stranger himself could not bring it on his own. The stranger saw Arida's hesitance, and added, "Hey, muggle. I mean, kid. It's nothing illegal, because it has passed through the security check already. I just need you to carry the package into the plane from London to Chicago." Arida shook her head yet again. What the heck is a muggle, anyway? "Here, ten thousand dollars for this favor. See? Real, authentic American money!" The man held a bundle of money in front of Arida's face.

Doubtful, Arida had to agree. After all, if she can't survive on her own in Chicago, then she'll need as much help as she can get. Ten thousand dollars is like a miracle! "Fine. Give me the money and the package." Arida said, a bit too rudely. Desperation aside, she could just leave with the money and forget the package if the man gives her the money. However, she had a pit feeling that this man may be a slight bit dangerous, and if he found out that Arida ditched the package, then he would retaliate. No, no. no. Arida is not going to take that chance.

The stranger frowned, his eyebrows furrowed. "Well that was rude. Whatever. Can I trust you to bring the package onto the plane with you, go to the baggage claim after the flight, and give the package to my associate?"

"Yes, sir." Arida stood tall, wanting to be as trustworthy as possible. She needs the money, and what better way than a favor?

"Good." The man said. "The code is 'Flight of Death,' and say it to the man with the black cloak and black dress shirt. One sleeve should be rolled up so it exposes the black tattoo on his left forearm, the one that looks like two snakes slithering out of a skull. My friend is always punctual, so he will be waiting for you. If you cannot find the man with the description I gave you, then keep the package with you, and deliver the package to this address." He handed a slip of paper to Arida. It said, 7 Chestnut St., Chicago. The man then gave the bundle of money to Arida, and turned to walk away. But before he can leave, he turned his head to say to Arida, "Whatever you do, kid, even if the package is not illegal and it went through the security check, don't look through it. If you do, my associate will know. Good luck kid, and safe travels."

The man walked away, leaving Arida with the bundle of money and the shady package. Unfortunately, the man's warning did not register into Arida's mind yet. Curious like a cat, Arida looked around to see if the man was still there, and seeing that he was gone, she began to open, carefully, the paper-wrapped parcel. Torn paper would tip off the associate that Arida went through it, and she wouldn't want that! A few more seconds of unfolding, and the paper revealed a folder with big, bold words on the front:

THE BWL; SAVIOR

#1 TARGET

Arida was even more curious; what was this "BWL" or "SAVIOR?" Why was it the top priority target? She was so close to these answers, when suddenly, she heard a voice in her mind. A high-pitched, cold, cruel laugh emitted throughout her body, terrifying her to the core. Then, the same voice said, "Hah! I knew muggles were stubborn and nosy! This muggle, especially. If I were you, and I'm beyond relieved to not be you, it would be best to stop perusing this information immediately, and hope to whatever god you believe in that the associate would not find out about this."

Arida quickly wrapped up the folder again, scared to death by the voice. What was that? She shook her head, trying to take away the shock she had felt. Unfortunately, Arida couldn't, no matter what, shake off the feeling that she had signed up for a literal 'Flight of Death.'

*/*/*/~\*\*\*

Arida walked into the baggage claim room. The flight had been anxious, for a good reason, considering the scare that she had before. Constantly looking over her shoulder for any people who want to kill her was becoming a horrible habit for her. However, Arida quickly came to the conclusion that it was just her nerves after talking with the stranger; there was no voice at all. She looked at the package containing the folder. Would the associate know? Well, Arida guessed that he wouldn't if she didn't tell him. So, she had absolutely nothing to worry about.Before getting her luggage, Arida decided to find the stranger's associate. Easily enough, a tall, black-haired man stood against a wall, his black cloak covering his body, except for the left forearm, black dress shirt sleeve rolled up, showing the creepy snake tattoo. The man was covering the tattoo in a way that he must keep it a secret, lest someone see. Arida hesitantly walked up to the man. "Um, the code phrase is 'Flight of Death.'" Arida stuttered, shakily holding out the package to the hooded man.

The hooded man raised his head a bit, just enough for Arida to see a long, hooked nose and a scowl on the man's face. "You have disobeyed my friend's orders, you impertinent muggle child." The man said, voice a deep baritone. "My associate requested, specifically, for you not to look in it. It is a good thing that wards were put on it, so that you wouldn't even open the folder without being scarred for life."

Arida, remembering the voice, shuddered. "I am sorry sir." She gave the man the package, only for her thumb to catch on one of the package's paper folds, and caused the wrapping paper to rip, letting a small sheet of paper slip out of the folder and onto the floor.

The man didn't notice the fallen paper, thankfully, and sneered. "Not a word of this whole exchange shall leave your mouth, muggle child. You should be satisfied with the amount given; many a long night has been spent to obtain American money. May we never meet again. You have already meddled into one's business, and you have failed the test, so do not add insult to injury." The man left, black cloak billowing in his stead. Arida was puzzled. What test was the man talking about? A test to prove that Arida is worthy of something? Maybe an experiment, or training for a top secret cause. Arida looked down at the single sheet of paper that fell out. She picked it up, and turned it over to where the information was. The paper was a picture of a short, thin boy with messy, raven black hair, big rounded glasses, clothes that were three times his size, and vibrant, emerald green eyes.

Then, Arida heard a person say, "Obliviate!" from a few meters away. Before Arida suddenly lost her memory of the whole exchange, starting with the stranger asking her the favor, and carried on with her life normally with a miraculous ten thousand dollars in her pocket, she saw one thing. One peculiar, most unnatural thing in the picture.

The boy had a lightning scar on his forehead.