Only The Goode Spy Forever

Chapter 114: The Disappearing Act

"We must obey God rather than men." -Acts 5:29

Annalise Goode and her roommates went to breakfast that morning expecting to see Bree. They slid down the banister, excitedly smelling the bacon.

"Annie!" A voice yelled after them. Anna turned and saw Peyton running down the steps after her. He grabbed her hand and twirled her. "Did you have fun last night?"

"Ya," Anna said absent minded. She scanned the grand hall for any sign of Chase or Bree. "Have you seen my brother today?"

"No," Peyton said, traces of annoyance in his voice. "Can we talk later? Just us?"

"Sure," Anna replied, still not looking at him. Peyton sighed.

The group grabbed their breakfast and sat down at their usual table. Two empty seats sat across from Anna. She expected Bree and Chase to walk in at any minute. What she didn't expect was to see her mother in hysterics, running into the hall. Cameron Goode ran straight for her mother.

"Where is he?" She cried. "How could you lose him?"

"Cammie," Rachel warned. "Let's discuss this in my office.

"No! You lost my son! Where is he?" She screamed. The hall fell silent. Anna's heart began pounding.

"Mom?" She asked, slowly standing up.

"He's gone, baby," she sobbed. "Chase is missing."

"Cam!" A voice yelled after her. Anna watched in horror as her mother ran into her father's arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Zach held her tightly and began ushering her out of the room. Cammie just kept repeating, "he's gone."

Anna looked to Peyton for support, but he seemed just as scared as she was. If Chase was missing and her mother had been notified, that meant that the academy had already done everything in their power. If Chase was missing and no one had seen Bree, that meant they were both gone. Anna shivered. What if Catherine had them?

The rest of the morning felt like a blur. Anna was so distraught that she couldn't focus. When had Bree gotten up in the night? Why hadn't Anna awakened? She walked miserably back to her suite after classes were over.

"Annie?" Peyton said, catching her arm. She faced him. His face softened as he saw the depressed look on her face.

"I don't want to talk, Peyt," she sulked. "My brother and Bree are missing. They were most likely kidnapped by Catherine. I'll bet Bree is being tortured and Chase is already dead." Peyton laughed, yes, actual laughage.

"They're both fine," he laughed. Anna shot him a crazy look. "They're together. Probably hiding somewhere safe."

"How can you say that?" Anna gasped.

"Oh come on, Annie. How convenient that they just happened to disappear the morning after their last final. They disappear right after they are graduates. We both know that coincidences don't happen in our lives. Plus, your mom just proved that they're fine. She was crazy this morning."

"She acted like any normal mother would!" Anna protested.

"Exactly!" Peyton exclaimed. "Your mom is not a normal mom. Cammie is one of the best operatives in the world. If someone she loved went missing, the last thing she would do is sob to her mother. She would be checking their last move, looking through their belonging, and tracking them down. Your mom put on a show. Chase wants people to think he just disappeared out of thin air and your mom totally sold it. The whole confused upset act was a hit. Even you bought it!"

Anna gasped. Peyton was making sense. He was right, her mother would never act like that. Her mother would be hot on their trail if they truly were missing. This was planned.

"The cupcakes!" Anna shrieked. It dawned on her. "Bree gave me, Diana, and Caroline cupcakes last night! She must have laced them with something, that's why we didn't wake up! And that's why Chase was acting so weird. They were both saying goodbye. I need to drop out of the fieldwork career path now. I'd make a horrible operative."

"Stop it, you know that's not true. You just never imagined that something like this would happen. You're a natural. This just caught you off guard," Peyton soothed.

"Where did they go? What if they're in trouble?" Anna asked.

"We could go find them," Peyton offered. Anna scoffed. "I'm serious. We're done with school on Friday. How about we pull a Chase and Bree and dip right after our exams? We'll find them and make sure they're okay. Then if we ever need them we'll know where they are."

"Peyton that's crazy!" Anna protested. "We can't just up and leave!"

"Why not?" Peyton countered. "It's just for the summer. Not like we have anything better to do. It can be our fun little vacation! Besides, you want answers, don't you" Anna nodded. Peyton grinned. He had her.

Shoutout to ShrimpyPie!