Playing the Hero

Chapter 16

Neverminded animating making chapters come out quicker! I am just as de-motivated as before! I am so sorry this is taking so long to get out, not that many people care. But I promise I'll get it all out eventually :)

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They were all given two days off of school. Normally that would mean students would rest, relax, hangout and have fun. But Vallerie was not relaxed. Not at all. Kira was at school and Viktor was out on patrol, leaving only her and Adeline in the house. Now, usually that would be fine, and Vallerie would spend her time getting the garden back to where it used to be, but Adeline had called a meeting. To discuss their plan with U.A. That meant either the plan was called off, or the plan was changed. Vallerie didn't know which was worse.

She made her way down to Adeline's office. A place where strings connected pictures on the walls, and weapons were displayed in cases. It was deep in the basement, the only part of it that Adeline or her mother had never bothered to finish. So much air passed through this room. It was always cold. In the middle of the mess sat Adeline's desk, facing the door. The seat behind the desk was empty, and Vallerie filled the seat in front of it. She rocked back and forth slightly as she waited for Adeline to appear, listening to her shuffle around in the back.

A single gunshot rang out. The sound, or lack of sound, of the impact meant she was most likely shooting the soft target Viktor made. He hated the sound just as much as his sister did. Vallerie covered their ears, She must be really upset. The gun was thrown past their head, and Adeline came out after it. She seemed a mess. So much so, her tie was even off centred. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm afraid I have some frustrating news to share with you." Her voice was a lot calmer than her current state. Vallerie sighed, "At least you took it out on the target and not a person. What's going on?" they leaned forward on the desk, a certain sense of doom gnawing at their guts.

"I'm afraid we have to make a change of plans. One of our informants stopped giving information a week ago. The one that worked directly under your mother." A chill ran down their spine. Any news that had to do with their mother was never good.

"I sent Viktor to investigate. They were killed. Your mother found out."

Vallerie could feel their heartbeat throughout their entire body. It was deafening.They tried to not let their harsh breathing shake their chest so much. It was fine. Deaths happened all of the time. But Vallerie had never gotten used to it. Even now, their body reacted just as it did when they were a child, and all her mind could do was beg it to stop. After a long pause, it did. "Does she know they were going to us?"

Adeline shuffled the papers on her desk. "So far? No. But it was clear that their death was meant as a warning for us and others who might be traitors. Unfortunately, they were one of our best informants, and a source of security. Until we find someone new and stupid enough to work for us, we'll have to delay our partnership with U.A. But it shouldn't take longer than two months to get back on track."

Adeline made it sound like it was no big deal, but Vallerie was practically shaking in their skin. "What about their family? Do we know how they are doing?"

Adeline hesitated, unsure if Vallerie could handle the news. This might be too much for them, and Adeline didn't want any more bullet holes in the wall. They sensed this hesitation immediately, even without meeting their mentor's eyes. "Adeline. Tell me."

"The daughter and son were killed. There is no more family."

Vallerie slumped into their seat, breathing heavily. They wished they would say they couldn't believe it. But they could. Their voice was choked as they spoke, "Get that new informant as soon as you can. And if there's anything I can do to help, please. Just tell me."