Mission 'Don't get killed'

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Matt takes me to his room, which is next to the infirmary. When I enter, I have the feeling I'm going back in time. Old maps line the walls and there's an ancient desk in one corner of the room, which is at least threehundred years old. Matt sits down on the matching chair behind the desk, leaving me to stand in front of it. Ellen is also present, standing in a corner of the room. She will never admit it, but she cares more about everyone then she lets on and I don't think she gave Matt much choice about her presence in the room at this moment, she's just as worried about what Matt has in store for as I am.

'So, as you know, Arlana is planning an attack against us.' Matt starts. 'And they also have Sara and Zac, two valued members of our community.'

'Yes,' I say. 'I am aware of that fact.'

He's making me nervous by the way he's telling me things I already know and why is he speaking so highly of Zac and Sara? It's like he's reluctant to tell me about his plan. And if he's reluctant, it must be a very bad plan.

'I need you to go to Arlana and spy on him. That way you can find out what he's plotting against me and of course what happened to Sara and Zac so we can get them out of there as soon as possible.' Yes, bad plan.

'What?' I exclaim. 'You want me to infiltrate his syndicate?' I shake my head. 'I'm not going to do that.' I say. 'I can't.'

'Zoë, you're the only one who can do this.' Matt sighs, as if he already knew I was going to protest. And he probably did.

'No, I can't. I'm not qualified. No one has ever tried infiltrating another- a rival- syndicate before. It's already hard enough to get into the security branch of the government.' I tell him. 'He's going to kill me if he finds out about my real intentions.' Matt opens his mouth to say something but I won't let him speak. 'And he is. You think I can just waltz in there and he will be okay with that? He will want to know what happened, why I'm suddenly there. He'll break into my mindscape and see everything. You will bring the attack on yourself, Matt. You have to come up with something else.' I know I'm being a little unfair by implying he should send someone else to face a death sentence, but there are people here who are actually training to be spies. And I'm definitely not one of them.

'Zoë, please. I need you to do this. You can train for this. You are training for a reason. I can't send someone else and you know why. You're the most qualified to do this.'

'You don't even allow me to exit this building, even with three scouters to keep an eye on me.'

'This is different.' Matt claims. 'Zoë, please, you have to try it. You're our only chance at getting Zac and Sara out of there.'

'Try, haha.' I laugh sarcastically. 'If I fail, I'll die. And what are the chances I'll make it out there alive?' I pretend to think for a second. 'O wait, there are none. If he finds out I'm trying to escape, with two other people who belong to you, he'll piece two and two together. And he'll kill all three of us. If he hasn't killed Zac and Sara already, that is.'

'It's crazy, Matt.' Ellen says silently. 'You can't ask this from her. She's not ready. You don't even allow her to go outside.' Thank you, Ellen, please let this work.

'She hasn't been training for nothing, Ellen.' Matt waves her critique away. 'This is what she needs to do. If she doesn't do it, we will all die, that's for sure.'

'And if she doesn't succeed, she'll die for sure.' Ellen says. 'Have you thought about what could go wrong?'

'Of course I have!'