Are You Willing to Trust?

Chapter 2: Another Like Me

Stifling a yawn, I slouch against the fine fabric of the couch that sits in the waiting room of Mr. Barker's office area waiting for the stupid secretary to get back from talking with Bossman. My head rests against the top as I cross my legs under neath me on the couch, not caring that I was probably getting dirt on the furniture from my shoes. I was too distracted by the fact that it was taking forever for the secretary to get back and from the extended absence it seem clear that this meeting wasn't going to go well.

Closing my eyes, I do my best to focus my breathing and relax as Dr. Roberts had instructed. My ribs were definitely tender after what Henry did to them but there was no way in hell I was sticking around to get more pain pills from the hospital. Dr. Roberts was probably having a heart attack since I skipped out of the hospital without telling anyone. He would figure it out soon enough though and could always call Bossman if he had complaint. Not that I really cared.

Hearing the click of heals, I prop my head up and open my eyes looking toward the hallway opening. The secretary, in her long black skirt and high heels makes eye contact with me before nodding her head. With the amount of times I had been in the office, this signal meant that I should go into the office and Bossman was probably not happy with me. Nodding back, I pull myself up off the couch and take a left, making my way down the hall to the very last door.

Knocking twice with my knuckles, I open the door and walk straight in before closing it behind me. Bossman, Mr. Barker, is sitting at his large wood desk, his elbows on the table and his fingers laced together. In front of him sat a black phone and a frown was clearly on his face. "Ms. Parker take a seat." He states easily hiding all emotion in his face. Taking a seat, I hear a ruffling of papers and my eyes land on the phone for a moment before narrowing. It was on speaker.

"Ms. Parker there has been a hit put out on you." Bossman states and my eyes widen without my permission. I had known that Henry and the group were in some trouble but not enough to want someone killed for it. Shifting in the chair, I wait for Bossman to continue curious as to why someone else was on the phone... unless.

"No." I bark instantly standing up from the chair ignoring the ache in my ribs and ankle at the sudden movement. I can feel my anger bubbling in my stomach as I meet the dark brown eyes of Mr. Barker. "It was apart of my agreement when I signed up at the Academy." I growled unhappily at the male. "I will not be apart of a team."

"Ms. Parker please-" Instantly I can feel my body tense as Mr. Barker continues to try and explain why I must go with this team. "They will be able to protect you while we wait for the court processions to begin. The district attorney wants you safe. Your testimony is the only thing that is keeping from being let out on the streets once more."

"You know my response." I state trying to rein in my emotions but anger still clearly coating my voice. "I am not willing and I will not obey." I state and a deeper frown appears on Mr. Barker's lips wrinkles appearing on his forehead. Turning my head to the phone in front of me, I shift slightly closer. "Sir, I don't know who you are, but I am unwilling to be on your team." I state easily. "It is not because of you or anyone on your team but I refuse."

There is a pause of absolute silence when a deep but younger voice echoes from the phone. "Ms. Parker, I have not met you either but I understand your unwillingness. But you are not being asked to join my team. Please think of it as helping one. Another mission per say." Instantly my anger cools off a little and the male's voice has peaked my interest. My gaze flickers to Mr. Barker who nods slowly in agreement and I can already tell he knows I am hooked.

"What do you need help with Sir?" I ask slowly sitting back down in my chair willing to hear the male out.

"There are actually three things that we could possibly need your expertise for." The male on the other end of the phone states and I shift my weight on my legs listening carefully to each word. "One of the reasons is for the current assignment my team has been provided with. The school we were tasked at improving has a much larger problem than the Academy originally anticipated. My team could use an additional hand keeping everyone safe." Rolling my eyes slightly, I glance to Mr. Barker knowing that wasn't the bate. I was definitely not a role model by any means.

There is a pause and I tap my foot impatiently. "The second?" I state waiting to see why Mr. Barker had even offered this agreement knowing I wouldn't accept it.

"The second Mrs. Parker is that one of my team member's father is returning home after a long stay out of the country and needs additional protection in his home." He states making me frown.

"And the last one, sir. Cause I fucking know that you can handle these without me." I state standing once more in order to take my leave. Mr. Barker throws me the language look but I ignore it.

"We have a ghost bird." The words hang in the air for a very long moment and I slowly look to Bossman to confirm my hearing. He nods slowly and my eyes widen. He just said the fucking magic words.

"I am on my way." I respond instantly and Mr. Barker rushes to hand me a file that sits on his desk before picking up the phone. Grabbing the file, I exit the room and move down the hall as quickly as possible still not believing what I had just heard. A ghost bird. There was finally another ghost bird in the Academy. A smile slowly appeared upon my lips as I exited the office building and made my way down the street to the closest convenient store.