Mission 'Don't get killed'

Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Today it's Tuesday. I feel nervous, this is one of my last days here. At the same time, I'm glad to be leaving soon. I want to stay in bed as long as possible, so I can reduce the time I have to interact with anyone to a minimum but I keep tossing and turning, which makes me even more nervous so in the end I get up anyway. It's only ten in the morning but everyone is already off for their respective duties or training in the training area. I walk to the kitchen, as I always do and as usual Jenn is already busy with preparations for today's meals. I'm surprised to find my father in the kitchen with her. He usually doesn't come here. And he usually doesn't 'lower' himself in talking to Jenn or any other member of the staff. But today they seem to be discussing something important. Something I can't know about since they shut up almost immediately when they notice I've joined them in the kitchen.

'Good morning, darling.' Jenn says, which is no different from her usual greeting but it sounds a little forced today. I narrow my eyes for a bit.

'Good morning.' I reply slowly. Then I look at my father and back to Jenn. 'I can come back later if you want.' I say and I point at the door behind me, I suddenly feel uncomfortable.

'No no, please stay.' Jenn says. 'Your father and I were just finished anyway.' She sends my father a glare. If looks could kill, he would have dropped down on the spot.

'Really, it's no trouble.' I try again. I don't really feel like socializing with my father right now, or ever, for that matter, and I don't feel like getting reprimanded about disturbing their conversation either.

'Jenn's right.' My father says shortly, sounding extremely annoyed. 'There's nothing to be discussed right now. But I'll be back later.' He warns her and I can feel that not a lot of good is coming Jenn's way. I feel bad for her, especially since I will be leaving and won't be able to protect her from my father, even though my protection would have been minimal.

Jenn is obviously upset about whatever has happened between her and my father but she doesn't say a word about it. Instead she tries to deviate the attention from it and happily chatters away about all other kinds of topics, but her happiness is clearly faked and it doesn't do much good to the atmosphere in the kitchen. I know I could break into her mindscape and see what happened but it feels bad. Jenn doesn't deserve me prying in her mind, if she doesn't want to tell me, she doesn't have to. It's none of my business anyway.

I help her with the preparations and suddenly it's already lunchtime. I haven't eaten yet so Jenn quickly makes me a plate of food before the others come in to claim their share of the food.

After lunch I go up to the infirmary. I need to know that Zac and Sara will be ready when we need to leave tonight. I've figured out the scouters and their partners will be leaving at around seven o'clock. They'll do a check-up on the perimeter of Matt's headquarters and when they've done their spying, they'll call in the rest, who are already waiting on stand-by somewhere just outside this building. When they've left, I want to leave as well. That's when the protection here is lowest and my chances of getting caught are lowest as well.

But before I can even make the first turn after leaving the kitchen, Tegan is suddenly standing in my way.

'Where are you going?' The nice façade from earlier has most certainly left and her voice is filled with annoyance.

'Nowhere of your concern.' I snap at her, sounding just as annoyed.

'It is of my concern.' She answers. 'Your father has put me on duty to guard you.'

'He hasn't.' I say. This is such a sad lie. Really, she must be desperate for whatever is in it for her if she manages to do whatever her father has put her up to doing. 'He would have told me.'