Night Of The Hunter

The Ride In

25.

The first time I flew in a fancy private jet for my first mission, I thought it was cool, I'm not going to lie. Food and drinks at your disposal whenever you want, comfy leather seats to nap on your trip and no crying babies sitting around to annoy you throughout your flight. And to top it all off, it was quicker as well. 

Throughout the flight, all my mind did was wander around the conversation Aiden and I shared at my place earlier. Deep down I knew he was in the city because of me, I just didn't want it to be true. Any other person would be elated to find the guy they've been pining after for years would suddenly show up at their doorstep, saying they escaped a secret government facility, and knowing the girl he'd been pining for as well was working for that facility, he'd take his chances just to say hello and be with her. But me? No. I'm not into that lovey dovey shit. Never had been, never will.

There was nothing to romanticize about when it came to us. There was no us. Sure, I hoped there would have been if we had both escaped that night, but now that he was out, I didn't want to put his life in jeopardy again. I couldn't. I wouldn't allow myself too. Pushing him away was the best for both of us. I wouldn't let myself get attached to him again. I did it once, and it was a mistake. One that nearly got us both killed more than once. This was one way I could protect him, even if he didn't agree with it.

As soon as I stepped out of the plane, I was escorted into a black suv. The driver insisted I sat in the back but I remained in the front seat. He was a young kid, looked around college age. Dark brown hair, green eyes, and dressed in a casual monkey suit, tie included. He was adorable, I give him that. He barely made eye contact with me as I looked over at him as he pulled away from the airport.

"What's your name?" I asked, looking out the window as he pulled into the highway.

"Mason."

"How long have you worked for the facility?"

"A few years, ma'me."

"Don't call me that."

"Oh.. I'm sorry, Agent Callahan."

I snapped my head towards him, clenching my jaw. "Don't call me that either." I hissed.

Mason looked over at me, his eyes widening before looking to the road again. "S-sorry M'a - I mean Agen - "

I raised my brows in amusement, holding back a laugh as I watched this kid become wildly nervous in a instant. "Arabella will do just fine, Mason."

He nodded a few times. "R-Right. Sorry. Uh.. Agent Brooks said there was a folder for you in the glove compartment." He said quickly, pointing in front of me.

I looked over him for a moment before reaching for the glove compartment and pulled out a folder.

"It's his last known locations in Dallas. He might be hiding in his old neighborhood where he grew up, at least that was his last known sighting."

I looked over the map provided as well as photographs that looked to be taken from satellite.

"The car you'll be driving is at the hotel booked for you, in the garage. It's filled with weapons in case you get ambushed."

I gave him a side glance before putting the folder in my bag. This wasn't my first rodeo, nor was in my first search and rescue with Eric Cooper. Given his two last locations, it looked to me he was hiding out in his favorite old spot when we were kids.

"There's also a burner phone in the other car. My number is already programed into it in case you need help."

I snorted as I looked out the window once again, seeing the familiar surroundings from when I was a kid.