Criminal Activity

Chapter Twelve

 Tom and I pull into the parking lot of the mall. We sit for a few minutes waiting to see if any cares pulled in as well. When we are sure we aren't being followed, we head in. We show the night time security guard our FBI passes and he allows us to go in. Charles is there when I get in and we follow him to the third floor.

"So what exactly are we looking for?" I ask him in a slight whisper even though no one is here to hear us.

"A little flash drive. Supposedly, it's got all the information we need to stop the progression of the war. We have no idea why your parents are hiding it though."

I gave him a nod and took my flashlight out. Searching store after store. I reached an electronics store and something in my brain clicked. If they wanted to hide this thing, why not put it in a place it is supposed to be in? I race into the store and start vigorously doing through all the shelves. I shine my flash light into the back room, scan to make sure no one is there, then walk in. There are a few boxes in the back that seem like they've been messed with. I take a step towards the boxes, but I hear footsteps.

"Stop right there, Roni," said a familiar voice.

"Rebecca?" I said questioningly. "What are you doing here? You're just the makeover person."

Yeah, about that. I only took the job so I could follow you and report to your mother of your whereabouts," she said with and evil laugh. "I need you to come with me because you're going back to your mom and dad."

"No, I am going to stick with my real family and we are going to stop you guys," I hissed. How could another person I love turn on me?

"Too bad," she said walking towards me. I swiftly jumped at her, but she dodged. As I regained my balance, she whacked me in the back with a baseball bat. I wince and scream out in pain. As she swung to hit me again, I rolled out of the way, got to my feet and pulled out a knife I brought with me.

"Come any closer and I will stab you right in the heart, I swear to God!" I shout at her. She laughed and took a step towards me. She knows that I've never killed anyone and I bet she knows I'm too scared too. Just before I was about to stab her, Charles comes to my rescue.

Put your weapon on the ground and hands behind your head or I'll shoot," he says while pointing his gun at her head. Rebecca turns her body towards Charles with a angered look on her face. While she is distracted I start looking through the boxes quietly and ignore the conversation they're having. I keep thinking about all the people who have turned their backs on me. I feel so betrayed and so angry.

I find the flash drive and smile in triumph. By the time I turn around, Rebecca is already in hand cuffs and babbling on about how we are never going to stop my parents and how we should watch our backs because people aren't always how they appear. Like I don't already know all this.

I walk out to the hallway with the flash drive in my hand. I wonder what's on it. Will it give me more information on my parents? Will it tell us all the plans they've made? Does it have the information we need to prevent the war? Who knows?

I make eye contact with Tom and he runs towards me. Before I could say anything he wraps his arms around my waist and hugs me tightly.

"Babe! You're going to break me in half!" I say in a tight voice because I can barely breathe.

"Sorry, I was worried about you. I heard you were in danger so I got here as fast as I could. I can't stand to lose you," he said almost in tears. My heart almost breaks when I see how upset he is.

"All that matters is that I am safe now. Come on. Let's go home." He smiles and nods his head. After handing Charles the flash drive, we walk hand in hand to the car and drive home.