I don’t know exactly when I decided to confront him, but when I saw his smug little face outside school the next day, I lost it. “WHAT THE HELL, TYLER!?!?” I shouted as I stormed towards him across the car park. Everyone turned to look but I really wasn’t bothered. Tyler saw me and backed up against the wall looking like he would have loved to have melted into it.“Ooh, Tyler who's this and what did you do this time?” A guy asked, I think his name was Jack but I was a bit preoccupied at that point. “Nobody, Nothing... guys, just give me a minute,” Tyler replied trying to regain his cool. That comment annoyed me enough to punch him then and I heard the crunch of his skull meeting the wall. “Geez, Darcey! What was that for?!” He moaned, clutching the back of his head. “You know damn well who I am Tyler Pritchard and you definitely know why I’m so pissed off,” I said through gritted teeth. Jack blew out his breath slowly creating a low whistling sound and backed away. “Wow, that’s one angry chick, “Jack muttered as he and his friends shuffled away, looking over their shoulders a lot. “Come on,” I sighed as people started advancing towards us, and I saw some teachers approaching that would notice us. Grabbing Tyler’s school tie, I dragged him round the side of the school where nobody could see. He choked a bit then coughed when I lugged him round to face me. “Okay, so here’s how it is,” I said, my arm at his throat, pinning him to the wall. My position in TAG was too valuable to talk about. If I didn’t mention it, he wouldn’t have a clue what I was talking about, but Adrenalin forced me to keep speaking before I thought of the consequences. “You’re going to tell me why I shouldn’t kill you and I might consider it, although I have no idea why since you almost got me sacked.” He gestured to his throat and I let go of his neck, but my hands clenched into fists by my side automatically. He doubled over and gasped “What… are… you… talking… about?” I pulled him upright. “Don’t give me that crap Tyler, I know who your dad is, I know you killed Stevenson and I’m pretty sure you killed Lafferty too. The Agency I work for will terminate my contract and probably kill me as well unless I kill you." I used my index finger to push into his chest to make my point, "Now I don’t know why you’re on my list, but I’m pretty sure you do,” I finished breathing heavily. “Wait a minute,” He said blowing his fringe out of his eyes, “I’m on your list? Darcey, you’re on mine.” My fingers uncurled and my mouth dropped open. You have a list? A TAG list?” I stammered. He nodded cautiously, rubbing the back of his neck. “How? Aren’t you working for the hackers?” I asked confused, taking a step back.“No, the agency recruited me as soon as the whole hacking thing started” he said, “I didn’t know why, but when they come to you like that, you can’t exactly say ‘No’.” This was too weird. “Okay, so let me get this straight. You’re a double agent?” I whispered incredulously. “Yeah, but apparently I’ve reached the end of my usefulness,” he said with a wry smile. The bell sounded for the start of school and I jumped irrationally. “Listen Tyler we still need to talk. My deadlines in a week,” I said awkwardly. He just nodded like it was what he had expected. “Okay then meet me here at the end of the day,” I said. He turned to walk away but I grabbed his tie and pulled him down to my level. “Please, don’t even think of running or we’ll both be dead,” I said softly, looking into his worried eyes. His eyes were fixated on mine, the look in them distant, almost as if he were daydreaming.“Darcey?” It was Chiara calling to me across the car park. I quickly let go of Tyler’s tie as she came towards us. He seem stunned for a split second then recoiled, shaking his head slightly. “Hey, Tyler,” She said a knowing smile on her face. Great, now I’d have to think of a lie to explain this. “Um, Hi. See you later, Darcey,” He said shuffling away looking slightly embarrassed. “Yeah, okay,” I murmured. Once he was out of earshot Chiara pounced, a smug grin emerging. “So, Tyler Pritchard,” She began. “No, Chi, I’m not telling you anything. Come on or we’ll be late for class,” I said pulling her along, her many questions left unsaid.
Time passed slowly and I found myself staring at the clock, which of course made it seem to tick even slower. At the end of school bell I walked calmly to the school gates, but really I was nervous. What if I had to kill Tyler? What if he had to kill me? I needn't have worried though, because he didn’t meet me. “Coward,” I muttered under my breath as I stared down at my watch. School ended 30 minutes ago. I decided that my only option was to go to his house. I knew the way as I had gone over there a few days before to set up surveillance. When I got there, I was still impressed by the huge detached house behind the gates. The gates were wide open, as if the people in that house had nothing to hide. They sure had everyone else fooled. I walked confidently across the courtyard and rang the bell. Surprisingly, Mr Pritchard answered. I immediately donned my ‘Perfectly behaved Catholic School Girl’ smile and pulled at my skirt to bring the hemline to my knees. “Hello,” I beamed, “Is Tyler home yet?” Mr Pritchard considered me for a minute then replied, “No, was there something you wanted?” I smiled again. “Yes, You see I was absent for quite a few of our history lessons and Tyler said that he would help me with our essay, because my notes are quite sparse,” I said, twirling a lock of my hair seemingly absent minded. Mr Pritchard looked torn for a moment, but after glancing over his shoulder a few times he said well naturedly, “Well, why don’t you wait for him in the lounge? I have a meeting to get to, but I’m sure my wife would be delighted to meet you.” He opened the door wide and ushered my into a pastel coloured room, where an elegant woman in a lilac dress with flawless wavy auburn hair and a string of pearls around her neck, sat neatly on a floral sofa while a maid poured a stream of golden tea into a delicate china tea cup. “Darling,” Mr Pritchard said, “This is -?” He looked at me expectantly. “Oh, my name is Darcey,” I said politely, extending out my hand to Mrs Pritchard. She shook my hand and smiled pleasantly up at me. “Yes, Darcey here is waiting for Tyler to come home to study,” Mr Pritchard said quickly, glancing at an ornate clock above the mantelpiece. “Of course,” Mrs Pritchard said, “Come sit and you can wait with me.” Mr Pritchard hurriedly fled calling his goodbye as he went. I stood infront of Mrs Pritchard awkwardly, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. “Sit down dear,” Mrs Pritchard repeated gesturing to the sofa opposite her, “Dalia, pour Darcey a cup to please,” she said to the maid who nodded and filled another cup. I sat down; making sure my skirt still reached my knees. I winced slightly at the contrast of the gentle floral sofa and the harsh red of the tartan. Very carefully, I stirred a sugar cube into my cup and lifted the saucer. Mrs Pritchard took a sip from her cup, and then smiled. “So Darcey, What is your last name?” She asked. What she really wanted to know was whether I came from a poor family on, god forbid, an estate. “Winters,” I replied sweetly, “My father is Henry Winters the founder of Winters & Co.” She narrowed her eyes slightly then recognised the name and struggled to keep her mouth closed with shock. “You mean the Law firm Winters& Co.?” she enquired disbelievingly. “Yes that’s right. And my mother is Maria Winters, chairman of the Daisy Chain Fund.” “Daisy Chain Fund?” Mrs Pritchard echoed, taking another sip of tea. “Mm, They raise money for disadvantaged children and my father host corporate events to raise awareness.” Mrs Pritchard was flabbergasted. Luckily for her, Tyler walked through the door at that very moment. “Mum, I’m Ho- Darcey?” He stopped mid-sentence. His face white as a sheet, he stood in the doorway looking from me to his mother confusedly. “Hello, Darling. Darcey and I have been having a wonderful conversation, I don’t know why you didn’t introduce her sooner,” Mrs Pritchard scolded lightly, her composure returning. “Um,” Tyler mumbled looking more confused than ever. “Well, I couldn’t find you after school silly, so I asked if one of your friends could please tell me where you live. We have a study session, remember?” I said my smile tight. He looked worried now and gulped as his eyes widened. His hand slowly reached up to neck and rubbed it gently, the same place I'd clasped only 6 hours ago. “So, Please excuse us Mrs Pritchard,” I neatly got up gathering my bag, “It was very nice to meet you, but we’d better get studying,” I said graciously.“Of course, dear, It was lovely to meet you too,” Mrs Pritchard replied. I walked over to Tyler as gracefully as possible and took his arm. “Come on, Ty,” I said cheerfully pulling him along. As soon as we were in his room and the door was firmly closed I turned to his pitiful face and said through gritted teeth, “You have a lot of explain to do, Pritchard. Start talking.”
