Shutter Speed

III.

I didn't realize I dozed off when suddenly I felt someone shake my shoulder.

"Lana, wake up." a voice said. My eyes slowly, blinked open, not yet ready to wake up. Just a few more minutes in my nice warm bed will be enough. But then I came to my senses and realized where I was.

Emmett was no longer sitting next to me, in his place was Mitch. A jacket was covering the top half of my body, acting as a blanket. I yawned. "Is it time to go?" I ask, straightening up in my seat and removing the jacket.

"Yes. Everyone's just starting to get off." Mitch is patient as I unbuckle the seat belt and stand up to stretch my legs. I hand him his coat back, but he doesn't take it. "It's Emmett's," Is all he says as he stands up as well. It's almost our turn to get into the aisle and exit the plane. I decide to hang onto the jacket until we get off and as soon as I spot Emmett, I rush over to him.

"Hey, Emmett. Thanks for the jacket." But he just shakes his head instead of taking it.

"Keep it for now. You're going to need it." Suddenly a cold wind blows through the air, making me shiver. I decide not to argue and put it on over my shoulders. I wonder if Danny and Evan packed any of my jackets in that duffel bag.

The guys surround em and usher me inside the airport to get our luggage. But instead we go right by the baggage claim and towards the exit. 

"Wait, what about our stuff?" I ask. I'm not wearing these dirty clothes for another day during this--this mission or whatever they want to call it.

"It's been taken care of and it's waiting for in a car for us outside." Mitch explains. He must be the lead or commander since he does most of the talking. I decide that I like him. He's kind and patient and it's something I appreciate.

As soon as we step outside, a black car appears and I'm ushered forward again. The door swings open, Danny and Evan get in first, then Mitch and Emmett wait for me to enter. I hesitate. These people are complete strangers that I'm supposed to trust and as far as I know they could be lying to me and as soon as I get into the car, someone could be waiting to put a bullet in me. Even though they are patient, they sense my tension, I assume at least. I feel a hand gently press against the small of my back and it's somewhat comforting to me. However, I don't know why.

"It's alright. Trust me. You're safe." It's Emmett. I feel his breath close to my ear. Taking a deep breath, I nod and climb into the back of the car. Mitch and Emmett follow close behind and the door immediately closes and we're off.

"Oh, you're white as a sheet. Here, drink some water." says a woman's voice. I didn't even realize there was other people in the vehicle. I look up and see it's a young woman around my age with silky blonde hair. She's holding a bottle of water out to me and I numbly take it and take a big swallow. Mitch is sitting next to the blonde with his arm around her. They must be a couple.

"Thank you," I say in a quiet voice before taking another drink.

"I'm Emma," she says with a smile.

"Lana," I reply, not sure what else to say. My mind is too numb to hold a conversation.

"We'll arrive at the safe house in forty-five minutes." Evan announces and everybody nods. Then it's silent. 

I get the feeling Emma wants to talk some more, but I can't--I don't want to either. I forgot my camera was still around my neck, my hands hold onto the sides and I lift it up to take a picture. This is my first time out of the country and Switzerland has some beautiful views. I take a handful of pictures to distract myself and no one objects.

Before I know it, the car pulls into a secluded driveway at the end of the street. The safe house is huge and nothing like what I thought a safe house should look like.