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16

16

"What do you mean the file wasn't there?"

I felt like I was a small child again being reprimanded. We were stood in a line in front of everyone. But Tate was ahead of them, marching back and forth. His entire face was red and his eyes dark.

I bowed my head, my hair brushing over my face. I felt like I was on fire. I knew I looked just as red as Tate, but because of shame rather than anger. I couldn't even bear to look at him. I have never seen him look so furious.

"It wasn't there," Emily repeated.

"They must have moved it somewhere else," Finn offered.

"We had to leave when some alarm went off," Sam tried to explain.

"Were you in charge of this mission?" Their faces paled.

"So, hush it," Tate hissed, spitting out his words as he walked.

Staring at the ground, I watched his feet stop in front of me.

"I want to hear from the woman herself."

My eyes began to burn, sending a shake down my body. Tate's menacing voice shot my mind back into my memories.

A harsh hand gripped my shoulder and held me in place. The fingers dug into my skin, making me whimper.

"Who told you that you could be up here?"

My thumbs bounced off of one another as I hiccuped, "No one."

Begging, I rose my gaze to look into the eyes of my parents who stood amongst a line of science seniors.

"I just wanted to have a look around."

An eight-year-old Hudson took a step away from me and in a trembling voice said, "I am not a part of this, I swear. It was all her idea. I tried to stop her-"

"Try harder," the cold voice ordered.

My head shot up after my name was called. Tate's face was inches from mine.

"Well? He said through gritted teeth. My mouth's so dry. Gulping, I tried to speak calmly.

"The file, the folder was empty."

I clenched my hands and heard the crinkling of paper. In the hurry to get out, I had brought the folder with me.

But it was snatched out of my grasp. Tate's other hand ran down his face as he sighed.

Muffled, he said, "I know that. Where did they put it?"

I paused for a moment. "They don't keep documents anywhere else."

Tate's eyes bore into mine, his gaze strong and intense. Then, all of a sudden, a yell from inside him ordered us all back to our duties, and us to our rooms.

We scurried through the corridor, two by two with Beth ahead. Despite not being in Tate's sight anymore, I still felt extremely hot. My eyes began to water. My old ways came back to me as my mind scolded itself. Get a grip. I hastily went to wipe any evidence away before anyone could see. But then Finn's shoulder bumped against mine.

"It's okay Sine."

I stared ahead. Everyone silently went into their own rooms, leaving the two of us alone.