Restart ✔️

17 | Love, Mom

There's a moment of silence.

"Hello?" I ask.

James clears his throat. "Uh, yeah, I'm here."

"What was the silence for?"

"I was trying to do one of those moments from the movies when the character lets the scene end dramatically...," he trails off.

"What?"

"Never mind."

"So...,"

"So what?" he asks.  Oh my, God. I think he's actually confused.

"You were saying something about Nick?"

"Right."

"Well, go on!"

"Yeah, yeah, of course."

"I swear, your brain is degenerating as we speak," I mutter.

"What'd you say? I couldn't hear you."

"Nothing."

"Anyways...let's get back to the topic of conversation, shall we? Here's the thing, Clover: if you want your little boyfriend to be safe, you're going to have to cooperate with us."

"Fine."

"Wow...I thought for sure you would bargain with me or something."

"Shut up, you asshole. What do I need to do?"

"My organization has recently received the coordinates to your little hideout. There is already a team headed there now to take it out and receive you. If you don't come willingly, I'll have no choice but to execute Pretty Boy. If you tip your leader off about the raid, I'll have I choice but to execute Pretty Boy. Do you hear me?"

"Basically if I don't follow your orders, you'll kill Nick."

"Great! I'm glad we're on the same page."

"Wait. One last thing."

"Anything for you," he says.

"How'd you finally figure out where the hideout was after all of these years?"

"We got a tip."

"From who?" I ask.

"Your mom, actually."

I'm at Ms. Smith's back door before I know what's happening. Sage opens the door after I knock like there's no tomorrow.

"What the hell?" she asks groggily. She's obviously been asleep a long time considering the crust on the edges of her eyes and tousled hair. Guess she was just as tired as me. "The night training ended like an hour ago."

"Where is she?" I push past her and look around frantically.

"Where's who?

"My mom. Where is she?"

"I don't know. She's probably in her room by now."

I run down the hall and to the room she is supposed to be staying in. I turn the knob and burst into the room with a confused Sage on my heels.

The next few seconds are in slow motion. I fall to my knees as I take in the scene. All of her stuff is gone, the bed is made up, even the trash can has been emptied. It's like she was never here in the first place.

"She's gone," I whimper. I pick up a single piece of paper lying on the dresser beside the bed. It says:

Dear Cassie,
   I'm sorry for all I've done to you, so now is my time to make it right. I'm sure if you're reading this letter you have figured out that I'm gone. I have gone to the Six headquarters. Don't be mad. I just want you to be happy. And safe.
          Love,
                Mom