The S.T.F. Files, Book 1: S.T.F.

Deceive Me Skillfully, I Love You Because I Hate Lies

Riza's POV 

When we finally got to the room, I jumped on the bed, and let loose a long sigh. 

A point during this long journey, where time seems to stop, I could finally just relax, along with the others. 

"So, we're finally safe, yet where is our new move?" Aly says, collapsing. 

"Yeah, I guess," I say, looking out the window, "I'm gonna take a-" 

"Cleo insists Riza gets rest. Cleo doesn't want Riza to get hurt because of what Riza did earlier today." 

"Riza is fine." I say, looking at Cleo straight in the eyes, "Now everyone else but Miss Shwiney the Thief Ninja, get food, and anything we need. We're gonna be here for a week. Miss Shwiney the Thief Ninja and I will stay here, getting everything set up, and keep everything in order in here. Stay in groups of two. Even though Alaska is safe, I don't want you guys to get lost. No going ANYWHERE near the border, got it?" I get nods. The others head out, while Cleo looks at me. 

"Cleo wants to know what Riza wants!?" Cleo says, after the others leave. 

"I wanna talk to you, seriously, it's about...." I stop. 

"What?" Cleo asks, "What do you wanna talk to me about?" 

"Did you just call yourself-" 

"Yes, I did" Cleo says, not referring to herself in 'Cleo'. 

"But then..." 

"Because, where I was from, I couldn't refer to myself as I. Because that was the rules. I just don't trust the others, so I that's what I do. It's just, that's me. And don't tell the others." 

"I won't, if you don't tell them this, got it?" 

"Cleo hasn't heard a thing." 

"I think, I like the stripper. not a lot, just a little. He just is....I don't know." 

"It's okay. There's nothing wrong with it." 

"I know, it's just, how am I supposed to lead, if he's here." 

"Why do you like him?" 

"Because, he's like me. He has to know the truth. He hates lies, just like me. I just....I just don't know what to think!" 

"It's okay, as long as the stripper doesn't get in Riza's way when something important is going on!!!!!" 

"Okay, now what should we do? set up for the night?" We had got a room with three bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room area. The bedrooms all had a bed in it, and there was a private veranda. It was a nice place, and my family owned this hotel, so, technically, everything here was free. And the plus was I stole Dimitri's parents credit cards. You never knew what I could do with those. 

"Well, who's sleeping where?" Cleo liked talking in fine English, calling herself 'I' 'me' and 'she' but I knew I was the only one she would talk to like that.....alone. 

"Hmmmmm I don't know...." I say. Besides Aly, I think we were also close. Even better, the A.O.U. couldn't' get in here, to break up anything. "But can I ask you a question; where do you keep all the shwiney stuff, and where did you get it?" 

"I lived in Egypt. The only way to get stuff, was to STEAL it. Food, anything. I was an orphan for the first few years of my life, I got found, and put into a orphanage when I was ten, and was already considered a terrorist, and a thief, because I would steal shiny things to get money to live. Then, I got taken by the Government, who wanted us, because they wanted us to be tested, so we could be used against other countries in war. They weren't only looking for me, they were looking for you, because they think you are the best of them, and know all the secrets behind creating more like you, and us" 

"So the A.O.U. wants us dead for many unknown reasons. And the government wants us alive, so they can use us as human weapons." 

"Yeah, that's what we have to stop" 

"Cleo, why haven't you-" 

"Because Cleo doesn't wanna think of it!!! Now Cleo says lets get back to setting up the room" I nod, laughing, with Cleo, as we wonder what the others are doing.