Double Agent

Chapter 5: Allie

Allie didn't pay much attention at school that day, even though keeping her cover was supposed to be her first priority. She was too focused on getting that second USB, so when Reina attempted to talk to her, she was quite distracted. "Maggie, you okay?" she was asked seven times, and by the eighth, she was just completely fed up.

"Could you just go for a second?" she snapped. Allie hadn't meant for it to sound angry, but the torrent of emotions--stress, anger worry... it all just tumbled out. Reina looked surprised, and then hurt. She said quietly to Allie, "Fine." Then the bell rang, and as a crowd of students burst out of the science room, Reina followed.

Leaving Allie alone.

And it was very late when she realized how stressed Reina had been, too.

*****

Later that night, Allie sat at her computer screen, chatting with her mom. "I know I don't have much to give, but I already confirmed the database's official coordinates," she promised. "I'm progressing a lot faster than I hoped."

"Well, you're also progressing slower than I'd hoped," her mother said with a sigh. "I thought and hoped you'd have collected what we needed already, or even gotten back! That USB had me hoping that it stored all of the information..."

Allie's spirits sank. Wasn't her mom proud of her? Overnight, she'd studied the USB. It had actually given her the coordinates to the next USB--the UA really needed to up their database security.

"Well, anyway," she mumbled, the second USB is in the gym hidden behind some props on the stage. So... will I have to break into the school again?"

Her mom gave her half a smile. "Have to? No. But knowing you, I'm thinking that you really want to." Allie nodded excitedly, then ended the video call to pack her belongings. She would leave tonight, hopefully.

It was 10:00 at night, but Underground was darker than she'd expected. Allie shivered. She wasn't used to this level of eerie silence or pitch blackness. Even at midnight, the Air cities were filled with some sunshine. Her last break-in to Tulipton was also at only about 7:00, so some lights had been on.

But not now.

Walking through the dark tunnel-streets gave Allie plenty of time to gather her thoughts. Why had Reina been so stressed? It wasn't like she had a certain USB to worry about. She was also just a normal kid. However, despite her stress, she'd still asked if Allie was okay.

Well, technically Maggie, because that's who Reina thought she was. But still, Allie felt horrible knowing that she'd treated Reina like an enemy instead of a friend. Guilt and regret filled her mind, the scene where she'd shouted at Reina playing over and over again in her mind.

Before she knew it, the school came into sight. Strangely, when she tried the front door, it was unlocked. Allie frowned. Something was up, and she wanted to find out. Also, if she chickened out now, she'd be letting down her mom and whoever was sent to pick her up--not to mention the entire ASO.

The door creaked as she entered, shattering the quiet that had been settled across the whole school. Allie flinched. If someone caught her now...

She shook off her fear and ran in the direction of the gym. But when she got there...

The kindergarten hallway?

She must have gone the wrong way, and for some reason, that spooked her. Why did Tulipton have to be so much harder to navigate after dark?

Finally, she reached the gym. She reached out to turn the handle.