The Risen | ✅

Chapter Eleven

"So it's all settled then?" Carol asked me for the fifth time.

"Yes."

"And you're sure you want her to take over?"

"Positive."

"Because from what I've seen between you two-"

"Carol, I know that Hailey and I haven't gotten along well in the past, but what I'm doing is not for me, right now. It's for the good of the mission. Hailey is the only person I can think of who's really and truly capable of doing what's right for the mission like I was. It doesn't matter if we're close friends or not."

Carol nodded, seeming to finally understand that I had made up my mind and I was firm with my decision. "I'll see that it's arranged. Would you like me to bring her in here for you? So you two can talk about this? Make sure she knows the responsibility and all that?"

I thought about it for a minute before nodding. "Sure. I guess it is good to make sure we're on the same page with this thing."

Carol nodded again and wrote one more thing down on her clipboard before walking out the room, the clacking of her high heels echoing as she walked down the hall.

I let out a breath that I hadn't realized I'd been holding. It was true, Hailey and I didn't always see eye to eye, but that didn't really matter right now. I'd been on bed rest for one whole day now, but that didn't stop Mrs. Florence from breathing down my neck to get my replacement ready soon. So I had to make a choice: Hailey or Alex.

Alex was more than capable of shouldering the mission itself. It's the people on it that he would let get to him. I know Alex and I also know that he doesn't like having to be responsible for other's lives. If one person was to even get mildly hurt on his watch, he'd flip and spiral out of control. His anxiety would dig him a pit so deep, he might not be able to get out of it for a long time.

I remembered what he was like during our original days on the run, how desperate he was to keep everyone safe. How he was more than willing to go back for Evanora, even if it meant he would get killed in the process, how he was worried sick to see me and Victor get ourselves nearly killed by Parker and his crew.

He couldn't handle things like that like Hailey could. So the choice was obvious.

"You called for me?"

I looked up towards the door to see Hailey leaning in the doorframe, an impassive, almost bored look on her face.

"Um, yes." I began, sitting up a bit straighter. I hated when people I weren't close to see me in a wounded state. It made me feel...weak. "Yes, I did."

She raised one of her arched eyebrows questioningly, silently coaxing me to hurry up and stop wasting her time.

"So, I'm not sure if you've already been told this or not, but I've been put on a missions hiatus for the time being and I'm being forced to put someone else in charge during my absence. I've weighed my options and I've decided that you are the best option for the title."

"Weighed your options..." Hailey repeated. "You make it sound like I was your last resort, which I probably was, but I could really care less at this point." She said with a coldness that could rival her mother's. "Whatever. I get it. Please, don't waste your time giving me your shitty, "This is important to me so don't fuck it up" speech. I've heard it a thousand times before. I won't mess up your postponed revenge plan, Princess."

Hailey turned around and was making her way towards the door before I called out to her. "Wait!" I practically yelled. She stopped in her tracks and let out an annoyed sigh before turning around and crossing her arms.

"I, uh...I wanted to apologize for being a major bitch to you that day, when you were trying to thank me."

Haley gave me a big bright, fake smile. "Well, then, in that case, all of our bad blood is now behind us! I'm glad we got that out of the way!" She rolled her eyes.

"Look, okay, I was...I was dealing with some stuff and I lashed out that the first thing that mildly pissed me off and unfortunately, that thing happened to be you, so-"

"Oh! That's good to know!"

"No, Hailey, I'm serious!" I said, raising my voice. I shrunk back a bit, mentally cursing myself because I'd surely screwed up any chance I had at apologizing, but it seemed to grab her attention, though because she stood up straighter and stiffened up.

"Look, I had no right to snap at you, okay? I know that you were just trying to be nice and I just kind of..."

"Made me seem like a fool?" Hailey finished.

"Yeah," I nodded. "And I didn't mean it, Hailey I swear. I was just stressed out. Everything that was happening at that moment, it's passed now, and without it clouding my mind I can clearly see that I was a huge ass for doing that to you and I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry."

Hailey was quiet for a moment as she lightly bit her bottom lip as she thought everything over. "its fine, Circe. She said finally in a soft tone. "Things are rough all over, I guess. We just need time to smooth it all out." Without another word, she walked out of the room.

I smiled softly. Maybe this 'Hailey in charge' thing won't be so bad after all.