ILLEGAL

Chapter 10

As I opened the heavy door to the computer room, there was a dark shadow against the other wall. It stepped forward, almost menacingly. The lights were off, only blue screens casting an eery glow everywhere else. Wires and tubes pulsed with energy, all of the information that there has been available at my wish.

I turned back to the shadow. I tilted my head, looking at the dark figure. It motioned me over by snapping it's fingers against it's palm. I sighed. Flipping on the lights, I mumbled,"Oh my god, stop being a creepy-ass butterfly."

Golden light bathed Cody's face. He was laughing, and I rolled my eyes as I set my bag down."Damn it, Cole,"He chuckled, then frowned."Wait, why butterfly? Since when the hell am I a butterfly?"

I didn't even look at him as I got out my laptop."Since I knew you would hate it if I called you a butterfly." I looked up at him.

His mouth was a straight line."That's hilarious. I'm dying of laughter,"He monotonically said. I giggled.

"So,"He announced, holding his arms out like he wanted a hug."What is so important that you drew me away from my life?"

I scowled."Like you had anything more important to do."

He dropped his hands."Not really. Anyways,"I laughed."Seriously, what's up."

I fiddled around with the zipper on my jacket."Well, you know that ass that I'm working with?"

He nodded.

"Well, it turns out that...his rank...is somehow...higher than mine." This was a touchy subject for me.

Cody nodded casually."So he's better than you at this?"

My jaw dropped and I slapped Cody across the face."I did not say that!"I thundered.

"OW!"Cody howled, rubbing his face."God. Bitches be crazy."

I yelled at him,"Don't ever say that! It's a lie! Don't you ever assume that anyone, especially him, loves this job more than I do!"

Cody was still rubbing his face, but he was more serious."I said 'better at', not 'loves more'. You can control the second, but not the first. Someone may be more physically or mentally advanced than you are, and,"He coughed."And I am..."

I readied my hand to smack him again. He held his hands up in defense, squeezing his eyes closed as he finished," But that doesn't mean anyone can work harder than you, or love it more."

I slowly lowered my hand."Thanks, Cody."I muttered. Then, remembering what I was here for, I perked up."But anyways, I need you to change my rank."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me! I need you to change my rank."I ordered him firmly.

Mouth parted, Cody looked at the computer screen, no doubt trying to think of a way to convince me otherwise."Cole...that's, that's some serious shit right there. When you get caught-"

"If I get caught," I corrected.

"Sure. But this is...this is crazy. Ranks aren't just a 'oh, I think I want to move up now' type of thing. To G.O.E.S., this is your job, this is how they divide up our country's money on spies, this is how-"

"Dude, I know. I've been in the company longer than you have."

"By two months!"

"Whatever."

He shook his head."Cole, this is...you could fired! I could get fired,"

"But we won't!"I tried to convince him.