Double Agent

Chapter 16: Reina

Reina tried to shake herself out of her daze, but she couldn't.

She couldn't stand, or move her arms, or even open her eyes. She was no longer someone who could change anything.

Or maybe she could.

Reina listened to the conversation, trying not to cry out. Everything was starting to hurt.

"Help me out," Mr. Sancoy was saying. "I'm just trying to wipe out the UA." But Allie was already shaking her head. "No. That's not what Mom would have wanted! I'm sure she and Camila will forgive each other soon!"

Reina's head pounded, but she had. To. Keep. Paying. Attention...

"WRONG!" Mr. Sancoy shouted. Maeve and Sophie stepped backwards, surprised at his sudden anger. "SERIOUSLY, PLEASE! They have a rivalry that goes back years now. But if you're not going to help, I might as well get rid of the ASO too. All I wanted to do was research and experiment with these animals, and I've already done that. I can survive on the mainland."

He took out his whistle--

Two fists socked him in the back of the head. He spun.

"Go!" Kat shouted to Allie, shoving her, Maeve, and Sophie away. "We'll hold him off!"

"I thought you didn't like us," Maeve mumbled.

"Well, you proved you were nice by not taking his side!" Theo yelled from beside his sister. "Now please, don't distract us!"

Reina, with a sudden burst of energy, hopped up and ran alongside Allie. "Thanks," she told her, but it was drowned out by the sound of glass shattering. That couldn't be good.

Nevertheless, Allie replied, "Don't mention it." The rest of the run was silent, save for panting and, of course, the battle behind them.

When they were far enough away, they slowed to a walk. Sophie took something out of her pocket. It was the whistle. "I'm sure Melanie would like this," she said, smiling. But Reina shook her head. "I think the UA also deserves to take a look." Sophie opened her mouth to say something else, but Allie stopped them.

"We can share," she decided for everyone.

"Here we are," Maeve announced, pointing to the elevator that would lead back to UA headquarters. "See you, Reina." Then, simultaneously, they all noticed something was off.

The elevator doors were held open by fallen spear. A piece of paper was right beside it, and Sophie quickly picked it up.

"Battle tonight for all UA members. This is not a drill. Meet with ASO on the mainland to settle this once and for all. Sincerely, Richard Grehen and Camila Brand." A trail of weapons and equipment led away from the elevator.

Allie gasped. "I never heard anything about a battle!"

"Neither did I," Reina agreed. "But it was probably one of those adults only confidential things."

"I knew about it," Maeve laughed. "I snuck into Melanie's office and there were similar notes." Sophie stared at her. "You broke into Melanie's office!?"

"I didn't break in, I just went in," Maeve answered. "She left the door unlocked when she went for a meeting."

"Okay, this is all very interesting, but we're running out of time here!" Reina exclaimed impatiently. "We can't let them fight!"

They all looked at each other, then bolted across the barren territory as fast as they could.