Operation W.A.R.

Chapter 14

-Katherine's POV-

-Why in hell are you calling me?

I actually answered my phone, why did I do that? I am clearly insane.

-Look, Kath, you guys need to give me a chance to explain myself. 

-Why? We clearly figured things out.

-Just tell me where you are so I can get you back here and explain everything? 

What the hell is he trying to do? There is no way that we're going back. Instead of answering, I just hang up. I don't need to do anything anymore. I'm gonna enjoy our new freedom-ish. Putting my phone away, I walk back to the commotion going on with the kids outside. Jack's playing with Harry, Stella is busy with the little brunette, and Branton and Akilah are running around with some other kids. I decide to sit down on the swing, watching everyone be so happy. I just hope that we will be safe here, even though it's a good target for them. Next thing I know, Stella walks up to me and sits down on the swing next to mine.

-Hey.

She looks at me, her eyes filled with worry.

-Hey.

I try to put a smile on my face, but its a little hard, considering all the drama going on in our lives right now. 

-I know that you're probably angry with me, but...

-Nothing. 

I cut her off. 

-I'm not angry, or upset. I was, but not now. 

She's clearly confused, and an actual grin forms on my face.

-I'm determined that not a single guy will get in between our friendship, so all I want to say is that you deserve a good guy like Jack and that I hope you'll be happy.

She's speechless. I hope we can move forward. That way it will be easier to forget all of this. I small smile grows on her face. Thank goodness.

-Really? I mean, that's literally the best thing in the whole world.

Of course she's exaggerating, but I'm happy we're over this. Finally, even though it was only today morning when all this happened.

-Of course. You're my best friend. There's no way I'm losing you.

I stand up and look down at her, still sitting.

-Now, lets have some fun in our old playground.

-Gregory's POV-

She literally hung up the phone. The Katherine I know would never in her right mind do that, but then again, is she in her right mind? Judith is finally awake from the concussion, trying to figure out what to do. 

-Do we have security footage of the city streets? Maybe we'll see where they went.

She suggests, but I shake my head.

-No, we don't. That's for the FBI. 

-How could we get access?

-The only way is through Raquelle giving me permission, for reasons unknown. 

Then it clicks me. She probably would let me, if I came up with an excuse. I could just tell her what happened, and then she would behead me in front of the entire world. Not gonna risk it.

-What's a good excuse to call Raquelle for this?

I ask her, and she looks shocked at me.

-Really? OK. Well, I don't really know. Figure something out. Just hope she won't figure you out. 

Judith stands up from the chair in the room and walks out the door, closing it behind her. What would I tell her? They decided to run off to a party and we're trying to find them. No, too cheesy. Parties are never this early. What else? They went for a jog, but we lost them. Would that make sense? I will never know if I don't try. I take my phone out of my jean pocket. I dial Raquelle's number, memorizing exactly what I'm gonna tell her. Contacting the president of the country was always nerve-wrecking, but was especially difficult right now. She picks up the phone, finally, after what seemed like an eternity.

-Hello, Gregory?

Her feminine voice fills my ears and I start to panic.

-Good day, Mrs. Fountaine. I have a favor to ask of you.

-A favor? What kind of favor would that be?

Even though we were considered friends, the last thing you ever wanted to do was disappoint her. She was the main founder behind the entire operation, so I'm really hoping this works.

-Well, you see, it has to do with the five subjects of the operation. 

-Oh.

I can hear the concern in her voice. I'm shaking. Why am I shaking?

-Well, you see, uhm, we let them go for a walk and a jog. They were getting tired off being cooped up in this facility, you see. 

This is not going the way I hoped.

-And what happened that you need to ask me for a favor?

-They seem to have gone to a place where we do not have camera surveillance, and I was hoping that you would send me a permit to use the FBI's camera footage. Just so that we know that they are safe and we can bring them home. 

I hope she can't hear how much of a lie that really is. They did get out, but not for the reasons I would hope for. I hear her sigh into the speakers.

-Alright. I'll send you a permit. But don't take too much advantage of it. 

I stop shaking immediately. This was much easier than I expected. I just hope she doesn't find out. I could get fired. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Relief washes over me and my shoulders feel lifted, somewhat. 

-Thank you so much. I'll make sure that the operation is still in motion after this.

-Of course you will, Gregory, otherwise things might not end well for anyone. Now, you owe me a favor. 

She hangs up without another word, and I am left in my office. I sit down in front of my computer, opening my e-mail account, waiting for the special message from the president of the country of Aglaria. What a day.