Only The Goode Spy Forever

Chapter 85: The Hope

  ("God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope." -Hosea 2:15)

  Chase Goode walked through the halls of the academy late at night. He had seen his sister. He made his way to the place where he had been going all along. He entered the Protection and Enforcement barn and began beating the bag.
  He was strong, but his rage was splitting the bag open. He never got to workout alone anymore. He always had guards with him. His parents had put them with him until further notice. They knew that he would try to find Bree.
  Bree. He stopped beating the bag and looked to the spot where he had sat with her just months ago. He recalled a memory.
"Why do you always wear that necklace? It's very pretty, I just want to know if there's meaning behind it," He had said. Chase noticed that Bree wore the same locket with diamonds on it every day. She fingered it whenever she was nervous.
  "It was a gift," Bree had admitted. "Grandpa gave it to my shortly after grandma's funeral. It used to to be hers. She never even took it off. It's special to me."
  Chase had smiled at the beautiful girl. He got up and pulled her to her feet. She gave him a questioning look.
  "Dance with me," Chase said. He turned on their song, Winds of Change by the Scorpions. It had played when they dance together before and it had become their favorite song. They always danced to it.
  "You love me?" Bree asked. She asked Chase all the time. He had never been able to answer her. He thought he would have forever to tell her that he loved her. Forever was shorter than he could imagine.
  Chase shouted and kicked the bag. It flew and when it swung back it nearly hit him. He jumped out of the way just in time. He breathed heavily. Sweat dripped down his face. He dropped to his knees and shouted out in agony. He had lost Bree. He never got to tell her.
  "You should really be more quiet. You could wake someone up," a voice said from behind Chase. He turned and eyed his grandfather leaning against the doorway.
  "What are you doing here?" Chase asked.
  "You're not the only one who's been to Blackthorne before. They destroy your sleep schedule forever," Solomon replied. "I have a feeling your parents would not be happy to hear that you're all alone."
  "Yeah, well I'm tired of never being able to workout alone," Chase grumbled.
  "Maybe I can help teach you some new moves," Solomon offered. Chase chuckled. Solomon raised an eyebrow. "You don't think I can teach you anything?"
  "Nothing that I don't already know. Like you said, we both went to Blackthorne. Their methods don't change," Chase replied.
"Try me," Solomon said with a grin. Chase sighed and threw a punch at Solomon. When he dodged it easily Chase cocked an eyebrow. He punched harder and was stunned when Solomon grabbed his arm and flung him over his head. Chase landed on the ground with a thud.
"How did you do that?" Chase asked. Solomon winked and threw his leg up to kick Chase. Chase grabbed it and countered his weight to make Solomon spin through the air and crash to the ground.
"They don't teach that at the Academy," Joe said with a questioning look. "Zach taught you that."
"How did you know?" Chase asked.
"Who do you think taught him?" Solomon questioned with a chuckle. Chase's mouth dropped open.
"You taught him that?" Chase asked, shock on his face. Joe smile and nodded.
"Your tired. Your leg is still recovering from your injury. We should stop," Joe said. Chase shook his head.
"No, I haven't gotten a good workout in yet," Chase said firmly.
"How long have you been here?" Joe questioned. Chase shrugged. "That's what I thought. Go to bed, Chase. You need to rest."
"No I don't! What I need is to find Bree!" Chase snapped. Joe grinned as if that's what he had been expecting all along.
"That's what I thought," Joe said. Chase cursed himself. Of course Joe would know that Bree was all that he was thinking of.
"I can find her. I know Catherine. I've spent time in the shadows at Blackthorne. I know where to look. How can I just sit back when I know that she's out there?" Chase expressed.
"Your parents are fabulous agents. If anyone can find her it would be them," Joe said. Chase scoffed. Joe raised an eyebrow. "You don't believe me? Chase your father lived with Catherine for years. He knows her possibly better than anyone else in the world. And your mother... well, your mom was Bree. A girl on the run. Your mom got kidnapped by Catherine. She'll be able to find Bree. She knows where to look."
"But what if they're too late?" Chase breathed.
"Ah, so the truth comes out," Joe said. He seemed to weigh the options. "Trust them." Chase fought the urge to roll his eyes. That was impossible. How did his grandpa expect him to trust his parents when they had been looking forever and found nothing? "Come on. Let's go get some coffee."
Chase raised an eyebrow, but followed his grandpa. He entered his grandma/headmistress's office. Rachel was brewing a cup of coffee. She looked up and smiled.
"Good morning kiddo, want some coffee?" She asked. Chase shook his head no.
He couldn't peel his eyes from the coconut cream coffee creamer that sat on the table. That was Bree's favorite. Rachel poured Solomon a cup. He drank it black. That phone rang and the group looked at it questioningly.
"Rachel Solomon," Chase's grandma answered the phone. She jerked her head away from the phone as Chase heard shouting coming through the phone. "Slow down. I'm here with Joe and Chase. I'll put you on speaker." Chase was stunned to hear his mother's voice rushing through the phone.
"Mom, I found something! We don't know if it's big, but I think we're close. We're in Australia. Zach is getting his strength back. I think we're going to leave the safe house and find shelter closer to where we're traveling. I can't say much. I don't have any time. I love you. Tell the kids I love and miss them. Bye," Cammie rushed.
Chase was standing up looking wide eyed at everyone. Joe chuckled and put a hand on him.
"Looks like you might get the girl after all."