The next day, it was time to go home. Keagan's leg was fully healed and he was more than ready to continue his adventure.
"Sweet! Where shall we go today?" Keagan asked, leaning against the taxi.
Fred, who was loading their bags into the boot, stopped his movements
.
"Today? We're literally getting home by 9 p.m.! Imagine all that jet lag and exhaustion. No one can survive that!"
Keagan rolled his eyes. "I have waited for my comeback quite patiently. I deserve to have some excitement."
"Let's ask the rest. Majority wins. After all, democracy theoretically gives a chance for everybody to have a say in this stupid plan."
The both of them jumped into the backseat of the taxi. Bob was seated at shotgun whereas Sarah took the seat with them.
"So, are you guys into some action tonight?"
Bob stared at Keagan, mouth wide, through the front mirror.
"Are you insane?"
Keagan groaned in dissatisfaction. "No, I'm not. I'm just looking for extra fun!"
"No! You're leading us to a death trap! Everyone would be extremely tired and groggy so it's not possible!"
"I could just go myself and all of you just stay in the car. When I yell out the safe word, you just need to interrupt the party and save me."
"You and I both know that you are mentally incapable to carry out these life risking adventures alone."
Keagan scoffed. "Excuse me, are you calling me a child?"
"Strictly speaking, yes. But, I think the term infant fits your mentality better.."
"I am not a child you nutcase! I'm a grown man who is perfectly capable in doing extraordinary things!"
"As if. The first time we had our adventure, you were so distracted that Fred had to knock your head!"
"What do you mean? I was not distracted at all. My mind was absolutely clear."
"Yeah, yeah. You can keep denying it but what happened cannot be simply forgotten."
"I really didn't do anything!"
Keagan and Bob continued bickering. Fred merely stared at his childish teammates, shaking his head.
"Sarah, you are awfully quiet today," Fred stated with his eyebrows raised.
"Uh- yeah. I'm just...enjoying the um, summer here," Sarah stuttered.
"I see. Yay or nay for this ridiculous proposition?"
"I guess...yay? I mean, as long as he doesn't get caught…"
Fred's ears perked up spontaneously.
"Caught? What do you mean?"
"Nothing! I just thought since Keagan's basically up in the news everywhere, it's not entirely impossible for him to be caught anytime."
"But your words seem to have some hidden meanings. What metaphorical phrases are you trying to flaunt this time?"
"What? I-" Sarah tried explaining but she was cut off by the loud shushing sound by Keagan.
"Taxi driver's here."
The taxi driver entered the taxi and said, "I'm sorry for the delay, folks! Unfortunately, I had some urgent business to attend to. But no worries, it's all settled now."
"Let's just hustle to the airport. We can't afford to miss our flight," Fred replied sharply.
"Alright. Fasten your seatbelts everybody. This will be a wild car ride." The driver adjusted the front mirror, sending a wink to all of them.
Fred raised his eyebrow in suspicion, for that wink was clearly sending a message to either one of them. It was the same tactic he's seen numerous times when he had to deal with higher-ups.
He looked to his left and right, where Keagan and Sarah were sitting respectively.
Nothing seemed to be amiss. Keagan was looking out the window while Sarah had her eyes closed, indicating that she's decided to retire into her dreamland.
Maybe he was just paranoid.
Fred leaned back and let out a sigh, discreetly crossing his fingers.
::::::::::::::
"And here we are! Rise and shine everybody!"
Keagan, who had fallen asleep on Fred's shoulder, opened his eyes and instinctively slapped Fred.
"Ow, what was that for?" Fred cried in annoyance.
"How could you take advantage of me while I'm sleeping? I never took you for a person who attacks others when they're at the most vulnerable moment!"
Fred scrunched his nose. "Take advantage of you? Me?"
"Yes! Don't pretend to be confused, you pervert! I won't buy your dirty tricks!"
Fred tilted his head to one side and scratched his head. "I wouldn't be confused if you could explain in what way have I made you feel violated.And no, this is no trick. I'm genuinely puzzled."
Keagan scoffed. "I woke up to see my head laying on your shoulder!"
Silence engulfed the atmosphere. Keagan glared at Fred.
Then,
Everyone laughed heartily, except Keagan of course.
"Are you sick in the head? You were the one who kept nodding off. As the good-hearted person I am, I volunteered my shoulder as your pillow. And what did I get at the end? I don't even need you to be gratified!"
Keagan shaped his mouth into an 'O'.
"You could've said so earlier!"
"How would I know that your first instinct was to hit me?"
Keagan rolled his eyes. "Whatever, it was your fault."
He grabbed the door handle and tried opening it. Keagan wanted to imitate that one dramatic exit in those movies with all those explosions and very loud sound effects in the background even though he had no bomb whatsoever.
But there was one problem.
The door wouldn't budge.
"Hey Mr. Taxi Driver? I'll appreciate it if you could unlock the door for me? I'm kind of in a hurry to get on the plane now."
The driver smirked as he reached out for something in his pocket. "No rush. We can take our time."
"What do you mean?"
The driver chuckled and said tauntingly, "I'm an agent sent by the FBI. And guess what? I've finally got you in my hands, infamous K. I must say, you are an excellent runner. Unfortunately, your only flaw is that you're too gullible and easily manipulated."
All of their eyes widened in horror as the driver showed them his ID.
"Oh sh*t."