FINALE
Local time : 10:40 am Thursday – Nashville, TN
(Sam's POV)
This might be the last day I'd watch over him.
I have to leave this place.
But before I could do that, I don't only have to find the information from Ben Peterson, but to cease that ticking bomb.
I walk around the campus and saw Andy at the soccer field.
Alone.
He's all alone, he wears his uniform playing with the ball.
Sighs. "I see, he still has a heart for playing soccer…"
(Flashback) 2010
Me and Andy are sitting on a swing.
"Why do you always listen to this?" Andy asks me as I'm turning the radio's volume up. Since my favorite song plays.
(Playing : "Nashville TN" by Chris Stapleton)
I smile. "I like calm songs like this, and someday, I want to go to Nashville, Tennessee…"
"Is Nashville a nice place?" A seven year old curious Andy asked me.
I chuckle. "Of course! Someday we'll go there, together."
Andy cheerfully answered. "I can't wait for that day!!!"
"Hey, Andy. Tell me…what do you want to be someday?"
He place his index finger right beside his left eye, posing like he was thinking. "Hmmm… I want to be a soccer player!!!"
"Really? Why?" I lean down to him.
"I love soccer! Whenever I play it, I feel like I'm the best in the world!"
(End of Flashback)
What was I thinking? I shouldn't have told him he'd help me.
I shouldn't involve him, especially if it's about his Father.
After all, he needs to have a normal life. I think he's okay now. I don't wanna be that someone who will ruin his life.
Local time : 8:57 am Friday – Nashville, TN
(Andy's POV)
I kick the ball and it went too far from me.
Cause of tiredness, I sit down on the ground panting and catching my breath.
(Breathes heavily)
"That's one kind of a kick right there…" Someone said from behind me.
She shows up in front of me holding the ball.
I lift my head up and see no one but her.
"Cindy…" I said.
She sits down still holding the ball.
"Why are you here?" I asked her.
"I'm the one who's gonna have to ask you that. Why are you still here? You have to find him."
"Find who?" I'm confused.
"Here." She hands me a paper. It turns out that it's a photo. "It's from Reese Morgan… he left it at the bleachers where I last saw him."
"Reese Morgan?" I furrow my eyebrows.
"Yesterday, he watched you play here for almost an hour. I believe you know each other."
I look at her. "Why are you doing this?"
She sighs. "I don't want you to lose someone who's close to you…"
"But I already lost you —"
"You thought wrong, Andy. You never lose me and for the record, I never leave. I'm still here, someone you can lean on…"
I smiled and she smiled back. "He's an interesting person. How'd you know him?"
"I don't know about him that much. But I know he's someone who's different from anyone I've ever met."
"He sure is different…"
"So, get up and do your thing, Andy Peterson." She passed me the ball and she stood up.
"Good luck."
"Cindy…"
(Flashback)
"Freshmen, prepare yourselves for an individual interview. Ready your costumes!"
I'm so nervous and I'm trembling. What if I couldn't answer the questions and can't able to present?
I'm closing my eyes and someone pokes me.
"May I?" she is holding a wired headphones with a smile.
I just look at her and she plug those in to my ears. She plays a calm song. Once the song plays, I look at her.
"I don't usually listen to calm songs. But whenever I'm nervous, country songs like this calms my heartbeat slowly."
I don't know what to respond to her since I'm too trapped by the song that I finally hear again for the first time in 5 years, this song brings back memories.
Memories that was made a very long time ago, but I still wish for it to be back.
"Are you playing a role of a soccer player?" she looks at my costume.
I just nod.
"Good luck with your presentation! All you gotta do with the ball is to pick and kick it like you're the boss!"
(End of Flashback)
Cindy turns around and looks at me.
"Hmmm?"
"About a long time ago…" I sheepishly laugh.
"Nothing, just… thank you."
She smiles and left.
I smile and sigh. But then I remembered what she called him lately. Scoffs. "Reese Morgan? Not a bad name."
(Phone rings)
My Father's Assistant is calling. It's definitely a call for me to go home now, as usual.
"Father…" I didn't answer the phone and called my so-called friends.
"Honky tonks?" I said and added. "Great. 7 pm." Hangs up.
(Ben Peterson's POV)
"Sir, we have tracked a CIA pen. Somewhere near at the University."
"What? What would an agent be doing at a university?" I pause for a moment. "Andy… that asshole. Call him!"
"Yes, Sir."
Local time : 10 am — Nashville, TN
(Sam's POV)
I'm packing my things and I was startled from the aggressive knocking on my door.
No one knows my address.
Who would—
"It's me! Cindy Miranda."
I roll my eyes and exhale. "This girl, really —"
I opened the door. "Why are you here?"
"First, please let me in…" she sneak in and looks around.
"Wow. You live here? It's very empty and gloomy…"
"What do you want? And how the heck did you get to know my address?"
"The school registrar. And I'm quite an expert in computer terms. I found out you'll leave there…" she sits down. "You might find me a little weird —"
"I do…"
She looks at me and she looks a bit shocked. "I take breakfast for days now, isn't that more weirder?"
I just stand here saying nothing.
She added. "You're right. After all, no matter how long your day's gonna be, breakfast is a must."
"So, you came all the way here just to talk about breakfast?" I said.
Her eyes widen. "Oh, right! Today's Friday and…" she picks up something from her bag.
A mini calendar. "It is Friday and it's already pass 10, it's probably open now! Let's go!"
She grabs my wrist carelessly.
"W-wait… what did you say? Go where?"
"Somewhere here. It's just few blocks away, so no worries—"
"And who told you I'd come with you?" I raise my eyebrows.
She sighs. "Just come with me!"
---
Local time : 10:40 am – Nashville, TN
Frist Art Museum –
(Cindy's POV)
As soon as we arrive here at the Museum, he couldn't take his eyes off the surroundings and couldn't say anything.
His facial expressions looks different than he usually has, he went from fierce to innocent curious look.
(Flashback)
"Cindy… just a little something to share with you…" Andy said.
"Hmmm?"
"He may look intimidating, but he has his favorite things…" he looks down then looks at me. "Other than dancing, and music… he likes art too. Isn't it an additional reason why he's interesting?"
I respond with a laugh.
(End of Flashback)
He really does like to be here.
I exhaled. "I see, you seem to like it here…"
He just looks around. It doesn't look like he's smiling but his eyes couldn't hide the happiness he feels to what he's seeing right now.
"Back then, my sister always told me she wanted to come here with me. But I never had a chance to…"
He looks at me.
"I was always wondering what's she's busy for… she was just 16 and I'm only 5." I sigh heavily.
I think it's time to give this to him.
I smiled. "I think this belongs to you." I show him the pen.
He just took the pen.
(Sam's POV)
She glances at her wrist and whispered. "Ah, right… the exit in…" she then looks at me.
"I'll never see you again but I know you won't blurt anything to me, so I'll be the one who's gonna say it…" she holds her breath. "It's nice meeting you, Reese Morgan. I pray for your safety. Good luck wherever you'll go." She bows.
She left but as soon as she is 10 meters away from me, she waves her hand walking backwards.
Sighs.
(Ben Peterson's POV)
"Sir, I'm sorry to say this but the tracker is no longer working."
"What do you mean not working?!!!"
"Someone must have disabled the tracker. We can no longer track Sam McKee —"
"You fools should be the ones who have to work!!!!!."
(Warning sign alert)
"The VIP room was locked, sir. And the data has been hacked."
"What?!!!!! The remote control?!!!"
"It's missing, Sir."
I think for a second. "Andy. That son of a b****, ready the crew. Let me find this rookie myself."
Local time : 7:54 pm – Nashville, TN
(Sam's POV)
I'm getting ready. Taking my briefcase with me.
I noticed my pen is missing something. It seems like someone has opened this.
I furrow my eyebrows out of confusion. "Isn't this a tracker? A broken one? wait —"
(Flashback)
"And I'm quite an expert in computer terms."
(End of Flashback)
Exclaims. "Cindy…"
- Exit/In –
(Cindy's POV)
"I don't think we need to see each other again."
His words kept repeating on my mind.
(Flashback)
"I promise I'll be back after my assignment. Okay? You and I will definitely be together and go to anywhere you like!" My sister said as she leans down to me.
I frown at the thought of not seeing her again for a time I can't predict. She's been smiling since lately but I can see how tearful her eyes were.
"Don't worry, I'll wait for you…" I said trying to hold back my tears.
She smile and gives me a tight hug. "Wear this and never take it off. It's very dear like you are to sis, mkay?" she made me wear a necklace. A key shaped one.
She added. "Once I'll make it work… I know you will get it, too." She smiles. "I love you, okay?"
And that was the last time I saw my sister.
Her bright smile with a sad teary eyes.
Years passed by, she still hasn't come back. I thought this was the longest time that we're apart from each other, but it turns out, she never came back.
(End of Flashback)
Sighs. "Why do I feel like this is the time of something she said to me?" I rolled my eyes and sigh. "No, no I can't do this… not without her, I—" I fell down on my knees in the middle of the performance.
Everyone was shocked that someone just grabs my hand and lift me up.
I turn to look and see no one else but him.
"Reese Morgan…"
He didn't say anything and just drags me somewhere.
(Panting)
"Did they find you?" panting.
I looked at him. "Aren't you even gonna ask me who I am and what I do?" I said.
"Does that matter now?" he's busy looking around.
"I thought you said we shouldn't see each other again."
He looks at me and points a gun at me.
My eyes widen and he comes closer to me and covers my ears.
(Shoots the Door knob)
I flinched by the sound of the gun. He whispers. "You okay?"
I nodded twice.
We went to a dark corner and he fixes something.
"How'd you know I'm here?" I asked him.
"Can you not ask such questions for just a day?"
"If only you'll just answer me once I asked you, it'd be more easy —"
"You…" he's trying to catch his breath then looks at me. "I had to go and see Andy… but why in the world did I chose to see you if they'd get you?"
I just look at him without blinking.
A group of guys with guns are coming towards us.
He turn to look at them and was about to face them but —
(Door slides)
(Sam's POV)
A door was closed that made a block from them.
"Cue! Yep, that's your call, Sir." Someone just voice out to my earphones.
"Warren?" I said.
"Yes, sir. Your tech-boy is here."
"How did you —"
"Didn't you said "cue", sir? Or was it "YOU"?
I chuckled. "Thanks, Warren."
"Nah, Sir. Let's just say an old friend of yours called a help for you…"
I pause for a moment. "Andy…"
I left there and went to Honky tonks.
"Andy… where are you?" I look around and saw him at the exit door.
"Andy!!!" I run towards him.
He smiles as soon as he saw me.
"Well, look who's here." He lean his head to the wall.
"Andy, what happened?"
"I think I finally thought about it and wanna save a city." He laughs. "Here…" he hands me something. A cartoon of cigarettes.
I looked at him with a furrowed eyebrows.
"It's not what you think it is… I took that from Father's VVIP room." He smirk. "More of them will come here anytime soon. But don't worry, I'll take care of them…"
"What do you mean don't worry —" he cuts me off.
"Cindy…" he went serious. "She's the one who disabled the tracker. I knew that she's gon' be there so I went here for a reason, I knew you'll go to see her first…"
"How much do you know about her?"
Andy scoffs. "She knows me well than anyone in the University. She helped me out a lot but I couldn't even protect her…" he sighs. "My Father… he invaded her privacy and information, I don't wanna get her in trouble. So, I told him not to bother her anymore and I just chose to shut her out."
He added. "Go back to her, she's probably waiting for you."
---
Local time : 8 pm – Nashville, TN
(Cindy's POV)
Cold wind blows, brushing through my hair.
The happenings lately was so sudden to me. I don't wanna go home. I can't control my mind.
I lift up my head and a car stopped by in front of me.
There I see him.
He opened the car window and I just look at him.
Sighs.
(Sam's POV)
"You shouldn't come back here…" She said while we're heading somewhere. "I have to go home!!!" she raised her voice.
I sigh while my eyes are on the road. "As if you wanted to…"
She went silent.
"Look…" I sigh heavily. "They can't see you… they'll come at you once they know where you live."
"Where are you taking us?" she asked.
"Somewhere far from here…" I look at her and she just stares at me with a worry face.
"What's the place you badly wanna go?" I asked her unconsciously.
She looks at me and happily answers. "Well… my sister said beautiful places can bring you some peace. Cheekwood is more beautiful than you could ever imagine…"
I pause for a second and smile. "Alright. Let's take you there."
"But it's still 10 in the evening —"
I look at her. And she said. "Are you alright driving at this hour? It's just that…" she sighs and whispers. "I get so sleepy easily… I can't stay up late."
(Cindy's POV)
He laughs.
"Did you just —" scoffs. "Did you just laugh?"
"Let's turn up some music so you won't get sleepy right away…" he grins and fixes the speaker.
He looks at me. "But once you're really, really sleepy, just… sleep already."
He added. "I wake up early, you know… as early as 5."
I smiled at him. "Let's just hope my favorite song will come out…" I fix my posture into a comfortable one.
He sighs. "This is gonna be a long drive…"
(Playing : "Polaroid" by Jonas Blue, Liam Payne, Lennon Stella)
Local time : 10:18 pm – Nashville, TN
While driving and listening to the song that plays, a thought came in my mind.
"This song is a good one…" I said staring at the road's view.
I added. "I'm still sleepy though…" I squeeze my eyes and shook my head.
I then blurt out something. "Is there something you wanna do once this is all over? I mean… you've got a quite job…"
"You know nothing about me…" he said plainly.
I nodded. "You're right… but I know what you do."
He looks at me. Then I added. "Don't worry, you're not the only one I know who's like this…"
(Sam's POV)
(Next song playing: "Nashville, TN" by Chris Stapleton)
As soon as the intro of the song plays, we both hold the volume button the same time.
We look at each other then I look away. Clears throat. "I guess you know that song…"
She sighs. "It's actually the one I've been waiting for…"
I look at her.
(Cindy's POV)
"My sister… I used to listen to this song whenever she's with me. I always turn this up so she was wondering why am I always listening to it. She said whenever she's away to train, I'd listen to this so I could still feel she's with me." I look down holding the necklace she gave to me. "So, until now I still am listening to this song…"
He sighs.
I look at him. "What about you? You seem to like this, too."
"I'm just… curious about the melody. It seems… familiar to me." He didn't look at me.
"How about we listen to this…" he glance beside him. He plugged a flash drive and turns it in to a 'Flash drive mode'.
(Playing : "Home" by Phillip Phillips)
Local time : 1:48 am
The tone is calm and relaxing.
All ears to the song with every bit of it. Every lyrics.
"Just know you're not alone, cause I'm gonna make this place your Home."
As I'm listening to the music, I couldn't help but look at him.
He then looks at me. But this time, with his eyes smiling. "We're almost there…"
(Sam's POV)
I turn to look at her but she fell asleep already.
(Smiles)
- Natchez trace parkway –
Local time : 3:54 am
We're now driving through the Natchez trace Parkway. Safely.
During our trip, I never lose an outlook around us.
Andy just let me know they were searching for us.
I can't let them get her.
"We're already —" she cuts me off.
"Are you seeing this?! We're driving in the road of Natchez trace parkway~" she said with her head near the window.
"I know. I'm the one who's driving, right?" I said.
"Ahhh" Yawning and stretching. "I had a short but good sleep." She then looks at me. "Aren't you sleepy anyway?" she waves her hand in the air.
I shoo her hands away. "Ay, I said I'm fine. I can only sleep at this hours anyway…"
"What? What do you mean?"
I sigh. "It's just… you know, I got so much junk in my head and just a little headache." He added. "So, I usually go to bed at 4 or 5…"
"What do you mean "JUST"? It obviously means you're very tired —"
"I have a Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome… that's why…" I stop the car. And look at her.
"That's why you said you always wake up this early? Because the thing is you just fell asleep during those hours?" she sighs. "You've got bad habits…"
"What do you mean bad habits —"
"Quit caffeine and go for milk or tea… tsk tsk tsk…" she gets out of the car.
I pause for a moment. "How does she know I'm into coffees?" I rolled my eyes. "What am I saying —"
I got out, too. I proceed to the back of the car and checked the weapons back there.
And don't forget about my briefcase.
I closed it and she comes to me. "Were those guns?"
"Shhhh… someone might hear you…"
"Oh, sorry." She holds her mouth. "Aren't those Sig Sauer's P288?"
"We are not really required to use those." I proceed to the passenger seat to get my bag.
She follows me and I turn to look at her. "How'd you know about those things?"
"My sister's an expert about it. She knows a lot of things…"
I look at her in the eye and gave her a sincere smile. "Well, I may not from here but I know a good place to stay for a bit…"