"Octavia Davis and Makayla Reyes, you're both under arrest for the murder of seven civilians,"
Ava and I glanced at each other. "Gentlemen, I'm sure there have been a misunderstanding somewhere," I said to them, gripping the cane a little.
"We'll clarify that once we get to the station," one said and brought out the handcuffs.
I hit his face with the cane twice, knocking him out as Ava took out the other one.
"Sorry guys," I said to their unconscious bodies as Ava dragged me out. We hurried towards the exit, then hid as we saw three more agents questioning the receptionist. The glass door was only a few metres away, but we would have to walk through the reception to get to it.
Then I saw a wheelchair. Just across us. I told Ava the plan and she nodded and took the chair. I sat down on it and took someone's scarf as Ava wheeled me out, snatching a doctor's coat in the process.
And that's how we left the hospital. A black car stopped in front of us as we exited.
"Get in!" Cole yelled. We entered the car and he drove off.
"Not bad," a voice said from the passenger seat. A very familiar voice.
"What's she doing here?" Ava asked, not bothering to hide the venom in her voice.
"Well good morning to you too," Ruby said sarcastically.
"The cabin was no longer safe," he replied, "so we had to move to the address Mark sent. All our stuffs are in the back."
"Yeah but does she really have to come?" Ava asked. He looked quietly at me through the rearview mirror.
"She helped Bryan to kidnap me. And despite being annoying as hell, there's a chance she knows a lot more. So believe me, I'm not exactly thrilled either," I said, "besides, we might also get to clear our name from this,"
"Don't worry darling," Ruby said to Ava, smirking and raising her hands, which were in cuffs, "I don't bite."
Ava scoffed and looked out the window, but didn't say anything. I sighed exasperatedly. This is going to be another long day.
----------
Mark's pov
"Hey guys," I breathed out, "I came here as soon as I could,"
"Where have you been all night?" Derek questioned.
"Doesn't matter, I want all units to this location." A new guy said and handed a piece of paper to Derek. He nodded and got to work immediately before I had the chance to see what was on the paper.
"Senior Special Agent Michael Raymond," he extended his arm and I took it, still confused. "I'm in charge of the case now since Agent Cornwell is on suspension. I heard you were friends with one of our suspects, Makayla Reyes am I right?"
"Yeah," I said uncertainly, still trying to figure him out. He should be a few years older than me though. He started walking towards James office—which should be his office now. I trailed closely behind.
"That's great. I'm putting you in charge of all search units," then he turned to face a very stunned me, "find them and bring them to justice." And with that he entered the office, closing the door. What exactly is he playing at? Putting me in charge of hunting Kayla?
"That's our new team leader," I turned to see Amanda beside me, also staring at the door.
"So I've heard," I sighed and started walking towards the bullpen. She followed.
Then she glanced around and whispered, "For the record, I don't think Kayla killed those people, no of us do." I looked at her.
"Really?" I asked, a bit surprised.
"Of course. Kayla can be a bit insufferable but killing randomly isn't her thing," she said, then whispered, "don't tell her I said that."
I stiffened, "I don't–"
"Come on Mark," she cut in, "We all know you're the first person Kayla would call if she was in any kind of trouble," she stated. I sighed.
"Look Amanda, I–"
"I'm not asking you to turn her in," she said and turn to me, "look we can stall some time, enough for her to clear her name. In the meantime, keep her out of sight if not, there will be nothing we can do,"
I looked at her surprisingly. "Why would you risk this?"
"You're not the only one friends with Kayla. Call me if you need me," she said and walked off, leaving me smiling amusedly.
They never cease to surprise me.
---------
Kayla's pov
"This is it," Cole said as we all stared at the cottage. It was located in a small quiet neighbourhood, at the countryside.
"How come I've never been here?" I asked rhetorically.
"Well it appears you're not the only one who keeps secrets," Ava said and went to the trunk of the car, pulling out our bags.
What's she talking about?
"Attitude am I right?" Ruby said beside me. I looked at her. "What?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Geez you all are no fun," she said and left towards the house. I sighed and went to the trunk.
"Here, let me help you with that," I offered. She looked at me amusedly.
"And how exactly do you plan on carrying it?" She asked looking at the cane.
I mentally facepalmed myself, "Well I...."
"Relax," she chuckled, closing the trunk, "I've got it covered,"
"But how will you—oh," I said as Cole took most of the bags from her.
"Come on in," he said and walked off Then I saw her lips twitch up as she followed suite.
We reached the door where Ruby stood. "Finally. My legs are starting to itch,"
Cole checked the lock. "It requires a password," he said.
"Well type it in," I said. He looked at me as if he realised something.
"Shit," he cursed.
"You don't know the password do you,"
I clarified. Well shit indeed.
"I thought you did," he defended.
"I just said I've never been here before," I pointed out.
"So that's it, we're stranded," Ruby said then scoffed, "And you call yourselves special agents."
"That's it," Ava dropped the bags and I struggled to restrain her from punching Ruby, while the latter kept on making annoying faces.
"Guys! Just...stop making this difficult," I said.
"She started it," Ruby muttered under her breath. I glared. She raised her cuffed hands and backed away. I sighed.
"Try hamburger," I told Cole. They all looked at me. "It's his favourite," I shrugged. He tried it and it worked.
"And apparently his password for everything," I added as we walked in.
It was homely as it could. There was a table surrounded by six chairs in a corner. The kitchen was visible from the living room. And there were two rooms facing each other at the far end. There were also other rooms upstairs Then I went up the stairs, which proved very difficult might I add. I walked carefully, holding the wooden rail. Then I slipped.
"Careful," Ava said as she caught my arm just in time.
"Thanks," I said and she helped me climb up.
"So, how are you feeling?" She asked as we reached the top.
"Doesn't hurt that much anymore," I answered. She turned to me.
"I'm not talking about your leg," she clarified. I looked at her confusedly. "How's your head?" She asked and I stiffened.
"It's p-perfectly fine thanks," I said and tried to leave but she held me.
"I'm not stupid Kayla. What were you diagnosed with?" She asked. I chuckled nervously.
"I'm not sick, if that's what you're saying," I lied. She looked at my hand, then back up at me.
"You have a neurosurgeon as a doctor. And the conversation you both had showed something was off, like you were hiding something," she told.
"I'm not sick," I said. She stared at me.
"You rub your ring when you lie," she pointed out.
"That's not true," I scoffed. She quirked an eyebrow.
"You're doing it now," she said. I glanced at my left hand, and sure enough I was. I sighed.
"Not here," I said and glanced down the stairs. She caught on and dragged me towards a room. Then locked the door.
"So?" She asked, folding her arm and leaning on door.
I sat on the bed, "Someone's lived here recently," I declared.
"Not working Reyes," she said.
"Fine," I sighed then began, "Two years ago I was diagnosed with something that could kill me should I stress my brain a lot,"
She slowly sat down on the chair in the room slightly knowing where this was going. "Which is?" She asked.
I looked at her, "A brain tumour."
She softly gasped. I continued, "The thing is, the doctors didn't know what type but something was clearly disturbing my brain, causing me to hallucinate and have seizures. That's when I met Evelyn. She was the only one who prescribed something for the headaches and hallucinations."
"Can't they get it out?" She inquired.
"That's the problem, the tumour couldn't be found but yet it seems to affect most of my brain especially the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for working the memory. Hence, the hallucinations and illusions." I explained.
"How much time do you have left?" She quietly asked, after a moment.
"Well if I didn't stress my brain too much I'd have just enough time to James finally wed his long term fiancee, but since that wasn't the case, I'd say only a few months," I answered.
"Who else knows?" She asked, her voice quivering.
"Just you and Mark," I replied, then went to her, "Hey...."
She sniffed and wiped off the tears that threatened to fall, "I'm sorry, it's just...I know I've only known you for less than a couple of weeks but," she sighed, "Kayla I-I don't want you to die,"
I felt a jab at my heart as I watched her. She looked so sad that I just wished I could take it away. I didn't expect my condition to affect her like this.
"I-I'm sorry..." She straightened up. I held her arm.
"No, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I thought if I just kept it a secret then I wouldn't be taken off from the mission," I said then chuckled humourlessly, "but now I realise that's not the truth. I kept it a secret cause I didn't want anyone to worry about me," I looked down, "especially you."
She smiled, "Well now I'm worried."
"There's no need to," I smirked, "you haven't seen the last of me yet."
Someone knocked before she could reply, "Ava? Kayla? You in there?" Cole called.
"Yes!" I answered.
"Oh uh, breakfast's ready," he said. My stomach growled at the sound of food. Ava chuckled.
"We'll be down in a minute," Ava said. "Come on," she said to me.