Quin Davidson sat by the airplane window, watching the clouds drift past like slow-moving waves. Her younger brother, King, sat beside her, bobbing his head to music. The two of them had never been to Ghana before, and their parents had been vague about why they suddenly had to leave London. Mr. Davidson had said it was "a great opportunity" for cultural exchange. Mrs. Davidson had added something about "new experiences" and "broader horizons." But deep down, Quin felt there was something more to the move — something they weren't being told.
The humid air hit them the moment they stepped out of Kotoka International Airport in Accra. It was a different kind of warmth from London — heavier, almost like a hug that wouldn't let go. Their uncle, Uncle Fred, was there to pick them up. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a booming laugh, but Quin noticed the way his eyes darted around the airport. It was as if he was expecting someone to be watching them.
Their new school, Goldcrest International Academy, was massive compared to their old one. The compound had sprawling football fields, modern science labs, and an auditorium so large it could fit their entire London neighborhood. Quin quickly joined the cheerleading squad, where she met Sandra — a bubbly, confident girl who soon became her best friend. Sandra was also the squad's captain, and she introduced Quin to the others with such warmth that it made the transition a little easier.
King, on the other hand, found his place in the football team. His talent was undeniable, and within a week, he was a starting midfielder. His best friend quickly became Joshua, the charismatic team captain. Joshua had a way of making everyone feel like they belonged, and for King, that meant the world.
Despite the excitement, Quin couldn't shake the feeling that something was being hidden from them. Their parents rarely called, and when they did, the conversations were short and scripted. "How's school? Are you eating well? Study hard," they'd say before abruptly hanging up.
Life moved on, though. Football matches filled their weekends, and cheerleading practice kept Quin busy. Sometimes, after practice, she and Sandra would walk to a small smoothie shop near the school and talk about everything — from boys to dreams to the weird feeling Quin sometimes had about her parents.
King, Joshua, and the rest of the football team were training for the upcoming inter-school tournament. The cheerleaders were also preparing a special routine for the halftime performance. The energy on campus was electric, and for a moment, Quin thought maybe this was exactly where she was supposed to be.
But late at night, when everyone was asleep, Quin would lie in bed staring at the ceiling, replaying small things — the way her parents avoided certain questions, the hurried way they'd left London, the whispers she thought she'd heard between them.
Uncle Fred never mentioned their parents unless they brought it up, and when they did, he'd give vague answers. "They're working… it's complicated… you'll understand when you're older."
What Quin didn't know was that her parents weren't just "working." Mr. and Mrs. Davidson were secret agents for the U.S. government, and their last mission had put them in the crosshairs of both China and North Korea. Moving to Ghana was supposed to keep the children safe. But safety, Quin would soon learn, was only temporary.
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