Rosie acquired the van. Layla obtained a car. And what do I earn? A motorcycle. I am agile. Quick as a snake. I'd punch anyone to reach my goal. Mr Boss is driving us to the airport. The top secret airport.
Rosie as usual is asleep. Nothing can wake her. How does she sleep through this? Layla is scrolling through amusing videos. I pinch my nose and just stare out the window. Throughout the trip, we pass highways and cities. Mostly cities rather than highways.
It was endless until the car halted at an empty lot with just one plane. "Okay...?" I let out. Mr Boss and Miss Jazz go off to the side to discuss Miss Jazz's new job. Rosie is stretching and strides toward me, yawning like a puppy.
"So, where are we?" She asks me. Layla is taking pictures of the plane, from all different angles.
"The airport of no land" I answer. She nods in response.
Once Layla and Rosie stood on either side of me, Mr Boss told us to be careful and not to tell who we are to anyone and also to Never trust anyone. Seemed a bit odd to me, since he chose us to keep these things a secret.
In spite of the recent events, we all sat in the plane. Hunt was about to get in after saying goodbye to Mr. Boss.
**
During the plane ride, Mr. Hunt was filing us in on everything. And I made it clear I work alone. But I think Hunt wanted us to do this together—as one team. Layla was the one that knew every language on earth.
"I was kicked out of school three different times, already, you know that right?" I say, leaning back against the seat. Not one word came out of his mouth.
"Si, Claro, Senor Hunt…. The reason is that she got into a fight almost always," Layla said after a few seconds, putting away her phone.
"You switch languages often?" He asks Layla.
"Depends on who's listening."
His eyes focus on me, leaning forward. Towards me. "Fighting? Is that your specialty?" He asked.
"Winning is…. And I always win. Too bad the principal thinks I need discipline," I replied, a little sarcasm in my tone.
Layla interrupted by telling him about how her grandma taught her languages at a very young age.
"Was she a spy or?"
"She traveled a lot when she was younger. Now not so much…. Although she crochets a bunch," Layla replies. She seemed to have a Latina accent.
Ethan kept silent, for a bit–connecting the dots. Rosie snoring made us all look towards her but since she won't be contributing much, I don't see how she is going to be useful anyway. "Useful skill," he says.
And then he asks me the most personal question. "You learn anything from your grandmother?"
"You think I have an old lady in my household? No... I don't and no... nothing passed down."
"Nothing at all?" he pressed. Layla watched us.
"No old lady with magical skills or nada," I reply, sharp. My secrets are supposed to stay hidden. Someone has my parents and unless I work with them to get them back, things are going to go haywire. But I can't say that to these idiots and certainly not him.
**
We finally land. Somewhere and I think it's Britain. God I hate British people. Ethan leads us all, but I lag behind because while he wasn't looking I got an update. And the message after was a location and it said to come alone.
Sure I can do that. He won't follow me, I hope.
"I need a moment to stretch, is that okay?" I ask, since that's the best I can come up with.
Ethan lets me leave them and walk off. I am not sure if he full believes me. I made my way to the location and waited until he arrived. The figure I have been talking with even before this.
"I see you're alone. That's good."
"You know where my parent's are, don't you?"
"Straight to the point..." the figure replies. He has everything on–hiding his face, and everything except his voice. "But before I can tell you where they are, I need you do something for me."
I sigh. Louder to me, quieter to the world. "I'll do anything you want," I reply.