Chapter Eleven

IVY

The moving truck sits idly out front, the engine running as three employees unload all the equipment to help load the truck. Two men and one woman are part of the crew, all wearing generic gray jumpsuits. I leave the door propped open as they enter and exit the place constantly. I double-checked the moving company Secretary booked to ensure I have tabs on every employee. Jack, Carla, and Ernesto all seem to be who they are within the business.

Seeing everything being moved out brings about bittersweetness; I'm glad my family is moving into a nicer place, but it's also sad to see all the first good memories since mom's death emptied out. I remind myself it's not the place that matters but the people you're with. I'm sure mom would be proud.

Moving every box into the 20-foot truck takes a while, especially with having to move up and down the stairs. The moving truck showed up around 11 in the morning, and now my phone shows it's a bit after one in the afternoon. I guess we do have more stuff than I thought, but still, maybe I should've helped out more. I guess I can help carry down the last box in my room, so I don't feel guilty about how long it took to load the truck. At least the weather isn't too cold yet.

I tread the hall and into my very empty room; the only thing left is my hidden storage under the floorboards and the small box with miscellaneous items stuffed into it. I lift the remaining box with both hands, carefully shuffling out of my room. I look into the empty bathroom and the space all my siblings shared. Visions of past memories cloud my mind as if I can see them being played out in real life. Helping the girls with their hair, giving advice to Luke, playing games, and seeing them all asleep. I make it to the main room and kitchen, seeing a vision of my Dad passed out in the armchair while the girls watched TV and Luke searching for chips in the cupboards. I also witness every time we were lucky enough to have an authentic family dinner together. I'll miss this place, but we'll make even more memories at the next home.

I stroll out the front door, trying not to linger because of the sentiment steeped in these walls. Making my way down the rickety stairs, I cross the vinyl floor for what might be the final time. I pass by the team of three, who heads up to confirm they didn't miss anything else in the apartment. I exit the main door of the complex and walk down the steps trying to make my way to the vehicle. A woman in the moving uniform comes up to me, but the entire team just passed by a second ago without a word.

"Here, let me take that for you." She reaches out her umber hands, trying to take the small package from my deep beige hands. I hold onto it, suspicious. Her face hides behind a cap to help block out the sun, but I can tell she's about my height and has a pretty athletic build.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch who you are earlier." After everything that has happened the past couple of days, I can't help but be skeptical. Who is this mystery woman?

"Of course, I'm just the driver; you can call me Ashley," She keeps her face hidden from me as she keeps a hold of the box. "I injured my shoulder a few weeks ago, but I still need the hours. My company is kind enough to let me get in hours by driving. I saw you coming out with a box and assumed it's probably the last one, and it looks light enough. You shouldn't carry anything when you're paying us to do this." Her voice is rough like she's used it too much the past few days.

"Ashley…" I remember seeing an Ashley on the list of employees before hiring this moving company, but I can't see her face distinctly enough to discern if it's her. As I try to recall the list of workers, my grip lightens on the box, and she takes it from me, turning around to head for the truck– I snap back to reality after this. "Well… thank you, Ashley." I try to keep my composure as Ashley pauses before walking away from me. She turns her head back to face me, her facial features now apparent.

"Of course, Ivy." Her golden eyes stare into mine, bright against her dark skin, as she gives me a wicked smile plastered on her pretty face. She walks away with the box, my body frozen in place, and a blank expression is replaced on my face. Numbness takes over my body, making it impossible to move. My eyes are the only thing keeping track of this woman's whereabouts, following her as she enters the truck with the last box. I have to move. Move, move, move. Move! My eyes remain trained on the back of the vehicle, waiting for her to exit, but she never does. After what feels like forever but is only a few seconds, my body moves, my right foot wobbling at first as I force it forward. I pick up speed, the truck only a few feet away from me, but as I round the back, all I see are the rows of boxes and furniture taking up the space. I carefully step foot into the truck, checking for any traps, bombs, or the person herself lying in wait. Nothing. But how?

"Miss? Is everything okay? Is there something missing?" I twist my head, my brown hair whipping around as I do. The woman I recognize being on the team shows up behind me, a worried look at witnessing me rummaging through the belongings in the back.

"..." I stare at her vacantly for a second, still comprehending what had just transpired, wondering if I can trust her too. They would have had plenty of opportunities to attack me while sorting things. The three who assisted in moving everything around are on the roster, and all of their features line up; the umber woman doesn't quite have the same physique as the Ashley on the list. I don't want to lose my cool now, "No, I was just double-checking everything is here." I state as I climb out, passing the slightly older woman. I don't sense any bloodlust from her, but I didn't distinguish any from the other woman either until she turned around and stared me down. I take a deep breath in and hold it before letting it out. "Is there anyone named Ashley who works with you?" I ask Carla as she closes the back of the truck.

"Ashley? Yeah, do you know her? She's such a sweet woman; eight months pregnant right now. She's gonna be a strong mother– she refused to stop working until her doctor told her to stop all her heavy lifting." Carla laughs at the thought. Well, I definitely know that wasn't Ashley then; she is nowhere near looking eight months pregnant. I'm glad my family isn't here right now, but I'm sure from the amount of furnishings, anyone watching the team move all my and my family's belongings can tell I don't live alone. Carla waves over the two other men as they exit the building, the whole place packed up.

"Carla, can you hold off on driving off to the house? I need to make a quick phone call." I need to remain undisturbed and not make any rash decisions. Who is that woman? How does she know me? How did she find me? Whoever it is, if they could find all that out about me, I wouldn't be surprised if they know the destination of the moving truck as well. It's not safe. When I think about those golden eyes of hers, a shiver runs down my spine. Could those have been the same eyes I felt watching Ashe and me at the warehouse the other day?

"No rush, honey, just remember we still get paid by the hour." She smiles and walks to the front of the truck.

"Thank you." I give a polite smile to her. I walk along the sidewalk, away from the movers, as they wait patiently in the vehicle. I make a phone call to Secretary.

The ringing from my cell phone feels longer than it should as I anxiously tap my foot on the concrete path. Finally, a click cuts off the incessant ringing, and I hear her voice through the speaker. "Yes?" She answers.

"I've been compromised." I bluntly whisper into the device, worried that she may still be in the area, watching me, trying to listen in. As I was moving earlier, my guard was down, but now I'm hyper-aware of my surroundings, hearing every footstep and car that passes by, even the trickling water trailing its way to the sewer on the streets.

"Sending units your way. Raven will come get you."

I whisper quietly into the phone, "My siblings–"

"I'll send units to their schools. Don't worry. We won't let anyone touch them." No one should be able to hack into our frequency, but I'm worried about anyone overhearing the conversation. I try my best to look collected, to not outwardly express my fears. "Meet Raven at the predetermined south location, I'll deal with the moving company, and Ivy," She pauses, "don't cry; it's going to be okay." With that, she clicks off the phone, and that's when I notice the small number of silent tears rolling down my cheeks and short sniffles as I try my best to hold back tears. Internally, I slap myself upside the head for being so revealing. I need to get moving; crying isn't going to get me anywhere.

***

It feels like I've been waiting hours at the library as if time refuses to move, but it's only been a few minutes. I focus on the front window, knowing Raven should be here soon. The familiar white sports car rolls up to the entrance's steps, and I rush out of the building, the cold wind sweeping my brown hair as I walk out the door. I quickly carry myself to her car, hopping into the backseat, not in the mood for talking.

"What happened?" Raven asks, her dark blue eyes looking back at me through the rearview mirror.

"Just focus on getting to Galveston High, please." I can't deal with any kind of conversation right now, especially not with Raven. I'm grateful for the ride, but her typical attitude is not something I could swallow at this moment. However, I think she gets the idea since she doesn't say anything back.

The streets blur by as she drives, the color of tar and cement blending with the green and orange leaves on trees and the dull blue sky. Luke should be walking out of his school building any minute now, and I can't miss him before he gets on his bus home. Hopefully, Secretary sent out qualified units to each school to protect my siblings. Still, it's not like my siblings to trust anyone who walks up to them– which is a good thing.

Raven understands the severity of the situation and speeds her way to the high school Luke resides at, just in time to see hundreds of teenagers walking out. Classes must've just been dismissed. Raven comes to a slow in the school zone, and as she drives up to the parking lot, I see a taller woman talking to Luke right between the front of the school and the route to where all the buses wait. I don't hold back for Raven to come to a complete stop– I open the door and slam it behind me as I rush up to the two, my heart racing. The mixture of grass and gravel crunch beneath my boots, but as I get closer, a sense of relief passes through me; it's Fox. Only three people know about my family situation: Fox, Shadow, and Secretary, so it makes sense, she's been dispatched here. This must mean Shadow is waiting outside Highland Elementary for the twins.

"Luke!" I shout out to him as I make my way up. He slings his backpack over his left shoulder, his gray hoodie and jeans make him stand out less. Luke turns his attention from the stoic Fox to me, a dubious countenance about him.

"What's going on?" He asks as I place a hand on Fox's shoulder, making sure it's actually her. She wears a long blue sundress, with sunglasses covering her eyes, but she removes them upon my contact, revealing her black monolid eyes. I can tell it's her. Her long dark hair lightly brushes back and forth in the breeze.

"She's a friend of mine from work, Erin; she's helping us move today."

"Why didn't you say anything earlier? I'm not gonna go off with some strange lady without hearing anything from you or Dad first." Luke readjusts his bag that starts slipping off his shoulder, a skeptical look in his eyes.

"It just slipped my mind with all the preparation. But I'm here now to tell you, okay?"

"I'm fourteen, not an idiot. What's going on?" Luke banters back.

"Luke–"

"I wanna know what's happening! I've never seen this Erin lady in my life; I've never even heard you mention her before. This whole thing is–"

"Luke!" I cut him off before he can speak any further, being louder than I intended. A few kids walking by gaze at us but continue to pass by. Fox gives me a side glance but quickly looks elsewhere when I stare back at her. I turn my attention to Luke, stating, "You're gonna go with Erin, okay? No questions, no ifs-ands-or-buts.”

"But–"

"Just go!" He looks at me with pain and confusion, my tone much sterner than I meant it to be; however, I don't have time to mess around. He walks off with Fox, looking angry and hurt, but goes with her nonetheless.

I make my way back to Raven's car and haul myself into the backseat again as she revs the engine, exiting the perimeter swiftly. "Where to?"

"Highland Elementary." A somber silence follows that statement, but it's quickly broken a few moments after.

"So…You… you have a family?" Raven asks softly, keeping her eyes focused on the road.

"Please, not now, Raven." I brush my hand through my brown locks of hair, tangled from stress. "Not now."

Within the next ten minutes, we make it to the elementary school, and I see Shadow standing by his car in the parking lot. He wears his typical gray suit, brown leather gloves, and dress shoes; his blond hair is combed to perfection. Along with the other parents trying to make their way to the school before it lets out, Raven manages to find a place to park along the street as I exit the vehicle. I make my way over to Shadow, and before I can say anything, without turning around, he states, "The two girls haven't come out yet." He just knows who's around him somehow, a sixth sense I wish I had. My shoulder brushes his as I come to a halt, my anxiety growing exponentially with each passing minute, ever since the encounter with the unknown woman. Even with all the support I have now, I can't help but continue to worry. Without looking at me, he grabs my hand and holds it tightly, restrictedly trying his best to calm and reassure me. It doesn't work, but I appreciate the gesture.

We stand in silence, waiting for the bell to chime, signaling the school day is over. As soon as the bell goes off, several schoolchildren make their way out, running over to their parents and hugging them tightly. Others stray over to shaded areas to wait, and some grab their bikes. Shadow and I slowly walk closer to the side doors, where more kids make their way out. I scan the crowd for Angela and Chloe, quickly spotting them as they say their goodbyes to a few friends. They begin to walk toward the buses, but I call them, "Angela, Chloe!" They turn their heads around in confusion, but excitement soon replaces that once they land their eyes on me. They run up to me, tackling my legs as I hold onto Shadow's arm for balance.

"Woah, what happened to your face?" Chloe asks wide-eyed as she notices the man standing next to me.

"Chloe, that's rude," Angela says back.

I lean down for them to listen to me better as they let go of my legs. "You guys are gonna go with my friend here, okay? He's gonna take you to the new house." I'm not lying entirely. We will be going to a new house, but one of the safe houses Secretary has in place for emergencies like this. If the moving company has been corrupted, or even if it was just the one person who infiltrated the business, they probably know where the truck was heading before my interception.

"He's very handsome," Angela states, not very quietly to me. Shadow smiles; usually if we were off the job, he would make some stupid remark. But we're not off, right now this is the most important mission I've ever been on.  We quickly walk my sisters to his car and open the back door for the girls to crawl into.

"I know, so be nice to the handsome man, okay? Or else he'll turn into a hideous beast." I snarl at the two, mimicking a monstrous creature, the girls laughing as I do so.

"You're not going with us?" Chloe asks as she and Angela put their seat-belts on.

"I'm going to meet you there, okay? I have to go get Dad."

"Can't he get there on his own?" Angela probes, nodding her head to the side.

"You see, I forgot to tell Dad the exact address of the house." I give an awkward smile to the two, not having anything better to tell them.

"You're so silly, sis." Chloe giggles. "Why can't we all get him together?"

"I want you guys to scout the house out for me and find all the best hiding spots. The first game we'll play there is hide-and-seek." I poke at Chloe's side.

"Okay! I'm gonna get the best spots." Chloe declares, determined, clenching both her fists; meanwhile, Angela keeps staring at Shadow in awe. Shutting the door, I watch them drive off, Shadow giving me one last reassuring glance through the window as they go.

I return to Raven's idling car in the area; It's a bit emptier now with all the families leaving speedily. I notice she's biting her thumb when I climb back in, a nervous habit I haven't seen her do in a while. "Last stop before the safe house, the firework factory in Newbridge, a few miles away from the southeastern shore."

She pauses before answering me, "Alright, let's go." She states, taking her nail out of her mouth and shifting the gears, driving off.

Behind a thick patch of longleaf pine trees and lava trees lies an opening spanning over 10 acres– the 30000 square meter firework factory; the biggest supplier in all of Lynti. I've never stepped foot into the place since security is tight at the entrance, only allowing employees in. Even if getting onto the actual grounds is easy, they keep a close watch on the physical factory. For now, I'll just have Raven park near Dad's car on the side, hoping that security doesn't make the rounds until the top of the next hour. My Dad should be out before then.

"This is a firework factory?" Raven asks as we wait for my Dad to emerge.

"Yup. Spooky-looking place, isn't it?" I look around the exterior, towering over us. It looks pretty shabby outside, but my Dad says it's well-built internally. Of course, I don't believe him when he comes home with scrapes all over his hands.

Raven looks around the place with her eyes lingering on the roof. "Good place to shoot." She remarks.

"If you say so." I readjust myself as I see my Dad making his way to his vehicle. He looks composed until he sees me get out of the automobile next to his.

"Er– Mija, w-what are you doing here?" Words stumble out of his mouth, surprised to see me.

"Please, Dad, you have to listen to me. Follow this car to a new location. I don't want to worry the kids, but our family isn't safe right now. I'm trusting you to keep quiet about this, por favor." He doesn't say anything in return, maybe taking the 'keep quiet' part too literally, and just nods his head as he gets into his vehicle. Finally, we can make our way to the safe house.