Ariella’s POV

We returned to our hotel room after we were sure that the guys were already inside of theirs. It took awhile, because of the girls crowding the outside and inside made them slow down. I’m just glad to be where its quiet and peaceful.

“God, I am so excited. So glad we had enough money to get these.” Ryan starts, getting incredibly ecstatic as he takes a seat on the bed and opens up his phone, turning it on. I take out the folder that Walter had given us, including his contact information on where to send the list of our belongings.

“Calm down, it’s just a phone. What is your phone’s number so I can send it to Walter?” I ask.

He goes through the box to find a slip of paper that had the number on it. He reads it out loud to me as I scribble it down behind my slip of paper. Just to be on the safe side, I sent a list of the serial numbers for the laptop, and the two phones in case someone was to track our purchases.

“All good now? I can I use it?” He asks, not looking up, typing away.

“Yeah, go ahead.” I mutter, rolling my eyes. “I’m going to send these to him, I’ll be back.” I take the list, my new phone, and my small purse, for essentials. He watches me as I collect my things, soon standing up as well.

“Whoa, where are you going? Aren’t you going to do that here?” He questions me. I shake my head.

“Can’t. Besides, it gives me a chance to clear my head as I walk. I’m probably going to find a park or something. Hide in the woods to be safe. I’ll be back before sunset.” I tell him before walking out.

Closing the door behind me gently, I hear a discrete noise, as if it were feet running away. I quickly turn, seeing no one down the hall. Odd. I slowly turn back, continuing my walk. Maybe I should take the staircase. Just in case.

I walk past the elevator and rush down the stairs, receiving many odd looks from people as I pass them. The place is packed, big surprise. I could tell the moment I got off the elevator and heard multiple piercing screams.

Finding my ideal location, I come across a small park. There weren’t many children here, but there were adults. Would they call the police if they saw me climb a tree? Hopefully not. If they know better for themselves, and the innocent thoughts in these children, they better stay away from me.

Gazing at the nearby trees, I find one that I could hide in the thick leaves, and begin my climb. Once I felt like I wasn’t spotted and was sure that I was on my own, I begin to send Walter the information. Minutes pass by, and I begin to wonder if it actually sent. In a few more minutes, I get a phone call from him. Oh boy. Here we go.

“Martinez?” He questions. He doesn’t like to say Edwards when he knows I’m not his child, so he refers me back to my original last name.

“Hello, sir.” I greet him.

“Thank you for sending the information. I have everything secured, and if there were to be a breach, I would let you know immediately and have you destroy it.”

“Of course, sir.” At least he isn’t mad. That is good.

“So how are things there? Have you met up with them yet? Have you found her?” He asks, referring to Niall’s girlfriend, Ms. Rebecca. I sigh heavily, not wanting to think about that just yet. But he is my boss, and I have to comply with him.

“Yes, sir. We are already in within them. I was invited to join them tomorrow morning. I don’t know if she will join as well, but she does seem to pop out of nowhere.” I explain to him, soon hearing him chuckle.

“Very good, my dear. Your father will be very proud of you.” He says in a muttering tone, making me roll my eyes. I know he is okay. He is barely living, but okay. “This is going much quicker than we thought. At this rate you can be back here in a matter of a month or two. Have you written this on the journal I had provided?” He questions.

“Yes sir.”

“Good. I shall check in later on, maybe in the next couple days. Keep up the good work, Ms. Martinez. Walter out.” He says, before hanging up.

Every time he says 'Walter out’ it makes me want to punch him. That phrase is so cliche. I don’t even know other spies that would say that in the working field. It’s just… Ugh. It’s just a pet peeve, leave me be.

I put the electronics back in my purse and climb down. I check to make sure that no one saw me climb down as I take a small walk away from there. The sound of children laughing fills the air. Some were playing tag, others were on the swing, and many were in the large sandbox, building what their imagination wants. Seeing these children make me wonder to myself… What if my parents weren’t spies? If I was just another kid like them? Would my life be, if anything, easier? Less complicated? Maybe.

They have less pressure, that’s why it’s easier for them. They don’t have to worry about if they were going to live another day. Worry whether their parents are alive and if they are okay and well. They have what they need here. They are cherished. Cared for. Loved.

At the gateway of the park I see a couple of parents with their kid in their hands, laughing together as they walk down the pathway, lifting the little boy up in the air. Seemed, 7 maybe? His giggles ringed in my ears as they past me.

I feel so out of place. I don’t belong here. I may have been born here, but I feel like I am a stray, an outcast. Just, different. What if I could be normal for one day? That would be nice. Not wanting to worry if my life was on the line, if I was being hunted down, stuff like that.

I could be like those teens over there by the ice cream shop, giggling and taking photographs on their phones with the camera. Or that man across the street walking his bulldog, stopping at a fire hydrant. Or maybe that old couple in the porch of their house, holding hands.

Thinking back to when I was at the boys’ hotel room. Kian, was it? No, Lian. No, Liam. It was Liam. He brought up something called, Disney? What is Disney? Is it a person? Weird name for a child, he/she must have been picked on. Poor child. I can look it up when I get back, or ask him what it means when I see him next. If I see him next.

Making it to my elder years is a must. Alone or with someone else, I have to grow old. The houses seem fairly nice, none too big, none too small. Makes me want to live in one of them, but the prices must be through the roof.

I haven’t heard much of what goes on in America, but I know that things are getting fairly expensive. Which is probably why Walter gave us so much money. I don’t even know if it is our money or the money that he had us- well. Let’s not get to that. Not now. I still feel bad to this day.

It’s not that I don’t ‘like’ Black Cove, yes I know they are bad people, but on some point of view, they aren’t so bad. Sure, they do bribe young men, and woman, me, and practically kill family members if we don’t comply, but if we do what he says, and stay by the rules that are set, life is pretty good there. The people aren’t that bad either, but they aren’t all good. They are just a misunderstood organization that needs a better look to the public eye. Maybe a happy smile and more color to the logo might bring attractions and volunteers, not forced/kidnapped laborers. Yeah, that can work.

With the wind picking up I decide to make it back to the hotel. Turning around, I see a figure quickly turn away, hiding behind a tree. I knew it. I’m being followed. Slowly making my way to the tree, I keep myself on high alert, in case anyone else were to jump out at me and attack by surprise. When in doubt, surprise them.

I touch the tree bark, slowly sliding it across as I walk around, seeing no one. I climb the tree quickly, and watch as a brown haired man walk around the tree repeatedly, going quicker with every revolution he makes around the tree. I watch as he passes me. Once. Twice. Three times. Four. Five and six. Doesn’t stop. Is he stupid?

Getting myself ready for the next time he comes around, his body doesn’t come around again. Has he left? Just as I was about to turn around and climb down, a hand is placed over my mouth. I quickly maneuver myself and him to where he falls off the tree and still sit up in my original position. I look down to see my follower, only to see that it is the idiotic guy that I brought with me from Black Cove.

With a heavy sigh, I jump down the tree and kneel by him, checking for steady breathing by pressing my hand against his stomach. He did fall onto his back from a good 4 or 5 feet off of the ground. His heart was beating rapidly, but when is it not? He is just a plain goofball. But he is my goofball. I wouldn’t be where we are if it wasn’t for him.

“I thought I told you that I wanted to be alone to clear my mind?” I ask him when he sits up, rubbing his temple.

“Well, yeah, but I’m not going to let you be alone, alone. Especially when we don’t even know where we are going.” He points out. I stand up and extend my hand out to him, helping him stand up.

“You alright?” I question when he doesn’t find his footing. He nods, patting my hair.

“Do you want me to leave? I can go if you want.” I shake my head.

“I’ll go back. It’s getting pretty chilly, anyway.” I tell him. He nods in agreement and drapes his arm on my shoulders, guiding us back to the hotel.

Of course, the hotel is still blocked by fans, that seriously need to leave. If they don’t want to talk to you then let them be. My goodness… They make things complicated, just trying to get inside. There is just too many of them. So dedicated.

Are all girls here like this? Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. They must really know what is going on with them if they know what hotel they are staying in. Eh, I’ll let this slide. They aren’t so bad, either. Some of them could be spies too. That would be pretty cool. Ryan pushes our way in, happily getting in the lift with me right behind him.

“Don’t they have anything better to do?” Ryan questions the moment that the doors shut and we begin to ascend.

“Don’t judge them. They are just incredibly dedicated. Let them be.” I defend them, and he looks at me with a weird look.

“I thought that you didn’t like them so much?” He asks, crossing his arms. I shrug.

“I don’t see them as bad people. Like, they don’t seem like a threat. Just, incredibly smart. How would they know that the guys would be staying in the hotel? I’m pretty sure that they just don’t go telling people how they are staying in this hotel.” He seems to agree as me made that face where he does think of it as a true statement.

“Fair enough. But wouldn’t be awesome if some of those girls were spies as well?” I gasp and let my jaw fall open with a smile.

“Not kidding, I was thinking that earlier!” I say happily.

He laughs at me and my foolish self. It’s so weird to have the same thoughts as him. It’s like we share a brain. We walk out of the lift when we reach our floor and not even a couple metres away from the door, he trips on his own foot and falls flat on his face. Okay, maybe we don’t always share a brain.

“Are you alright?” I ask after I stop laughing.

“Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up.” He rolls his eyes playfully as he gets up and dusts himself off.

“Hey, you are the one that decided to trip over your own foot. I can’t even be blamed for that.” He shakes his head and opens the door for me, letting me in. I take out the slip of papers and phone from my small bag and set it aside near the TV. I put in Ryan’s number, along with a photo that I snuck of him earlier.. He doesn’t have to know. Shh. I walk over to my night stand and pull out the journal from the drawer and begin to write.

Dear Journal,
It’s been two days since our arrival and it all feels like chaos. We, well, at least I, had somewhat met the agent, Mr. Horan’s girlfriend. She gave me an attitude, trying to insult me with her words. Little does she know what would have come for her if Williams didn’t step in and pull me away. We got our new devices today as well. The items have already been sent back to Walter, so we are all set.

Not much else had happened today, which was kind of a relief. Things have been quiet, which is good because I know that tomorrow will be hectic with seeing meeting them in some shop, I believe he said a coffee shop. I will just wander the streets until I see a crowd of people. Those Directioners can do my work to find them for me. Note; remember to thank them one day. Maybe not today, or tomorrow... But one day. Nothing else to report. Until tomorrow.

Notes

Wow... That must have been the biggest writer's block I've ever had... So sorry :c

Comment/vote/subscribe and let me know how this is, I know this chapter kinda sucked, I will do better by the next one! And thank you to Perla1D for the cover, its amazing!!!!!! Much love to you all xxx