Lagency

Chapter 8

ZiaraCall it creepy, for a 16-year-old to say that shooting ranges were fun, but it is true. Something about lifting the cold metal block, the explosion when the bullet leaves and flies out, not to mention the satisfaction when the bullet hits that dot on the target- add it all up, it is called: PERFECTION.

Okay, I’m admitting that’s not the only reason why I spend most of my time in the shooting range, but it is a good way to get your mind off things like- let’s say Elene barking at your face.

Exhaling, I closed my eyes, I tend to let my imagination flow when I’m in a dark and cold room, picturing a man beneath a black coat holding a knife against her throat. Aiming at the bull’s eye, I took a deep breath. Concentrate, shoot first then think. A voice echoed within my mind. I releveled my g*n to match the target 75 ft away. My gazed focused, firing a rapid succession of shots, all of which slammed into the target within a split second. Lowering my g*n, my body relaxed, allowing a soft smile to spread past my face- a smile, the perfect outcome.

“As good as usual.”

I whipped around to see Alyssia leaning against the post, with her hands shoved deep into her pockets. Her green- blue eyes smirked at me as she added, “Except your perception, that is.”

“Your sneaking abilities are as good as ever.” Keeping my voice neutral, I was unable to keep a slight grin from creeping out of my face. “Still- long-time no see, Alyssia.”

She came forth, swinging her wavy ginger hair out her sight, examining my target with a half-smile. “Oh, I see what you did there, still a kid at heart huh?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Keeping my straight face.

Gesturing towards the target, she smiled, “A smiley face, really?”

I grinned, no longer trying, looking over the pattern my bullets had smashed over on the cardboard target. “I couldn’t resist, like you’ve never done a smiley face.”

Alyssia shrugged. 15 years old, my best friend- until my parents died. She knew me so well that it was almost creepy.

“Where have you been the last couple of years.”

“Places where I think memories should stay.”

“What do you want?”

“Ziara James, as conversational as ever, maybe I just stopped by to say hi?”

I fixed her with a beady look, unloading the g*n as I spoke. “I’ll believe that when dogs fly. There has to be a reason you’re here. I’m willing to bet ten bucks it’s not about a picnic.”

“The expression is pigs fly, and- okay, you’re right, I’m not here for salutations.”

“So what are you here for?”

“Asher told me to fetch you.”

“At this hour, seriously?”

“Oh no, he told me to fetch you for a picnic.” She mocked.

“Wow, disgraceful.”

“Actually, you’re supposed to go to his office.”

“His office?”

“Yes, like the room Asher works in?”

“Thanks Ms Obvious.”

“No problem- Ms Sarcastic.”

Stopping in my tracks, I shot her a surprised look. “That was a good one,” I admitted, “I’ll have to think of a better comeback.”

I stepped into the room clustered with people- us trainees to be exact.

“Ziara, you’re late.”

“Well if I knew about this sooner-”

“Let’s continue, now where was I? Your job is to stop the Adrastea trade- no they are not trading a moon, just a high-tech weapon, capable enough to send earth flying away in pieces.”

“Well, that sucks doesn’t it.” I whispered.

“Yes Ziara, it sucks. You have had enough training to do so. The trade is here,” He gestured at a map. “And will take place in a week.”

“Well- that sucks worse.”

“Venus, you’re in charge.” Our gazes shifted off at Venus. I glanced at Alyssia, we had done something similar before, the two of us. In Alpha, our previous agency.

“Now go get some sleep, you’re prepping tomorrow.”

Stumbling off to bed, my thoughts filled my mind, Alyssia- Alyssia’s back, this means chaos.

~Planes are pretty boring- unless you fly them yourself, which I wasn’t. As I slumped on the seat in silence.

What a pity.

Glancing across to Alyssia, sitting with her head back, eyes closed, air pods snaking out her ears- most probably asleep. The stereotypical teenager who spends all of their extra time sleeping. You know- I should probably be doing the same, catching up on the sleep I’ve miss out on. The flight seemed to take hours- the ten of us on a flight, all of us minding our own business.

It seemed like forever, actually, it was forever.

As we got off the plane, we headed off to different path, me, Alyssia, Zeus and Rio together.

Passing the immigration was easy- held up a bit because of the guns (that still went undetected) and a boy hitting on Alyssia.

“Now what do we do.”

“Car.” Rio jingled a bunch of keys in front of me.

“Now that is a damn cool Porsche- at least over 50k, how the hell did you get your hands on that.”

“My ways- so I am driving. Get in.”

“Let me drive- please, pretty please?”

“Sorry, driving age here is 18.”

“But please, I’ve been driving since- I don’t know, 10? Besides, my licence says that I’m 18, and you are not 18 either!” I begged.

“Still nope.”

Leaning in on him, I half closed my eyes. “Please,” I whispered, playing with his hair.

“Ziara- don’t do this, please don’t.” Seriously, Rio has been trained for all this, and he can’t take it from me? What a baby.

“Come on, you know I would love to…”

“All right, fine.” Giving in, Rio cursed. “You win.”

I grinned “Thanks!”

I plucked the keys from his hands and slid into the driver’s seat. Rio shook his head in disbelief, ignoring the practically hysterical Alyssia and Zeus.

“Dude, she practically got you wrapped around her pinkie!” Zeus roared in laughter.

I glared at him through the rear-view mirror.

“Wanna see how you’ll do.” Me and Alyssia said sweetly in unison.

“Nope,” He raised his hand in surrender, shaking his head furiously.

I grinned, pulling out the parking lot, I loved everything about this car already: it was perfect, a smooth drive, swift brakes, nice interior, everything a car needed. Rio was sulking in the back, Alyssia, as usual, had air pods stuffing her ear shut, and Zeus was spinning a knife around his fingers.

About 45 minutes later, I stepped out to the blast of hot air, almost as if I stepped into an oven- or just decided to dive headfirst into a boiling kettle. “Jesus! Isn’t heat illegal or something?”

“Ziara- please try to act like you’ve been to France before.” Alyssia hissed. According to my passport, we were going to visit my ‘cousin’ who was non-existent, and I lived here for the past 5 years of my life.

“Yeah, right. This is the motel, where we meet up.”

Right now, I really hoped that my first trip to France was chilling in one of those famous southern beaches - but guess what, I probably will hate this place after this week, so forget that.

Pushing apart the wooden doors, we stepped into a messy lobby, nearly empty. The person at the front desk- 20 years old or so, straightened visibly as Zeus approached her. He looked the most mature, so we left him to do the check-in and stuff. I tried to hide a smirk but failed- miserably.

“Bonjour monsieur,” She smiled sweetly. “tu es dans quelle chambre ?” (Hello sir, which room are you in.)

His face broke into a dazzling smile, “Merci mademoiselle, nous avons réservé la chambre 204 pour quatre personnes.” (Thank you miss, we have reserved room 204 for four people.)

“Merci, je peux te montrer ta chambre.” (Thanks, I can show you to your room.)

“Ce ne sera pas nécessaire, merci. Merci, mon cher.” (It won't be necessary, thank you. Thanks, my dear.) I broke in, obviously ruining their perfect little moment together. The girl threw daggers at me as I dragged Zeus away- wait did I say something wrong? You know, char, cher. Sounds the same, did I call her a tank?

“What the hell was that about?” I hissed.

“You jealous?”

“No~”

“Then why do you care huh?”

“Cuz you shouldn’t be catching random attention- besides mon cher, room 204, not 214.”