What She Thought She Knew (Rachel Moore Mystery Book 1), стр. 8

with both of us inside." I paused a bit as I breathed deeply. "Someone led me outside, as if to save me from the blast. That doesn't exactly fit the MO of the Phantoms. It's either they had a change of heart, and no longer desire to kill Seeker agents, or there is a separate party involved."

A prolonged pause occupied the small room as the Directors took my opinion into consideration.

Finally, the figure in the middle leaned forward. "If that is what you believe, Agent Moore, then what are you suggesting?"

"I'm not suggesting anything," I started, "but I believe that there's more to this than meets the eye."

A brief hum went through the row of Directors.

Finally, the main figure spoke again. "I'm afraid there's little we can do to prove that these assumptions of yours are true. Now we must press at the matter at hand." The speaker leaned back. "We called you here because we have a proposition for you."

"Your scouting skills are of most importance to the Seekers, therefore we cannot afford to lose you." A female voice spoke.

"Not to mention your deep and personal ties with the Seekers." Another voice added.

I stiffened a bit at his comment, but continued to listen.

"There is one course of action we must put in place in order to keep you safe." The first figure added.

I glanced between the Directors as I tried to decipher their body languages. I mentally cursed when their bodies were as still as statues.

Instead, I took a deep breath and focused on the first figure. "What are you suggesting, Director?" I asked politely.

"We are orderingyou to be put under the protection of a Guardian until the threat has subsided. I'm afraid that there's no other alternative."

I stared at their dark figures blankly as my brain processed the information. Deep down, I was just about ready to explode.

The Directors were basically telling me that I had no choice but to remain under constant surveillance by some random Guardian who would be watching every single thing I did. They might even have to relocate me.

My leg twitched which caused a squeaking sound on the tiled floor.

"Are you alright Agent Moore?" The main figure asked.

I nodded, but internally I felt like I was trapped in a cage that was slowly pressing against me.

The main figure sighed quietly. "I know that this news troubles you, Agent Moore, but you must understand that this is for your own good. We'll be damned if the Phantoms got you right under our noses."

I stood up abruptly. The chatter among the other Directors halted as they all anticipated my next move.

I merely glanced at what I assumed to be their eye level one by one until I stopped at the main Director. "With your permission, I would like to get my things together." I said monotonously.

The main Director shook his head. "You won't need to, Agent Moore. You won't be relocated."

I mentally let out a breath of relief. At least I would be in a comfortable environment.

The main Director pushed a button. The secretary came in and awaited her instructions.

"Thank you for coming in, Agent Moore. You may leave now." The main Director said.

A little too enthusiastically, I nodded and quickly left the room.

________________________________________

About an hour later, I was back home at my cozy apartment. I threw myself onto my inviting bed, and didn't bother to change. With the day's events pressing on my mind, I found it hard to fall asleep.

Eventually exhaustion won, and I drifted into a dreamless state.

Chapter 6: Encounters of a Phantom Degree

It seemed like days later when I finally managed to get up from my bed. A glance at the clock told me that I've been asleep for twelve hours. I found it unusual because normally I would have gotten messages as early as five in the morning. I assumed that the Directors must have sent out an order to leave me in peace until I saw it fit.

I was still upset about last night. The fact that they assigned a Guardian to protect me annoyed the hell out of me. I wasn't a damsel in distress who couldn't protect herself. I kicked ass since an early age when the pre-school bullies thought it was funny to put earthworms in my hair.

Despite my annoyance, it also triggered my curiosity. Why were the Phantoms so invested in "supposedly" trying to kill me? Surely there were far more talented Seeker agents who would be more worthwhile to focus on. I also wasn't sure when I was supposed to meet this Guardian, or if I'd even get the chance to meet him or her.

I sighed, and rubbed my temples as I started to get a headache from all of my rushing thoughts. At least the Directors allowed me to stay in my apartment. It may not have been special, but it was still my home.

Eventually, restlessness caught up with me, and I found myself stripping off the previous day's clothes for newer, cleaner ones. Out of habit, I attached the straps that held my gun onto my blouse, and covered it with a simple black sweater. I may not have been on duty, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

I ventured outside, and walked among the dense crowd. It was an interesting transition from being the observer to becoming observed. That fact, however, left me feeling a bit suspicious about the drone-like individuals that went on by, completely oblivious to the prospect of a war going on. They were more than happy to believe that the war ended with the "death" of the Phantom leader back in 2012.

I forced myself to get rid of the thought of the person I hated most.

Instead, I told myself to just enjoy the moment without the burden