"When did life get so complicated?" I sigh, collapsing back onto the same grassy field from the day before. I shield my face with my hand from the blinding sun. We were at the park near my house again, waiting for Justine and Erik. I had considered confronting Mark about the sunflower, but I thought it better not to make things awkward.

Mark leans back onto his elbows. "Oh come on, you're not an adult yet. You don't have to pay bills and all that. Your life can't be that complex."

I arch my eyebrows at him. "Well, I didn't know every sixteen-year-old girl had to deal with a bunch of assassins."

He shrugs as if it were an ordinary thing to say. "Fair enough."

Before either one of us can say anything more, two shadowy figures walk up to us, blocking the sun.

"Hey you two," says a perky, female voice.

I sit upright. "Justine, Erik, hey. So, why'd you call us here?"

"Come and I'll explain." Erik begins to walk off with Justine.

Mark stands and offers a helping hand.

"Thanks," I say as he pulls me up, and we hurry towards the others.

"Is everything okay?" I ask Erik, seeing as I'm still not exactly on speaking terms with Justine.

"I think it's fine time we leave. At least for a bit," Erik replies.

"Wait, what do you mean?" Mark asks.

For once, I'm not the only one out of the loop, I realise.

I expect the others to already know what's going on, but apparently, I'm wrong.

"It's not safe here. People can get hurt. People we care about." Erik looks pointedly at me and I know we're both thinking the same thing. Mum.

Mark stares at Erik.

"When were you going to tell me this? That we're leaving?" Mark questions, his tone serious.

"I was going to tell you yesterday night, but I had other plans to attend to." Erik glimpses in my direction and I hastily look down.

He hasn't told the others yet about him and Mum.

Mark catches Erik's glance towards me and looks between the two of us with a look of confusion.

"Whatever." He shakes his head.

I look over at Justine, realising she's been silent in all this. "You knew, didn't you?"

Justine nods, avoiding eye contact.

Of course you knew, I can't help but think.

"She had to know," Erik responds, picking up the pace. "Her parents are the ones who will be looking after your mum."

I stop short. "Woah. Hold up."

The three turn to face me. "Your parents are involved in all this?"

"Yeah," Justine nods.

For a second I'm at loss for words. "Of course they are," I say finally. "Just another one of those secrets you didn't tell me."

Justine stares at the ground, not saying a word, and a small part of me feels guilty, but I push it away.

"So, are they thieves too?" I ask Erik.

"Yes. Not quite as good as your father I'll admit, but they're good at their job all the same. They'll just keep an eye on her every now and again, make sure she's alright."

I nod my head, processing the thought. "Okay... but where are we going to go?"

Erik smiles slyly. "We are going on a field trip to the mountains."

"The mountains?" I glance at Mark, but he doesn't seem too surprised. "Sure, why not?" I reply sarcastically.

When nobody responds, I sigh, "Mind explaining why?"

"It's where his safe house is," Mark clarifies. "It's also where he holds all the important information about the organisation."

I can't help but be slightly impressed. He has his own safe house? "How long are we going to stay there?"

"As long as it takes," Erik replies briskly.

"That's not a good enough answer," I say worriedly. "What am I going to say to my mum?"

"It's already sorted," Justine pipes up. "My parents are over at your mum's house right now. They're telling her that they're going camping and they'd like to take you along."

Mum will say yes, I reason. It's not the first time I've gone camping with Justine, after all.

Not being able to think of any flaws in the plan, I stay quiet.

"Why now?" Marks asks, a concerned look on his face.

"I already had to throw one assassin off my trail on my way here," Erik says gravely. "He was tailing me in a vehicle, but I managed to lose him. They're getting restless. The longer we stay here, the more danger we will cause around us. Caution won't cut it, we need to leave and you know it."

Mark nods understandingly. "When do we leave?"

"First thing tomorrow," Erik responds.

***

After hours of discussing and organising our trip for tomorrow, I arrive back home mentally exhausted.

I slouch onto the couch. "Hey Mum."

"Hey, sweetie." Mum grins, sitting next to me. "Justine's parents came over today. You didn't tell me you were planning to go camping."

"Must've slipped my mind," I lie.

"Well, enjoy yourself." Mum wraps me into a hug. "They were really brief with their explanation. They said something about going to a mountain?"

"Yeah," I reply, keeping in mind what Erik had said earlier. "Keep the location to yourself, it is better nobody knows."

"Which mountain?" questions Mum, and my heart skips a beat. "I wanted to ask Jenna and Howard but they were in a hurry."

"I'm not sure," I say quickly.

"Oh come on," Mum prods. "Justine always tells you where you're going."

It's true, I think nervously. Should I deny it still?

I glance up at Mum, guiltily. How can I keep this huge secret from her? It's not right... she deserves to know about Dad just as I did. Telling her wouldn't put her in too much danger, right? Justine's parents will keep an eye on her anyway...

"Audrey?" Mum waves her hand in front of my face.

Erik's warning rings through my head one last time. "Keep the location to yourself..."

I bite my lip. I just won't tell her the exact location.

"I think Justine said something about Mount Tamborine. I don't know where exactly, though," I finally answer.

"Oh, I remember going to Mount Tamborine once! It was quite lovely." Mum beams. "Beautiful view."

I give her a small smile. Well, at least I didn't have to lie to her about it.

"I'm going to start packing," I get up before Mum has a chance to ask any more questions.

"Sure." Mum walks over to the stack of papers and blueprints she has left on the bench top. "I have a few architectural designs I have to go through for work anyway."

I head upstairs into my room and close the door, leaning against it.

If I leave tomorrow, it means that I'm officially involved in my dad's business. No running away. I'll have to finish what he started. Eyeing my closet, I walk towards it reluctantly. I didn't ask for this... I think to myself. But I have to do this. For Dad. And Mum. I have to lead the assassins away from Mum... I shiver at the thought of Thorn and his companions. Those monsters will stop at nothing to get their hands on that gold. That's exactly why I have to stop them, though. If there's a way I can help, then I need to. I have to. A final reminder of Anita falling to the ground decides it. I open my closet and start throwing the clothes I want, onto my bed. No backing away now.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

| Dedicated to _k_luv_ |

A great supporter who deserves a great dedication! Thank you so much for the acknowledgement in your book "Bella's Story (A Twilight Fanfiction)".

Don't forget to comment/vote!

EDITED ✔