Zayden sat on the couch with a worried Alandria by his side. The boys sat facing them, all looking very concerned. There was no reason as to why they shouldn't be....the mission was a total fail after all.

"Well I'm glad you are all safe" Alandria broke the uncomfortable silence.

At this point, Silver lifted his shirt to show a bruise.

"Stop acting like a little piece of shit" Alex reprimanded, "The bullet just brushed you."

"It still hurts" Silver retorted.

Alandria got up to go to the kitchen. She returned with a first aid box and sat next to Silver. She removed a piece of cotton and a small bottle containing a blue fluid.

Zayden was eying them dangerously.

"Here, let me" Fernando said with a small smile.

He took the piece of cotton from her and started tending to his friend's wound. Alandria looked at Zayden who diverted his gaze. Why was he always so jealous?

"I am taking a decision"

"Zayden...."

Both Zayden and Alandria spoke at the same time.

A space of uncomfortable silence followed as Zayden looked at her with a serious expression. She decided that she would keep quiet...for now.

"I am getting enough of all these failed missions" he looked at the guys in the eyes as he spoke with a stoic expression on his face, "Tomorrow I will go to doctor Bertram's office and sort the matter there...try to strike a deal. It's a public place so he won't be able to harm me."

"We'll be your eyes and nose boss" Alex added solemnly.

"Eyes and ears...idiot" Silver corrected under his breath.

"Yeah that..." Alex cleared his throat.

"I appreciate your devotion to your duty boys, but this time, I will do this on my own..."

"But boss!" Mark protested.

"I will need you all for a very important consignment." Zayden spoke again.

His air of authority made all of them nod obediently. Alandria looked at him. What was he talking about now? Didn't he need the boys to save his father?

"Zayden...I think you will be safer with the boys around."

"No Alandria. We need them somewhere else." Zayden said.

That was doubtful. Was he telling the boys to go away just because he wanted to keep them safe? Was he planning something?

"Zayden" she began, "What happened there? In that house house...before you joined us."

"They let me go" Zayden stated, looking at his shoes.

"I am glad they did. But that did not make sense. It didn't make sense that they let us all go. Just like that."

Zayden watched her for a few seconds then spoke calmly.

"They told me my father is dead."

All the boys gasped.

What the hell! How was that possible? Poor Zayden...he had been keeping this in his heart. Alandria instantly reached out to squeeze his hand.

"They're lying" Zayden continued, his eyes fixed on the clock, his fingers brushing Alandria's "They need my father for something big. I don't know what that is but I know they need him. Bertram just wants me out of the way. Hence, the lie."

"But boss..." Nayum began, "How can you be so sure...?"

"My dad has been working on a secret project" the young man continued, "I don't know the details but he did tell me his life would be in danger because of it.  So I've chalked out a plan...but I'll have to do it alone for it."

"But boss...won't you need contact from outside?" Silver asked, looking worried.

"Alandria." Zayden smiled, "She'll help me."

"Count on me" Alandria winked.

"Awesome" Zayden sighed, getting up, "You need to pack guys. You are going to Hightown."

"HIGHTOWN?" Alex cried, "That's like..............far...."

"Exactly, that's why you are leaving in 1 hour." Zayden continued, "I'll brief you about the consignment before you leave. Go get ready."

"Ok sir" they chanted before leaving.

*******************************************************

The ceiling was so white...like clouds...no whiter....was that even possible? A little lizard suddenly appeared and slowly approached the lights. It stared at it before going the other way.

Alandria had her eyes wide open and was staring the high ceiling. She could not sleep...something felt wrong. She understood Zayden's reason for sending the guys away but...it felt like something was amiss. Was Zayden hiding something from her? If that was the case, he would not have let her accompany him on the mission. Perhaps she was just overthinking...

"Love..." a knock was heard on the door, "They are leaving."

"I am coming" Alandria said and  leeft the room.

A few moments later, both her and Zayden were standing in the lobby. The boys who were ready to leave, stood in front of her. 

"Don't know if we are meeting again soon" Silver smiled, "This mission might take days."

"We just want to say thank you for all that you have done" Alex added.

"We had a great time" Danny winked at her.

"I can never thank you enough for everything you have done for us" Fernando added.

"It's been a pleasure meeting you" Nayum said.

"Stay safe Alandria and thank you for your company" Kel smiled at her.

"Goodbye Alandria. Stay happy" Mark beamed.

"Thank you all. I had a great time here, thanks to you all." she said sincerely.

Watching these guys go really made her heart ache. They were right...she didn't know what the future held for her and whether she would see them again...it made the goodbye more painful. 

Silver gave out a sob before burrying her in a hug.

"I'll miss you Alandria"

"Ohhhh I'll miss you too!" she responded, hugging him comfortingly, "Don't worry, we might see each other another time...not soon, but maybe some other time."

She shook hands with the rest of the guys and Zayden and her went outside with the boys. They watched the black cars go one by one, waving them goodbye. The streets were now empty. 
 

Alandria took a deep breath as she wiped a tear away.

"I need to go and buy some stuff" Zayden said, "You go inside and rest."

"Ok" she whispered.

Zayden left and Alandria went back inside the empty lobby that was once filled with the laughs of the boys.