It has been four months since Skylar has found her friend, McKenzie. She has tried her best to support McKenzie's PTSD, but their friendship hasn't been the same. McKenzie is distant, she's not invited to sleepovers, and McKenzie can't sleep inside her own house. Nevertheless, Skylar is looking forward to the summer; no school, no pressure, free at last. That is, until Skylar answers another knock on her door. It's the FBI again, it turns out, Skylar didn't find the leader of the SHAP. McKenzie and Skylar have to go into witness protection, for how long? They don't know.
Skylar pulled in the driveway and breathed a sigh of relief as she turned off the ignition. What was going on? She noticed that there were two other cars in the driveway. She looked over at McKenzie, her face was turning pale again.
“What's wrong?” Skylar asked.
Her mom opened the door, tears in her eyes. She ran to Skylar and hugged her. Skylar hugged her back, wondering what was wrong.
“Mom are you okay? Did someone die?”
“McKenzie sat back in Skylar's car and locked the door. The door opened again, and it was Agent Holly, and Freeman, they were dragging Skylar's suitcase that she packed for camp.
“Come inside.” Mom said.
Skylar glanced at McKenzie she nodded. “I'll be there in a minute.”
She went inside and saw Director Scoggins sitting in their living room, standing next to him was the headmaster of the S-H-A, Christopher White.
“Director Scoggins, I didn't expect to see you. Is everything alright? Can I get you something to drink?”
“No thank you,” he answered, “I'm quite alright.” He said as he took a sip of Sophie's Minnie mouse coffee mug.
“Is everything alright?” Skylar asked again.
“No Skylar,” he replied. “I'm afraid it is not alright. We received some new Intel from the former librarian.”
Skylar nodded.
“It appears that the man Chief Green shot was not the leader of the SHAP. He was an employee of him, just like the librarian was.”
McKenzie walked in and said hi to Skylar's mom, she made her way to the kitchen and opened up the cupboard for a glass of water.
“Who is he?”
“We don't know.” He answered. “He goes by an alias, Mr. X.”
Suddenly a dish broke in the kitchen. Skylar's mom walked in the kitchen and saw McKenzie leaning over the kitchen sink. Her hands were shaking and she was pale. Her mom put her hand over her shoulder and sat her down in the dining room. Mr. White sat next to McKenzie, trying to console her.
“X.” She repeated, her voice was shaking. “I remember that name.”
“Did you see him?” The director asked.
“No.” McKenzie said. “He never came to see me, but there were times when… a person was called. And when they left, they never came back.”
Skylar shivered.
“Why are you really here Director?” McKenzie asked. “You didn't come just to let us know about new Intel.”
He sighed as crossed his arms.
“You're absolutely right McKenzie. I'm here to take you both into protective custody; witness protection.”
“I'm sorry,” Skylar asked. “What?”
“Witness protection,” the director repeated. “the man that followed you out of the park was just the beginning Skylar. There are more people after you, it looks like X has hired some people to kill you, and McKenzie.”
“Kill?” Skylar repeated, “Kill?”
“Yes Skylar!” McKenzie blurted, “Kill! The man that was following us in the park was sent by that man to observe and study us. He was supposed to kill us when he had the right opportunity.”
“Whoever is after you, is mad Skylar. Pissed, remember you found the SHAP? Karen said it was the biggest organization that they had. And you took it away from them, the leader is mad at YOU Skylar, you're still a threat and he will do anything to make sure you're not a danger to him.”
She turned around, trying to wrap her head around this.
“Okay… so what do we do?”
“You are going to go into witness protection under Agent White's care until we capture this guy. Until then WE are going to investigate every little corner until he shows himself.”
Skylar looked at her mom, still trying to relax McKenzie. She smiled gently, but she could tell it was a fake smile.
“We'll be fine.” She said softly.
“What about our families?” Skylar asked. “Is it possible that they will try to get them to get through me?”
“We will have a 24-hour watch on them every day until you get back.”
She nodded. “What time are we leaving?”
“We're leaving in thirty minutes, so I would get some things you would like to take with you. Because we don't know when you're coming back.”
She felt her heart drop when he said that.
She slowly walked up to her room and grabbed an empty pillow case out of my sock drawer, she put her afghan that her grandma crocheted with love, her weighted blanket that helped relieved stress, and some of her favorite books. She grabbed her Bible that was on her pillow, and looked her family photo that was resting on her night stand. She grabbed the picture frame and took it apart. She placed the photo inside her Bible, and sighed. Her favorite place in the world was her room, now just sleeping in her own bed was a fantasy. She grabbed a couple of journals from under her bed and placed them in the pillow case. She tied a knot on the top, and took out her guitar in the closet. She grabbed some music and put them in the case. She sighed as she put all her things together. She remembered she still had some money left. She grabbed her piggy bank and emptied out all the dollar bills, and found the envelopes in her sock drawer. She put all the money in one envelope and put it in her pocket. Chances are she wouldn't be getting a job soon. She went downstairs and saw her whole family waiting for her. The Director took the guitar from her hand, and walked outside. Her mom put on a brave face, but she could tell she was falling apart at the seams. She gave her a hug… and tried to hold back tears.
“I will be fine Mom.” Skylar said.
“Yes, you will.” She said. “I'll be praying for you.”
Skylar smiled. “I know you will.”
After Skylar said her goodbyes, she walked outside and saw McKenzie saying goodbye to her parents.
“You have your taser right?”
“Yes Dad.”
“And the pepper spray?”
“Yes.”
“And the hunting knife?”
“Yes.” McKenzie said. “I'm well equipped, if I wasn't under 21, I would have a gun myself.”
Richard smiled, and was crying at the same time. “I'm going to miss you.”
“I'll miss you too Dad.” McKenzie said
The family broke into a hug. Skylar looked up and saw Mr. White standing in front of her.
“Can I take your bag?” He asked.
Skylar nodded softly and handed him the pillow case. She crossed her arms, feeling uncertain, and a bit
confused.
"It's time to go." The Director said softly.
Skylar felt her self panic a little, as Mr. White opened the door a for. McKenzie gave her parents one last hug, then turned around and sat in the same car with Skylar. Skylar felt scared and a little guilty, because she was being pursued, her life was on hold. Her plans for the summer were over, no more pool and slumber parties, no more church camps or mission trips. It seemed that her summer was over before it even started. To her, summer was supposed to filled with fun, right? So why did it feel like it was replaced with fear and uncertainty? She waved at her family as the car pulled out of the driveway. As they continued to drive down the street the windows were rolled up. Skylar felt herself panic a little more, the windows were tinted completely black. She couldn't see out of the window. McKenzie sat next to her completely silent, her shoulders were high. Skylar took out her phone from her purse.
"Oh yeah I almost forgot." The director said.
He pulled the car over, and turned his body toward them. He held out his hand to both of the girls and said two words. "Phones, now."
