C.A.R.M.A

2

The plane hit the runway, justling my mind out of its reminiscing.
Glancing out the window, I see Rhode Island in a golden hour shine. Lights on beach cottages began to flick on in the distance as we walked toward a black car. The car I thought would take me the remaining way to Westerly. That was until I saw who was leaning against it.
"Rebecca!", I scream, completely shocked as I throw my arms around her.
"Surprise", she chuckles. "Show some composure you murderous minx".
I can't help but dance up and down at the sight of my best friend. Rebecca was brought into the program about a year after me. We grew up together, learned from each other and sometimes practiced with each other. The most tense week in our friendship was when she accidentally broke my left wrist. All is (mostly) forgiven now. Her russet sink and brown eyes gleamed with the setting sun.
"I thought you were still in the Pacific Northwest?"I said, puzzled.
My friend was selected to be a Revealer. Recently, Rebecca's been undercover as an American publicist helping a new British eco-friendly energy company. The company, Red Wolf, exploded in Europe and had just started turning heads here across the pond.
It's also played host to some rumors that someone high up was an assaulter. The two heads of the company and their team landed in Seattle about six months ago to see how they could expand into the U.S.
Rebecca smiles, "Did you see Taylor's call?"
My heart gives one gigantic thump before beginning to work on overdrive. "T-T-Taylor?", I stammer.
"She told me to come bring you back to Seattle", Rebecca squeaks out dancing up and down with me now.
Beth and Tim gasp from behind us. I know, they know, Rebecca knows. Taylor was the current head Vixen of CARMA. She also told me when I left Seattle at 15, the next time she called me back would be when she's ready to give the reins to me.
Me. Nineteen Going on Twenty Thea.
Holy. Shit.
I glance down at my phone and see 3 missed calls from Taylor.
"When do we leave?", I ask, grinning like a maniac.
"We're flying commercially and it's leaving in two hours out of Boston, so we better head over there. I got clothes for you in this duffel", Rebecca says, tossing me a black bag. I glance at the bag, before continuing to jump up and down.
"C'mon", Tim coaxes us into the car as Rebecca and Beth hug me in celebration. "Let's get Thea to her coronation."
With much hugging and some tears of excitement on my part, Tim managed to untangle the screaming trio and got Becca and I into the car.
"Don't forget us little people in Seattle", Tim teases with a smile through the rolled down window.
I give the couple a grin before rolling up the window and the driver takes us away. The next hour and a half passed quickly as the two of us catched up briefly on her project and the other adventures ahead.
When we arrived, our driver took us seamlessly through the employee entrance into their parking garage. We blend in seamlessly to the flow of airport people, causally stowing our fake employee IDs for the next trip.
After we board the plane, I glance down at my phone again and now see 7 missed calls from Taylor.
"Damn, I should really give her a call", I say offhand to Rebecca.
"Jeez, it's not like she didn't know you'd be on this plane as soon as you could", she rolls her eyes before snapping an eye mask on.
Feeling nervous and excited, I dial the number.
Taylor answers on the first ring, "Nice of you to call me back."
"I'm on the plane now", I say, slightly cringing at how breathless I sound.
"Thea. This trip isn't exactly what you think it is", she trails off.
"What do you mean?", I reply, definitely feeling the nerves now.
"This is a test run to see how well you and Max would work together", she says, using her all business tone.
"Max who?!", I scream the words bitterly into the phone. Several heads turn in my direction. Rebecca peaks an eye at me from under the mask.
"Be sensible, Thea. The break up was nearly a year ago. I think neither of you are ready to run CARMA solo, but together you could be great." Taylor continues as though this is any other assignment.
Not that she'll be evaluating how well I work with my Ex to run CARMA...together.
"This is a twisted joke", I whisper with my head in my free hand.
"No, this is why you aren't ready on your own. It's what could be best for CARMA and I need both of you to see that."
"Fine."
"You'll be integrated into the Red Wolfe case with Rebecca and Max", Taylor says. "I have to go". Without further ado, she hangs up.
Slowly, I lower the phone and turn to Rebecca.
"You were working with Max?", I ask, not bothering to hide the hurt in my voice.
"Yes and no,'' she said. "It's not like you'll be either."
"Not exactly", I fill her in on my conversation with Taylor as we push back from the gate.
For a little background information, let's rewind to the couple that rescued me from Long Island. That was Taylor, reigning head Vixen, and her husband Jim. Taylor became head Vixen about a year after they found me. Jim couldn't have been prouder. Super cute and supportive. Blah Blah Blah. They are the organization's power couple. They were recruited together, climbed the ranks together, and, as far as I know, only tried to kill each other once or twice.
And remember one of the boys that flew to Seattle with me who's new name became Max?
Well, until 10 months ago, Max and I were well on our way to being the next Taylor and Jim. That was until he came into my room in Westerly and told me I was holding him back. That all he ever knew was working with me and he had to experience things on his own. He told me he was taking a new field assignment position and left without looking back.
Up until then, Max and I had been dating for four years. Ever since we graduated from our specialized training courses and both got assigned together.
"Well", I said with a smile to Rebecca. "I hope I don't hold him back."
Rebecca launches into a rant about how it's insane to have us working together and completely ridiculous of Taylor to be pairing us together like this.
I nod along as I set a timer on my phone. T-minus 6 hours and 20 minutes until I get to slap Max in his self-righteous face.