>THE PLAN <

The next days were worse than all. Leo and I were starting to have arguments more than expected. I had started working on those clues that I had picked up from streets and those which people had given me. The top of them was the code that girl gave Leo at the hospital. I had figured out the the first half of the code which was 02199224. It was just a date written in a wrong order. It was 24 -04-1992.

As that girl had mentioned ,that someone from among us , well would betray us , I began thinking about someone who have that birthday but no one matched. At least  none in my knowledge. The only nearest birthday was of Jake but the difference in year was something to ignore. When I showed it to Leo, expecting it to be well-appreciated, he however, became furious and commanded me not to work on these stupid clues. 'These clues are just shit. You can't rely on them and you shouldn't. You don't know who's your friend and who's you're foe.' He said. But I on the other hand though them to be useful.

My mind was unoccupied and the only thing I had been doing was just exercise. So I made a trip to headquarters. Marie was leaving for Australia just as I reached.  When, I told her that my boredom has started taking over me , she advised me, ' If the clues are bothering Leo, then you should not do it. Leave them for a while. Concentrate on something else. Something that will get you closer to Hades.' She said and set off for airport. I spent the rest of the day thinking of what would bring me closer to Hades.

Leo and I , we both set on the study table and discussed what Marie just said and then it clicked Leo's mind of finding Lauren who was Mr.Micheal's daughter and married a sectator so she was the closet. On the other hand, it might be possible she'll give us some information about the stone too.

So we set off finding Lauren.

On the other hand Austin and Justin had decided to join me in the mission as I had unconsciously solved theirs so they wanted to pay me back. It was a big relief and Leo's requirement was filled. And the happiest thing was, my bike was back! But I didn't ride it. Not even once.

It was not easy to work. I don't know why but the twins and Leo kept taking breaks. They all went together somewhere and refused to tell me anything. 'You won't like it if we'll tell you besides you should make a awesome strategy to get Lauren. You're good in that.' Justin explained when I asked him where he was going.

The worse thing was Leo had a partner for these little-breaks and that was none other but Chloe. The level of my rage had been growing since our fight and Leo's partnership with her had added another ingredient of jealousy in my the dish of my rage.

I had mostly done my research alone. The twins would appear after two hours and helped me with research which was pain sailing as they were computer geniuses and fetched out the most information as possible. After a whole week's research we came up with that Lauren was last seen into the streets of Her father's mansion in Las Vegas but that wasn't the one we saw on the footage of news a week ago.

Another two week's effort and Austin and Justin finally found a way to get into the house by using the x-ray device they managed to steal from the headquarters. 'We didn't steal it. We just swapped it with a fake one.' Austin said.

The next  day , I Woke up rather early as I couldn't find sleep the whole night. Nightmares, as usual ,interrupted my peace and so I decided not to sleep. Leo was fast asleep on the other side of my bed and I didn't bother to wake him up. I was too angry at him.

Just as I was ready to get to the Leo's car to get to airport,  Jake, whom I didn't even know was in the room- called be from behind.

room.

'Elsa what about our meeting?' He asked but I didn't answer.

'Look, I really need to talk to you.' He said. I looked up and stared him in his eyes which were darkened his handsome-innocent face was bruised and scarred. Everyday,I found new bruises on his face and body and the previous ones  were turning into scars. 'Please let's go somewhere.'

I stepped towards him. 'I'm in a big hurry Jake but I promise, we'll have our meeting for sure. It could be tonight also.' I said assuringly but the affect was invisible.

'You have been saying it for weeks Elsa!' He kept his voice low. Guilt hit me hard . He was right. I had been ignoring him for last week. But I just couldn't help. 'You don't understand how important it is for me. For you. I just need your five minutes! Just five.'

'Jake I'm really really sorry. Like truly sorry but you see my mission is just getting complex and I have only one month left to complete it. If I won't then you know Marie would assign it to someone else and I just can't let it happen.' I tried my best to assure him. 'Please just one more day.' I added.

His face hardened and a muscle in his jaw twitched. I had never seen him doing it and I know I caused it. His eyes had already lost their gleam but now what I glimpse was something I had never expected too: fury. I glimpse rage boiling in his eyes. Like fire burning wildly but he blinked and all that I saw or what I thought I saw was gone. He forced a smile. 'OK. Best of luck then.' He said bitterly. I gave him a quick hug which he returned rather more tightly. We'll talk alright? Just a little more time.' I said and saw Leo from above Jake's shoulder clutching the life out of glass he was sipping juice from and eventually it smashed and shattered into pieces. I gasped but apparently Leo didn't even look at what he did.

'Where you're going by the way.' He asked.

'To protect what I must.' I told him.

In the afternoon , We flew to Las Vegas. Austin and Justin had already booked us hotel rooms. We reached there only to find out that they booked us only two rooms. 'Sorry we just thought that em... you'll be good in one room.' Austin said and I stared daggers at him. I turned my gaze towards Leo who looked away instantly and pretended to observe the painting of Mona Lisa behind the receptionist but I saw the amused look on his face.

The bell boy showed us the room. It was a warm , cozy room. A queen size bed was placed on the one corner of the room and a beautiful oil painting of two kids playing in the playground hung on top of it. There was a study table to the opposite wall of the bed. A big window reflected the view of the city and was on the wall opposite to the door. There was a attached bathroom right beside the door. A LED was fixed on the wall above the study table.

'If you need anything just dial "0".' He said and set off.

'The room's cool isn't it?' Leo said as he placed his luggage down and slipped his hands in his pockets. 'What do you say?' He asked and the same amusing look adorned his face.

'I'll say . . .' I picked up the pillow from the perfectly made bed and began hitting him. 'You . . . hit . . . booked. . . hit . . . On . . . hit. . . purpose!'

'Woah . . . hey . . . Wait!' He said and snatched the pillow from me. I looked at the pillow which was completely worn out . 'I didn't do anything! It was the twins' idea. They thought we're  dating or something.'

Just as Leo explained , my cheeks turned red and I instantly looked down. His words hit me hard and I fidgeted on my feet. I took a long breath before addressing him and said , ' Well we're not. Are we?' I placed the pillow right from where I picked it. Poor pillow.

The mint and leathery aroma welcomed by nostrils as if he was near. Too near. I couldn't turn back cause his chest touched my back so I stilled. 'I see no problem in that.'  He whispered and I felt the warmth of his body leaving mine.

'Shut up.' I said trying to sound stern but it came out more like a whisper. I didn't look at him , afraid that if I will , my red cheeks will give him a chance to mock. I grabbed my clothes from the luggage and rushed into the bathroom.

I showered as quickly as I  could and wore my purple tank top with black jeans. I stepped out of the bathroom and found Leo sitting on the bed , facing the bathroom and looking at me amusingly. His clothes were scattered beside him and a towel hung on his shoulder. I glanced at him but diverted my gaze towards the window. Just as I was about to walk , he grabbed me wrist from behind . I stopped abruptly but didn't turn. 'Hey , I love when you blush.' He said and  my feet sank in the ground. My heart pounded so wildly against my chest I was afraid it will come out.

Seconds stretched into minutes but I didn't move. Just a little statement had captured my whole mind. I hated his capability of occupying my mind so easily but part of me was happy about it. After a while, I turned around and as expected, he had already gone in the bathroom.

I took another breath and absentmindedly dried my hair with the towel. They weren't even wet cause I wore shower cap during the shower  but I kept drying them. The click as the bathroom door opened brought me back to reality and I quickly brushed my long brown hair and tied them into a long ponytail. I saw Leo from the mirror , smirking at me but I looked away. I wore my mid -calf boots and hid two of my knifes in them. I picked up my phone from the nightstand and slipped it into my pocket.

I placed my two guns in my waistband. 'I'll be down.' I said quickly which I doubted if he heard me or  not and rushed towards the lift to the lobby.

I walked down only to find Austin and Justin in Hawaiian shirts and shorts with hats over their heads. They had sunglasses on and a bag in their hand. 'What a nice costume you guys to be wore at night!' I complimented and they simply smiled.

'We're waiting in the cars,' Austin said and walked towards exit.

'Cars?' I asked.

'Oh yes you are going with Justin while Leo would be with me.' Austin explained. 'Just a precaution you know.' He added looking at my bewilderment. 

'You and you're precautionary measures.' I said and was about to exit when Leo joined me. Only then I noticed his clothes closely. He wore a leather jacket over his black t-shirt paired it with black jeans. His hair were still damp but they were perfectly messed up just as usual. He noticed as I looked at him. My cheeks were about to turn red that he'll say something embarrassing but he simply winked and I exhaled the breath I didn't even know I was holding.

'Nervous?' He asked as we walked up to the vans. I thought of not lying as that will never assure him.

'A bit. Yeah.' I said trying to sound casual. 'Just afraid I'll mess up things.' I said.

'Don't be then. Everything would be ok. Just control your nerves.' He said and my heart started beating more faster.

'Let's just say I'm not really good in that.' I said getting a bit more honest. I saw the vans  in front of me. Both the twins were on driving seat of each car. They waved at us as if we were lost in the crowd and had returned back.

'I know you'll do good.' He said and we both took opposite paths to get in the vans. Their cars were these ice cream vans.

*****

'Alright Elsa you're headphones working?' Justin asked.

'Check.' I replied.

'And yours Leo?' He asked Leo.

'Yeah.' He answered.

'Alright guys as we've arrived a little beforetime ,let's just just go through our plan.' Austin advised. We were sitting in a van the twins bought in rent from a ice-cream man but it was far more advanced. There was a robotic arm to scoop up your ice cream and a automatic cash machine that'll I assumed will give you your exchange. A little refrigerator was there which had a button that will lift the refrigerator's cover for you so that that tiny little push you give , you'll be free from that. But the most attention taking thing were the large speakers.

'You'll be in contact will Justin and I'll be controlling the cameras, the sensors and the alarms. You'll have exactly two minutes to pass the zone where The cameras will be fixed , or the alarm will buzz. We can't hold it any longer. They'll come to know about the cameras.' Austin said.

'There are some robots patrolling the grounds but majority will be human guards so that won't be a big problem. Keep informing Justin about your whereabouts.' Austin said. 'If you get in trouble, we'll switch to plan B. Alright?' Austin asked.

'Perfect.' I said.

'Just make sure that you get Lauren as soon as you can. Let's just say around 30 minutes. No longer then that.' Justin said. And I nodded.

'Feels like we're robbing a bank or something.' I said.

'Worse than  that.' Austin said.

oOo

Hello guys! That's was just a brief glimpse of what will be happening in the next chapter. All the action lies in the next one so just hang on and keep reading.

But before that here are some of the questions I'd love you to answer:

>What do you will their plan be successful?
> Any favourite characters yet?
> The least favourite one?
> How is the story going?

Please answer me in the comments below. Your answers and your votes are my big motivation. They boost me up to write more.

The next chapter will be out soon.
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