• Chapter 6: The First Mission

    Kari peeked around the corner, noticing that the “suspects” were too busy trying to figure out how to open the lock to notice they were there. They both continue to watch, hoping no one was watching them. Kari turned to look at Lance, and then did a nod-and-wink combination. He peeked over the corner he was at while she ran to the other side, doing her best not to let the guards see her. Lance pulled out his camera and took some pictures, just in case evidence would be needed later. He was very careful to turn off the flash to be sure he would remain un-noticed. Then he continued to watch over the corner to find Kari’s face peeking out from the corner on the other side. They did several hand movements, disagreeing at first. Once they both found a technique they agreed on, they did a little mental preparation to themselves. Kari had realized that this was not only the first mission she had a partner on, but it was the first mission that she was expected to either attack or defend, rather than just running.
    After her thoughts of how this would be done raced through her head, she was ready. She looked back at Lance, and then gave him a little nod. They both held out their hands with all five fingers, being followed by four. Three. Two. Kari’s heart raced. She wasn’t so sure how this would work out, and if her running habits would get the best of her. One. Both of their hands went down and they both simultaneously took a quiet step outwards that only told each other that they were ready to do this and wouldn’t leave until the job was finished. The other foot came out from behind the corner, and they started to walk down the alley. The group of 4 men first turned to see Lance at their right side. They turned to run down the other way, but that’s when they realized they were trapped. They pulled out their two pit bulls. They suddenly whistled, signaling that they needed the guards out front to come out and help them. Kari braced when she saw the dogs. She knew that they were the exact dogs from that first night, mostly because one was back with white paws, and the other was white with 2 black spots: a big one on its back that resembled a saddle and a small one over its eye that resembled an eye patch.
    “A toast! To a job well done! After many have failed to catch this criminal bunch, our youngest finally do the job!” said Clark at their office party. Kari had felt very satisfied with what she did, especially since she had never done anything like that before.
    Kari walked home with Lance, since his car was parked in the direction of her house. “So, did you find that exciting?” she asked him, making sure there wasn’t an uncomfortable and awkward silence.
    “Are you talking about the mission or the party? That party was kind of crazy and out of control. I was surprised no one had to call the cops on us,” he jokingly answered, since the party was almost completely silent. Kari caught the humor in this and laughed a little, which shocked Lance. He had never seen her laugh. “Well, this is my car. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Kari looked at his little silver Honda and laughed.
    “What’s so funny?” he demanded.
    “You drive that?” she laughed at the sight of the tiny car some more. “Even my ride is more masculine than that thing,” she said, halfway teasing, yet being halfway serious.
    “Oh, yea? Well, what do you drive, if it’s so great?”
    Kari had stopped laughing, trying to be completely serious with her answer, since it was the solid truth. “A blue Chevy,” She answered.
    Lance’s jaw dropped, and then gave her a look of disbelief. “No you don’t. Seriously, what do you drive?”
    “I’m being serious. Am I laughing, or even smiling? I drive a blue 2000 Chevy pick-up truck. Well, I’ll let you get home in your ‘chick-magnet’. See you tomorrow. Bye,” she said as he turned into his car and left to get home. She almost felt bad for out-maculining a guy. She got over it, then continued her walk home so she wouldn’t get to sleep late, since she did have to go to school tomorrow.