"What are you two doing here?"
Anubis's face fills with dread as he turns around, facing Michelle that stood at the end of the hallway.
In a moment of panic, I try to think up an excuse that would work. Trying to come up with a normal and neutral response wouldn't work for Michelle, I knew she wasn't that stupid. Instead, I say the most far-fetched excuse, praying that it would work.
"Making out." I could feel Anubis stiffen in reaction to my straight-faced response.
"Uh, yeah," He stutters out, his arm wrapping around my back. "Didn't the bodyguards tell you? We're - er - dating!" I nearly roll my eyes, but stop myself as Michelle furrows her brow at us.
"Maybe you should, do that in your room, boys." I exhale softly, relieved that she fell for it.
"People walk the halls every day, wouldn't want anyone to catch you, right?" I watch her eyes shift upwards, confirming Anubis's and my theory.
"Of course, apologies." Anubis says quickly. Michelle walks off, her judgmental vibe leaving with her as I grab Anubis's wrist and look him in the eye.
"You're not going to tell anyone about this." I demand with a low, whispering voice.
I ripped my wrist from Jean's grip and glare at him. "You talk like we know people. Who am I going to tell? Your family?" I rolled my eyes and walked off, thoroughly embarrassed that Michelle thinks we're together now.
The days passed, identical to the last. More training, more documents, more accent classes, more suspicious glares from random workers. I was awfully sore from training, but we improved drastically. Although, this could be due to the injections we had during our health check. They claimed it was just so we don't get sick, but I had seen the package label and the shots were definitely steroids. We didn't mind.
Today was our last day. We had a flight to London in nine hours. Michelle arranged one last meeting with us, so she could give us all the supplies we would need.
Jean and I were already sitting in her office when she came in with a giant suitcase. "Hello, boys. These are special weapons we designed, made for you. It'll explain why we measured your hand and such. I do hope you use these nicely." Michelle says, opening the suitcase. There were three knives, a pair of brass knuckles, silver darts, and a handgun.
"One knife, reusable silver darts you can put poison in, and brass knuckles for our blondie here." She takes out each item, placing the knife in my hand. I inspect the weapons, noticing my name carved into the knife. Everything was lightweight, made of steel and brass mostly likely. I looked to Jean, as Michelle explained his weapons.
Michelle places a knife in Anubis's hand as I reach for the handgun, holding it's cold metal in my hands.
"It's light, I assume it's not loaded?" I say as my fingers trace around every inch of the gun, examining it closely. I then found the magazine release button and pressed it, as the magazine slid from the grip. I looked into the magazine to see that it was loaded, causing my eyes to widen.
"We've designed it to be especially light, making it easier to handle while giving it a built-in silencer. The gun might as well be invisible." Michelle chimes proudly.
I nod in approval at the gun as I set it down on the table.
"So, do you have fake ID's for us? We're not getting through the airport security with these." I mutter, leaning back in my chair. Michelle pulls out a file holder and tosses some fake ID's along with passports to us. I open the ID to see that it was an FBI badge.
"You'll tell them you're working on a case. When they ask for your office's number, give them this one." Michelle slides a slip of paper that has a number on it.
"They'll be told that you're on an international case and need these weapons because the suspect is armed and very dangerous. If they need more proof, we can email them a file with a whole case along with a suspect name. To sum it all up, all you have to do is show them your FBI badge and we'll take care of the rest."
I look over at Anubis, taking this all in.
I gaze over everything on her desk. These were all ours. Suddenly, I had a strange urge. I wonder if we were able to do a hit man case in Europe. They would never know. I doubt Michelle put tracking devices in our stuff, knowing if she caught us the entire department on this case would be suspicious of her and her ability to do background checks.
"Oh, one more thing. You two already know you have to share a room, however I figured one bed would be more comforting than separate ones, considering the circumstances." I throw my head in my hand, sighing. I was ready to kill Jean, at this very instant. I could shove this knife into his eyes right now. Right fucking now. This was his fault.
Through clenched teeth, I murmured, "Oh, that's great."
"Okay! That should be it. Everything regarding this case will be in this suitcase," Michelle smiled, gathering everything back inside. "Oh, I almost forget, there's also some people there to assist you, and loads of cash that'll last for awhile. There'll be a taxi waiting for you outside at 4 p.m. to take you to the airport. Good luck, boys!" She slammed the case shut and pushed it to us. I stood up and shook her hand.
I stood at Jean's countertop, already packed and prepared. I hated wearing suits, especially on planes, but we were FBI agents now. "So, something still doesn't add up. Why are we, criminals, doing criminal things for the government? The government?"
I gather the things and put them away as Anubis stood stiffly at the other side of the counter. He kept adjusting his suit, clearly uncomfortable in it.
"So, something still doesn't add up. Why are we, criminals, doing criminal things for the government? The government?"
Without looking up, I inhale to respond.
"Anubis, you are a criminal; you break the law. I am a businessman; I make deals. You saw the opportunity to break the law and agreed to this job. I saw the opportunity for a good deal and took it."
Zipping up the bag, but loading the lightweight pistol into the back of my pants, I grab my things as Anubis and I head out the door.
"If you think the government doesn't break the law as often as your average criminal does, you're missing out on taking advantage of the government."
We approach the taxi as I stuff the bags into the trunk.
"I think you should start investing in that fact."
I follow Jean out to the front of the building, listening to his small rant. He shoves our bags into the trunk as I made my way to the passenger seat. Before I opened the door, I looked to Jean, smirking.
"Use any fancy word you'd like - businessman, entrepreneur, but you're still a criminal regardless. Don't act like you've worked with the government before, Jean. We're in the same boat. But, whatever, Dad, I'll do as I please." I open the car door and duck inside. The taxi driver starts the engine, and brings us to the airport.
After a good half hour, we finally arrive at the international airport. I didn't have the guts to tell Jean I've never been on a plane - much less in an airport.
As we enter the building, the faint smell of kerosene and jet fuel hit my nostrils and caused me to remember the few but eventful times I've been to the airport. Indistinct conversations between families and customers and clerks filled the air and I looked around for the shortest line. Locking eyes with a desk that contained only four people in line, I begin make my way there, dragging my suitcase along with me. People that were so caught up in their own world occasionally passed by right in front of me, not even pausing to apologize for nearly bumping into me. I finally reach the line and victoriously step in, turning around to Anubis to see if he was following me.
I struggled trying to maneuver through the crowds of people. Walking while simultaneously pulling luggage behind me was rather exhausting. I caught up the Jean in the express line and checked in our luggage and tickets, grateful that he was aware of what he was doing.
We made our way to the security check, our fancy shoes hitting the marble floor. I gazed up at Jean, wondering how he was doing. If he was wearing sunglasses, he would probably look like some kind of superstar.
Finally, we arrived at the fast lane. The TSA attendants eyed us cautiously, but we both pulled our badges out of our jackets. I spoke first, wanting to sound cool. "FBI, the International Affairs Department granted us permission to bring weapons onto the plane, we're working on a case." The woman inspected the badges, then our tickets.
"Agent White and Agent… Anubis? What a peculiar name," she glared at me over her glasses, suspicious. I shrugged. "Okay, give me the department's number and I will call to check. It's just for security measures." We gave her the number, and she spoke on the phone for awhile, but when she hung up she seemed convinced. "Alright, have a safe trip!"
Being fake FBI had its quirks; I felt like a superior, significant man ready to kill someone.
After going up several escalators and trains to get to our terminal, we made it to the mall section of the airport with about 20 minutes to spare.
After the hold up with the TSA attendant, we make it to the gate. I set my bags down and and take a seat in the most uncomfortable chair I have ever sat it, putting my hands behind my head and leaning back to relax.
"I'm going to take a nap. I don't care what you do, as long as you don't start a scene and are back before the gate closes back up."
I mutter, closing my eyes and inhaling deeply, not really caring whether or not I actually get any rest, I just needed to close my eyes for a while.
"Okay, Dad," I muttered, walking off. I had been around Jean for far too long and was in desperate need of food. I wandered around, watching people rush to their gates, families chatting excited for a vacation, loners sleeping on the ground. There was a small bakery selling sandwiches and pastries.
"A BLT, thank you. Actually, make that two," I said, realizing Jean was probably hungry as well. Trying to win back your friend with food, I see.
As I walked back, the flight attendants began to call each class forward, starting with ours. I chucked the wrapped sandwich at Jean's face, when suddenly it hit me. This would be the first plane I've been on. How would it go? Would I throw up? Will it crash? What if I die from lack of oxygen? Or some terrorist shoots me? Is the turbulence bad? How cramped is it? Anxiety crept up my veins, whispering a million unlikely scenarios, causing every muscle in my body to start screaming lmamdalsdoajdmsofme
I was nearly drifting off into unconsciousness when the lady on the speaker called our gate. Something hit my face right before I opened my eyes, and fell into my lap. I look down at what it is, to find that it was a sandwich wrapped in saran wrap. However, on the top, in red sharpie read the words, "BLT". I turned my head to see Anubis grabbing his luggage and looking back up at me. Without a word, he and I make our way to the gate and onto the plane. I suddenly noticed the silence and the vibe Anubis was giving off. I turned my neck to him, his eyes fixated on the floor.
"Are you hiding something?"
I mutter to him, furrowing my brow at him.
I stare down as we made our way through the walkway. What if someone spills shit all over me? What if the plane doesn't take off correctly and an engine fails and-
"Are you hiding something?"
I jumped, looking up at Jean. "What are you talking about?" I walk slower, trying to make Jean lead. He enters the plane first, the flight attendants greeting us. The plane is large. In first class, there were four seats per row, two on each side, but each seat had it's own personal space. My eyes glazed over the dull, but clean airplane. Jean throws our carry-ons in the storage above our seat. He proceeds takes the window seat, leaving me to the aisle. I sit down realizing I was breathing heavily. The air was too thin and cold. I wiped my palms on my pants, then try to loosen my tie, then look down at my hands to see that I'm shaking. Me, Anubis, hands shaking, because of a plane.
I sit down in my seat, attempting to get comfortable. Anubis sits down as well, still acting kind of weird, but I ignore it as I pull out my phone and turn on airplane mode, sighing heavily as I get situated. It wasn't until I'd turned to look at Anubis when I noticed his face. He was staring down at his hands, so my eyes darted to where his were.
His hands were shaking.
"Are you nervous?" I whisper to him, my eyes wide.
"Wait a minute, you have been on a plane before, right?"
"Wait a minute, you have been on a plane before, right?" I hid my burning face in my palms, beyond embarrassed that Jean saw me with shaking hands.
"No," I confessed. "Laugh at me all you want, call me a fucking coward, but no, I have never set foot in a plane before." The flight attendant started to go through the safety procedure as I frantically search for my seatbelt. My anxiety skyrocketed, leaving me breathing even harder. My mouth felt dry, and no matter how many times I wiped my hands, they continued to be sweaty. I ripped off my suffocating tie and buried my head in my hands again. I was going to die - of a plane crash or of pure humiliation, who knows - but I never wanted to stab somebody more in my life. Preferably myself.
I scoff at Anubis hopelessly attempting to defend his anxiety as he scrambles for his seat belt.
"How have you never been on a plane?" I say through chuckles, raising an eyebrow at him.
"You know I'm never going to let you live this down, right?" As the flight attendant finished her instructional speech on seat belts and flight safety, she walks down the aisle and through the curtain. I sit back in my seat, still not over Anubis next to me, a shaking ball of anxiety.
The plane began to move, but I was too distracted to notice. In an instant, my anxiety was pushed down by pure anger. "You think this is fucking funny?" I said, as I grabbed Jean's shirt and tie and swung my fist. My knuckles connected with his jaw and I shoved him back to his seat, no longer thinking of the whole I'm-in-a-plane situation. "Fuck you."
By the time I slunk back into my seat, I realized we were already in the air. My head swiftly turned to the window, however I felt a sense of serenity rather than fear. The city wasn't too pretty, but the sunset was breath-taking. The sun's rays shining above clouds, creating a temporary heaven in the air. The yellows and oranges complimented the light, puffy clouds. The plane leaned left, showing off the sky just a bit more. I wanted to lean even closer, but Jean would probably punch me back.
As I took in a deep breath, the pilot makes an announcement, "Thank you for flying Britline! Sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight!"
Anubis mutters his anger at me as he grabs my shirt, punching me in the jaw. I can hardly even be frustrated with him lashing out at me because I'm still struggling to hold in my laughs. I wipe my mouth as the plane begins to take off, the engine's whine slowly growing in volume. I smirk as I open up a book and begin reading it, preparing for the long flight.
I wasn't entirely sure when I fell asleep, but apparently I skipped dinner. My stomach felt empty, but I spotted an unopened package of peanuts in the pocket in front of me. I glanced out the window to be greeted with darkness and the blinking lights of a city. Jean was sleeping soundly, with his book on his lap. Glancing at the title, I discovered he was reading How to Get Away with Murder. Nerd. I smirked at the sight of a bruise on his face.
Tapping on the plane screen, I checked to see where we were. We're here already? I thought, wondering if I truly slept the entire seven hours. It was 5 am, London time. Suddenly, the pilot announced our landing. I reached over and grabbed Jean's shoulder, shaking him awake. "Hey, wake up. We're landing."
I jerk awake, dropping my book onto the plane floor next to my feet as Anubis whispers, "Hey, wake up. We're landing." I bend over to pick up the book as I look out the window, seeing the lights and forcing myself to wake up more. I gather stuff into the carry on bags as the plane approaches the ground. The captain's voice echoed through the plane.
"We're about to land, so please fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a little bumpy."
I grab the arm rest next to me as the plane's landing wheels skid across the road, causing a few shakes from the plane. After a moment or two of attempting a smooth landing, the plane finally remains on the ground as the overall tense feeling in the plane suddenly relaxed. After a few more minutes, the plane finally slowed to a stop, and we were instructed on exiting the plane, and then directed on where to go if we have another flight, which I ignored as we began to get ready to exit the plane.
The plane ride was thankfully over. I yawned and stretched as everyone slowly stood up in the plane. The lights flickered on, allowing me to put my tie back on. We made our way out of the plane and met with a driver with our names on a sign. As we jumped into the car, a sudden memory came across my mind. "GG, remember Rose? When she invited you and I to her party, and you broke her heart? You were such an asshole when you were 16." I chuckled, hoping Jean remembered.
just putting this here for reference later
I start to chuckle at the memory, but then turn my head in confusion at Anubis.
"What provoked that thought?" I say with a chuckle.
"Jeez, I haven't thought about Rose in years."
I blink upon realization that I'm not entirely sure where we're going. It's almost 6am, and my mind was drawing a blank.
I had chosen to sit with Jean in the back this time. The driver didn't speak. She started the car and drove north, air completely silent with no radio.
"What provoked that thought?" Jean questioned.
I rubbed my neck, not sure myself. "I don't know. Just started reminiscing, I guess."
"Jeez, I haven't thought about Rose in years." I looked out the window, watching the sun peak through the horizon.
I sighed, "I don't know why you left her. You both liked each other, didn't you? You never told me exactly what happened." The realization that Jean and I haven't truly had a normal conversation since before the incident, made me a bit regretful. I wondered if we would ever go back to normal. I supposed not, since our jobs led us here, in a sketchy government job. Funny how we ended up both murderers.
"I dunno, wasn't feeling it I guess. You know I don't really-" I suddenly remember when I yelled at Anubis telling him how I couldn't feel anything, and I pause, suddenly cutting off my sentence. I look over at Anubis and notice he's staring out the window, admiring the sunrise. I sigh, wondering if he was listening to me enough to notice that I didn't finish my sentence, but hoping he wasn't. I'm silent for a few moments, racking my brain for something else to say.
Jean stopped talking suddenly. I tore my gaze away from the city and eyed him suspiciously. "You don't really what? You acted like she was your world. What could she have possibly done to make you suddenly not feel it?" In my memory, I remember he talked about Rose often. They always seemed to hang out with their friend group, and he even called her once a day. How could he just, flip a switch, just like that? Or, was I just imagining all of it, and he truly didn't like her? Why didn't Jean ever talk about that day?
Unfortunately, Anubis noticed.
"You don't really what? You acted like she was your world."
I shrug him off, waving my hand at him as I look away.
"What could she have possibly done to make you suddenly not feel it?"
I sigh and look down at my shoes.
"She didn't do anything, Anubis. I dated her because I was forcing it all. I wanted to get attached to someone, so I thought fake it 'til you make it, right?"
I try to turn the conversation against him and smirk, raising an eyebrow.
"You were pretty bothered that I was dating her, if I remember correctly. Why's that?"
