Varieties of poems litter my journal, my hand not able to move as fast as my swirling thoughts. I'm not sure how long I've been writing, how long I've been itching to calm my jagged nerves.

The dim light emitted from my beside lamp is the only light shining through the room. As it's two am, that's the most light I can afford. Aided by my dark shutters, the dim light conceals my technically illegal writing session.

Finally giving up on venting, I flip my journal closed. The pen and journal lay to rest on my bedside table until I need them again. So much happened yesterday. Aunt Becca was taken by Etchers. I agreed to, well, whatever it is that Cody and I will do.And lastly, I'm all alone in a two story house with only my raging thoughts for company, as Dad contacted me via watch that he and mom will be spending the night at a friend's.

My eyes threaten to slip closed, but fear jolts them wide open. I'm scared because I don't know what's going on with all these secrets, who I can trust. I'm terrified of what happened to Aunt Becca, that someone else I care about will be next. I'm a little scared of what's going to happen next. Most importantly, I'm horrified of getting caught and arrested. Who knows what the government will to seal my lips from blabbing to the rest of the world.

Suddenly, I hear glass shattering and a muffled profanity. My heart beat quickens and my hands tremble as I fumble with the covers wrapped around me. Slowly, I tip-toe into the carpeted hallway. My watch sheds light through the darkened house as I move as quietly as possible. There is soft muttering and the sound of glass shards scraping against the hardwood floor. Flinching and trembling, I rush into my parent's room and grope under the bed. Smiling as my fingers brush a cool, solid surface, I grasp the edge of the object and rush back into the hall.

I take a moment to steady my breathing. In through my mouth. Out through my slightly stuffed nose. Once I've collected myself the best I can, I charge down the stairs. Brandishing my weapon and praying I won't trip down the stairs, I break into a sprint. Adrenaline courses through my brain, wrenching control of my rational thoughts and throwing them under a metaphorical rug.

Remains of a lamp litter the ground. That lamp used to stand tall by the front door and is now diminished to shards of whatever it was made of. It sounded like glass? Anyways, I let out an ear piercing scream as I hop off the last stair. "Show yourself, intruder!"

I hear a loud chuckle from behind me. Spinning on my heel, I flaunt my weapon and face the doorway of the kitchen. Instantly, my eyebrow knit in confusion. My green eyes stare into his storm of hazel.

"So you thought there was an intruder and grabbed a plate as a weapon?" Cody guffaws, bending at the waist as he shakes with laughter.

"Correction," I seethe, placing my free hand on my hip like a mother scolding a child," There is an intruder."

"But really, Autumn, you should see yourself!" He breathes, seeming to gasp for air. His face is flushed as he finally stands straight.

"What are you doing in my house at two am?" I scream, waving the plate out in front of me. I knew dad would still have a plate under the bed from his late night snacks. It's not the best weapon, but I could have broken the glass and cut this idiot with it.

At this, he has the audacity to smile a broad, toothy grin. "I have our first mission."

"And what does that have to do with the broken lamp?" I hiss, gesturing to the mess with the plate.

He scratches the back of his head, expression turning sheepish. "That was an accident. Sorry."

"What if my parents were home?"

"Well I was planning to quietly wake you."

"Quietly?"

"I said I was planning to."

"How did you even get past our security system?"

"Hacked it," He smirks.

I drag my free hand down my face, my gaze boring into him. Sadly, I end up knocking my glasses right off my face. Luckily, a blurry Cody snatches them right before they hug the floor.

He holds them out to me, a lopsided smile gracing his features. "Take this as we're good?"

I snatch the frames and place them back in front of my eyes, nearly sighing in relief as all the smeared color returns into focus. "Far from it, bud. But, um, thanks."

He nods. "Fair enough, and you're welcome."

"So," I slightly hesitate, "What exactly is this mission?"

His grin returns, his dimple prominent. "Why Autumn, that's a surprise."

A groan escapes my lips. "Why in the world did I agree to this? More importantly, how did you get us a first mission when hours ago you were so clueless?"

He shrugs, already moving towards the door. Staring down at the floor, he carefully maneuvers around the lamp shards. "Because I'm awesome. Now come on!"

Mumbling under my breath, I do as he says, careful not to step on the lamp's remains. R.i.p decorative lamp. You've had many close calls, but your day has finally come. Your colorful light will be missed though it was slightly gaudy. I-

"Quit daydreaming," Cody whispers, grabbing my arm and dragging me along some route he apparently knows.

Yanking back my arm, I settle for following behind him. No human contact necessary, bud.

Silhouettes of houses dance at the edge of my vision. Streetlights have long since been turned off, cars resting in driveways or garages. Slivers of gray against the black sky threaten rain as a light breeze brings goose bumps to my arms.

Soon, we arrive at a large three-story house. It's on the verge of rich yet on the edge of regular. Square windows decorate the vivid white paint. The gray roof contrasts the rest of the house, which is bright against the eerie night.

"Um, whose house is this?" I whisper, glancing down at my skimpy pajamas. They do little to shield me from the rising winds.

Cody doesn't answer. Instead, he pulls two cloaking masks out of his pocket. The peek of technology, the masks are slim, compact, and make it virtually impossible to recognize the wearer.

"No. No. No. I'm not going to break into a house," I hiss, struggling to keep my voice below a whisper.

Ignoring my protest, the boy shoves a mask into my hand. Then, he places his own over his eyes, pressing the button on the side. Suddenly, his whole face is distorted, now unrecognizable.

I vigorously shake my head, heart pounding as I scan our surroundings. "You can't be serious!"

He slowly nods, motioning for me to put on my own cloaking mask. Reluctantly, I slip the clear mask over my eyes, narrowing them as I press the activation button. Is this really what it's going to take?

Slowly and carefully, we make our way towards the house. There are a few security cameras we have to dodge, jumping into synthetic bushes and dodging behind false trees. Once we finally reach the security pad taunting us by the door, Cody flips open the cover and types in a code: 4125.

"How do you-"

He holds up a finger to silence me, then pushes open the red wood door. It doesn't emit so much as a creak, smoothly opening to reveal a sleek, lavish living room. A beige carpet covers the floor and is complimented by light gray walls. A single chandelier illuminates the room as the idiot beside me taps a button next to the door. As the initial shock starts to wear off, I swiftly yet softly shut the door.

"Whose house is this?" I query, my eyes devouring the sight.

"My aunt's," He answers without missing a beat.

My eyes feel like they're about to bulge out of my skull. "The aunt that owns the ice cream shop? Why on Earth are we breaking into her house?"

"Well-"

"More importantly, why do we need the masks? Will your aunt really mind her nephew in her house?"

"Let me-"

I spin around and glare into his blurry eyes, the once hazel color nearly undistinguishable. "Why did you decide to break in at two a.m? Why-"

He holds up a hand to silence me. "Look, my aunt and uncle are on vacation. I think my uncle is working for the government, so I want to see what we can find."

Rolling my eyes, I take a step onto the soft, plush carpet. "Okay. Well, where is this information?"

Cody takes a step in front of me. "Well, I'm not sure. I hope on his tablet."

"Okay, well where is-" The words die in my throat as I spot a sleek, black tablet sitting on one of the beige couches. "Too easy," I mutter as Cody rushes to grab it.

"Um, are there cameras in here?" I question, walking towards the nearest couch and plopping into it. Letting out a soft sigh, I sink into the comfortable material.

"No," Cody replies, softly sitting down next to me with the tablet. "Do you know anything about hacking?"

I shake my head, but promptly snatch the tablet and type in a code: 4125. It works, the device emitting a soft sound as it unlocks to reveal the home screen. The background picture is of a man looking to be in his twenties with his arm around a woman about the same age. The man's raven hair flops into his face and nearly covers his narrow blue eyes. The woman has long, silky brown hair that brings out her milk chocolate eyes. This must be Cody's aunt and uncle.

"How did you-"

Smirking, I thrust the tablet into his chest."Same as the security code, idiot."

He scoffs. "You just got lucky."

"Sure," I laugh, leaning back with my hands behind my head.

"So, you're just gonna sit there?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.

Slowly, I nod. "I've done my part."

"I could have done that!"

"Keep telling yourself that," I yawn, tiredness conquering my adrenaline. "Now, I need some coffee to stay alert."

"There's a machine in the kitchen over there. Knock yourself out," Cody snorts, attempting to hack into a locked document.

Deciding to leave the work to the idiot, which probably isn't the best idea, I wander in a random direction. I turn down halls, examining the pictures hanging on the walls. The hallways all sport royal blue walls, white strips lining the top and bottom.

Finally, I discover a gaudy kitchen. The appliances are sleek gray, the highest quality money can buy. Quickly, I brew an Instant Cup of coffee. Next, I dump in some cream and sugar, as I can't stand the bitter taste of nude coffee. I take a sip, wincing as the steaming liquid burns my tongue. The taste is perfect but the temperature is not.

Reentering the kitchen sometime later, I wash the mug and put it away. As I'm about to leave, I spot a staircase. Curious, I creep towards it. I notice a recipe book lying on the bottommost stair. The cover is mainly gray, the only other color coming from the white letters spelling "Cook Book." It couldn't hurt to learn some new recipes.

Quietly humming to myself, I pluck the book from the stair and plop down in its place. Next, I flip it open and scan the first page. My eyes widen, heart pounding for what seems like the millionth time in twenty four hours. The cook book title is just a clever disguise. Of course they'd hide secrets in plain sight.

"Autumn, where are you?" Cody's voice resounds through the grand house, slightly muffled by the walls.

I glance between the book in my hands and the opening in the wall. After repeating this action several times, I command my watch to scan the book.

"Autumn?"

"In the kitchen! Be there in a minute!" I call, standing up and placing the 'cook book' back in the spot I originally found it.

I rush out of the room and try to remember the way back to the front of the house. After a few wrong turns, I make it. The big, gold clock above the door chimes four am.

"I didn't find anything. We better stay here tonight. Night guards are wandering the streets now," Cody rambles instead of greeting me like a normal person.

"I'm not staying here!" I huff, storming over to the window in the now dim room. He must have dimmed the lights so the night guards wouldn't knock on the door.

Sadly, the blond's right. A few night guards are strolling down the street, posture rigid and alert. There must have been a shift change as the early shift is almost never spotted.

After shooting Cody a glare, I walk over to the farthest couch and plop down. Even with the stimulus of the coffee, I'm out as soon as my head hits the pillow, mask and troubles forgotten.

____

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-Sarah