Chapter 27

                                    

                                          
"So, Ben. Ready to give up?" Coin sneered. Again, I noticed that he sounded familiar. It was almost like he was using a voice changer. I could see a scar running down his cheek and I narrowed my eyes. 
                          
"No. I won't win by fighting the things I hate, but by saving the things I love. By not giving in, I do just that." I responded cheekily, doing some quick thinking. 
                          
The scar reminded me of one that had been given to an old friend of mine from the first year I spent at Spy School. But they were in Vancouver the last time I saw them. It wasn't possible. Was Coin who I thought they were? Coin was a man. At least, I thought. Coin huffed, and you could see the frustration, malice and bloodlust in their plain brown eyes. 
                          
"Don't forget who's in charge here, boy." Coin hissed, bringing his knife close to my other eye. The physical wounds had barely healed, and whenever I moved too fast, they would reopen. I turned my head away. Coin left and a boy skirted into the room. He ran up to me and set the tray that contained my measly meal down. 
                          
"Ben! Oh my god, Ben!" He cried, putting his hands on my shoulder. I flinched at the touch. I replied croakily.
                          
"Whatever you want, I don't have it." I enveloped into myself, shaking. I looked up, and saw Ian. 
                          
"Ian?! What are you doing here?"
                          
He looked scared. I never noticed, but his auburn hair was very similar to someone I knew. I couldn't place my finger on it though. The 12 year old junior CIA agent explained his side of the story. 
                          
"My older sister picked me up from school-" Upon seeing my look, he explained further. "She claimed it was urgent family business. I accepted it, and we drove here. I've been here for about a week now. I heard screaming yesterday, and I found you passed out on the floor with blood running down your face, so I grabbed a cloth and started dabbing on the lacerations." 
                          
I smiled at Ian, grateful, but his story didn't stop there.
                          
"My sister found me and practically screamed at me to get out of the room. I've never seen her so angry. She was wearing weird stuff too." 
                          
My brain started turning. 
                          
"What's your sister's name?" I asked gently, trying to make sense of the situation. If I knew someone here was on my side, that would be a huge help. 
                          
"Elizabeth... Elizabeth Pasternak." I sighed and hung my head. 
                          
"Ian, she's running this whole operation. I was kidnapped from the White House 2 days ago. Do you have any idea on how I can escape?"
                          
Ian looked around. 
                          
"Look, good can turn to bad when being misapplied, right? And bad can be dignified." (HUGE FORESHADOWING HERE)
                          
I nodded, not quite sure what he was saying.
                          
"What I'm saying is that Elizabeth is just misled. Please don't judge her on this. Here. I have a plan." 
                          
We formed a strategy. I would injest a small pill that would make me seem like I was medically dead for almost up to 24 hours. Ian would contact Erica to let her know the plan. Once I had taken the pill, Ian would raise the alarm, and help me leave. (HECKA FORESHADOWING RIGHT HERE)
                          
"We'll do it tomorrow. They'll probably make a video to send to the CIA, so you need to get out of here tonight to warn Erica. I don't want her to be more hurt than she already is." 
                          
Ian nodded. I heard some footsteps coming from the hallway. 
                          
"Run!" I hissed, and he ran out into the hallway. Coin stalked in, grabbing their knife. I recognized a scar on the side of their right hand. I made a small gasp.
                          
"Have you made your decision, smokescreen?" They jeered. I looked into their eyes and said one thing.
                          
"Remove your mask. I know who you are, Tina Cuevo."