Devil's Bargin •Bob Floyd•

Chapter 18

Silence is golden.

That's what people say right?

But today, silence was deadly, silence was worrying

Abigail usually heard the chatter and noise of people walking around, talking, laughing but she only heard the slam of Cyclone's door maybe half an hour ago

Instead she was sat in her office stareing at paperwork

Paperwork for a permanent placement in San Diego, transferring her from Texas

"Miss Seresin" Abigail looked up, Cyclone was stood in her office doorway

"Admiral Beau, sorry I was lost in my own thoughts" she said flipping the paper over so it was blank

"I'm the one that emailed your boss with the request to allow you to stay in San Diego"

"Why?" Abigail asked as Cyclone sat down across from her

"Well I see great potential if you stay in San Diego with this team, for your career and growth but of course, if after this mission you still want to go back to Texas, we will understand"

"I'll think about it" Abigail said "Right now, the mission is my main priority, how is everyone doing"

"Their being brave" Cyclone said simply

Another person knocked at the door, it opened slowly, Jake's head appearing

"Am I interrupting something?" He asked

"Of course not Lieutenant, I was just making sure all of Miss Seresin's paperwork was up to date" Cyclone said standing

"Good evening Ms Seresin, Lieutenant" Cyclone nodded leaving the office

Jake stepped inside

"2 hours" Jake said sitting down

"There's 2 hours before the mission"

"I know, I've been counting since I knew about it" Abigail said

"You know how when we were kids and the older kids were picking on someone and I'd go over and you always thought I was brave? For sticking up for those kids" He asked

Abigail smiled slightly "Yeah, Yeah, I remember, I always thought you were brave"

"I'm about to prove you wrong" he deadpanned

"I'm shit scared of what will happen, I'm a pilot, I don't do this stuff and everyone is scared"

"Don't say you're scared, cause if you're scared then that justifies my worries" Abigail said

"Did I ever tell you about my first night at the Navy academy?" He asked

Abigail shook her head lightly

"I was the only southern kid there, I had such a thick accent, the other kids made fun of me, they asked if I ever milked a cow, they asked if instead of a helmet I'd wear a cowboy hat, they pushed me around and dunked my head in the toilet

I called ma, I called her in tears begging to come home, to come back to you and Dad and Lucky and the homemade dinners and the fireplace and the covered porch where we'd sit out with hot chocolate and a blanket and stare up at the stars

I wanted to leave but you know what Mom told me 'No' she just told me 'No, you're away from home and that's hard but you'll pick yourself up and show them exactly what being a Seresin means"

"Cocky and insufferable?" Abigail asked

Jake laughed slightly

"Not giving up cause we're scared"