16.

Right now I'm on my bed watching him as he gets into the bathroom. He's still groaning.

I think I put a lot more energy than I was to. I had to let go of my frustration. Unfortunately, he had to be the scapegoat.

Roman should have been the scapegoat, I find myself thinking. And you know, it's true. Roman is the cause of the mess I'm in now. If he had just kept quiet and not told the others about my plans to leave, I wouldn't have been here.

But then again, even if he had not told them, they'd have found out sooner or later. It was just a matter of time.

'I hate you Irvine' Chico's voice drags me away from my thoughts. I look up. He's still in a robe, though dripping wet.

'I've gotten more haters than you can ever imagine, Santiago. You would not be the first, and most definitely not the last', I retort. He gets into the bathroom again, though this time with clothes.

'I wonder how I met you and thought about taking you home with me', he growls when he exits the bathroom again. I look up again, though this time it's from my phone. I've been doing research on crazy ways to disguise yourself when entering a place you're not wanted.

Very stupid, I know. But apart from surfing and devising other ways to get into the stronghold with this big guy named Chico, I'm pretty much bored.

An idea pops into my head. I should probably check in with the guys in America. Just because they don't miss me doesn't mean I shouldn't talk to them.

That sounds very cheeky.

But when he leaves the room I scroll through my contacts. Ford. No. Scarlett? Nah. She'd start asking about my history here.

Georgia? Never.

Derrick. I hit CALL.

'Ivory?' his surprised voice says. 'How is my favorite partner doing?' I say, trying to sound jovial. But I can't. His voice sounds...off.

Out of sight, out of mind. I should have learnt that. 'I'm alright. You called. Is there any problem? Have you gotten it? When do you return?'

He sounds like he's trying to be caring, but he's not. He sounds...in a hurry. 'Uh...I just wanted to find out how you were doing. You seem like you're in a rush. I won't disturb you. Bye'. I don't wait. I tap the end call button.

Strange. That was not the response I was looking for.

My phone rings. I look at it. Hey, here's someone who cares.

I can't believe I forgot Rome existed. 'Hey. How nice of you to call', I say sarcastically, wanting to hear him sigh in frustration. He does just that.

'I wanted to find out if you've seen someone who'd help. Because I've found someone over here'. 'Who?' 'Answer my question first'. I shake my head. 'I don't remember you asking one'.

'Goodness Ivory. Have you seen a partner?' 'I have. Now who?' 'I don't think there's a need to know since you already have one'. I hear some scribbling. 'Alright. Tell me what you need. I'll send it as soon as I can'. 'Why are you helping me?'

That's a very important question when someone like Roman talks like this. 'Just tell me what you need for now Ivory. And be quick. I have little time. If the others should find out they'll skin me alive'.

An image comes to me; Rome in form of a chicken, and the others skinning him with their teeth. I almost laugh. 'Right. I need to know who you wanted to send'.

'Ivory...alright. Me'.

I sincerely do not know why I'm happy hearing that, but I am. But I know that I'll never hear the end of that if I tell him. 'Well, don't worry. Bye'. I end the call.

Chico comes in a while later. 'I have some information I need to share with you'.

The seriousness in his face makes me sit up.

'I found a way to get in there'.

'Where?'

'The hideout you spoke of concerning the bombs'. 'Alright. Talk. How?'

'If you can squeeze yourself into a box, we can find a way to get you into the warehouse. From there, I'll guide you to the main area'.

There's a warehouse? Why was I never informed of this?

More importantly, how does he know?

I voice out my thoughts to him. He smiles slyly. 'Random information. And connections'.

Recently he's been receiving red envelopes. And that makes me very cautious. 'What random info makes you know all the parts of a huge place with lots of security? Tell me the truth', I reply.

'Never mind that Ivory. Are you ready to get into a box? We have to be quick about it, because I don't want Abuela worrying when she sees us. If we want this plan to be effective, you'll have to leave midnight tomorrow morning. That's the best time'.

'I beg to disagree. Everyone knows that it's in the night more security is placed. It's an unwritten rule everywhere'. I'm ninety-nine point nine nine nine nine nine per cent sure about that.

'It depends on you. And how you do it. We'll do it right'.

I'm currently in the car with him, driving to that place. I still don't know what to call it apart from 'the stronghold'.

'Get in the back. You'd see a box. Find a way to squeeze yourself in'.

I see a adult-length box. I open and lie flat in it, but not before groaning. The bumps on the road are affecting the car, and that's affecting the box. Which is most definitely affecting me. 'You alright?' he calls from the wheel. Of course I am. 'Yeah', I choke. I am most definitely not okay.

Soon after that the car stops.

'Hey! Over here!' Chico's voice yells. But it's a little distant, so he's probably outside the car. Then I hear conversation in Spanish.

'What do you want and why are you here?' a harsh voice- very harsh voice says. 'I need help. I apologize for stopping you. I was told to deliver something here, but I couldn't meet the person in charge of the security. I see you're on your way in, so please, if you could- '

'All the goods that were ordered from this residence are in this truck. Excuse me'. I hear shuffling sounds.

'I know that!' Chico's voice yells again. 'But this was a very impromptu order. I'm really sorry. If you want to see my identification, I can show you. Here'.

I feel movement. And suddenly I'm being carried, though really slowly, to a place where I have no idea about. 'Don't worry. I'm with Chico', someone whispers. Obviously the person carrying the box.

Soon after I feel myself being dropped somewhere, and something slips up beside me. 'He said to give this to you. The name's Oliver'. And with that I'm left all alone.

Chico's muffled voice is the last thing I hear before the engine of a vehicle starts. 'I'm really sorry. I thought it was here!'

'Well know before you stop people on the road!' the harsh voice I heard before says.

Without seeing, I know I'm in the boot of some truck. What with the bumps and the rattles I feel all the way to...somewhere. I pray this plan works.

The vehicle stops abruptly, and my box lurches forward, then hits something else. After I think I'm safe I hear an object being moved, like the back of a truck being lifted. Thank goodness, it's time to leave.

'Hold on', someone barks in Spanish, and the person carrying my box stops. 'The orders from the boss were to search every box before moving them to the warehouse'.

The moment I thought my troubles were over for now, someone just had to break that thought. I love life so much I feel like stabbing it again and again.