With his hands on his pockets, Carter adds, “Yeah, but you didn’t leave us any other choice, Snow White.”
“What the fuck is this?” Rage’s muffled voice comes from the bedroom.
I go there and find him rummaging around my go-bag.
“Hey! Who gave you permission to go through my stuff!?” I run to him, trying to take my bag away from his gigantic hands.
“I did!” he yells at my face then turns over the backpack on the bed. “This is my OP, and nothing will be off limits for me.” He seems determined to make me feel powerless today. “You don’t need this, or this, or that.” He throws my stuff to the floor.
This is going to be harder than I expected. I have to clench my teeth to hide my fury. As I inhale deeply, he turns around and stalks past me. He returns to the kitchen and brings his duffel bag to the bedroom. He’s mouthing off under his breath.
“What are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?” he teases, setting the duffel bag on top of the bed right next to mine. “You clearly don’t know where you’re going. That stuff you had in there is worthless in that place.” He continues to fill my bag with several items, then throws a small plastic container at me. “Take it. Start covering your tattoos. Keep them covered at all times.”
Well… He has a point. How didn’t I think of that?
My pride wants to debate. “But I—”
“No, nobutsorifs, just do as I say! Or I’ll do it for you.” His tone is determined.
“Hey, hey…” Carter is standing on the doorway. “You two are acting like high school teenagers.” He then he looks at me. “The three of us agreed to do this together, so start collaborating and don’t fight this anymore.”
Rage looks at him, arching an eyebrow, then laughs softly and turns back to the duffel bag to continue with his task.
I apply the foundation and see how my tattoos disappear under the liquid, though the scars underneath the ink are still visible. I never thought I would see them again.
I can feel a pair of eyes looking at me and then another one. A very awkward silence blankets us.
I shrug a little, the feel of my skin brings memories I want to leave behind, though I keep applying the make-up until the tattoos are all gone.
The sound on a zipper makes me jump. “Okay, it’s done,” Rage says.
“What’s next?” I ask. At this point is easier to follow orders.
Rage starts, “Your flight departs in three hours. Your first destination is going to be Spain. That’s the safest place in EU. You’ll do immigration there and then you will have to make it to El Cairo. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you how.”
“Got it.” I nod.
“I’m not done yet.” He rolls his eyes. “Once you’re in Cairo, you’re going to meet my contact. He will provide what you need for that part of the trip – guns and transportation. He’ll get you across the Red Sea and into Saudi Arabia through the coast until you reach Riyadh.”
“Riyadh?” I ask, confused.
“Yes, that is the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Didn’t you go to school?” He’s teasing me without looking at me. “He is going to escort you to a secure location, from then on, you are on your own…”
“No, not alone,” Carter remarks with an irritated look. “Weare going to be guiding you all the time, making sure you are doing this the right way.”
“All of that sounds great, but you haven’t explained the most important thing I want to know. Is Bruno there?” I ask them both, and Carter nods, so I continue. “And, how will you guys guide me all the time?”
“With this.” Rage hands me a small device.” You put this in your ear, then we’ll be able to hear you and your surroundings, and we will talk to you as well. It doesn’t have a camera, so start thinking about having to describe everything you see. Got it?”
“All right.” I take the device and put it in my ear. It’s small, and I don’t feel it at all.
“If by any chance an officer asks about it, you show them this piece of paper.” He gives me a sheet that reads‘Medical Authorization’. “But only if they question you about it, okay?”
“Copy that.” I nod.
“The moment you leave Europe,” Carter starts, “you have to change into the outfit Rage put in your backpack. It is extremely important to cover your body with clothing that won’t highlight your figure or shape. We need you to look like a man. By the way, are you willing to shave your head?”
