Landed Wings - By Skylhur Tranqille Page 0,30

freezer, getting some ice cream. I opened the tub of ice cream and there was a note inside – I recognized Raven’s handwriting. The note said, I’m sorry and Help. That was all it said. There was nothing else. That’s when I realized I couldn’t feel her anymore. I called for her and called for her, and she didn’t answer. She always tells me when she’s going somewhere, even if we’re mad at each other. We always tell each other. I thought she might be with you, but after the note, I knew she wasn’t. So I came here. Where is everyone?”

“Ob, they’re all at the Sky Festival. It’s today. Raven’s

probably there.”

“She’s not, you forgot about the note.”

“Show me.”

So we go back to my house. We walk into the kitchen and…the ice cream is on the counter, closed. I never closed it. With a terrible knowledge threatening to make itself known, I look desperately on the floor for what I know isn’t going to be there. And sure enough, there is no note. No note at all.

Chapter 18: MEETING

ASHLYNN

Mocha took me to the meeting. There are less people than I thought there would be. But there are enough. Cappuccino, Rose, Custard (no lie - her name was Custard), Nutmeg, Ginger, Sienna, Copper, Scarlet, Razzmatazz, (she goes by Razz), Jet, Sloe, Sepia, and Diamond. There are more girls than guys, and I am surprised at that to. Cappuccino, Copper, Jet, and Sepia are the only guys. I am amazed again to see faces I know. Some of them are pretty famous VWP members. Since they are obviously double agents, they are taking a big risk. I have to wonder though, if they are double agents, how does anyone know which side they’re really on? They are all gathered in the amphitheater of an abandoned building. I look around, but there isn’t much to it. It’s just a very run down building. I look at Mocha and he shrugs. Everyone introduces themselves by stating their name and age and then we get down to business. I am the youngest member at seventeen. Ginger is the oldest member at forty-two. They talk about missions, who is going where, and updates. Most of it I don’t understand, but what I catch is serious – serious enough to make me wonder why they trust me to be here. They are penetrating deeper and deeper into the inner circle of the VWP and are on the verge of a breakthrough. Ginger is clearly the leader here and decides who is going to speak.

“Jet, give us an update.”

“The third chair member of VWP has a video of a torture of a rebel’s six year old child on videotape. I had been asked to go to the chair member’s house for a private meeting. The chair member feels he can trust me with some of the secrets of the organization.”

Jet hesitates and looks at me. They all know who my mother is. Maybe they don’t trust me as much as I thought.

“Jet, say what you have to say. If it’s important the group has to know. I won’t give you away.”

He nods. Many of the other members give approving nods.

“The person performing the torture was the head of the VWP, Cocoa Faelid.”

It is what I was expecting, but worse then I thought even my mother capable of. I won’t cry, not in front of these people.

“He gave me the videotape because, as I said, he trusts me. He wants to take over the organization. He also revealed some other useful information, such as security plans. He also mentioned that the video was not the last. He had others as well, on other members.”

Ginger stands up as Jet sits down.

“Good work Jet. Razz?”

And the meeting continued like that. Even though Mocha had warned me, I wasn’t prepared. I wasn’t prepared at all for the horror stories the other members brought. Finally, the meeting came to an end. I was emotionally and mentally exhausted.

“Ashlynn?”

“Just Ash, please.”

“We’ve come up with your assignment. Mocha told us that you are a wonderful singer. There is a charity gala event this Friday for VWP members exclusively. We want you to book the

singing gig. You’re going to be wired, so everything said to you will be recorded. There is a member of the VWP who has so far managed to escape being found with anything incriminating. We also know that he has a fondness for beautiful women.”

I feel Mocha stiffen beside me.

“If Jet isn’t able