491 Apprehension

Gus had always thought of Parker as someone you can never cross. Parker was already in his mid-fifties and now that he stared right at the other, he noticed that the man had gotten skinnier than before. Parker Green had always been a lean man, looking fit even at his age—good posture, about the same height as him, dark eyes, and almost all of his hair is already grey. Now, he looked older. Was he too stressed about the current happenings?

"Yes, Sir?" he answered, already expecting that Parker would send him out with the others, so he had already thought of calling Katherine right after he leaves the office. With him being out of Castle, he couldn't do what he's supposed to do.

Just before Parker could speak, the guard came back to the office and said, "Sir, I've already contacted the agents and they're ready for a briefing. The others who are in the base have assembled in the training room next to the armory. We're waiting for you."

"I'll be right out." 

Parker gathered a few of his stuff on the desk and faced Gus again. "You, Agent Gazelle…" He sighed. "Rest up tonight and show up in the morning bright and early."

"Yes, Sir." Gus nodded politely and allowed Parker to leave the room before him as a sign of respect, closing the door behind him when they left. When Parker was far enough, he let out a sigh and headed towards his bunk, relieved that he was let off.

The room that Gus entered was his bedroom or what they call 'bunk' in Shadow. All agents had their own bunks in Castle and also had their houses or apartments outside wherever they would be stationed to keep up with their undercover identities. They could choose to stay wherever. Sometimes, Gus would stay in if he finds traveling to his apartment too troublesome after a long mission. He didn't have a lot of things there anymore as he mainly only used it for resting. It was pretty much empty aside from a bed, drawer, desk, and chair. The only light he kept on was from the lamp on his nightstand.

Taking out his phone, he sent a text message to Styles.

[Gus: I'm clear. Waiting for bedtime.]

He was texting in code which meant that he was waiting for the lights to be turned off as though it was bedtime—so he could do his task.

His burner phone rang a few seconds later and he picked it up without saying anything.

"Team is outside Castle waiting for our command. As soon as the agents leave, I'll give you a signal. Then, we'll wait approximately forty-five minutes to an hour to start. Until then, sit tight."

"Got it," he answered in a hushed tone. The bunk was pretty solid, but he could never be too careful.

"How's it going in there?"

"Chief's briefing the agents. The news was quite fast. It looks like everyone is on high alert here."

"Shît. Okay, use your earpiece later when I call again. Be on the lookout."

"Roger that. How's Chris?"

"You too." The call ended and Gus slumped on his bed, turning off the lights as he waited for when they would have to execute their part of the mission.

There were a lot of things going on in his head as he thought about what was going to happen soon. He was skilled in both combat fighting and marksmanship, and he did well in most of his missions. However, apart from the first few operations when he was still a new agent, today was probably the only time he was feeling anxious. He had never thought that there would come a time when he would find himself going against Shadow.

What was surprising for him was not that he found himself in this situation, rather, how quickly he chose to turn his back on the only home he had after he left the orphanage. He thought for sure that he was very loyal towards Shadow—towards Parker. But after seeing Chris together with Katherine and Styles—deep inside him, he already somewhat knew where he actually wanted to be. How strange was it that just a few days ago, he would come to Castle feeling like it was the place where he would stay forever. Now… He despised it—especially after hearing from Chris and Styles about what was actually going on.

No wonder Katherine felt apprehensive that one time. He could still remember it as if it happened just yesterday. It was a few weeks before the first Castle blew up.

…

More than five years ago near the old base of Shadow

Katherine stood outside a convenience store staring into space with her arms folded in front of her chest. The clock had just struck eight in the evening and it was already dark. 

Gus saw her as soon as he stepped out of Castle and he thought of checking up on her. She was a little distracted earlier in the mission and he wondered if she was okay. With his hands in his pockets, he walked up to her. 

She had her hair down and the wind blew the strands gently, but she didn't bother tucking it. Even while in a daze, she looked beautiful.

"Weather is nice tonight," he said as he stood next to her. She glanced at him and smiled before she faced forward again. "Mm…" was all that came out from her.

"Everything okay with you?"

Katherine didn't answer right away. There was silence for a minute before she hesitated and asked, "Gus… We've known each other for a while now… I can be honest and ask you anything, right?"

Unsure of why she said that, he still responded, "Of course."

This time, she turned her head to him, her eyes looking melancholic. "Will you promise me that this will stay between us?"

He shifted his weight and started to feel strange as he anticipated what she wanted to say. Then, his heart started racing when she added, "If ever there comes a time that what I say or ask you now will be used against me in the future, will you at least give me a heads-up before you cancel me?"