Polly Playtime vs. The One

[TheOne]

{NUMBERS: Chapter 4}

With Hailey, things have become a bit more confusing.  Her attitude since I asked her about her phone call to her parents has changed more and more toward The Oracle's Brother.  She's become more distant.  She's become more assertive with her attitude.  It's something I cannot tell if is pure retaliation for my knowing about the call itself, or the fact she's angry at herself that she wasn't more coy and protective about.

But regardless of the "why" regarding her actions, both The Oracle's Brother and myself have noticed that her actions have changed in a much more drastic manner than before.

Before being confronted, Hailey and I would take turns making "runs" for supplies, like groceries, food, et cetera.  It was something we realized that the more we did separately, the less people would feel like they had a bead on our permanent whereabouts and routines, while we hid in the darkness.  Lately Hailey has insisted on taking on the role herself, using any excuse and reason she can come up with in order to validate her departure from where we have been held up.  She has also seemed to need more personal items, that have been a "reason" for her to do the excursions versus myself, and offering to pick up everyone else's items as well.

While fishy... It is something we have appreciated...

I say that because being out leaves us vulnerable.  It leaves us VISIBLE.  So with her doing it alone, at least in my rationale, she has developed a way or a location where nobody would see her who would have any clue who SHE is, or who she is in cahoots with.  But the frequency of them lately has become something that has made me become more and more suspicious.  It's gone from an insistence of her doing the run when we had discussed needing to do so, to her insisting she forgot something, or needing something, on an almost daily basis.  While she does still come back with stuff for everyone, this, almost everyday occurrence, is noticed by all since we confronted her about the phone call.

The reality of the whole situation, though, has kept my focus away from this potential issue...

My focus has been with keeping in touch with Agent McConnell, and keeping our ducks in a row.  He has been very specific on what he HAS and HAS NOT wanted us to do before we take our final actions.  It's something I have been having to relay to The Oracle's Brother and Hailey, as the details become more and more finite.  And the more and more pieces that are put into place, and as I'm being told, the contingency plans are being made, Hailey's frequent trips are simply something that I have to try and not focus on or read into anymore than I did the phone call to her parents.

She's a human being... She may feel confronted... She may feel cornered...

I don't know, but I feel she just needs a little space of her own, knowing we are all this close to one another, and this "up in" each other's business, regardless of what that business may be.

Back in the woods, in a similar area to where the trio was stationed when they initially met with Agent McConnell, this time Hailey stands alone.  On one of her "trips" from where the trio is staying she has diverted away from purchasing the "necessities" she claimed she was getting and has gone off on her own mission.  Similarly to the last time she was in the woods, a car soon approaches them, but this time quickly turns its lights off, allowing the moonlight to be the sole source of light for the pair.  And again, like before, it is Agent McConnell stepping out of the vehicle, with papers in hand, and he wastes no time approaching Hailey directly.

Hailey: So what is this meeting about?

Agent McConnell: It's simple.  Have you done your job that you were tasked with?

Hailey: The question goes back to you... Have you done yours, first?

The agent smiles, and hands over the documents he had in his hands.  Hailey uses a small flashlight to read over everything, allowing zero time to be wasted by skipping over anything.  She is thorough, and ensures that everything she wanted to see, and needed to see for that matter, was included.

Hailey: So what this says is now I am officially immune, as is my entire family, based on our agreement to cooperate and work with you?

Agent McConnell: That's what it says...

Hailey: Then yes... I have done my part and talked to them about it, and what would need to happen...

Agent McConnell: And what was their reaction?  How do they feel about being part of a "shaking things up" type of involvement?

Hailey: They're willing to do whatever is necessary because they know what's really going on.  They know they truth.  They're in survival mode for themselves now, and are willing to do whatever...

Agent McConnell: Good.  That's where I want everyone, quite frankly.  You see, Hailey, I'm not going to lie to you, I want to make up for the embarrassment that I suffered.  I want to be the hero I was supposed to be all along.  You and your parents, they're some of those key pieces I need in place in order for that to happen.  I mean, yes, I have The One, and I have all of the documentation she gave me, and in most cases, that alone would be a slam dunk.  But they're from her.  They could be anything.  They could be tampered.  So I need the ole "ace in the hole," because let's be real, I don't trust The One as far as I can throw her.  After what she did to me to make me the laughing stock of the Bureau, I'm not willing to put that kind of trust into her like that.  I'm not willing to believe she won't just sell me out again.

I want insurance...

You guys are that insurance policy.  So I can assure you that what you see here, what you hear from me, are facts.  What The One gets from me is merely "my word," and while it sounds good, legally, it holds no water.

Hailey: But why me?  Why my family?  Why not the brother?  He's more on the inside than we are...

The agent smirks, and even lets out a small laugh.

Agent McConnell: Why on Earth should I trust ANYONE inside that Compound?  Whether or not he's inside or outside, physically, there is a high likelihood that he is just as culpable in this as The One and his parents.  And to be honest, The Oracle and her brother mean nothing to me.  They mean more to other entities in this, than what I am after.  Like I said, your friend, she made me out to be a joke within the ENTIRE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.  And this, this moment, this is my chance to have the last laugh.

The fact is, you have never been a "player" in this fight, against me.  Your parents have never been "players" in this fight against me.  And that is why I gave you the opportunity to ensure that you and your family are never even brought up, implicated, or anything in this case.  You are simply the vessels that bring the chickens home to roost.  And this moment, for you all, is your opportunity to be free of all of this mayhem and chaos.  And if someone tried to lash out of any of you, or try and harm you for helping, you'd have more protection surrounding you than you could EVER imagine.  You just have to cooperate...

Hailey sighs, and looks back at the document.  There is an obvious reservation to signing.

Agent McConnell: ... All it takes is a signature...

Hailey sighs again.

Hailey: The One has always been loyal to me, though.  She's always been there for me...

Agent McConnell cocks an eyebrow.

Agent McConnell: Has she, though?  Has she really?  Did she save you when you got beaten down and were expelled from The Compound?  Did she try and fight for your honor right after you and your family were EMBARRASSED in front of EVERYONE?  That moment you were ostracized forever, seen as scum by people who claimed to love you and your parents.  Where was she in that moment?  She was waiting to know if you succeeded, and then she waited for her time to SHINE.  She used your failure for her gain.

The fact is, The One isn't loyal to anyone but herself.  She's consumed by this power she's been given, and I would challenge her to prove me wrong.  This is your chance to be the real hero.  The hero you wanted to be that night.  The hero who wanted to liberate The Compound from the tyranny.  The hero who finally gets vengeance for all of the wrongs put on her.  I have notes about all of those moments and feelings, and now is your chance to be the knight in shining armor, both in the eyes of yourself, and in the eyes of your family.  You just need to handle your business the right way...

Hailey hears a "click" and looks up to see, through the moonlight, Agent McConnell holding out a pen for her.

Agent McConnell: ... You sign that document and cooperate with my every word, you'll never face retribution or persecution for any of this.  You will have the power.  YOU will finally OWN the title of The One and all of its glory.  This is your one chance to take control of the situation in the way you always envisioned yourself, as a leader, not a follower.  All you have to do... Is sign...

He clicks the pen twice more and takes a step closer to Hailey.  Hailey takes another glance throughout all of the document to make sure that she sees everything she has wanted to see for a second time.  As she reaches the last page, she sees the line with her name printed below it, where her signature is to go.  She closes her eyes momentarily to think, and then turns looking up at Agent McConnell.

Hailey: You really think this is all going to work?

Agent McConnell: Everything is already in motion, and will be all systems go once pen meets paper... The formalities of the rest of the mission don't concern you and are already in place...

Hailey sighs and slowly reaches out and grabs the pen from the agent's hand.  She looks down and rests the document on her knee and finally puts pen to paper, signing the agreement the agent had put in place for Hailey and her family.  With another deep breath she has solidified her cooperation with Agent McConnell, and slowly hands it all over to him.  Seeing this brings a smile to the agent's face.

Agent McConnell: Thank you.  You made the smart decision, Hailey.  Once this is all over, you won't be in trouble, and instead will be the hero.  The ONLY "One" of The Compound who truly stood up for justice.

Hailey: You had better be right about all of that... Once this is done, everything better end up as it should be, or so help me God, you will be on my radar next...

The agent chuckles.

Agent McConnell: Hailey... I can be on your radar no matter what.  That signature just got me promoted higher than I've ever been, and to a position where I will never once be in the field or worry about being touched by anyone, again.  After this is over, I'll be the guy calling the shots from behind a lovely mahogany desk and a chair you could sleep in for days, making money hand over fist.

Hailey: Well I'm glad that's all you car about in the end, and not the success of this whole "mission."

Agent McConnell: My mission is simple... Redemption and money!  It's now time for you to begin your job and follow the instructions you have been given.  Then we will see one another on "D-Day."

The agent immediately turns and walks back to his vehicle, and getting in the driver's seat.  He turns his headlights on to see Hailey with her head down, and can't help but grin feeling as though he has scored the biggest win of his career.  As McConnell leaves, Hailey takes a moment to sit in the darkness, wondering if she's done the right thing, or if she's just sold her soul to the proverbial "Devil."  All she can hope is that she has done the right thing and in the end, will be seen as a hero, and not a simple pawn in a scheme she didn't know was happening around her.