Free In Between Dreams by Erin Rooks

when everyone worked together. Bailey was relieved as she walked over to the table to sit with the group and knew this mission would be over soon.

five.
    T hey went over the plan once again. Sam and Halene seemed to have it all figured out. Sam had purchased the tourist excursion tickets. Bailey’s job was to come up with a disguise for Mei to fool the Triad spotters who would certainly be around every corner. Daniel was going to be the “cooler” to keep the aura around Mei as calm as possible. They were fourteen hours away from getting on a high-speed train that would quickly move the team outside of Hong Kong. The hope was since they would be in the middle of a large group of foreign tourists, Mei could simply blend into the crowd. Once they got outside of Hong Kong, they would be able to find an alternative to using the Hong Kong airport and get out of the country. It would take a little longer than jumping on a plane, but it was the perfect cover. Why would someone from China go on a Chinese excursion with a group of Europeans and Americans? Bailey had to hand it to Halene; she had devised a brilliant plan.
    Bailey listened patiently to the plan, once again trying to discern any holes in planning. She was asking the appropriate questions at the appropriate times, but a piece of her mind had drifted to Rodney. Where did he go? Was her subconscious simply done with him? How many moments had she thought back on his words? This happened both in her life in Seattle and on these missions.
    “Everyone got it?” Halene asked. “This is the last time we’re going to go over it.” She yawned. It was contagious, and everyone followed. Bailey asked the obvious question no one really liked to think about.
    “I’m not really comfortable with Plan B. Sam, are you sure the new safe house is close enough to the train station to get Mei off the street quickly if this goes south? She will panic, and we’ll need to move her quickly,” Bailey said. She knew enough about the plan to know if things went wrong, they’d go wrong very quickly. She wanted to make sure they were all comfortable with the alternative scenario.
    “I’m sure,” Sam said with a light smile. “It’s less than two blocks, and we’ll have back up.”
    Daniel nodded. “I’ll be in the train car behind you, just in case you need a skilled gunman,” he said with a wink.
    “You’re so cocky,” Bailey murmured.
    Sam would be the lead in the scenario to move Mei. Bailey would be the distraction by wearing the same clothes as Mei under her loosely fitting dress. They all hoped some of the men would follow Bailey increasing the chances of splitting the pursuers into two groups, thus improving the odds of making it to the safe house. Bailey was skilled at diversions and moved like a cat.
    Halene leaned back in her chair. “Go on, y’all. Time’s a wastin’,” she said with a head tilt and flick of her wrist.
    “Let’s get in there,” Daniel said, and motioned to the bedroom door.
    Sam walked over to the door, knocking timidly. “She’s not going to hear that,” Bailey offered.
    “Just open the door, mate,” Daniel said.
    Sam took a breath before sliding the door open. Mei sat up in bed. The trio walked in, and Bailey slid the door closed behind her, taking a solemn breath inward.
    Sam looked back to check on Bailey. She nodded with a light, insincere grin. Mei’s mindset still wasn’t where they needed it to be. They needed to get Mei to be calm and confident about their plan.
    Mei’s eyes widened as she looked at Bailey. Mei took Bailey’s hand and smiled reassuringly. She began to speak, and Sam translated. “You look worried. I am feeling much better now, I promise,” Mei said sincerely. She appeared to have settled down and was more reasonable than she had been over the last couple hours.
    Bailey looked between Mei and Sam before responding. “I’m not worried about you, Mei. I know you’re going to be fine,” Bailey stated