My Heavy Burden

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓕𝓲𝓿𝓮

As I am on my run, I replay the conversation with Max. Also how I am most likely the cause of Lucy's death, even though everyone has told me over and over and over again that I'm not. If I had just told that damn mob boss what I knew he may not have ended up killing her, but I didn't know he had her I thought she'd gotten away. I decide to check the perimeter and it is a damn good thing I do. The last team didn't have any traps up and had not maintained the ones from before. I lift just after 5 a.m. Sam and Emily are now up.
Sam asks "how long have you been up"
I lie and say "1 hour" I mean I had been only out an hour not even 45 minutes to do the whole perimeter.
Emily says "oh that's good at least you got some sleep considering you went to bed at 9 p.m."

Sam asks "are you doing ok? you look...worried like that time in Texas when you sensed we were about to be attacked with no indication an attack was coming.
He was right, we are in danger and it is coming soon.
But instead, I tell him "I'm fine"
Max sees this Interaction and says "  would you come with me for a second"
I start to say " no sir I have to talk to S.."
When he States " that was in order Major "
"Yes sir," I say as I salute and march, following him out of the room.

  I follow him to his office where he tells me to "take a seat." I sit differently like I did when I was a CadetI haven't sat like that in a while once seated.
he says what do you sense, you have been in the field enough to know when you're in danger even before the signs are there. I need you to trust your gut, your instincts and tell me what's going on and if I need to get my wife out of here."

I respond with "it would probably be best if you did get your wife and yourself out of here. I have an impending sense of doom. I had it when I was 15 just before I retired before I was injured, I knew it was coming. I feel like that now but it's not so immediate, but it's coming and it's not going to be pretty."

"I fear as much," he responds. How long do you reckon we have, a day, a week, a month?"

A week at most. Together let's make the preparations to get you and your wife out of here." I recommend.

"As if I'm going to abandon ship, I'll get my wife out of here and to safety but I'm not leaving. If my house Falls so do I. I'm done running. I've been running since I retired at 25. My predecessor died one year after retirement 26 years old. I made it to 68 almost 69 which's a lot older than most in the agency ever see. Heck, I believe the average age right now if you take me out of the equation is 35 a few outliers like your father 42 with 6 kids. But the worst thing is if you have kids, you lose them to the agency. I lost my three daughters and one son, all four children dead. M,y wife says she doesn't blame me but I know deep down she does, how could she not? Do they still have you guys writing those stupid Diaries and last letters home?

I moved by his words. I realize there is really no escaping the agency and once again I'm stuck with the thought is the agency really all it's cracked up to be?
"I'm never going to get out, am I? Even if I do my kids will be sucked in like I was. The agency should be disbanded and it should be illegal. But the government gets away with it. And yes we are still writing those stupid letters. Thou I know my parents will be grateful for them. I'm sure you were grateful for them too. I'm grateful to be able to write the Diaries it's interesting to me. To read what I thought when I was 5 and 6. Back when I was first brought on as an agent, I was so damn innocent thought for sure I could help save the world. but then I was caught by that stupid Mob boss and that led to Lucy's death. Like me and Jade Lucy had been brought on at a younger age than Jack so they could train together even though she was only 4. To think it could have been Jade." I grow quiet at that thought.

"You got that one right, You really can't escape.  you also got it right when you say the agency should be illegal And disbanded. Also what you said about how the government gets away with it is true. you're also right I do appreciate two letters I got from my kids their last letters home. Maybe you're not as helpless as the others. Most of the kids who come through here are so bloody brainwashed and entrenched in what you're taught at the agency that they threaten to report me for treason."

I shake my head and say "back on topic we need to get your wife at the very least out of here. I would say by tomorrow morning at the latest you guys need to be gone, but I know you will not leave your home so at the very least your wife needs to be gone. That way we have a couple of days extra to get our defences ready for battle."
" I tell Jaxson the news," Max tells me with a sigh. Looking at him now you would see an old man who has accepted his death, but I have not he well not die under my supervision.

Max sees my look and says "you can't change my mind you know that right? If my house Falls so bo I."

"If you stay then so am. You know dame well I spent my time in the agency too and can hold my own in a fight." Bonnie says surprising us.
"How long have you been standing there and listening?" I demand.
"Long enough to know that you two are planning to send me off during some big attack That we don't even know is coming from what I understand," she shouts back.
"Now, now honey calm down. We're just trying to protect you and you know I care for you. We do suspect an attack is coming and I would feel a lot better if you were safe but I know you are like me so I know that's not going to happen. Let's let Lily finish plans to protect us, while we stay here together like we faced every other battle." Max says well comforting his wife.
"Don't worry, General Max I'll get the plans going to keep you safe" I say.