Skirted Spies: Season 1

Episode 7: Slow Learners

Author's Note:
A heads up before you read this episode. This particular one will involve swapping between the point of views between Troy and Clyde, so if the narration seems to change, it's because it switched to a different person. This may happen in future episodes, but I'm only pointing this out once.

Troy's P.O.V.

It's a quick wakeup call for me, but too quickly as I don't have enough time to get used to the bright lights aimed for my face. I don't recall much after the explosion, not where I am or where my party is. Clyde, I remember Clyde diving into the fire, what a crazy pooch.

"Be cautious, agent Hearth, you're experiencing a reset in your systems. Take it nice and slow." Dr. Nivans does not change his expression from his usual brooding demeanor as he delivers this news.

"Doc?" I say, squinting hard at his blurry frame. He turns off the overhead lights for me, then starts his way to his table of tools, leaning one elbow on top and the hand supporting his head.

"Go ahead," he says, "I bet you've got questions." I most certainly do.

"Where am I?"

He seems dissatisfied with my question. "Seriously? You have to ask that? I thought it was obvious that you were in the Ispio Clinic."

"Where's Clyde?"

" I don't know, it was Carlotta that found you outside of the Hearth Manor. She brought you here, and only you."

"I must've blacked out."

"You fainted, Troy."

It's not like me to faint, but perhaps the witness of my parents' death and the sight of my best friend jumping into Hell itself is a good excuse. "Oh..."

Great, I already have personal matters that need my attention, but adding this on my plate pushes me back on progress massively. What should my next move even be? Maybe Carlotta has the answer.

"Doc, I need to talk to Adams."

"Sure, you can leave. You weren't injured besides some minor burns on your back." He pulls out a silver tube from his lab coat, "Just apply this cream every four hours, and it'll heal up normally."

I take the tube, "What? Every four hours? Why can't you just give me that super serum like last time?"

"Last time you had broken bones and a lack of blood. It's for traumatic injuries only."

I think about arguing with him some more, but the call of the mysteries are higher on my priority list. I shove the tube in my back pocket and head for the door. The halls of Ispio are buzzing around with employees as usual, but they pay no attention to me. Do they know that I was fired months ago? I use to bring them donuts every Tuesday! I assume Adams is in her office, so it's the first place I check, but oddly enough it's empty. I walk around her desk and sit in her chair, but a sudden squishy sound makes me jump out of it. The leather seat is now covered in gooey white cream.

"Oh no, I forgot the cream!"

I check her desk for a towel, or maybe some tissues, but nothing. I pull open the drawers, no absorbents, but I find something else that steals my attention. It's a profile report, and the name that rest atop of the papers spell out a familiar name.

"What in the world is this?"

"Hey, you're not suppose to be in here!" Carlotta stands at the doorway, a vein already visible on her forehead.

"Adams!? I was just-" Nope, not even going to try while covered in goop and holding classified reports.

"What's that in your hands!?" she asks, gliding towards me with tangible fury in each step she makes. She snatches the packet from me with such haste that I feel the need to count my fingers and be sure there are still ten.