The TALONS Files: the chronicles of telepathic agent Ryan Dart

Mom Puts Up a Fight

32

Not giving up on finding Esmeralda, Ryan then searched the patio until a waiter stopped him, "Hey kid, are you with your parents?"

"Huh?" Ryan wore a blank expression, feeling as if he had just been pranked in the cruelest fashion, "No."

"I'll need some ID for you to be on the patio."

"I was just leaving," Ryan said.

As Ryan turned from the waiter, he wondered 'Is Esmeralda that good at telepathy that she could actually make someone use the restroom.'

He sensed a strong thought among Hagemeister's telepathic clutter. 'I don't want to risk being followed'.

For the first time in about a week, Ryan was angry and frustrated. And as he slinked from the patio, he sensed his life had spun full circle He fought the loneliness threatening his soul.

He once again had problems that were his, and his alone, to face. What was crueler, these new problems were a hell of a lot worse. He felt like he should just break the rules, return to his old life and not remember anything. However, if he did so, he would be stuck with an ability he would never know how to use. There was absolutely no winning.

He went back to his apartment, crawling in bed to sleep. As he did, his mind swirled and fought through, what seemed to be, murky waters. Somehow, he had to decide who was right: Esmeralda or TALONS. Anyone would think the answer would be easy- the deserter would be the bad guy. But Ryan believed some of the things Esmeralda said. She appeared to be truthful and genuine.

As his exhausted mind faded towards slumber, he hadn't the slightest clue what his next move would be. He had no experience being a spy. Yet, he felt he was in the thick of things. After all, who else was involved in an operation to stop a deadly weapon from being sold, not to mention keeping an ear on the ground for possible corruption-corruption in a league in which he swore allegiance to only two days ago.

* * *

The next morning Ryan woke around six o'clock, because someone was knocking loudly on his door. His first thought was fantasy: Esmeralda had come back to apologize. Quickly, he realized the girl would have snuck in the apartment. Most likely she would have done something creepy, like loom over Ryan's bed and startle him. So, that guess was definitely wrong.

His mind was quite hazy, so real possibilities eluded him. However, he remembered the Madison trip was today. Fumbling for his phone, which lied on the nightstand, he checked the time. Declan wasn't supposed to arrive for another hour.

Ryan shrugged, "I have to get up soon anyways."

When he reached the door, he was absolutely delighted to see his mom. She was in a warm up suit, her hair pulled back in a Pony tail.

"Hey," She said, as Ryan stood shirtless in his pajama bottoms . She presented a Tupperware container. "I made you some cookies. But first, I thought you'd like to go for a run."

Ryan liked running with his mother, as she encouraged him to stay in shape. Although he wanted to get fresh morning air, he knew he couldn't today. Declan would be here soon, and Ryan needed to get ready.

"I can't mom. We're heading to Madison in an hour."

"Bummer, it's been along time since I've seen you Ryan. I was hoping to spend a little time together."

"We could run Monday morning."

She shook her head. "Don't you pay attention to the weather forecast? It's supposed to rain all Sunday night into midday Monday."

Ryan heard a door slam shut in the Hallway. Peering around his mother, he saw Declan approaching. His teacher was striding towards them, neatly dressed in a suit and tie. "Shoot," Ryan exhaled.

His mother looked over her shoulder. "Oh, the cop from the hospital."

"Actually," Ryan started to explain that Declan was an instructor, but caught himself. It was hard to keep that from his mom. He could share anything with her.

"Actually what?" His mom said.

"Uh...nothing."

Declan cut in, "Mrs. Dart, looks like you're ready for a morning run."

"Yes," His mom said with a scolding expression, "Except, he says he's running to Madison today."

"I'm afraid so." Declan said. "He does have obligations now." He then surveyed Ryan who was half dressed, "You best get ready."

"Sure."

'I'm losing my boy.' Ryan's mother's thoughts stole through his brain.

Declan addressed her. "I'm sure Monday evening would be fine to do something with Ryan. Mondays are light days."

"Exactly what is he doing, may I ask?"

"I'm afraid I can't divulge that information."

"Look buddy, he's a minor. I have a right to know what my is up to."

"Mrs. Dart, I understand wanting to know what your son is doing. However, according to our laws, he's able to be on his own. You'll lose in a custody battle. So, that being said, I don't have to inform you on his activities in any shape, manner or form. As a matter of fact, I'm bound by rules not to share that information with you."

Ryan started to slink away to the shower. He knew his mother wouldn't give up easily. So he showered, put on some nice clothes and headed back towards the door, where Declan was standing alone. "I hate that." He said.

"She's just worried." Ryan muttered.

"And she has every right to be," Declan said, "I'm putting you in a dangerous situation. However, this rule is in place for a very important reason. So, it must be adhered to."

"I know, but it's really tough not telling them," Ryan said.

"Yes, parts of this life are not easy at all. This campus' location was in regards to your parents, and you of course. We relocated from Alexandria, Ready to go?"

"Wait, you moved because of me?" Ryan asked, embarrassed by the thought.

Declan shrugged. "And one other student. That didn't work out, however. It was so unlikely finding two with your abilities in the same city. For awhile, we thought you must have been related someway, somehow. But when we ran your DNA scan at the hospital, you two aren't even closely related."

"Why move the operation for two people?"

Declan sighed. "Because parents don't want their children moving away at sixteen. Especially when the parents don't know what the children are doing. You're mother could actually pull you out of TALONS if she absolutely wanted to. I kind of lied and I think she knows it."

Ryan felt his heart sink. Even if Esmeralda's words tainted his image of TALONS, and Ryan had his reservations, he knew this is where he had to be. "She won't do it, will she?"

"I doubt it. The cure for your illness is important enough, I think"

Ryan knew Declan was right. "Yeah."

Again, Declan said, "Ready to go?"

"Sure."