The TALONS Files: the chronicles of telepathic agent Ryan Dart

Some Heavy Thoughts

35

The ride back to Green Bay was full of small talk. Ryan learned about his instructor, seeing him as person and friend. It was evident that his teacher loved and missed his wife and daughters everyday. Ryan realized that Declan's loss was a tough fate to live with.

The man went on about his daughter's favorite shoes, movies and clothes. He talked of trips they took and how his wife was committed to raising two well rounded adults. The profession they chose was not important, nor was who they married. What was important, he raised them to be good people. That was first and foremost.

As the stories continued, Ryan couldn't help interrupting a fishing tale about Declan's eldest daughter. Ryan liked to fish and thought it was an interesting story but, as Declan went on, the stories were as if photos with important parts cut out. The question loomed, especially as Ryan believed they had been murdered, with every tale told on this ride, "How did they die?"

Declan grimaced at Ryan's question, then a look of loss and hopelessness overcame Ryan's mentor. He answered all the same, "They were driving back home in British Columbia. Apparently the brakes didn't work on her car. Somehow, a hole was worn in the brake line. They had been driving through the mountains and it went off a steep drop."

"You're from British Columbia?"

Declan shrugged, "Not anymore."

Ryan persisted. "But you were."

"Yes." Declan said.

"And this league is funded by the US?"

"At the time, recruits were low." Declan tersely explained.

"Can a brake line wear like that?"

"Yes, but not on a new car. I saw the wear."

"So your saying it was murder."

Declan cleared his throat. "Officially it was an accident."

Ryan studied his instructor's face, as he realized he couldn't sense his thoughts. "But it was murder."

"That's confidential. Just like why I won't be director."

Suddenly, a thought that sloshed through Ryan's mind, teetering between suppositions and theories, solidified to create a solid conclusion. "That's why you broke the rules! It was pay back!"

Ryan actually felt relieved. If Ryan had been in Declan's situation, he might have done the same thing. The thought dawned upon him, that this life might demand loads of inner strength - inner strength Ryan might not have.

Declan hung his head. "All this is confidential Ryan."

"What did you do?"

"I can't say."

Ryan reached to sense Declan's mind. However there was absolutely nothing to sense. Did Declan have a silent mind?

"Aren't you angry about it? I mean, they were stolen from you, robbed of their lives." Ryan asked, softly and respectfully.

Declan brought his eyes from the road for a brief moment. "Ryan, God has a plan for all." He then fixed his eyes back towards the highway. "And though I don't understand his plan, nor do I like it, I understand, when my life is over, I will be with them eternally. My time here, what I do on earth, is a trial and a test. I will not fail, nor will I let evil penetrate my soul. I will be a faithful servant to those that gave me life, preserve my freedom and help me enjoy life. My wish is that you do the same."

Ryan was speechless. It seemed such an impossible thing, to believe in something so fully. Yet, Ryan sensed Declan spoke the truth.

Ryan went to church on Sundays. Yet, whether there was a God was a question to him. Deep down, he suspected something was guiding him. Fate, a higher being, something yet to be understood? Ryan wasn't sure. He looked at his instructor's calm and peaceful face, realizing that he believed his loved ones were in a better place, "Okay."

Yet, it was difficult to think that this man, the man that was mentoring him, was capable of breaking a TALONS rule. He knew, however, that a person who steals what you love the most, deserves punishment. From what it sounded like, that man deserved something to happen to him. Thinking of those things, Ryan asserted, "It was for vengeance, that's why you broke TALONS' rules. "

Declan didn't respond, but Ryan could see his instructor's face flinch. Ryan couldn't help but ask, "If you believe in God, and believe he has a plan, why did you break the rules?"

Declan smiled ,as he took his eyes from the road, "Because I am a sinful being."

Ryan didn't know what to make of that response, other than Declan admitted to being human. He also realized that, although his new life was better, there was tremendous downside. This new world, even if there were cool perks, was quite dark and shadowy.

Last night's meeting was a caution sign, indicating a bumpy road lied ahead. Forget about the mental side of what he was learning to do, were there any emotional dilemmas that would be in his way? He wondered if his mother, father or sister would be in danger sometime in the future. He feared that with all of his being.

Somehow, Ryan knew that if something like that was to happen, it wouldn't be at this time. He wasn't even on his first assignment. Although Esmeralda's dilemma was a warning shot fired across Ryan's nose. The goth girl's brother was in jail, and TALONS would not help her. If she was right, and her brother didn't kill his colleagues, it was a travesty.