The TALONS Files: the chronicles of telepathic agent Ryan Dart

The Final Chapter

Walking through the store's automatic doors, with the company of Mai, Chloe, Phong, Shandra and Gunner, Ryan asked the group, "So you're not mad I kept my meetings with Esmeralda secret?"

Gunner shook his head, "If you were acting against TALONS, I would be. You were trying to right a wrong. And had Dick found out, we'd be in a world of hurt."

"Yeah, Ryan. Don't you worry about a thing." Shandra reassured him, "I don't like people keeping things from me. But you did the right thing."

Ryan sighed, "Declan's not as impressed."

Chloe, who obviously forgot all about the peck on the cheek, said, "That's his job, Ryan."

Ryan's thoughts were sidelined for a second, as he thought about his unanswered texts. Chloe caught Ryan's expression, even as Ryan was now using his silent mind now more than ever. He had to, considering somewhere in the world, Hadrian was probably plotting his revenge. Ryan knew it was only a matter of time before they met again. "Ryan, you know we're different people." Chloe said softly.

Even though Ryan knew she was right, the words hurt on some level, it was still rejection. Ryan knew, deep down inside, that Chloe was speaking truth, they were world's apart, yet he still didn't want to be turned down.

He shrugged, maybe one day, the world would right itself and he and Esmeralda could date. "I know," Ryan said, feeling foolish to think he ever had a chance at the very pretty dark skinned girl. "You're absolutely right, we have nothing in common."

"Hey, let's check out the video games," Phong urged Gunner and Ryan.

Ryan thought back about his Sunday date with his mother. "I'll catch up with you guys. I'm going to the Hallmark section."

Gunner's eyes shot Ryan an incredulous look. "What for?"

"Mom's day card."

"Right." Gunner said. "Don't take too long."

Chloe turned towards Mai Lee and Shandra, "C'mon guys, I want to ask if you think this new shade of fingernail polish will match my dress."

Shandra laughed, "Chloe, girl, you never stop thinking about fashion!"

Ryan made his way to the Hallmark section. As he did, one thought bothered him. The thought plagued him since the Board's decision. He was allowed to stay in TALONS because his actions served a higher moral purpose. He knew they appeared that way, because he saved billions of lives. But really, did he have humanity in mind when he was out in the field trying to stop Scam Likely? The real reason for his actions were questionable, at least to Ryan.

He scrolled the Mother's Day cards, as he noticed a guy in his mid forties oddly dressed in an 1980's Eruzione US Olympic hockey jersey. His thick framed glasses were propped against a tuft of longer blondish hair, attempting to hide a severely receding hairline. He stroked a full, slightly graying beard.

Ryan picked cards and read the contents, searching for the perfect Mother's Day card.

"So many choices, but it's hard to find the one that defines your own relationship with your mother?" The middle aged guy asked.

Ryan smiled politely, "Yeah."

"Or did you come here to simply blow off a little steam?" Kid looks bothered by something.

Ryan paused for a second. He really needed a sounding board. And seeing how this was some random guy, maybe it was best to hear is input. Especially,considering the fact that he really couldn't confide in his parents about it. And really, considering what he was thinking, he didn't feel comfortable sharing with TALONS agents, seeing how the tenured veteran's reportedly viewed him.