Chapter 1
The move
“But mom, I like it here!” I asserted loudly.
“I know you do, son, but your father has a job opportunity elsewhere” his mom huffed.
We’ve had this conversation many times before, so I know the drill.
“We have only lived here a few months, how do you expect me to make friends if we live
somewhere a few months and go to the next place!” this time I yell and regret it immediately.
“I’m sorry, it’s just stressful telling my friends I’m moving” I apologize
“I have had enough.. Every time we move you go nuts like it’s my fault” she snaps. “If
you don’t want to go find somewhere else to be!” she yells.
“Fine I’ll go live with Camden,” I raise my voice higher than hers.
“Who is Camden,” my mom asks.
“Camden is my boyfriend,” I say and then think about what I just said. This is the
moment everything changes. My mom now knows my secret. She knows I am gay.
Chapter two
New kid
My first day at Flagler High School was a disaster. Everyone was nice and all but I didn’t
seem to fit in with them. I just moved from Georgia and had those weirdo vibes I guess. I seem
to stand out no matter where I am, almost as if I’m doomed. Granted, I decided to wear my black
and yellow security jacket so it made me noticed but not in the way you want to be noticed on
your first day. There is this one kid who seemed to be wherever I am. I go to the bathroom, he is
there. I go to lunch, he is there. I hide in a corner during my free block, he was there. I try my
hardest to avoid him, without hurting his feelings. I figure he is following me so I go out to my
car and he was right beside mine.
“Hey I’m Jake” I introduce with a nod.
“I’m Xavier,” he mumbles shyly.
“Alright Xavier, why are you following me?” I ask kindly but he flinches. I guess I need
to work on kind.
“I’m sorry” he mutters, seemingly too scared to speak aloud.
“I’m saying you have to be sorry, I just want to know why. I don't care that you are
following me” I speak as if I encountered a wild animal.
“I umm, well I was wanting to talk to you but you always seemed busy so I gave up on
trying to talk” he says with half a voice.
“If you had tried to talk, you would have walked up to me and said ‘hi,’” I say and start
towards my car.
“I'm sorry,” he yells out suddenly.
I say bye to him and tell him I have to go home but he and I could talk the next day. As I
drive home I think about how skittish he seemed. When I get home my mom is making dinner.
“How was school, honey?” she asks.
“Good, the people are really nice,” I lie so she doesn’t worry too much.
“I got a call welcoming us to Flagler county from your school” she threw in
unexpectedly.
“They are definitely welcoming,” I lie but she doesn’t seem to notice. “Did you go
through the attic?” I ask as if I care.
“No it seems to be locked shut so I figured I would get you to take a look at it later” she
sounds distracted.
“What's up you don’t seem to be paying much attention to what you’re doing” I say as I
stop her from putting salt in her tea. “Is there anything I should know about?” I ask worried now.
“Well your father decided to reach out today” she says with slight difficulty.
I think about this for a minute. My father left when he found out my mom was pregnant
with me and sends a few dollars here and there if we asked him to.
2“What does he want this time?” I ask, sounding snappy as usual when this subject is
breached.
She recoils as normal. She hates when I talk like this.
“He wants to be a part of our lives” she says quietly. “He says he wants to be near you”.
I just stand there as I think of what could happen while he is here.
“I'm going to go check the attic now,” I don’t wait for her answer before stalking off.
Later on while I’m finishing my homework a black vehicle, government by the look of it,
pulls up in front of the house. A man in a suit gets out of the car and walks up to the house as if
he lives there.
“Why are you here? Who do you work for?” I ask as soon as he gets to the front door.
He looks dumbfounded for a minute then says in a clipped tone “I am here to see you and
your mom Jake, my boy”. I stare at him as I try to figure out who he is. As it turns out he is my
father.
We talk to the government man for a while before we go our separate ways to let him get
settled. My mom has him in the guest room but I don’t think that will be for too long.
As I go to bed later that evening I start thinking about the man sleeping in the guest
bedroom and shudder. I can see where this is going. I roll over and think about seeing Xavier
again.
+++
When I arrive at the school the next day I look for his car but it is nowhere to be found. I
figure he is just running late, so I don’t worry at first. Then he doesn’t show up to lunch. This is
where I begin to worry. I don’t see him in Trig, either. I figure he could have fallen ill, something
small. When he finally comes back to school, he acts as if I didn't exist. This is the moment I
know something was wrong. After school I follow him home so I could do some investigating.
His father notices me and invites me in, but I respectfully decline saying I have to go to the
market. The next day while I was getting ready for class he walked up to me with tears in his
eyes and his face bloody. He explaines that after I left his house his dad beat the crap out of him.
I tell him to meet me at my truck after school and rush off to my next class. I didn’t tell him why
I wanted him there but he agrees to meet me. I take his keys when he got to my truck and found
his car. When I get to the car I unlock it and throw the keys in. I walk back to my truck and tell
him to get in. He looks scared but gets in anyway. When we get to my house he seems relieved
and visibly relaxes. I tell him to stay in the truck a minute and go tell my mom that I have a
friend who needs to stay for a while.
“Before I decide whether or not he can stay, I need to meet him” she says slowly, as if
weighing the words before saying them.
I go and get him and as soon as he steps through the door mom nods at me telling me he
can stay. Later that evening she pulls me aside.
3“What happened to him?!” she asks. I tell her about his dad beating him up for me being
there. She wants to call the cops and I stop that.
“If we do that I will be arrested for kidnapping and go to jail” I point out.
She asks if he has a car and I tell her that the car is at the school.
“I’ll be back” she says. She goes and gets in her tow truck and goes to the school for the
car I assume because the car isn’t there when we get to school the next day. All is good until the
end of the day when we go to get my truck. When we get there we find police around my truck
waiting on me.
“Put your hands where I can see them” one of the officers says, drawing his weapon. I
look at Xavier and put my hands up. One of the officers walks up to me.
“Jake Hale, you are under arrest for kidnapping. You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an
attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you” I look at Xavier and tell
him to take my truck back to my house and tell my mom what happened.
4Chapter three
Moving again
My mom shows up just before they put me in a cell. She explains that Xavier went with
me willingly but they don't want to hear it saying that if Xavier's dad drops the charges then they
could let me go but until then there was nothing they could do to help. My dad shows up and
tells them he is there to take me into federal custody but they wouldn't hear that either. He left
and came back an hour later with a warrant for my arrest so they had no choice but to let me go.
He makes a good show of it too, mirandizes me and all, but slips the key into my hand. As we
walk to the car I unlock the cuffs and put them in my pocket. When we got back to the house we
found Xavier waiting looking worse than before I was arrested. I managed to convince my dad to
arrest Mr. Jenks, but the charges didn't hold because Xavier was too scared to testify. I got my
dad to set up a meeting with the chief of the FBI so I could see what I could do about the
situation. He put me in a program so I was a volunteer FBI agent. I was able to protect Xavier
then but only to the extent of the law which meant he couldn't stay with me. I got a call from the
new bureau chief Mrs. Robbins. She wanted to congratulate me on my promotion to a tier one
operative. I now had the power to take Xavier from his dad with probable cause. I convinced
Xavier to testify against his dad if I got him arrested for child endangerment. All was good until
we had to move and Xavier had to stay with his aunt.
“I'm sorry but we have to go,” I tell Xavier sadly. “I would stay with you but I don't have
a choice."
"Will you come back though,” he asks as I load my last bag in the car.
“I don't think so,” I tell him as I close the door and start back towards the house so I can
lock up. “I will try to come back but I doubt I will be able to.”
“Well could you at least try to say in touch?” he asks as he hands me a slip of paper.
All I can do is nod as I get into the car and start the engine.
“I will try to keep in touch but I can't promise anything,” I say as I close the door.
When he goes back to the house I start after my parents, who have a two hour head start.
As I drive I think about what has happened these past few months.
Chapter four
Yet another new home
I get to the new house just after dark. My parents are just finishing setting up the house.
“What took you so long to get here” mom asks as I take the first box from my room into
the house.
“A few of the goodbyes took longer than expected” I say as I go to my room and find my
bed is already set up and put the box on it. “You guys didn't have to set my room up” I yell into
the living room.
“I put a safe in the closet for stuff from work” my dad says when he pops up in the
doorway carrying a box of files. I jump and he laughs. "Sorry kid, I didn't mean to startle you".
“Thanks. Where is my ammo?” I ask before going to get a duffle bag and some boxes
from the car.
“I have them in the safe” he says and opens the closet to reveal a little safe with its door
open. “I haven't programmed a code in yet, I figured you had better do that".
"Thanks” I say then ask suddenly “Is there anything to eat?”
He goes and gets a burger from the kitchen and tells me to eat that and he will get the rest
of my things from the car. I sit on the edge of my bed and eat the burger. It is one of those veggie
burgers you don't find too often but it's good nonetheless. When he comes back he has the last of
the boxes and a gun I don't recognise. I ask about the gun and he explains that the bureau wants
the training nine millimeter back when I go into the office on monday. I take the boxes and put
them down next to my bed.
"When did the bureau call?” I ask as I put the guns in the safe.
“About an hour ago” he says then asks, "why?”
"I was just wondering since I didn't get a call from them” I say suspiciously.
"Well, nevermind that” he says as he walks out of the room.
I go back to organizing my room until I can't keep my eyes open enough to continue. I
make sure the safe is locked and climb into bed.
+++
When I wake up the next morning I smell coffee and some air freshener. I can't quite put
my finger on what it smells like so I go get coffee and find one of the neighbors in the kitchen. I
finally find a mug and take my coffee back to my room so I can continue setting up. I check my
phone and find a message from Linda, my "girlfriend”. She wants to know how the move was
and is gushing about the latest drama. I tell her the move went well and that the drama from
Dinwiddie would be enough. I finish putting my room together and decide I would pay a visit to
the local field office and turn in my old gun. The thing is the gun wasn't in my safe anymore. I go
to ask my dad about it but he isn't home. I ask my mom about it and she tells me he had to go to
the office so he took my gun with him.
+++
The next day I make my way to the local high school. No one here seems to notice how
different from them I am except for one boy who stares when I walk into classes as if he can see
the vest beneath my jacket. He walks up to me at lunch and introduces himself.
“Hello, my name is Julian,” he says with a voice like liquid gold.
“Hello Julian,” I say in a weak voice. "I'm Jake, nice to make your acquaintance”. This
seems to confuse him.
"Well, Jake, I thought I would welcome you to Dinwiddie” he extends his hand for me to
shake and when I touch his hand there is a tingle that runs through my body and I shiver.
“Oh sorry” he says “I just washed my hands and I don't think this place has heard of hot
water”.
“The faculty bathrooms have hot water” I say then realize my mistake “I had to use one
when they were cleaning the other ones” I fix before he questions how I know.
Later that night just before bed I text Linda and tell her what happened. "I met this guy
and when we shook hands I felt this charge" I text her. She replies with “Oh my lord!”. I'm very
confused so I ask her why she said that. She tells me that is a sign of attraction.
That is the first night I dreamt of Julian. When I get to school the next day they are doing
a security check. I don't have anywhere to hide the gun in my bag or the vest on my body. I see
Julian without his sweatshirt on and see his chiseled body and perfect abs. When it is my turn at
the checkpoint the security guard tells me I'm all good without actually checking me. This makes
Julian suspicious why the guard is checking everyone else but me. He tries finding out with little
success. He asks me why I wasn't checked but he was.
"Perhaps it's the fact I'm not wearing an ill fitting sweatshirt,” I say slyly.
“I think you're hiding something and I will find out what it is,” he says in a would be
threatening voice.
"Good luck with that,” I mutter as I walk away.
As I'm going to my truck at the end of the day, I get a call from Mrs. Robbins
“Hale speaking,” I say when I answer the phone.
"Hello Mr. Hale. We need you to do a raid and arrest on El Jéfé,” says Mrs. Robbins.
"Send me the address,” I say although I just want to go home.
When I get to the house there is a car in the driveway.
“FBI, open up,” I say pounding on the door.
I have my weapon drawn when the door opens and just about drop it when I see who
opens it.
“Jake what are you doing here?!” It's Julian and he's eyeing my gun, eyes full of fear and
triumph.
“I'm here to speak to El Jéfé” I say as I show him the search and arrest warrant.
"Speaking” says Julian and this time I do drop my gun.
“I'm just joking,” he says laughing. “No one by that name lives here".
"Nonetheless I need to speak to your father” I say.
Julian goes and gets his father. When his father gets to the door, I tell him I am looking
for someone by the name of El Jéfé. I see something flicker on his face but he denies being El
Jéfé, so I go back to the car and drive around the corner. I radio dispatch and tell them I came up
with nothing and need a warrant for Julian's house. They send it to the printer in his house and
tell me to go back and tell them I was there to search the house. When I say I am there to search
the house Julian's dad asks where my warrant is.
"My warrant is on your printer” I say and push my way into the house.
Bingo! I found what I was looking for . I call for backup and CSI. I go ask Mr. Reyes
who’s bedroom it is without an explanation as to why I want to know. He tells me it is his room
and as he does so I draw my firearm and tell him to put his hands up. Julian walks into the room
and looks terrified.
“Jake please don't hurt him. If you don't do it for your job do it for me,” he pleads. I look
at him and he explains, “I've seen the way you look at me. Can you please let my dad go free?
We can make it look like my dad attacked you and escaped!” I just stare at him for a minute.
"So you want me to make it seem like he beat me up and you will go out with me?”
“Exactly, you catch on quickly” he said with a smirk.
“See now that's not how it works” I say as I pull out the cuffs.
“How what works Jake?” he asks, looking amused.
“Love. It isn't something forced” I say glaring at him. “Carlos Reyes, you are under arrest
for drug possession with the intent of distribution. You have the right to remain silent. Anything
you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If
you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you” I say as I put the handcuffs on
Julian's dad.
This is the part of the job I hate most. I think as I take Julian and his dad to the local
police station. It is worse when it's someone you know that you're taking in.
“You seem distracted,” Julian says suddenly. “If it was what I said at the house I'm sorry,"
he apologizes. I look at him curiously. “I don't swing that way, but I was trying to get you to
leave my dad alone,” he says, staring at his hands.
"What exactly do you mean ‘you don't swing that way'?” I ask as we pull into the police
station.
“I'm straight,” is all he said.
When we get inside we find the DEA and DCS waiting for us. I give Julian's dad to the
DEA agents that are waiting but tell the DCS person that I would take Julian. Julian is looking at
a photo on my desk when I go back to him.
"Is this your brother or one of your friends?” he asked, looking worried, like I might be
mad at him or something. The photo is of me and Xavier.
“Umm, me and him were good friends," I say slowly.
“Oh I'm sorry,” he says and it reminds me of Xavier's apology when I asked him why he
was following me.
Then my phone goes off. It's Lynda.
L. Hey!! How did the raid go?
E. It was interesting.
L. Oh do tell!
E. I'll tell you what I can.
L. Oh spill already!
E. It was Julian and his dad's house. >:{
L. Oh dogs, that had to suck.
E. So what are you doing?
L. Thinking about my new boss, Sean. I think he likes me!
E. Wait like ultra handsome with an extra helping Sean?
L. The very one!
E. :O
L. Let's hope that's the case and I didn't just fall for a gay dude!
E. Yeah. Uhm listen, I have to go. Julian needs a ride back to my house. He's staying until they
track down his family! But he's straight so that's fun.
L. Oh dude that sucks. I will talk to you later then.
I put my phone away and take Julian back to my house.
Chapter 5
Awkward
We go back to my house and I take him to my room until I know what to do with him.
"Hey ma” I say walking into the kitchen for some water.
"Hey, what's up. You look worried,” she says while I chug some water.
“Is the guest room open by chance?” I ask knowing the answer.
“No, your father is in there, why?” she asks suspiciously.
“I have a friend who just got his dad arrested and needs somewhere to stay for right
now,” I tell her. “He will be in my room I guess,” I say although I want to scream and cry my
eyes out.
“Alright, do you know how long he will be here?” she asks.
"Just until I can find his relatives or he wants to leave, but he can't leave until he's
eighteen,” I tell her. “I need to go get him settled in with what he has and go to his house and get
some of his stuff,” I tell her and go back to my room to find it empty. I'm about to call in an
amber alert when he walks in.
"Where were you?!” I ask loudly. “I told you to stay here."
“I was using the restroom,” he says like he didn't know what to do with me shouting.
“Alright well you have to stay in my room,” I tell him. "The guest bedroom is being used.
Is there anything you need from your house?”
"Some clothes and stuff for school,” he tells me.
“Alright let's go get that stuff,” I say.
We go back to his house and get some of his things from his room. I look at his room not
from an agent's point of view but from an eighteen year olds point of view. When we get back to
my house we find a moving truck blocking my driveway.
"Stay here,” I say getting out of my truck. “Excuse me ma'am. Your moving truck is
blocking my driveway,” I say when I get to the woman outside of the house.
“Oh sorry, I'll move it. I'm your new neighbor by the way,” she says.
“Oh does my new neighbor have a name?” I ask.
“My name is Kenzie. What is your name?” she asks.
“I am Jake. What is your last name?” I ask.
“Cullen. Why?” she asks suspiciously.
“I just wanted to know” I lied. In all truth I wanted to run a background check on her.
+++
Later that evening, I found the file I printed out on her had moved.
"Did you touch the file, Julian?” I ask as calmly as possible.
“Yeah, I wanted to see what she is like. She seems nice. Do you think she's single?” he
asks suddenly.
"With a face like that , I can't see how she would be” I say and put the file in my safe.
“Oh and by the way Julian, if you see a file with 'classified information' written on it, DON'T
TOUCH IT!” I emphasize forcefully.
"Geez dude, sorry,” he said defensively. "I didn't know it would ruffle your feathers," he
jokes.
“If my boss found out you read the file, I would get fired,” I explain. "So, it would help if
you could refrain from reading classified files,” I add.
“Sure thing, what is the sleeping arrangement?” he asks.
“Well unless you want to share the bed, one of us is sleeping on the floor,” I say.
I hope he says we should share the bed but I begin to lose hope until he says, "Sure we
can share the bed,” I try to look indifferent, but I don't think it worked. He chuckles as I go to get
ready for bed. When I get back, I see he organized my - our - room. I don't really recognize the
room. It's clean!
“You did all of this in twenty minutes?” I ask when I finally walk in.
“Yes, I put your gun and credentials in their designated spots in your safe,” he says. I
look at him confused and he says, “you left your safe open, so I put the stuff that needed to go in
the safe away and locked it,” at least he doesn't know my code - yet.
He goes to the bathroom to get ready. While he is doing what he needs to in the
bathroom, I pull up his file. He walks in and sees me looking through the file and demands to
know why I am looking through his past.
"Well lets see,” I speak slowly like I have to think about it. “I am letting you sleep in my
house, in my room, and furthermore in my bed, so yes I am looking through your past. If you
don’t like it I can call CPS tomorrow and have them take you, but you won't like where you are
placed. My house is a day spa compared to the places they maintain,” I tell him, no longer caring
how he feels about it.
+++
In the morning he decides to run away. Things had gone a little rough the night before. I
follow him until he runs into a house. I give him a little while and knock on the door. I tell him
I'm sorry and I didn't mean to hurt him. I push his head up and kiss him. He kisses me back and
when the moment ends, I am gone.
Chapter six
The final move
Dad got a higher position as Bureau chief assistant meaning we had to move to Quantico.
The only thing is I'm not willing to move this time. We have been here three months now, and I
have a boyfriend, though mom knew nothing about him. This time when she told me we were
moving I was not having it.
“But mom I like it here!” I asserted when she gave me the news.
“I know you do, son, but your father has a job opportunity elsewhere, and it applies to
you too” his mom huffed. We’ve had this conversation many times.
“We have only lived here a few months, how do you expect me to make friends if we live
somewhere a few months and then go to the next place!” This time I yell and regret it
immediately. “I’m sorry, it’s just stressful telling my friends I’m moving,” I apologize.
“I have had enough.. Every time we move you bug out like it’s my fault” she snaps. “If
you don’t want to go, find somewhere else to live!” she yells.
“Fine I’ll go live with Camden,” I say.
“Who is Camden?” my mom asks.
“Camden is my boyfriend,”I say unthinkingly. This is the moment everything changes.
My mom now knows my secret. She knows I am gay.
Chapter seven
New beginnings
The next time we speak I have a boyfriend, and we decide to put the past behind us and
start hanging out again. When Camden pops the question he acts excited like everyone else but I
think he thought it should be him asking me. He seemed to like my fiancé but there was
something bitter like.
“So you have a fiancé now,” he remarks unessicarly. “Big step for you, considering what
happened,” he speaks with a sly tone and a sudden understanding comes over me. He is trying to
ruin mine and Camden’s relationship.
“If you are trying to get Camden to call off the wedding it's not going to happen. I told
him about what happened between us when we were younger when you first popped up, and
asked if I could hang out with you, so before you go trying stuff think about that,” I snap at him
and leave him looking very dumbfounded. I don’t see or hear from him again until one of our
friends dies and we go to the funeral.
“Why don't you go talk to him?” Camden suggests. “I think it could do you some good.”
“I don't think that is a very good idea,” I tell him. “He puts his hands where they don't
belong and he tried to end our relationship. I don't think that is someone I want to hang out
with.”
“Alright well at least see if he is okay,” He tells me with an expression of don't argue
with me.
“Fine, I don't understand why you want me to talk to him,” I say as I walk towards Julian
and wish I could be anywhere else.
Just before I reach Julian, I look back at my husband. He makes the motion telling me to
continue walking. When I reach Julian, I look around to see if there is anyone else around before
speaking.
“Er hello Julian," I say timidly. He looks at me for a moment and runs off. Later that
night, I turn on the news and find a story about someone driving off the highway.
“Camden, GET IN HERE,” I scream through the house. He comes running thinking
something happened to me.
“What is it?” he asks me panting. “Why are you screaming bloody murder?”
“Look at this,” I finally say.
The reporter on scene is talking about the car as they pull it out of the ocean.
“The car is registered to Julian Reyes, a Dinwiddie resident. We are waiting to see who is
in the vehicle if anyone at all. Until we get a proper ID on the body, back to you Rob.” The
television cutts back to the studio.
“Do you know what this means?” I ask Camden as I turn off the television.
“That Julian was really unstable?” he asks slowly.
“No it means I just caused his death. I just killed someone,” I say with my eyes filled
with tears. He takes me in his arms and drags me to the couch. We sit there for what feels like
hours until the doorbell rings and he has to go answer it.
“Hey hun, can you come in here please?” he asks from the entrance hall. When I walk
into the entrance hall, I find my old boss at the front door.
“What do you want, Robbins. I told you I wanted nothing to do with you after what you
did to my father,” I say and go to walk away. A few years ago, my father was killed doing
some undercover work for her. After that, I quit my job at the FBI and moved on to
become a teacher. Of course Camden was a little disappointed with my choice to leave the
bureau, but it was my decision not his.
Mr. Hale, that is actually what I am here about. I am here to help you avenge the death of
your father. If you accept this job there will be money, fame, and of course your father will be
remembered again,” Robbins said. At the words and of course your father will be remembered
again, I had a sudden strike of anger so strong I wanted to kill Robbins for it.
“Well guess what,” I spin around and snap. “He wouldn't need to be remembered if you
didn't put him in with those people.”
“We want you back with the Bureau Hale, we need you at the Bureau. If you accept this
mission, I will personally get you any jobs or otherwise you want,” Robbins says.
“Jake, take the job. It will be good for you to find old ways,” Camden says. “And avenge
your family's death, get us a nice house on a beach somewhere and be an agent again,” he
whispers in my ear.
“I accept your offer on one condition,” I say as I go to our safe and grab my gun. “It’s my
old team or I'm not doing it.”
“I already have them in the Richmond field office, all you have to do is go and get ready
to work,'' Robbins tells me.
“Well then what are we waiting for, let's go. Just so you know, I'm driving,” I tell Robbins
as we walk out the door. “Close the door please, Camden. Activate protocall
one-eight-three-seven-four,” I tell the security system.
Robbins throws me the keys when we get close to the car. When I get in the car I see two
vests on the passenger seat and my old badge waiting with the vests. She knew I would go with
her, either because she knows how I work, or she got Camden to get me to go.
“Advanced security system you have here, Hale,” Robbins says as she gets in the car. I
ignore her comment, not wanting to make small talk.
Before too long we are speeding down the highway. Robbins is grinning, as if the way
I'm going in and out of traffic is a good thing. The radio suddenly has a static burst and dispatch
requires our attention. I go to reach for the radio but she slaps my hand away, and explains that
drivers are no longer allowed to answer calls unless they are parked. I just look at her for a
second and reach for the radio. She chuckles and goes back to whatever she is doing.
“Unit one-eight-three-seven-four responding,” I say into the radio.
“Welcome back unit one-eight-three-seven-four. Respond to One Thirteen courthouse
road. The locals are there, but require back-up. They also need crime scene tape, so I hope you
have some,” Dispatch responds.
“Roger that, Dispatch,” I say, flipping on the bull bar. Suddenly the engine sputters, and
dies. As I try to pull off to the side of the road, without the power steering in operation to help,
we are just about rear ended. The engine roars to life as we reach the shoulder. I look at Robbins.
“Who is your mechanic nowadays? Whoever they are, you need to fire them,” I say then start
back onto the interstate.
“That's one thing I need to talk to you about, Hale. we would like you to be our new
mechanic, after we are done with this mission. If you were to accept, you will not have the need
to go out into the field,” spoke Robbins.
“See now here is something that has been bothering me for years. Why do you insist on
calling me Hale? I do have a first name you know,” I snap, and when she doesn't answer I say,
“well, why don't you call me by my first name?”
“My son's name was Jake, so there is a pain in saying the name,” she turns her head away
from me, and I figure she needs a moment to herself.
“I'm sorry about your loss, ma’am,” I say and go back to keeping silent. When we get to
the scene, we find it deserted. “Do you think Dispatch gave us the wrong place?” I ask Robbins,
and go to radio dispatch.
“Don't key the radio,” she warns. “We don't know what will happen if you do. I don't feel
like dying right now, and I'm sure Camden wants his husband to come home in one piece,”
Robbins starts to look around, probably looking for traps and/ or sharp shooters.
In one swipe, I took one of the vests and told her to do the same. She complies only after
I make her realize that it could save her life. I go to get out of the car, but there is suddenly a
hand on my arm.
“What if there is a trap out there?!” Robbins asks with such force I suddenly consider it.
“Think before you do things that could get you killed,” she tacks on before letting me go. I think
about it and then remember my training. Also if someone wanted to attack us, they would have
already had ten minutes to do it, so I think it’s pretty safe to exit the car. I step out of the car and
as soon as I do, a shot rings out hitting the car, and shattering the tail light. As soon as I recover
from the shock of the shot, I am in the car and driving like a madman. We make an hour trip in
twenty minutes, and when we get there the building is in a frenzie. When they saw our car pull
into the garage, they all seemed to relax until they saw who was driving. The vest I was wearing
seemed to insult them even more. Robbins looks like she is now realizing she made a grave
mistake. I sauntered into the main building. She follows with quick succession. I lead the way to
her office, and wait on her to catch up.
“Swipe your keycard, see if it still works,”she suggests. I try the card and I am permitted
access to her office. The only thing is it’s empty and the only thing is a desk with a cup of pens.
“Moving out?” I ask Robbins and move farther into the office.
“I did move out, and now you are moving in. we, that being me and the Bureau, feel it is
time for a new leader to be appointed, and we all feel that should be you. So when you are good
and very well ready, you can do up this office as your own, and get your stuff in,” Robbins says.
I look around the office, and realize that this is what I always wanted.
“You know, the agents downstairs didn't look too happy to see me,” I say grinning
nonetheless. “But there is still the question of when this position takes hold,” I look at her, and
she smiles.
“The hold took place as soon as you stepped in here,” she says. I stare at her in disbelief.
Suddenly the alarms go off as the building goes through the first part of lockdown. “You need to
put your old unit number in,” Robbins yells over the alarm. I run to the pin pad on the wall
behind my desk and the alarm shuts off as the building enters stage two of the lock in. I go out
into the ball pit and all I see is chaos. I whistle, and everyone looks at me.
“Just because the alarm went off doesn't mean you have to act like idiots. If you were
calm and orderly, you would have heard the alarm turn off. Now that I have seen you all act like
this, I'm wondering if you can operate properly out in the field. Each and everyone of you now
needs a recertification test as soon as possible,” I go back to my office, and put phase three into
effect. As soon as I hit enter, the building goes black. “If I'm remembering correctly, this doesn't
happen in phase three,” I say. As soon as Robbinson sees my phone light up, she makes me shut
it off.
“If they see the light from your phone,” she hisses in my ear, “it will draw them straight
here. If you want to die today, have at it, but I'm not going down with you,” she says and walks
over to my couch. “Mind if I sit?” she asks.
“No go ahead. This is still your office. You don't have to ask to do anything in here,” I
say and sit behind the desk. The chair gives an unearthly scream. “What the frick is wrong with
this chair?!” I ask as I get up and lean against the desk instead.
“The chair is older than you are. I hope you take good care of it. I have had that chair for
forty three years. If anything happens to it, it will hurt me deeply,” she says. A few seconds later,
the PA system rang out a message.
“Will Mrs. Robbins please report to the lobby for dismissal. Mr. Hale, you are to keep
this building in order or Mrs. Robbins will suffer the consequences for your actions. I do hope
she will make it out alive. Such a nice soul, it would be a pity to waste it,” no later than the PA
system cut off, the door to the stairwell opened. I went to look at robbins, but she was nowhere to
be found. “Well might as well go make the announcement,” I think. “How do you deliver a
message that will end all order? Doesn’t look like I can google it.” I walk out to the ball pit.
“Gather ‘round please,” I say and pause, waiting for them to walk over. “I am here to deliver
some grave news. Our leader, Robbins, has been taken. I need you all to stay calm while I figure
out what to do. As some may have heard, I am now your leader. Do not mistake my kindness for
weakness. It will get you later. Now I need all of you to gather your things and meet me in the
conference room,” I go to my-Robbins- office to gather my own things. As I walk to the office,
my phone goes off. How weird. Normally in these kinds of situations all outside contact. When I
unlock my phone I see it’s from Camden.
Z. Hey, I don’t know if you will get this, but the news is saying something about a
hostage situation at the FBI field office in Richmond. I hope you get this before anything
happens.
E. Camden! Tell the locals that Robbins has been taken. I can’t talk long in case they
come back. I love you and hope to see you soon.
Just after the message is sent, I lose service. I hope it sends I think as I walk to the
conference room.
"Alright guys, I need you all to stay calm if you want us to live. I need each of you to
grab vests and rifles from the armory,” I lead them to the armory, and grab weapons of my own. I
overhear part of a conversation before fists are thrown.
“Just as well having her gone. All that chick did to the bureau was push us down the list
of cases solved,” Jefferies says. Just before his sentence is finished, my ex partner throws himself
at Jefferies and bashes his head into the wall behind him. Half the room draws their weapons.
“STAND DOWN!” I scream over the commotion. “THIS IS WHAT WE NEED NOT TO
DO!” more yelling barely heard. I grab a stun gun and shoot it at my old partner. “What the hell
is your issue Hotchner?!” I ask, and this is the moment he knows he messed up big time. “You
don’t attack fellow officers no matter what they say. Effective immediately you are on
suspension. Hand over your credentials and I will be needing your service weapon before you
leave. Now does anyone else have issues they want to duke out or are we ready to act like adults
and find a way out of here?” I ask, but don’t wait for an answer before going back to the
conference room. My phone starts to ring, shrill and loud. I look down and see Camden is the
one calling.
“Camden, thank god! You got my message. I need you to get a hold of Rossie for me. I
don’t think I have much time to explain,” I say in a rush to make sure I don’t run out of time.
“If only I was your precious Camden, Mr.Hale,” a mysterious voice says on the other end
of the phone. “Listen closely, and he will live. You will go to interrogation and let Jeffery
Witlock go free. Once he and my team are free and clear, the power will come back, your boss
will manage to get your attention, and you can try to search for me. Sound like a plan?” he asks.
“How do I know Camden is still alive? I need proof of life before I do anything,” I hope
the voice doesn’t notice my stalling, but they comply even if they do.
“Jake, don't do it! He won’t let me go either way! Don’t give in!” Camden yells, before
there is a sickening crunch on the other end.
“Now that you have proof of life, you have twenty minutes to do what you have been
told, or sweet little Camden gets a bullet between the eyes,” the call disconnects before I can say
anything.
“Okay guys listen up,” I say, throwing my things off to the side for the time being. “ this
is no longer a fight for our lives, this is now also for a civilian. We need to find Witlocks
interrogation room,” I look at my people. “Why do you all look so grave?” Everyone in the room
looked like someone had died.
“Umm, sir, Witlock committed suicide before you and the bureau chief arrived. So if they
wanted to exchange him for someone, they are so out of luck,” Dixon, my liaison says, looking
like I'm going to hurt him and he needs to keep his distance.
“We have to think of something and fast. Are you one-hundred percent sure he is dead? I
can’t have a civilian die because you guys didn’t check the suspect,” I really hope they just didn’t
check he was dead well enough, and missed a crucial detail. “And she isn’t the bureau chief
anymore. I have her position, and that is something you will have to deal with” I look around to
see if there is anyone that wants to object. “Now, Nixon, go check and see if Whitlow is dead, or
if he’s just good at pretending”. As he leaves, I look at the others. “You can go back to what you
were doing now”. I walk out of the room, and see if I have any signal. I have one bar. Weird,
they lifted the signal blocker.
Chapter eight
Someone’s going to pay
“Boss, we have a problem. I need you in the conference room, now!” Nixon yelled as he
ran toward the conference room.
I just kinda stand there for a second, looking somewhat dumbfounded. After a second, I
ran to the conference room after Nixon, and when I got there he was pacing and looking like he
saw a ghost. “Where’s the fire, Nixon?” I ask as I walk into the room.
“Whitlow is gone,” huffed Nixon, looking as if it was obvious.
“And to think I said something about him not being dead. You guys don’t trust me and I
get that, but on certain things, it’s best to do what I say,” I stare at him, expecting him to object.
He doesn’t. Suddenly, there is a static burst coming from the PA system.
“Since you didn't do as I asked, dear Mrs. Robinson is getting a face lift.” A little after
the last word, there is a deafening boom, and the PA system whines. A few seconds later, the
lights turn on and the alarm starts again. I shut down the alarm. There is no need for it now.
Nixon looks like he wants to object. “She’s dead, and I have this feeling that if we don’t give in,
there will be more bloodshed. If you want that on your conscience, by all means, stop him from
leaving the building.
YOU ARE READING
The Boy Original Thoughts (Very Out Of Date)
Non-FictionThe original planning for The Boy
