Fate and Duty

The Advocate

As expected, downstairs weren't a couple of friends from Bobby's work, but two men wearing black suits and sunglasses. The first, who stood stoically with hands clasped in front, was definitely the intimidating guy from last night. The other, almost as tall, with a rounder face, smiled politely, and chatted with mom.

Forty seven years old, mom had serious difficulties with people, since dad died in the accident fifteen years ago. Medication kept her functioning, and the navy stipend kept them both from starving, but she spent most of the time indoors, and only dared go outside with him, or her single female friend, Amy.

Despite that, she was smiling back at the second agent, completely unaware of the danger. The first man stared in Bobby's direction, and gave him a little nod.

"Mister Adamson, why don't you join us?"

The living room was out of style and neglected, much like the rest of the house. Mom kept it clean, but didn't want to change a thing since the accident. The two agents sat on their large couch, opposite the wall-mounted TV, while Bobby sank into the armchair. The entire set was a faded shade of green, reminiscent of sage leaves. Mom made sure the heater was on, and went to bring tea and cookies, leaving him alone with the men in black.

He gave them his best, friendliest grin, but they remained unimpressed, and did not even remove their sunglasses. Between the two, Agent One was definitely scarier.

"Do you have the item?" he asked.

"I tried to find you, you know."

"We know. Where is it?"

"Up in my room."

The agents stared at him until he took the hint, and went upstairs. Soon, very soon, this entire unfortunate incident will be behind him. All he had to do was reach into his coat and... oh, it's not in the pocket from earlier? Not in any of the other pockets? Not in the backpack, either?! Maybe he put it on the desk before falling asleep... nope. Not around the desk, in bed, under the bed, in the trashcan, behind the monitor, under the computer, between his prized stack of printed comics and light novels. He even rolled up the damned carpet, to check the faux wood floor, but saw no sign of the pendant, although the object was clearly on him when he reached home!

Startled by a knock on the half-open door, Bobby let out a short yelp. It was Agent One.

"Well?"

"I-I-I-"

"Mr. Adamson, you stutter under stress. However, if you fail to produce the item, I can assure you, the stress, will, only, go, up."

With skyrocketing anxiety, Bobby reached into his coat, looking for the pills. To his relief, the bottle was still there, but when his shaking hands opened the canister, its entire contents were spilled on the floor. Agent One stared callously, while he crawled on all four, and shoved a couple in his mouth.

Although the chemicals needed time to take effect, the act alone gave him courage to speak:

"It was here, I swear! I'll retrace my steps. You can watch, okay?"

"Very well."

Just to be sure, Bobby checked his room and clothes again. Next, he looked in the hallway, the bathroom, the staircase leading to the first floor, the entrance, and the living room, where mom and Agent Two, oddly enough, were chatting about one of her favorite TV dramas.

Out of ideas, he asked her if she saw a glowing pendant. She had no clue what he was talking about, but the question alone drew some inexplicable looks from the men in black.

Agent One nudged him in the direction of the entrance, so they could speak in private.

"I'm extremely disappointed."