Spy School and the Dead Agent

Chapter 9: Justice I

Chapter 9: Justice I

1900 Hours

Saturday

██████-████-█████, Chester, Pennsylvania.

"Benjamin! " Catherine exclaimed as she hugged me tightly. I smiled, trying to wriggle out of her bear hug. Those arms could really crush a bear.

"Hi, Catherine," I said politely once she finally let go, allowing me to catch my breath. She gave me a warm, winning smile, one that could melt the heart of any young man.

"Ben, you have no idea how much I've missed you. I—I've been drinking and–-" she stammered, and I could hear the pain in her voice.

"I was so messed up when you were gone. Every day, I had these nightmares, and—" Catherine cupped my face as she spoke, her eyes filled with sadness. I felt a pang of guilt, imagining the emotions they must have gone through when they thought I was dead. Especially—

I glanced at Erica, while Catherine still held my cheeks. As usual, Erica's emotions were difficult to read. I knew she cared for me and had opened up to me before, but her feelings were still tangled and locked away. She wore a sad smile as Catherine finally released me. Mike had secretly told me about Erica and how she struggled without me, especially at that new academy. I was horrified at what she had become. I think Erica overheard that conversation because she looked disappointed in herself afterward.

"Ah well, Ben, it's so reassuring to see you alive and well," Catherine said as her phone rang, ending the moment.

We were sitting in a small, unknown 24/7 café in Chester. Before that, Mike, Erica, and I had waited for enemy agents to leave before stealing a car. We made sure no one was following us. Erica called her mom and told her where to meet us after I revealed the suspicious warehouse I had been keeping track of. The reason I had to reveal myself to Erica, Mike, and Catherine was that I couldn't raid this facility without them.

"Alright, Erica, I've arranged an evacuation with Alexander. They'll be here soon," Catherine said. After Erica nodded, she looked at me.

"What exactly are we looking for? "Catherine asked, placing her hands on mine. I also felt Erica scoot closer to me on the café's sofa.

"Well, as far as my information goes, we have two targets. The first is a laptop belonging to someone named Worn. The second, if possible, is Worn himself. I need him to pinpoint the location of the server mainframe. I need to uncover Nick's location," I explained. Catherine looked at me with a curious expression.

"Ben, are you entirely sure that Nick is behind all of this?" Catherine asked. I gritted my teeth.

"I'm not sure, but he's my only lead, and the only evidence I have," I replied honestly. Catherine nodded, and just then, we heard a door open from the back.

"Hey guys, sorry I took so long. What've you got, Ben?" Mike said as he came out of the bathroom. I sighed.

"There's no need for you and Mike on this mission. Erica and I can handle it ourselves," Catherine said. I shook my head quickly.

"No, you need me. I've been practicing how to raid that place for a month now. I've been silently doing recon, investigating it. I'm joining," I insisted. Both Erica and Catherine looked shocked.

"Ben, I thought you didn't like going on missions like these?" Catherine asked. I used to feel that way, but for months, I've been confused, frightened, and angry about everything that happened. I needed answers.

"It's personal," was all I said. Catherine nodded. Erica grabbed my chin and turned my face to hers.

"You're not going. I've lost you once; I'm not losing you again," Erica said sharply.