The Missing Linck

• SIXTEEN •

"Scared now, are we?" Reid says in a condescending manner.

He bursts out laughing like all of this is just a prank and someone's going to pop out of nowhere and say, "You've been prank'd!"

But a prank this extreme? And for what purpose?

"Alright, Tasha, we'll cut it out!" he says, wiping away a few stray tears that escaped his russet eyes during his merry fit.

I find it very hard to believe what he says. This has got to be another one of his oh-so-intelligent strategies to get me to-

Valor steps into the room, his pecan face bearing a wide grin. He walks over to Reid and gives him a high-five as I stare in complete disbelief. Is this the same person who told me to-

"Aww, don't think so much, Tasha! Relax, it was just a test and you passed it with distinction," Valor says in what is probably intended to be a soothing voice but just irritates me like the highly annoying noise of nails screeching on a blackboard.

My face must bear a very angry expression by the way Reid and Valor cautiously step back, arms held forward as if to indicate no harm meant, like trying to communicate with a hungry and feral animal when you're stuck in its territory.

"That was all for nothing?" I snarl, very much tempted to let out a roar. I can definitely pull it off, what with my theatrical history.

"We had to ensure you had the endurance required for what's coming, that's why all that, Tasha," Reid says slowly and in a measured voice.

"You did very well, by the way. In fact, no one has ever done better than you just did their very first try. There have been so many who have had to try out twice, thrice, some even tried out more! And-"

I cut off Valor's rambling, "Tried out for what?"

Valor and Reid look at each other once, Reid nods, and then they turn back to me, their eyes glistening with happiness for some reason.

"Welcome to the Squad, Tasha," Reid says, his voice evidently proud.

"Woah, woah, hold up!"

"What?" Reid looks at me with his eyes wide enough to fit a packet of oreos in the gap between his eyelids.

I look down to see that I basically flew out of the bed and am standing on unsteady feet that wobble a lot. Sighing, I sit back on the edge of the bed and look at the guys who still seem to be wary of me.

"What is this squad thingy?" I put it, quite lamely for sure.

"It is the best thing you'll ever do in your life," Reid says as he plops down on the bed to my left.

"Not counting pizza? And chocolate? And sleeping? And Pentatonix? And 5 Seconds of Summer? And-"

Valor cuts me off as he settles down on my right side gingerly, "Okay, not counting food, sleep and whatever music you love, okay?"

"You said okay twice. You're not Hazel and that guy Ansel Elgort plays, whatever his name is. You aren't in a movie adaptation of a John Green book, alright? 'Okay' is redundant there," I pause to take a breath.

"Okay, Casanova, chill out. We know you're a movie buff," Reid laughs.

"I still want answers," I snap.

"The Squad is an elitist organization that has been fighting for the people since God knows how many millennia. It maintains peace and- you don't honestly believe that, do you?" Reid asks. 

"For Loki's sake, please cut to the dang chase, Reid!"

"I'm just briefing you on the public image of The Squad, if it ever comes to public view. Well, more on that later. Basically, not very many people have the abilities you do, Tasha. Those few who do are contacted at the earliest to join The Squad. You are suggested to join The Squad too now," Reid says in a professional voice. 

"And if I don't?"

"Then we'll have to force you to," Valor says, any prior indications of mirth completely wiped out. 

"You do not have the right to make me do what I don't want to do," I raise my voice. 

"And you don't have the right to waste your talent and abilities when you could use those for the betterment of the world," Reid says, his voice just as high as mine. 

"Heck, you haven't even told me what your 'snobby' organization does."

"Right," Reid smiles sheepishly.

"I'll tell you, Tasha," Valor says.

I quirk my eyebrow up at the tone of his voice. It's like he's passionate about what he's speaking about but he's also itching to get away from its confines.

Oh Odin, what have I gotten myself into?

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Man am I excited for what's to come! And a tad scared too but, for now, I'll stop talking about this since you clearly have zero idea what in Gargantua I'm talking about...

The usual jazz, theories and feedback welcome.

Also, now for some #ShamelessSelfPromotion, my book 'Short Gems' has been nominated in the Rose Awards for best random, and give the book a try if you haven't yet.

Also, if you like it, go and vote!

Thank you for reading!

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