G.U.A.R.D. Book #1: Clandestine

-20-

    "Rookie, get up."

My eyes opened to darkness. I had already been awake for at least thirty minutes. Adrenaline and apprehension ran through my body.

"Get ready," Knife told me, and shortly after, I heard the door close softly.

I groaned and stretched widely, then slumped again with a sigh. My eyes were crusty, and felt dry. I wiped them as I yawned, then sat up groggily. Memories of the evening before flooded into my brain. Ugh. I just wanted to go back to bed.

Standing up, I struggled to finger my way to the switch, which I turned up. Light poured into the room, making me squeeze my eyes for a few seconds. Opening them again, I looked up to the clock hung on the ceiling. Three O'clock? Really? We had to leave that early?

I wandered to my backpack by the mattress. Quickly changing into my necklace, jean shorts, and a dark blue T-shirt, I shuffled out of the bedroom and to the kitchen. Jay sat at the table eating, and Jordan leaned against the counter, arms crossed.

"Sleep well?" the man asked.

"As well as I could," I answered. I sat down at the table and looked away from his scar.

"You're not the first to scare from it," Jordan said, placing a bowl and spoon in front of me. "The scar." He took a seat himself. "It's a harsh thing to have."

I looked to him and winced. "Sorry. I didn't mean-"

"Don't be. I'm only happy to be helping one of Race's kids."

There it was again. "One of Race's kids." He couldn't possibly know about Dustin. Knife wouldn't have told him. I felt a chill.

I silently poured my cereal. The milk came next.

"Jordan," Knife suddenly said from the door. "Word. Outside."

He nodded towards me, then followed the female G.U.A.R.D. agent.

"How's your leg?" I asked Jay.

"Better," he responded. "Still hurts."

I looked at his face, noting the bruises and slightly swollen lip. Huddling closer to my cereal, I asked, "Will it happen again? Will the League find us?"

Jay studied me for a moment, then reached forward and gently touched my arm. "We'll be fine. Trust me. Knife's one of the best in the business."

"Scorch seemed pretty good, too."

"Knife is better."

With those comforting words, he got up and hobbled to the sink, depositing his bowl inside. Then he went outside. Left alone, in the middle of the kitchen, in the middle of the night, made me feel nervous. It didn't take me long to gobble up the rest of my food, and when I did, I stood and walked to the sink, where I placed the dish. I debated on putting back the cereal and milk, but decided that time was more important than anything else.

It took me a bit longer to get ready. I had to brush my teeth and hair, pack everything in my new backpack, and then bring it to the front of the house. By that time, the others were all outside waiting. In sadness, I looked at the house one last time. Probably the last time I would see a normal home for a while. After taking a deep breath, I exited and stepped down the stairs. Knife opened the driver's door. Jay got in the passenger's, and I stepped up to the back.

"Thanks, Jake," I said to the man who stood by the side. "For taking care of us."

A smile alighted on his lips. "Just tell your mom hi for me when you see her."