Save Us From Their Long Run

The Call

Two weeks later I'm limping down the halls with a bruised everything. Training was going well and each day we were getting closer to who was behind the bombing. Though we know who did it, we still have no leads on who is giving the Project 9 group their orders. Right now I was coming back from yet another practice, worse than yesterday's, and strolling awkwardly down the corridors. I walked into my room with the bundle of icepacks I stole from the kitchen and plopped onto my bed, applying the cold packs on the entirety of my body.

My senses were still on high alert and though I was trying to calm down and control my breathing, I still heard the call of Lydia's voice from below. "Tyler! Someone is phoning you!"

I heard his door open and his running footsteps lead down the stairs. In the distance I could make out his voice full of joy, and I knew who it was. His voice trailed it's way upstairs and back into his room, though I suspect he didn't close his door. I got up slowly, groaning in pain, and made my way out my room. As I thought, his door was wide open, and his laughs were flowing throughout the hall. Smiling, I stood in his doorway and watched all the animated movements he made as he spoke about our 'adventure' and how we got here.

Tyler turned around and saw me standing there and motioned me in. "Jackson?" I asked. Tyler smiled and nodded. If there was anything Tyler loved in this world the most it would be his adorable little brother Jackson. He was only five, with the biggest hazel eyes and unruliest blonde hair. I sat on Ty's bed and grinned at him while he exaggerated the entire story of how we got here and what we've been doing. I started laughing myself when I heard Jackson's shrieks of laughter through the phone.

"Jack what time is it over there?" Tyler asked after catching his breath.

I barely heard the mumbled answer, but I already knew it was late where Jackson was. Tyler's face lost some of it's brightness but he kept his tone as happy as can be.

"Alright Jack it's time for you to go to bed." Tyler told him. I couldn't hear his responses anymore, but I got the general idea of what Jack was saying in response.

"Yea I can, what story do you want to hear?"

"Oh that one again?" he asked and glanced at me. I knew what story Jack was asking for by Tyler's tone of voice. Tyler's stories were always original and Jack loved them.

"Fine, but only because it's your favorite. One upon a time, there lived a boy named Jack. He was a spy since he was three years old! He fought bad guys every day and won every single time. He was the best spy to ever live, they say. One day, a big bad meanie named Arnold pushed little Jack on the ground. Everyone was scared of Arnold because he was bigger than all of them! Now, Jack knew this wasn't right, and even if this big jerk was bigger than him, Jack knew he could totally kick his butt."

I heard Jackson laugh again through the line and Tyler smiled and continued.

"Jack went home and told his big brother that Arnold was a bad guy, just like everyone else. So his big brother told him every single thing to do so that Arnold would never bother him again. Jack wrote all this down and went up to Arnold the next day with every note he took memorized just like good spy does. Jack waited for the perfect time to use the rope he took from home. He tapped Arnold on the shoulder and the big meanie turned around and yelled.

"Who dare touch Arnold the Great!"

Jack took both his fingers and hit Arnold in the face. Arnold covered his eyes and was very dizzy for a moment. Jack ran all around him again and again, poking his arms and neck and sides all over. Arnold kept trying to grab Jack, but Jack was the best spy ever remember? And little Jack couldn't be caught! Finally, when Arnold felt like a statue, Jack took all his rope and tied it all around Arnold. He took Arnold prisoner and made him stand in his jail cell until he promised to be the nicest person ever. Everyone cheered Jack and made him King. Now, his name is Jack the Great.