[GT] Stay Close [The Agent From D.I.S.O. #2]

#2: Of Beginnings, Goats, and Mythical Creatures

Neatly enough, as if to denote a fresh chapter in my personal history, everything started on a Monday.

I had just finished my last assignment the week before - a rather dull one, where I basically just had to stand around at the sidelines of several public meetings and conventions, looking sufficiently protective of my charge (who, as it turned out, actually employed his own private bodyguards), while basically just there in case additional aid in crowd control was needed (it wasn't).

I had even managed to do the obligatory tedious paperwork (which had taken a lot more effort than the actual assignment), so I entered the main office of the Gigantes-Branch of the Department for Interspecies Operations - or, as it was lovingly dubbed by our few human co-workers, The Monster's Cave - with as clean a slate as you can get.

After spending the previous week more or less bored out of my mind, I was actually hoping for something at least a little more exciting to come my way this week - which just goes to show that the old phrase "Be careful what you wish for", might be a cheap cliché, but very true nonetheless.

Checking in, I was greeted by a short, curt note on my desk, penned in that impeccable handwriting, that every member of staff - bar the writer herself - had come to loathe within days of starting work at the Cave.

Doris Hemway, head secretary, had a message and would like to see me first thing after I came in.

Dutifully, I picked up my note (she would refuse to see me if I did not bring it), and headed over into her domain.

Apparently, so I was informed with a smile - thin and sharp enough to make a paper-cut seem like a gentle caress in contrast to what expression might do to you - I was not to receive my new assignment at the morning's briefing, but was to report to the Division Chief's office at quarter past the hour to receive my instructions in person.

My stomach dropped. Being summoned to the Chief's office rarely (or rather: never) boded well for the one summoned.

I inwardly swore I would never complain about a lack of excitement again.

Later, making my way along the short hallway towards my inevitable doom, I spotted a familiar, tiny figure walking towards me on one of the elevated walkways along the wall, apparently himself just returning from the chief's office.

Raeburn was just a few years my senior, his short, broad-shouldered frame reminding me strongly of footage of a silverback gorilla I had once seen.

"Ew, what is that? Humans again?" I greeted him, reaching over the low let's-not-have-small-people-fall-to-their-death fence to give Raeburn a nudge, making him stumble a little.

"I swear there must be a nest somewhere. We had better start putting out poison again before the infestation gets any worse."

"Well, good morning to you too, my little Sunshine." Raeburn returned, deadpan.

He easily recovered from the light stumble, and without hesitation turned around, placing a well-aimed kick against my ring-finger.

"Ouch!" I complained, quickly withdrawing my hand. I clutched it to my chest, while I stared down, radiating shock and hurt feelings.

"That's violence against a helpless subordinate!"

"And I hope it leaves a bruise shaped like my boot, Sweetheart. Something nice to remind you of your place," the human replied, the menace clearly audible in his voice.