Betrayals of a Silent Heart

Chapter 4

3 DAYS BEFORE

A tall woman walked through the door, and turned to me. ‘The council would like to speak to you. You have a new assignment.” And with that, she turned around, and left the way she came. Walking towards the heavy wooden doors at the end of the hall, I started getting nervous. Assignment? What kind of assignment? I haven’t been given an assignment in over 10 years. Not since… I failed. No, stop thinking about that. You did your best. Now forget it. Focus. Make this assignment different.

Opening the door, I stepped in and closed it behind me. Turning, I faced three men and three women, all council members and all staring straight at me. “You requested that I come?” The first man, a tall dark haired Egyptian, nodded and motioned me forward. “Yes, the council has found an assignment for you. We believe this one is highly important, and it is imperative you bring this girl to us. You’ve been assigned as her bodyguard. She doesn’t know who she is, and the council fears for her life if she were to discover who her mother was, and who she worked for.”

Confused, I tried to figure out why any of this should mean anything to me. “Sir, I don’t understand. This is a second generation we’re recovering?” The woman seated next to him answered politely. “Yes, a second generation. A special family line. You know them. You were her mother’s guard the day she died.”  As the reality of what she’d just said dawned on me, I froze. “You mean… you’ve found her? You found Ryleah’s daughter? God in heaven… I thought she’d died.” Another one of the council members, I think his name was Geoffrey, smiled. “So did we. But evidence has surfaced saying otherwise. We’d like you to go in and watch her. Study her, her habits, her friends. Get to know her… become her friend. If and when she discovers the information we believe her mother hid, she is to be escorted back to the compound immediately. You need to have her absolute trust, so she will confide in you. And you need to be aware that the Exterminators will be after her. We believe her father knew, and has been keeping her in hiding away from prying eyes.”

Nodding, I tried to take it all on. My mind was spinning, and I couldn’t seem to get it to stop on any one thing. Looking up, I realized they were all staring at me expectantly. I bowed to one knee, and pledged myself to the council’s will for the first time in 10 years. “I’m honored you would offer it to me, council. I accept this assignment. For the laws of the council are righteous and true. The council is the highest command, and is never to be disregarded, or disrespected. The council members are honest, ruling the races and enforcing the codes with a firm hand. The council is never to be questioned, or revealed. The council’s laws are to be followed at all costs, even loss of life. The lives of the Guard are pledged to the council, until they are released by the High Consulate. The Guard is to be loyal to the council until their last breath, even after release. The Guard is to be obedient and ever ready. It is the duty of the Guard to save and protect the Agents. To give life and soul for the betterment of the race, and the furtherment of the Agent line. As a member of the Guard, I pledge all this to the council, and those that they appoint. Fidelis ad mortem.”

The council members nodded and I rose from my knees. “When do I begin?” The head council member, Kasian, replied. “Now. The girl lives in a small town on the outskirts of Charleston, South Carolina, with her father.” Smiling, I knew that I would enjoy this assignment. Regaining my composure, I looked at the council and thanked them. Kasian handed me a thin yellow envelope. “Her file is here. All that we know about her is inside.  Your job begins now. Bring her back, Hajime. She’s our last hope at finding out who exposed her mother. Report back monthly. Now, good day. We’ll speak again soon.”

With that, I was dismissed. Leaving the room, I almost cried. Ryleah’s death was my fault. Now I had a chance at justice. Finding her murderer was all that mattered now. That, and protecting her daughter. And this time, I won’t fail when the exterminators come.

CURRENT DAY

I sat in the office of BradburryPreparatoryAcademy, waiting for my appointment with the Headmaster; a man by the name of Milo Davidson, who insisted on being addressed as simply Milo, despite the aristocratic atmosphere of the Academy. The school’s secretary, a lovely middle aged woman by the name of Miss Evans, peeked around the corner, smiling at me. “Milo is ready to see you now. Sorry for the wait Professor.” Standing, I winked in her direction. “No wait at all, Miss, the time was enjoyable. And please, call me Jim. Professor makes me feel old.” Walking to the door, I knocked lightly, and heard a deep voice call out for me to enter. Stepping inside his office, I noticed how sparse the room was decorated, and wondered why a school with so much money would hold back monetary funds. He seemed to notice, and standing, shook hands with me. “Hello Professor Michiyuki. Welcome to Bradburry! Please, have a seat.” Doing as I was invited, I sank down onto a comfortable but simple office chair. “I’m so excited at the prospect of having you as a teacher here. I’ve reviewed your file, and you seem more than qualified to teach her. I have a few questions, if you don’t mind?”

Smiling, I nodded. This man seemed nice enough, and I got the feeling we would get along well during my stay here at the Academy. Opening my file, he began reading. “Taught at Dartmouth for a short time, Professor of Foreign languages. I see you specialize in etymology . I’m not familiar with that word. What exactly is that?” Chuckling slightly to myself, I could almost feel my brain start working, slipping into the routine of being myself instead of simply a guardian. “It’s the study of words, Sir. Where words originate, and their original meanings.” He seemed surprised. “Ah, I see. If I may, why do you want to work at Bradburry? We’re a PrepAcademy, not a university. With your background, expertise, and credentials, I can’t comprehend why you would choose an Academy over an Ivy League University.”

Nodding in acquiescence, I smiled. “You’re right. Precisely right. But to be blunt, I am bored working at a stuffy University with extremely smart students. They all aspire to be great things. At their age, I was not thinking of such things. I only wanted to survive. I was taken in by a man who changed my life, and that is how I am where I am today. I feel I could do more in a school, affect more lives, if I work with younger students, versus those with their minds already made up. I’m sure that makes no sense to you, but I hope you can accept that as a reasonable answer.”

“I understand, Professor.  It makes more sense to me than it would to most. I was raised by a father who fought in Vietnam and a mother who raised 6 children in the midst of war, while my father was overseas. I understand wanting to change lives at a young age, because my father and mother did so for my family. But enough about that. I’d be happy to show you around the school here and show you to your new office before the end of the day. If you have time that is?”

Smiling, I couldn’t help but nod. “Yes, sir. I have time this afternoon. But I have to make sure. You’re saying the job is mine?” He appeared almost shocked when he looked back up at me. “Of course, Professor. No one we’ve found has better credentials or references than you do. We’d be happy to have you join us as our new English or Foreign Languages Professor. The choice is truly yours to make, because I believe you can, and will, excel at either one.” Surprised at his gesture, I stood and shook his hand. “Sir, I’d be happy to accept the Foreign languages position here. It’s where I find myself most at home.” Smiling, he walked me to my new office, and showed me where everything was.  I sat down in the leather chair, and finally was able to relax. He left the office, telling me school was almost over for the day and he had business to attend. And I sat back, relaxing, and stretching my mind to see if I could find the girl based solely on the scent of her blood, the way I used to do with her mother.