E.C.H.O.

Stage 11 "Smurfs"

Lucas took a moment to assess the boy before him. He knew it was never a good idea to jump to conclusions, many an operative of ECHO had blown their cover that way. Jamie was staring at him, the boy's grey eyes on him while the stance of his body showed he was somewhat tense, as though expecting Lucas to attack.

The question here is what exactly does he think he knows? Lucas thought, the whole time he stayed calm and relaxed, his body showing no signs of the question that raced through his mind, no indication someone who had been caught doing something they should would give.

"Alright," Lucas leaned against the doorway. "You got me."

Jamie's eyes widened and he took a step back. He didn't seem to have expected this answer.

Did he see me sneak in the window from next door, or maybe he's noticed I can't play football...then again, is he really onto me? Lucas wondered. I might as well throw something out there for now and take things from there. "I..." he took a deep breath and Jamie's eyes widened in anticipation, "I suck at football. I don't know...but ever since the accident I've been having a hard time getting my game back."

Jamie was staring at him, as though still waiting for another answer.

Guess that's not it, Lucas realized, however, he simply stopped there. He watched Jamie, looking as regretful as possible as he thought a student would in his situation.

"You can't fool me," Jamie spoke.

"I'm really not that good," Lucas replied honestly.

"No!" Jamie yelled before flinching and looking around. "Don't screw with me! I'm onto you!"

Lucas simply gave him a blank stare. However, every muscle in his body was ready to move at his command. Attack him and you'll have more problems on your hands than you want, his mind warned. Whatever he accuses you of, play dumb.

"I've seen it all!" Jamie added. His eyes narrowed. "Entering school late...sneaking around...going outside late at night...I've caught you!"

A door was thrown open at the other end of the hallway and there was a yell as someone began to run down the hallway.

Jamie leaned forward. "You're a monster," he said.

"Huh?" Lucas asked as the running guy sprinted past them and threw the door open to another room before disappearing inside. "Save me!" his voice was heard yelling to the occupants.

"To be more precise..." Jamie proceeded to correct himself just as another guy appeared out of the same room the first had. He was carrying a Nerf gun.

"Jason!" He yelled as he stalked down the hallway.

Lucas simply lifted a finger and pointed it in the direction of the room the first guy had disappeared into. The response was a grin from the guy with the gun who began to run.

"You were saying?" Lucas asked Jamie as the guy ran past. The guy burst into the room and there was a screech followed by a crash.

"You're a vampire!" Jamie yelled loudly as he thrust out a finger and pointed it accusingly at Lucas. He stood like that for what almost seemed like a full minute as Lucas simply stared at him. He almost expected a tumble weed to blow by during the awkward silence. At the same time Lucas felt himself relax.

He really is a nut job, he concluded as he stared at the younger boy before him.

"Vampire, huh?" Lucas asked. He tapped a thumb on his lip, as though considering it. "So...if I'm...a vampire, then why aren't you hightailing it out of here?" He took a step forward.