Who are you?

The rescue

We went back to that building where Jack was a while ago and Sam flew in. I hesitated for a second and I don't know why, so I followed Sam inside. It was a normal company, workers and customers walking around, looking at different kinds of electronic devices. I still didn't understand why we were here or why Jack came here in the first place.

"Come on," said Sam when he saw that I wasn't following him.

"Why are we here?" I asked as I walked up to him.

"You'll see, just follow me," he answered quickly and continued flying in a specific direction.

He flew over to a door and it said employees only. He pushed a button next to the door and it opened just like an elevator. He flew in and looked back at me waiting.

"Mark, we don't have much time, so get in the elevator please," he said hurriedly so I shook my head.

I went in and the door closed. He pushed another button, then we started moving down. How does he know my name? He was talking to me like we've known each other for years.

"Put your hoodie on and grab Jack's backpack. They can't find out that you're not an agent. So, what we're gonna do, is that you'll follow me downstairs and won't stop, alright?" he asked as he turned to me.

"Okay." I nodded and did exactly what he said, but then something caught my attention.

Agent? What kind of agent? A secret agent? As I was thinking my thought went to Jack and imagined him with a gun in a tight situation surrounded by criminals. As I tried to process what Sam said I realized that all of this would make sense. It was the first month of school and he's already been missing more days than Josh... He was much more self-confident... I wonder if it was because of this?

When we reached the bottom level the door opened and we were in a big place full of agents. How? There's no way that they won't find it out that I wasn't Jack. Sam flew out and I quickly followed him, constantly looking down to hide my face as much as possible, but still keeping an eye on Sam to follow him. Everything is fine, nobody is looking. I slightly looked up and saw that we almost reached the stairs. When we got there I looked around a little, then ran down on the stairs, following Sam letting out the air I didn't know I was holding in.

"Open it," he said as he stopped at a door.

I did as he said and we went in. There were a man and a woman, doing something at the computers. When they heard the door closed, they turned around, looking at me happily.

"Jack." said the man, smiling at me, but his smile faded as soon as I took off my hoodie, revealing my face. "Who are you? How did you get here? I'm gonna call..."

"Let me explain, please," I said, interrupting and putting up my hands defensively. "My name is Mark. I'm Jack's friend."

"Did he say something to you?" asked the woman as she looked me up and down.

"No, I followed him," I started to explain to them what happened and what I saw as Sam flew beside me. "I saw him come into this building, but I was just looking that he entered. Then he started walking away, so I still followed him and saw him being kidnapped. He dropped his bag and Sam was in it. He was the one who told me to come here."

"What exactly happened with Jack?" asked the woman again with worry in her voice.

"A white van stopped in front of him, then two guys with masks jumped out of it and dragged him in."

"Do you remember the license number?" asked the man quickly and I had to think again.

"I think," I answered but I was unsure.

"Okay." the man said and dragged me over to one of the computers. He typed something in, then turned back to me. "Write it down."

I tried to remember, but I forgot it. My brain just completely shut down and for a second I thought I forgot my own name too. I can't remember. God, why do I have such a short memory?!

"I can't remember. I... can't." I said and I started to panic, but the man put a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Okay, don't worry. We'll find another way to find out where he is. Ashley, search for Jack's watch, maybe it's still working and have a signal." the man said and the woman turned to another computer. "My name is Ian, by the way. Come with me, we are going to prepare you."

"Prepare for what?" I asked curiously and followed him to the back of the room.

"Since every agent is busy, I can't send them after Jack. So, you are the only one who can help," he said, pointing at me.

"Me? I'm not even an agent. How can I save him?" I asked as we stopped at a table full of guns and equipment.

"Don't worry. Everything's going to be fine. Look." he said and handed me a gun. "You get a gun obviously, and a bulletproof vest as well. Then, let's see, I give you some smoke grenades and a knife. Oh, and of course, here is a belt, which has a hook at the front, sunglasses with night vision mode and a scanner, and a smartwatch."

"Oh yeah, just an everyday agent package," I said like I was a professional.

"Very funny.". said Ian with sarcasm in his voice. "I think it's all that you will need."

"I found him," said Ashley to us, so we went over to her. "He is in an old factory, well, at least that's where his watch is, but it could be either on his wrist or just hanging on a nail."

"Well, let's check it out," said Ian and looked at me.

"I'm not good with this at all," I said, backing away.

"Sam will help you as well. And you know what? If an agent will have free time, I will send them after you. Alright?" Ian asked.

I thought for a moment, but I nodded. I need to do this. For Jack. I have to save him. He is my only friend and whoever kidnapped him can kill him. I wouldn't be able to live with this thought that I could've saved him, but I said no because I was too scared. I nodded to them so Ian quickly gave me the equipment and I put the bulletproof vest under my sweatshirt then Ashley gave me the coordinates. Sam and I headed to the door and left the room, but Ian stopped us.

"Go that way instead," he said, pointing in the other direction. "That's safer, they won't find you. Behind the door, there is a long hallway that leads to a staircase, down in the sewer. If you follow the yellow arrows, you'll find the exit."

"Thanks," I said then took a deep breath looking at the door at the end of the hallway.

"If you need anything else just call me. My number is in the watch," he said, patting my back.

I nodded with a weak smile on my face, then he went back and closed the door behind him. We went up to the door and Sam looked at me.

"Are you ready?" he asked and I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart down

"No, but I have to," I answered.

"As Ian said," he started as he looked at me. "You will be fine. And I will be there too to help you, so you don't have to worry. You have the ability to beat someone."

"But those two were twice my size," I argued, but then I remembered that if I don't do this then I possibly won't see Jack ever again. "For Jack."

With that, I opened the door and we started our mission to save Jack.