Ruby Redfort - Any Last Words?

Sidetrack 2 - Hitch's POV!

As usual, please vote if you enjoyed (thanks to all readers who always do) and comment to tell me if his backstory and character is realistic, or if I need to tweak parts of it 😊 (I know it's a day early but I don't think people mind)

. Hitch before he joined Spectrum

Can my life get any more BORING? What is a six year old suposed - i think that's how you spell it - to do all day when he's read all his mystery novels and his triplet sisters are begging him to "please play with us, you can be the handsome prince that rescues the princess!"? I've had enough.

Santiago's parents buy him a pet parrot for his birthday, and what do I get? Nothing! Just because I broke Mom's vase that should never ever be touched.

I already know all my times tables and can spell really hard words, so there isn't even anything cool to do at school. Even Easter was not that really fun, because the new kid on the block was telling me to cough up my chocolate.
"Hand it over you little squirt, Hitchen". I didn't whine but just gave it to him, before saying loudly how that will make all his toes fall off, and the Easter Bunny will tell his dad.

Today, I found all of my old chocolate and all his chocolate on the doorstep.

.Hitch meeting Agent Murphy (previous Spectrum 8 boss)

Anxiously pulling my clip-on tie straight, I rushed into the Spectrum headquarters, having found the entrance in exactly one minute 26 seconds. I was so hurried to show my face to Agent Murphy, I bumped into an agent's back, who quirked an eyebrow, then sneered and walked off without saying anything, which did nothing for my nerves.

I had apparently met Agent Murphy very recently, from what they told me, but I didn't remember him because he had come in disguise. Maybe it was in New Zealand or maybe when we moved here, I didn't know. Forcing a deep breath with closed eyes, I walked into yet another agent - this time it was Agent Murphy. Spinning around, he glanced down at me. "Ah, young Hitchen! My congratulations, I didn't think you would find us so quickly. Ready to show the world what you're made of? " he smiled.

Dazed by his warm welcome, I solemnly nodded, which to my confusion brought a frown to his face. "That's where you're wrong, Hitchen lad. If you wanna survive in this place, no one, and I repeat NO ONE can no about your job, not even Mommy. Got that, lad? Rule 1: Keep it zipped." Murphy explained.

Flushing furiously at having fallen so easily into his trap, I mumbled "Got it."
"Geez, you're a bit quiet, aren't you Hitchen," he laughed.
"If you don't mind, I prefer Hitch, and I don't call my mother Mommy," I replied, bristling.

"There, you can speak after all! I'm only teasing you kid, cheer up. We chose you to join our team cos you're agile, able to make decisions quickly, and dead smart. Okay?" Murphy asked to make sure I was following along.

After I nodded, he continued. "To train you up the proper way, you're going to be sent on a special programme to sharpen up your skills, we gotta get you on point to catch all the baddies.

S'gonna tell you all you need to know. We'll see how you get on. I'd say good luck, but I have a feeling you won't need it Hitchen - HITCH - you're a clever kid. Besides, if you need any help, look to Agent Baker for guidance, as great a guy as they come. Got that all stored up in your brain? Good, cos I see a whole lotta potential in you, Hitch,"
I finally smiled in return. This man trusted what I could do, I was gonna try to prove him right and work hard...

***

Beads of sweat on my forehead, I sternly pushed myself to scale the wall without making a noise, and in a faster time than the last. If Murphy said he thought I could do it, then I could.

Baker had been such a help and a friendly face in the otherwise monotonous crowd when I felt hopelessly frustrated at my pathetic field agent skills. He had told me the only cure to my inexperience was hardcore relentless practice, and 4am was a time as good as any to get some in.

The three day test in an unknown location was a breeze, though Agent Colt managed to outshine everyone with his exemplary talents.

No, the real test came when it was time for wading underwater for hours on end, and hurling myself out of jets, but Baker agreed that I was "coming along", reassuring me I wasn't wasting my time.

Come to think of it, my moves were becoming slicker, my instincts sharper. Baker was right, it all came down to pract- "Excellent work, Agent Hitch!" Agent Murphy chimed, clapping me on the back. Why was I not surprised? It was the 7th time he had managed to creep up on me during my odd training times, from the first one he had managed to make me jump out of my skin with fear, simply making him chuckle.

"Good morning, Murphy. Or should I say good not yet dawn? Must you keep up these continuous surprises?" I said drily, not bothering to turn around to hide the grin on my face. "Come on lad, good to keep you sharp and on your toes. By the looks of it, you'll be steamrolling everyone else soon! Just remember to clench your arms next time and hold your breath for stronger impact, but otherwise, you're doing great," he said encouragingly, ruffling my hair. Glowing with pride, I turned to face Murphy properly.

They took my father away before I was old enough to even remember his face, so for nearly all my life I'd missed out on a fatherly figure, a role which I was slowly beginning to rely on Murphy to fill.

He was always patient, always ready to have a laugh, and forever was making me feel better. "Thanks, Murphy," I hesitated. "For - for everything you've helped me with,"
"If you think buttering me up's gonna get you a pay rise, think again," he joked. "No trouble, lad. I know you're still a bit unsure about your skills, but the one tip that always helps is this; NEVER put yourself in unnecessary danger. Think of the smartest way out, and just train yourself to think ahead,"

. Hitch fighting with Nine Lives

"Oh, Artie..." a female voice drawled. Fists clenched, I swiftly swung around, pure hatred burning through my veins, my eyes murderous. "Is someone missing Agent Murphy? He'd nearly reached his expiry date anyway," she smirked.

She killed him.

My suspicions had been confirmed. I had told him, time and time and time again, not to brush off women undercover as a threat. He only seemed to think that men could fight, could hunt, could kill, and weren't harmful.

Where had that got him now?

Channeling every ounce of energy in my body it took to not crumple to the floor, I stood speechless, ready to charge at her, before Murphy's voice echoed in my head: "NEVER put yourself in unnecessary danger," .

Well, I was considering this as necessary - to avenge him. I could go about this a better way though. Sneaking behind the building, I stealthily scaled the wall so she couldn't see me, I was ready to pounce. I saw Capaldi had pulled a gun out of her jacket and was pointing it at where I had been. "You're gonna pay," I muttered venomously.

I leaped onto the ground and floored her, just as a bullet rang out in the night. She had shot me. In my arm.

Not allowing myself to wince, I looked with twisted satisfaction that she had a deep wound over one eye. Minutes passed by in hours as we fought, until she suddenly became unconscious.

My breath ragged, I had to make sure I wasn't about to pass out either. Suddenly, a hand grabbed me. Baker. "Go," he said staring at me with deep sadness ebbing his eyes. "You've done your bit, sit down before you bang your head as well," he told me. "She kil- she killed Murph-" I started.
"I know," he gently interrupted. "But he wouldn't have wanted us to dwell on it."