Since the Academy started accepting more and more birds, boot camps have had to be split into genders. Then halfway through you get assigned to your team. Most birds are put with other birds and maybe a dog or two.
My first team was all birds. I wa...
I sat watching out a window. It's fall break but doesn't feel like it. I live in Texas. Houston to be exact. I know my district like the back of my hand. I'm in a quiet little coffee shop off the highway near the edge of the district. I've got a limp in my left leg and have trouble doing things with my left hand.
I hate that night. I hate how I was knocked unconscious and used for whatever that fifth guy had used me for. I don't know how far he got before the Academy showed up and dealt with the situation. I was kept in the Houston area while the only surviving team member was transferred somewhere else.
I was drinking a water while waiting for what felt like the millionth meet up. It was free for me to drink. I sighed as a guy walked in. He went up to the counter and ordered something. This guy seemed different. This was a safe place with security, cameras, audio, anything that would hide the fact that this place if ran by an agent of the Academy.
The guy pulled his wallet out to pay. Most of the employees here are Academy too. He came over to my table to sit down. I was in a short sleeve shirt and jeans. It's nearly ninety degrees outside. "How are you doing?" He asked making it look like we usually came here for a drink. "Good. Waiting on the weather." I said.
"Do you think you can help us out with a 'shopping trip'?" He asked. "Most dogs know I'm still trying to get over what happened two years ago. I can't do much with my limp." I said. "That's what makes you look vulnerable." He said. "Too vulnerable." I said. "Here's my number. Let me know if you can." He said. I nodded.
He got up and left. I sat there for a few more minutes before leaving. I walked to where I was staying. It was an abandoned church that I turned into my sanctuary. When I got there, I went inside and found my stuff. I slept up in the sanctuary loft overlooking the pulpit and where the congregation used to sit.
I could hear everything. As I fell asleep without food on my stomach there was a sound like a door opening. I stood up quietly and went to the edge. Four guys were silently walking through what used to be the sanctuary. "Thought she would be here." One said. "Supposedly." Another said.
I went back to my hiding place. I stayed there even when I heard creaking on the stairs. The footfalls grew louder as the guy came nearer. I stopped breathing for a moment before the footfalls got softer. I let out an inaudible sigh when the footfalls could be heard below me. "Anything?" "No just some old tarps and pews."
More heavy footfalls and a crash made me jump. Something was muttered before one set of footfalls faded. I stayed silent again before the door below closed for a second time. The second set of footfalls came closer again before two more. The four sets went to the other side of the loft. They talked in hushed voices. My stomach rumbled at how good the smell in the air was.
A squeak in the floor made me hold my breath. My stomach had other plans. The tarp moved uncovering part of my head. Two steel grey eyes met mine. I didn't move. They were soft and at my level. "Would you like to come out?" He asked. His voice held a curious tone that was soft, smooth and baritone at the same time. I backed up a bit.
He lowered the tarp and went back to where he was before. I curled up closer to the wall. The heavy footfalls came back. There was a grunt before the tarp was lifted up again. "Would you like a bite to eat?" He asked as he moved the tarp back more. He showed me what appeared to be a chicken strip.
"It came from the diner nearby." He said as he moved his hand closer. I had no room to back up. I refused to take it. When he saw I wasn't going to take it, he reached back and had a wallet in his hand. He pulled a card out to show me. Now days, Academy members were scarce in certain areas and had to carry a card or ID card to prove they're with the Academy. He reached it out for me to see it.
It had his name, picture and Academy ID number along with the head of his team and the Academy symbol. The symbol was created by a sixteen year old boy for a mission. Who knew that sixty years later, they would be using it on a card. "I won't hurt you sweetheart. Just would like to talk to you." He said.
I moved closer. "Would you like to eat something?" He asked. I nodded. He held the chicken strip out. I took it. He gave a small warm smile. "I've got the rest of your meal out here if you would like to come out."
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