Code Name: Draconis [Ace Draconis - ON HOLD; see my updated profile for info!]

Chapter 12: A Seed of Doubt

Chapter 12: A Seed of Doubt

Clarissa:

I know where Ace is.

Those words haunted me as I walked from the football field where I'd been sitting to the front of the school. It was cold out tonight, and the trees whispered ominously as I passed them. I shivered, and pulled my jacket tighter around me, my shoes making soft muffled sounds on the grass.

I made it to the front of the school and waited.

A shadow stepped out of the bushes to my left. Carefully the shadow slid over to me, pausing before it entered into the pool of light cast by a lamppost.

The last person I'd have suspected stepped through. Damian, a quiet kid from my Biology class.

"Damian?"

"Yeah, it's me. Did you wanna discuss Ace over coffee? It may take a while, and it's cold out."

I agreed, and we walked to a small coffee shop. Damian chose a lone table away from the others in a private and secluded corner.

Pouring an obscene about of sugar into my coffee, I asked, "So. What do you know about Ace?"

He grinned, "More than you'd think. Where would you like to start?"

I sipped my coffee, and decided it couldn't hurt to add another packet or two of sugar, "Well, how about this trip he's on. He told me he's visiting a sick relative, but my er, friend told me he doesn't have any family."

Damian nodded, "Well, that's understandable. Now this may sound a little...crazy, to you. But he's actually on a mission."

"Mission?"

"Yes, a mission. Ace Draconis isn't who you think he is. He's an agent who works for a top secret branch of the government, kind of like an undercover cop," Damian said, leaning in closer as his eyes lit up and a smug expression settled over his face.

Ace, a secret agent? It seemed a little bizarre, but he'd be a good candidate for it. After all, the undercover cops are always who you'd least expect...

"Okay...so, what kind of mission is he on?"

"I can't exactly tell you that, but I can assure you he'll be back within the next week."

I took another sip of coffee, "How do you know all this anyway?"

"I've got a source with inside information. That's all I can tell you," he grinned, seeming pleased with himself, like a child who's just tattled on a sibling.

I decided not to press him as to how he knew this and focus on Ace. I still couldn't believe he was an undercover cop. But then again, I guess he couldn't exactly tell me...

I looked up to see Damian smiling at me, as though he was waiting to tell the punch-line of a good joke.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing. I just thought you might have more questions."

"I know where he is now," I took another gulp of coffee, "and the story makes sense I guess. That's enough."

Damian gave me a knowing smile and tossed me a card with his e-mail address on it. "In case you have anymore questions in the future..."

I took the card as I finished my last sip of coffee and stood. "Thanks, but I really don't think I'll have anymore." Something about him was giving me the creeps.

He grinned and slowly got up, "Oh, I imagine you might. Sooner than you think."

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