Smokescreen And The Ice Queen (A Spy School Series Fanfic)

A Revelation

"Sooo..." Zoe asked slowly realizing that Erica was in close proximity knocked out, probably not being able to process how such a skilled spy as her could have gone out cold... "how did THAT happen?"

Looking at Erica again, I wondered how I could get around the fact of explaining me and Erica's secret "date".

"W-well the guy you just knocked out, knocked out Erica..." I said hoping she wouldn't pry into more of the obvious strange coincidence of both of us being in the Principal's office. 

Unfortunately, at this Zoe started examining the guy she had just knocked out. Taking one look at his face, her eyes grew as wide as saucers.

"I, I just knocked out J-Joshua Hallal...but how if he's already d-dead!" she started hyperventilating, whether this was from excitement or straight up fear,  I could not tell.

But one word did ring to me, while Zoe was experiencing her little attack...

Dead.. it couldn't be...even though Zoe had knocked him out, moments ago he was very much alive, and from the context she was having her word vomit about, it seemed as if Joshua Hallal had died.

Obviously though, that supposed death must have been staged.

"S-so what's so important about this Joshua Hallal? And how is he supposed to be dead..." I decided to interject into Zoe's panicking.

After a few moments, she calmed down a bit... and tried to collect herself. Then slowly and more tranquil her green eyes met mine.

"Well besides him being like Erica's ex, he was also a brilliant spy, so brilliant he died after he dragged his shot up self to a bomb...supposedly set up by an enemy organization." she finally broke out.

Suddenly everything clicked to me. Well not everything, but something the CIA might have not known until now.

Joshua had not been killed. Joshua had been deflected to the other side. And knowing he was shot on school grounds, could only imply one person could have done that...

Erica...which most likely meant-

"About Joshua, he's not my ex" Erica's voice spontaneously intervened with my self reflection.

I could feel a smile break on my face, well that was until I saw the blood drain from Zoe's face.

I turned around seeing Erica pretty much conscious, and alert, despite having some dry blood on the part she was knocked out in.

"Oh I d-didn't mean no offense...its just old spy g-gossip...I'm glad your awake though..." Zoe started sputtering...but it seemed no use. Looking at Erica's face, her usual cold demeanor was livid.

"No offense taken...now if you must me and Ben have some private matters to take care of..." Erica responded icily adding with a smirk, as she saw Zoe's oddly hurt reaction, "together".

Before I could attempt to diffuse the flames Erica was causing with Zoe...I was abruptly dragged out of the premises very "lovingly" by Erica.

Once we were a good distance away from Zoe, I gave up the helpless act and decided to speak up, the most Benjamin Ripely could speak up...

"What the hell is your problem?" 

"What the hell is my  problem? Joshua, a guy I thought I killed is very much alive, still working for that enemy organization and is now taking you away from me-, I mean my mission." she started off quite annoyed, but now was slightly confused by what she just said herself.

Though I was pretty angry at her, I couldn't help but notice her choice of words as well. However, instead of prying her about it like I normally would, I realized we did have bigger fish to fry.

"I'm really sorry, I just think we shouldn't have left Zoe with Joshua..." I added slowly so she could understand where I was heading "alone..." I had hoped she would return back and we could sort the whole thing with her.

But the narrowing of her eyes, made it very clear that was the last of our options.

"Zoe is very much capable of taking on Joshua knocked out, and besides while we were rushing out, I sent a tip to the CIA about Joshua...in probably five minutes the place will be swarming with authorities." she responded now with her usual as-a-matter-of-fact manner.

"So why are we leaving the place of safety..." I asked her stupidly, realizing that though she was occasionally reckless and impulsive, she did usually know things better then I.

"Safety? Oh Ripely, if you could only realize how interrogation and safety are not synonymous with each other." she chuckled with odd good nature.

"Where can we head though, if were meant to shake these people?" I pressed, still not knowing where we could possibly escape.

Now an actual smile came upon her face...

"Professor Crandall, its clear, I'm bringing in Smokescreen..." she said talking into a walkie talkie device. Looking at what we had arrived, our teacher, not so dry and un-debonair walked out with the most spy-like essence.

"Ahh Hale, so now's the direst of times..." he said solemnly, inviting us in not only into his humble abode.

But probably now the most dangerous time of my life.