Spy School Hero's Journey

Chapter 3

5 Days Later(Ben's POV)

I was practising how to aim a gun properly in the artillery range when Erica crept up and tapped me on the shoulder. I was so shocked that I dropped my gun, but luckily she had lightning reflexes and caught it in midair. I was even more surprised and gaped at her, wondering about 2 things - One, how she was able to catch a falling gun in midair and Two, why she was approaching me out of all people. She was one to never socialize, so I guess I am really lucky.

She gesticulated to me that I should follow her, presumably somewhere quieter where we can talk alone. She walked quickly so I kind of had to slow jog to keep up with her pace. After twisting and turning, we reached a hidden staircase which led down to the subterranean levels of the school. I hadn't been here before, so I was extremely curious. I know that I would definitely have lost myself down here if it weren't for Erica leading the way. She seemed as if she knew this place like the back of her hand, being here many many times. She finally stopped next to a door that looked old and rusty and picked the lock in a mere 6.5 seconds.

She opened the door and we went in. I saw two men and the Principal in the room, one of whom was Agent X. He motioned me to sit down on a chair that looked like it was going to collapse any minute, and I gingerly sat on it.

Erica said calmly: "Meet my grandfather Cyrus and my dad Alexander."

I stared in shock at Agent X. I had my suspicions that he and Erica had some resemblances, but I thought that was incredulous so I pushed the thought away. Erica's dad was said to be a very prestigious spy, possibly one of the best in the CIA. However, Erica glared at her dad disdainfully when she walked in, making me believe that they might have some father-daughter relationship issues.

Cyrus spoke up: "Alright now. Enough with the shock, Ben. You are being activated in exactly a week's time. You better be prepared and train hard, this is no easy task. This mission is extremely perilous and is considered a Level 10 threat. More details will be given out earlier to the date, but as for now, improve your fighting skills and keep your mouth shut. Don't tell anyone about this mission or brag about your activation."

The Principal groaned in utter dismay and said grumpily: "Why does this incompetent first-year newbie get to go on a mission this soon? This is total malarkey! Stupid top brass for making this decision! I am much more competent than him, yet I don't see me being on a mission until now, why is that?"

Erica and Cyrus both gave him an icy gaze and he stopped complaining. Alexander gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder and said, "Don't you worry, you're going to be fine. I know you're up for this. I remember the time I was first activated on a mission that took place in Afghanistan, and I had to disarm 15 enemy agents---" He rattled on and on until Cyrus shut his trap by punching him in the shoulder. He then told me that I was dismissed and I left the room.

I walked around for a while worrying about the mission until an important thought struck me. I didn't know where I was going. I was lost in this maze of underground tunnels and the room was out of sight. I tried to retrace my steps but it was all to no avail. Suddenly, someone dressed in black ran to me, holding a gun to my face. I was terrified, I never experienced someone pointing a gun at me. Trust me, you would never want this to happen to you.

He growled in a very menacing voice: "What did they tell you in that room? Tell me, or I'll blast your head off."

I was so scared that I couldn't even talk. I mustered all my courage together and croaked: "Nothing! It was just about going over some school procedures and guidelines."

The man replied: "I'm not an idiot. I know you're bluffing, tell me the truth now!"

I was sincerely hoping someone would come to my rescue, but it seemed empty. Luckily, I still had my taser in my left pocket. I courageously took a few steps closer to him, trying to ignore the fact that he was still pointing his gun at me, swiped the taser out of my pocket immediately and tasered him with it.

He fell to the ground with a shocked expression on his face. He was electrocuted and unconscious, leaving me free to go. I quickly spotted an exit, climbed up a staircase and rushed to find Erica. I knew she was the most competent agent in training and I trusted her the most. It also gave me an excuse to talk to her and also about the mission.

I found her in the corridor walking to her room and I called her name. She faced me and looked at me curiously, probably wondering why on earth I had the courage to talk to her in public. I gave her a look that showed that what I had to say was highly urgent, and I secretly hoped that she would let me into her room. However, instead of opening, or rather unlocking(it was booby-trapped) her door, she motioned for me to follow her. We ended up in a somewhat hidden corner, separating ourselves from the rest of the curious student body, wondering why I merited a tete a tete with Erica Hale.

I told her about the incident that occurred earlier. She was trying to suppress a surprised expression on her face and somehow managed to succeed at it. She told me: "This is serious. I will contact Grandpa and we will discuss our plans. For now, let's go down and check the scene."

We both went down and revisited the place where I had nearly gotten killed. I still had a chill in my spine about the place, but with Erica, I knew things were going to be fine. The assassin was nowhere in sight, not even a single trace of his appearance was discovered. It was only a mere 15 minutes since he got tasered, and he should still be out cold now. I and Erica exchanged a glance, and I knew that the enemy was going to be an extremely hard nut to crack, and it seems like I will have a very dangerous life ahead of me.