Spy School Hero's Journey

Chapter 4

Erica walked around cautiously, examining if there were any clues that the assassin have left behind. However, nothing was found. She sighed, then asked me: "Are you sure that someone attacked you?"

I replied: "Yes, yes, I'm 200 per cent sure. But how did he manage to escape that quickly and swiftly?"

Erica was about to answer me when she had a glimpse of something by her peripheral vision. From my spot, I couldn't see what it was, but it seemed striking to Erica. She bent down and picked up something very carefully. Out of nowhere, she produced a small plastic bag and put the object in.

She said: "Questions later. I have to bring this for inspection. Grandpa will come soon."

As I was about to say something, speak of the devil, Cyrus Hale arrived. He looked grumpy but had the slightest expression of curiosity on his face. I thought that now with the two most competent and skilful spies, everyone would be sorted out just fine. However, it wasn't fine at all.

Cyrus glared at me and chastised: "Why didn't you stay put and call for help? That is the standard procedure after knocking out an enemy agent, you dimwit!"

I shrunk under his glare and was about to give an excuse when Erica spoke up for me. She said: "Ben hasn't learned this yet. He hasn't come across an enemy agent before. Now, I have a piece of evidence and will have to see what it is."

I was very surprised that she defended me, but what she said was true. My professors hadn't taught me the procedures after taking down an enemy agent because they thought I couldn't even take out one with my fighting skills. Well, I guess I have to start learning more about fighting.

Erica said something to Cyrus and left. Cyrus told me: "For now, you have to stay in the Box. There are concerns about your safety and it is the safest place you can be. We'll also keep tabs on you, so no one will attack you again."

He turned around and walked away. Moments later, 3 CIA guards came in and took me to the Box. It was even tinier than my cramped room, with only a single dull-looking window. There were many surveillance cameras en route to the Box, a guard stationed outside it and a steel door. It seemed secure, but I still doubted that it was safe enough to deter the enemy if they were that diabolical.

I laid down on the rock hard bed, wanting to get some rest before I headed down to the Mess for dinner in 40 minutes.

TIME SKIP

DINNER TIME

I grabbed a tray of the disgusting, inedible food in the Mess. Today, the food looked even worse than terrible, which was saying a lot. I didn't want to eat the food but I had no choice. I took a teaspoon of the slob and had to do everything in my power to not throw up.

Mike piped up and asked me, "What was it about you and the assassin? Oh, and did Erica go with you to investigate?"

I was genuinely surprised at how he knew this, and replied: "How did you know about that? It was supposed to be confidential."

Mike just gave me his typical wolfish grin, "Hey look, everyone here are spies in training. It is our job to know things."

Huh, I thought to myself, that's the orthodox spy maxim whenever someone asks how they know something. That phrase reminded me of Erica as she always uses that phrase. I wondered if she was able to discover what the mysterious item was, I hoped it wasn't dangerous.

Zoe spoke up too and asked eagerly, "Did you actually fend off an assassin? Wow, for a newbie, you're really good!"

I replied sheepishly: "I guess so. Uh guys, let's not talk about this ok?"

"Why not?" Zoe and Mike both asked.

"Coz I don't really want to talk about it."

"Fine, but since you're my bestie, you better tell me sooner or later. Deal?"

"Uh maybe, I'll see."

Before they could pester me any longer, the bell rang and we all had to head to our classes. I had Self Preservation 101 which I simply hate. The professor always picks on me, which isn't fair. Just as I was about to grab my things in the locker, I felt something heavier in my jacket pocket. I reached in and I found a scrunched up piece of paper with some impeccable cursive writing on it. I was very surprised and was about to read it when someone stood next to my locker. I immediately hid it and decided that I would read it after class. I have a strong gut feeling that it was Erica's handwriting as no one could write that well. However, I pushed these thoughts aside and hurried to class as I was already 1 minute and 12 seconds late.