Spy School Hero's Journey

Chapter 5

After class, I hurried to my room and unfolded the mysterious piece of paper. It said - Meet me in the forest outside the school at 0130 hours.

I was taken aback by this, never had anyone given me instructions anonymously. I guess since this is a place full of spies, these things ought to happen. I placed the note on my desk and contemplated about this situation. I figured this was Erica's doing, as she was the only one that has the ability to slip the note in my pocket surreptitiously.

I headed outside and surprisingly found Mike and Zoe. They were whispering in hushed voices and glanced around from time to time to check no one is watching them. They looked suspicious, but I don't know what they are up to. Suddenly, they headed towards my direction. I ducked under a table and slipped away, hoping to find Erica. I was also curious if she had any news on the weird object she found before.

I sauntered across the school grounds, familiarising myself even more with the school and headed towards the girl's dorm building. I was secretly hoping that she was awaiting me, ambushing me on the way. However, she didn't. After a few minutes, I found myself at her door. But I was a little scared, her door was full of warning signs and death threats if someone disturbed her. I gathered my nerve and knocked on her door slowly and quietly. No answer. I knocked harder but still nothing happened. After a few minutes, I gave up and decided she must have left her room.

On the way back to my room, I met Alexander. He looked flustered, but when he saw me, he gave me a plastered smile.

"How are things holding up, Benjamin?"

"Good. Actually, I was hoping to find Erica. Do you know if you saw her around?"

"Oh. I'm not sure, I think she's with Cyrus. They should be working out the details of the mission."

"Oh, ok. Where are they?"

"I'm sorry Benjamin, but I don't think you are allowed to know the location of Cyrus' room. I will tell Erica to see you the next time I see her."

"Thanks." I sighed, now I couldn't see her. I guess I gotta wait till midnight.

TIME SKIP

0100 hours

Ben's Room

I snapped awake right after my alarm clock blared at me. I checked, there was still a good 30 minutes before my adventure. I slept for another 5 minutes, but my adrenaline was pumping and I was excited. I quickly changed my clothes, washed my face and brushed my teeth. At 1:15, I was good to go.

I crept down the hallway, not wanting to make noise in fear of waking someone up. Technically, you are not allowed to leave your room at night unless there's a special reason, but anyways. I ambled across the school grounds casually, not wanting to capture the attention of the night-shift guards around.

I successfully managed to enter the woods without anyone spotting me. It was 1:25, 5 minutes before the meeting time but if it was Erica, she'd probably expect me at 1 or 1:10. I caught a glimpse of someone in the woods and I went closer. I was somewhat afraid of walking in the dark forest alone, but I overcame the fear. The shadow became closer and closer.

Out of nowhere, the person jumped out and knocked me down to the ground with his/her momentum. The person was wearing the typical spy outfit, black from top to bottom. I smelt a whiff of lilacs and gunpowder and instantly recognition swept me. I mumbled: "Hi Erica."

She got off me and released her hand covering my mouth. She said: "We got new intel. The enemy will take action soon, either tomorrow or the day after. We have to leave the premises at 7 am later. Me, Grandpa and Dad will be waiting for you in the car. Get some shuteye now. "

"What? So soon? Where are we going?" I asked, astounded.

But there was no answer. She disappeared into thin air and was nowhere to be found. I figured she somehow slipped out and returned to her room. Ugh, got to get used to that, I told myself. I slowly walked back to my room, set a timer for 6:30 am, jumped on my bed and fell fast asleep.