The Tragedy of Mark's Van

Ducks Can Kill Too

Since she woke up early, Melissa decided to go to the meeting place early. The sky was beautiful orange-pink and the sun had started to come out. Crickets chirped from grass still wet from dew and birds started singing from the trees. Surprisingly the Orange Cup Cafe was open and he was already there. He must have been there since it opened.

The cafe really lived up to its name. The latte Melissa ordered came in an orange cup; the walls and furniture were all in some shade of hideous sickly orange. She cautiously walked over a corner with a dark hunched figure was sitting.

Melissa sat in the chair across from him and set her drink on the table. "Ahem. Agent Reaper, It's me. Agent Falcone. I'm here with your list."

The figure sat up and like any typical young person, he was on his phone. "Hello, Melissa."

"Agent Reaper, It would be greatly appreciated if you didn't call me by my first name," Melissa said stiffly. She glanced around nervously to see if anyone heard.

Agent Reaper aka Leonard Hearst was about twenty-two or so. He blew his floppy black hair out of his face, revealing his dark eyes.

Leo casually said, "How have you been since the last time we met? How long has it been? A month? I missed you. Can't an old friend get excited to see you after all these years?"

Melissa blew on her hot drink. "Yes. It has been a month. And I'm fine. I have the list for you."

"Oh, is it a list of things you like about me? 'Cause I have for you too," Leo purred. He winked at Melissa who rolled her eyes.

"No." Her hand itched to reach for the gun in the holster on her left hip.

Leo jut out his lower lip and pouted like a child. "Come on, Melissa. We've known each other for years. We're friends, aren't we?"

Melissa rolled her eyes and gave the book back to him. "I'm not a monster unless you provoke me. And we're not friends. We are just colleagues. Here is the list."

Once he grabbed the list, Leo skimmed over it quickly. "I wish we didn't need to make this secret. Like why can't people know that the island is overpopulated and there are no other lands for them to move to?"

Melissa narrowed her eyes at him. "We're supposed to do our job. We are not here to question anything."

He shrugged and put the list in his pocket. "Since we're such wonderful friends, Agent Falcone, why don't we go out sometime? There's a really good movie coming out soon. What do you say?"

"No. I'm not interested in you. We're just colleagues, Agent Reaper. And stop calling Melissa. My name is Agent Falcone," Melissa said sternly.

Leo grinned playfully. "Only if you start calling me Leo." Melissa snorted and took a sip from her drink.

"We should spend some time together. Outside of work I mean. Like at the upcoming gala. We are one of the highest ranking agents in L.E.D. And you're the only one who wither away at my glance. I would be honored if you would be my plus one," Leo said.

Melissa rolled her eyes at him. Leo could be such a flirt and a drama queen when he wanted to. "You are perfectly capable of controlling your Gift. And I wish I was dead every time I see you."

Leo put a hand over his heart. "I'm wounded, Melissa. I really am."

She shrugged. "Life sucks. Deal with it."

Leo asked, "So are you going to the gala? I know you have an invitation."

Melissa ignored him and started to slowly drink her latte and purposely avoided the question. For a moment she paused and took a breath. With her mouth open as if she were about to reply, Leo sat up in interest.