VERACITY

Acquaintance

Saturday morning I wake up with a splitting headache due to my crazy partying with the squad last night. It was organised by the council for us to get to know each other and bond before the mission. I made an acquaintance with Molly Andrew, who has been in here for 7 years, and her best friend Gianna Catles. Among my new squad, are the insomniac and her sister. As well as two boys, whom I haven't bothered to know since they 'll be in a different area of the mission.

I pick the mission folder that's lying on my bedside table, just to go over it for what seems like the hundredth time, I open it and scan through its contents.

***************start*****************

Mission 9: confirm drug possession and identify location of the drugs in a hidden facility located on school grounds.

Location: Africa-Kenya-Naivasha-Eastwood High.

Members : Afet Caner

Molly Andrew

Twani Cooper

Betty Cooper

Gianna Catles

Mogul Smith

Ahmed Jones

Kick off: Sunday, 1st July 2030

Wrap up: Sunday, 31st December 2030.

Supervisors: Samuel Adams

Regen Goth

Team captain: Afet Caner

All members will be split into two families, the system of which will be discussed later in the briefing taking place on Saturday 30 June, 2030 at 6pm sharp on the grounds. The members are expected to portray normal school behavior during the course of the mission, while ensuring to carry out their duties diligently and without being suspected. Any problems caused by a member will mean immediate termination of the mission, where all members will be expected to report back to the agency.

All members must keep a low radar and ensure that no stranger gets too close to any member. Friends can be made to ensure that members don't stand out, but this should not be at the expense of the mission.

**************end******************

I shut the folder and rest my head in my hands, sighing heavily. I haven't left the agency for a solid 6 years. Last I remember were burning buildings, sirens and piercing screams. I vaguely remember the places my parents used to take me. The Green garden park being the most prominent memory. We used to go there every Sunday for picnics under the sun. Dad used to jog around the park with me beside him and Hakki on his shoulders as Mom sat with Gunduz, my little brother, enjoying the breeze, and snacking on tiny tidbits. Who would have thought that all of that blissfulness would just become a fading memory rather than a weekly routine. Although I don't ponder on my memories often, the heavy sadness which appeared that fatal night of the fire has never left me. It's like the wind, it's always there and perpetually felt but rarely ever thought about.

I look up and notice my wool doll sitting on my dresser, the one object of my past I have remaining. It was a gift from my  mother on my 5th birthday and I have taken it with me everywhere since. I stand up, hazily and head out, knowing that if I don't leave the room I'll continue dwelling on my wistful past and wishing for a life I never had, And never will have. The agency is all I know now. Everyone and everything I know is here. I meet Molly in the tanker, as decided yesterday, to practice a few defence tactics in preparation for our mission. I greet Molly with a smile and she returns it, passing me the heavy protection gear, to ensure we don't show any nasty bruises during the mission. We spend a good part of the morning going back and forth and I must admit, Molly is decently good. She manages to throw me off balance a couple more times than I'm used to, but I still have the upper hand at the end of the day and manage to keep her down more times than she does  me.

Molly and I head to the Mess Hall together for lunch. "Will you be sitting with us, Afet? '' Molly asks, turning to face me as we enter the mess and head for the tables. " Not today Molly, maybe some other time. Let's not push this Ummm... Friendship we have going on". I say, putting my hands in my pocket, and walking away to fill my plate with food. I head to my table and see Aiden's there gnawing on his chicken. I pull out a chair, noiselessly and take a seat and naturally we fall into easy conversation. Halfway through, our peace is disturbed by none other than Princess Pooh , Kendal Morell.I roll my eyes, annoyed. Her presence just makes the headache from this morning reappear. I huff angrily and roll my eyes again, just wishing that for once, this imbecile would stop bothering me. Interrupting my train of thoughts,this poor excuse of a human being decides to shower me with her unwanted words. "So Afet, I heard you are part of the mission. My advice, stay away from everything hot." She bats her hideously long, fake eyelashes and winks at me  sashaying to her table. My fork clatters on my plate,causing a bunch of other students to shoot unwanted glares in my direction. I stand up, pushing my chair back.I begin to follow the Princess and give her a piece of my mind, but as usual Aiden knows what's best and puts me back in my seat, despite my protests.

At 6pm sharp, I find myself on the grounds, surrounded by fellow agents waiting for the Big Four. It doesn't take rocket science to discover that I'm the only agent going into the mission without a real friend. Molly has her best friend Gianna. The sisters have each other and the boys do too. Mr Brandard begins by welcoming us warmly and going over the mission along with compulsory things we must do. His voice is very drab and monotonous, He then clears his throat and asks us if we have any questions. Miss Insomniac is the first to speak asking about things like jet lag and time difference. I just focus on the important things and ignore the rest.

When all that's out of the way the Big Four sort us into two groups. Mogul, Ahmed and I will be one family with two parents played by Samuel and Regen. Whereas the other family will consist of all the other girls and no parents, but Molly being the eldest will take over that responsibility. We all know better than to argue about our groups, everything is done strategically and for the best. The meeting is dismissed a little after 8 and we all head back to our quarters for a good night sleep, or at least try to have a good night sleep before being thrown back into the real world. I jog back to my room, tired and apprehensive about what tomorrow will bring. I open my door and plop down on my dead, my eyelids heavy and my muscles sore.  As I close my eyes memories of the past play like a movie in my head.