What Lies Beneath

Chapter III
Okay, this was definitely not what I was expecting. I mean, a petshop? We didn’t even know a thing about working with pets!
“You would be of course not only taking care of the pets,” Hermes went on. “but you would also be advising the customers about what foods should be given. You would also go to their homes to clean them, pamper them, give them grooming and training…”
“Excuse me?” Selina cut him off. “Pampering them? Grooming them? What in the world do you think we are? We wouldn’t even know how to clean an animal, much less groom it!”
I rolled my eyes, but I had to admit the ingenuity of it. “Stop whining Selina… This is the perfect cover! It totally throws anybody off track as to what we really are! We’ll just learn the threads of the job along the way!”
“Easy for you to say! You make it sound easy!” She riposted forgetting herself.
“I do agree…” Lukas murmured in high contrast with Selina’s shrieking voice. “Many rich business men like having pets, and that would give us more leverage in the world of upper society…”
“He does have a point, Selina…” Seth supported him after a moment’s thought. She finally backed down and humbled herself. “Just what pets will we be keeping?”
Hermes shrugged. “Any kind. Birds, dogs, cats, exotic animals.” An amused smile graced his delicate face. I looked away flushing. The tingling of his gaze on me procured a most mind-numbing shock. Personally, he stared at me too much. I itched for an opportunity to talk to him one on one and give him a piece of my mind.
We all piled out, constructing our next course of action. Many agreed around the table that I, looking the youngest of us all should keep a low profile and go to school like the other people my age.
I defended my case arduously but neither rose up to challenge Hermes’ words. “I may be the youngest but I don’t need school! And Seth and Selina aren’t much older than me! And Lukas here!” Neither of them liked the prospect of going to school, but for sake of appearances, they needed to send someone out and it was final that it would be me.
Grumping, I crossed my arms in discontent. Some glared others entreated me. “Well I accept, but I don’t want to be stuck in middle school!”
“Of course not.” Hermes gave me one of those disarming smiles that I found he was particularly good at. Smug bastard! He thinks he can get away with anything. “We’ll put you in the more advanced high school classes since you seem more apt than the people your age. You will be going into the eleventh grade from now on, and of course, the ages we give you will be false.” The logic being that we were young, but we looked much older, it made sense to do this. “Selina will be fifteen, Seth and Lukas will assume the age of fourteen, and you, Nick will be thirteen. Is that clear?” We all nodded, then cleared out for the night.
The remaining days found us in loads of training in the field of pet caring. I did not realize how tiring taking care of pets could be until I had finished loading up boxes upon boxes of animal food, trinkets, toys and litter. Combined with our assassin training, medical knowledge along with basics in technology and communication skills added to our already busy schedule. Healing gift be damned, if I ended up in a tight spot without access to my powers, I would need to learn other methods. So I went on without complain opting to hide my abilities for now. If I perchance lost consciousness other wounded who would depend on me would suffer.
From infiltration to bomb building, to bomb diffusing, we learned it all. Selina, Seth and I, used to ingest so much knowledge succeeded in absorbing far more than the normal. This did not go however without trials and examinations, which we all passed with flying colors. In the middle of our training, Hermes and Etna gradually briefed us on our enemies who were also as skilled in ways of killing as us.
My new school started in the fall, and I was enrolled in the eleventh grade on special terms because of my advanced knowledge. Madison Academy accepted only the elite and it caused a great wave of sensation that I, a thirteen year old would be mingling with people four or more years older. On the night before my first day, we had been briefed in great detail about the Reign organization.
In my room, Seth lounged on my bed. We had already set up living quarters right above the pet shop. The store nestled inside the Green District, not too far from the residential area, around a group of malls and stores. The school was about a ten-minute bus ride away. Hermes had set up just about everything we needed for our new cover job.
“It’s no wonder that Steve’s codename is Proteus…” He said, running a hand through his long mane. A frown marred his handsome face.
Tearing my eyes away from my schoolbag, I met his frown. “Yeah. I’ve heard of the Greek mythology names that we are named after. Proteus was a creature that could change shapes at will. There is also Apollo, who specializes in wires, Circe, a woman who uses bladed ninchucks and finally Scilla who uses a spear.”
Seth chewed his lip from nervousness. “What nags me is why Steve became so bitter. Why did he kill Jordan and most of all, why does he seem to hate the rest of us?”
I bit my lip down as hot red anger coursed through me. “I don’t know, and I don’t want to know yet. All I want is to see Steve in agony for what he did.” I clenched my fist, lowering my face at the prickling of my eyes. The tears gushed out anyways and Seth wrapped me with his warm comforting arms. “I hate him, Seth… for what he did!”
“Hush, love… we all do.” He wiped away my tears then kissed my pain away. He did a very good job of it. The tempest of desire soon overwhelmed all worries. As soon as the need fro breath arose, we parted and he bid me goodnight before retreating back to his room.
I closed my eyes, savoring the tingling pleasure from our last contact. I inhaled deeply then wrinkled my nose. The odor of fur and animal waste tinged the air despite the fact that we did everything to keep it manageable from cleaning the cages daily, to using any kind of product. Our menagerie included a string of puppies, kittens, full grown of the two, snakes, chipmunks, guinea pigs and anything under the sun. We also had an arsenal of birds. During store hours, we found that using a certain kind of incense kept the place breathable.
I once more looked over my prospective uniform for school. It consisted of ugly navy blue pants, a white, long-sleeved dress shirt, a school uniform dark blue vest with a white strip running down the front with a stiff collar that was supposed to clasp around the neck. Talk about dead conservative. No other shoes than dress shoes were allowed and of course, hair had to be tied back or held back from the face. No tattoos, no jewelry and no piercings. The dress code reflected the strict environment of the school.
The big excuse to explain why I went to school while the others did not was money. Madison offered a free scholarship for me to attend their school because of the great potential I showed in my resume. I did not have the money to finance, hence the scholarship. At least, that was what I needed to tell anybody who questioned me. We posed as orphans, who rose up the ladder thanks to self-made business. Common sense cut off the incessant worries inducing me to sleep.
The next morning (Tuesday) found me groaning under the blankets with a wish to slam the alarm clock. I restrained the urge and dragged my groggy self to the shower, mumbling curses even Seth would have blushed at. The warm water soothed aching muscles from yesterday’s work of unloading supplies. I groaned, remembering that after school, I needed to go to the store to buy incense because we were almost out. We bought a special kind that only existed in special herb stores and one two blocks from school was convenient. Finished with my shower I wrapped up in towels, shivering at the contact of the cool air on my warm and damp skin. I donned my uniform as quickly as I could. The result scowled back at me.
The uniform pants fit too snugly around the lower regions, giving me a flashback of the shorts Lukas had given me. The dress shirt chaffed my skin and the school’s vest uniform hung too loose. I opted to let the garment open although the policy entailed keeping it tightly clasped.
“Well look who’s fine and dandy!” Selina chimed from her breakfast-cooking at the stove. She flipped a pancake in the air and caught it skillfully. “Had a good night?”
Blowing off a stray lock of hair of my high ponytail, I glowered at her. “Couldn’t sleep. I’ve been on late night mode since I started working at Finney’s place.”
Barely a wince marred the bright smile she gave me. I greeted her optimism because I needed it after that major breakdown. “Well, you’ll get used to it. Call Lukas on the way down? He’s late for the morning shift with me.”
I nodded, shoving pancakes down my throat and swallowing down my orange juice. Eyes glued to my watch, I bolted upright and ran out the door of the kitchen towards the entrance. I yelled for Lukas at the bottom of the stairs.
“Yo Luke! You have the morning shift with Selina I remind you!”
A mumbled reply came from his door. “Mmmyeah… Be right there…”
“If you don”t hurry up there won’t be any pancakes left!” I chided. Not waiting around to see if the catch worked, I hastily laced up my shoes and cursed when my fingers slipped clumsily.
“Let me tie that for you…” Seth came up from behind me. I blushed with mortification. I had been stooping don my butt in the air while doing my shoes. He used his telekinesis to loop the laces perfectly. “Nice ass by the way…” He whistled along, pinching it gently.
“Seth! I have to go! It’s no time to…” He cut off my protest with a sensuous kiss that turned my knees to cotton.
Recovering moments later, I threw him a death glare that had no effect on his sunny smile and went off to catch the city bus for school. School buses were out of the question because it cost too much. I was already on the school’s expense so I didn’t need to press any further. It irked me that I would stand out like a sore thumb: the poor scholarship student, the rookie who was supposed to be a genius.
Hermes, while advising me on how to behave told me the best way to avoid fights was to simply stay very silent and obedient, which I found difficult to assimilate. I had not lived under the parental authority and I had had to survive on my own, making my own decisions. But Hermes kept insisting that this was a good way of me to learn about life with proper education.
I pushed away the cobwebs of flashbacks and idled there at the bus stop a block away from our store, shifting my bag on my shoulders. To pass the time, I scanned the streets, searching out the threats without realizing it.
Finally, at quarter past seven, the bus screeched in front of me. I gave the robot driver my punch card and quickly took it back, looking around for a seat. Mainly elderly people crowded the bus, but I spotted a few kids snickering at me, holding flying skateboards. Ignoring the snorts, I slipped in a free seat next to a young boy who looked about my age. The bus trembled then hovered above the sidewalk, soon joining air traffic.
The trip was uneventful and dull. Of course, I had lived with the constant threat of having someone wanting to skin me. And this idleness would not last forever. So I had rather enjoy it. Stepping down the bus, I got a good look at the academy. It stood tall and imposing, guarded by tall gates. Many students in uniform joined me on their way inside. The girls wore skirts and knee high socks and the same school vests. How completely unattractive. I would have hated it if I were a girl, to wear dreary clothes like these.
There was a main building that was undoubtedly the classrooms, and two other buildings off to either side. I asked a random student where registration was. She was a cheerful girl with corkscrew rusty curls and a pale complexion.
“Oh, you’re new?” She brightened at the news. I nodded dumbly. ”Then I’ll be glad to show you around.”
“That is very nice of you…” I thanked her. She blushed deep crimson under her freckles and giggled to another girl she had been talking to. Her chocolate hair was cut in a straight bob and her eyes hazel examining me.
While the curly haired girl gave me a tour, I noticed the many stares directed at me and could not help a flush of embarrassment. I was obviously too young to be in this high school. “So you’re really thirteen? It’s incredible!” She squealed as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world. “You must be way ahead then the others your age then?”
“Yes. I am going to be in the eleventh grade this year.”
Another exclamation and she ushered me into the registration office. A woman sitting behind a wooden office welcomed me in warmly. In her mid fifties, gray seemed to be the only color she emanated: gray hair, gray eyes, gray suit and gray skirt. How boring… Wonder if she wears any other colors. I cut that thought out as she smiled at me, and handed me a paraphernalia of things to get started with my day.
“We are pleased to have you here, Mr. Lawless. It is not everyday we can offer such an opportunity to someone as gifted as you.” She gushed with ill-concealed excitement.
I nodded unruffled by the compliment but tried to maintain etiquette. :I will do my very best. The rumors have exaggerated my reputation, I am afraid…”
“Nonsense. Please feel free to ask around any of the teachers or staff to assist you. This is a new school after all.” She dismissed with a gentle smile. I walked out, and proceeded to search for my locker.
A boy walked up to me, his hair a strange hue between ashen blond and auburn. His cornflower blue appraised me full of disdain.
“You must be Nick Lawless. I’ve heard about you. I am the president of the student council for the eleventh grade so I’ll help you around.” Though his words sounded polite, his manner told the exact contrary. “My name is Peter Lamare.”
I accepted his hand warily. “My locker is number 435. Any idea where it is?” He obliged grudgingly and we slipped inside the great doors of the main building. Through a couple of turns and doors, he showed me to my locker. It was on the west wing, across a few classrooms. This school was so immense I was sure to get lost on this first day.
“Thank you.” I replied.
He snorted and turned away in disgust. “No prob. Look, it’s been nice talking to you, Shrimp, but I’ve got a life, you know?” He smirked and walked away, leaving me totally stranded and speechless. Oh great! Talk about generosity... If Jordan were here... The image of his laughing face brought tears to my eyes. Stop it! You need to put away your grief and go on!
“That guy is so cruel it’s pathetic...” A new voice jerked me from my misery. Quickly, I wiped away tears in shame. What I saw nearly made my jaw drop. The newcomer towered over me, slender body sheathed in his uniform. He wore it impeccably and his well formed lips shaped in a gentle smile. His hair was cropped short around the neck, but loose on the crown of the head and chocolate strands swept into his triangular face. His eyes were hard to discern a cross between gray and blue, and his smile definitely radiated warm. “The name’s Jordan... Jordan Heckleberg.”
Jordan. That name hit me smack in the face. I stumbled back with the shock. What a damn coincidence. How could this be? How could I bear seeing such a face when a stranger bore the name of someone who had died helplessly murdered by his own friend?
“Hey, are you okay?” He touched me on the shoulder, peering into my eyes. That vast sea of gray blue reeled me in. I blushed, looking away, realizing that he may not be totally straight. No straight guy would touch me like this, or look me in the eye in such a... well... seductive way.
Regaining my composure, I cursed myself for my weakness. ‘Um, sure. Sorry... It’s just that...’ Could I tell him? Something inside me compelled me to. It wouldn’t be giving away that much anyway. “You have the name of a dear friend of mine who died recently...” The pain tore me apart while saying this. But the relief won over.
He looked truly hurt, and concerned. “Oh.... Sorry about that.”
“Not your fault.” I reassured him with a smile when I realized we were just standing there. “My name’s Nick.... Nick Lawless.”
“Oh, and aren’t you a little youngish for this place?” He said mockingly. I brushed away the amusement with an annoyed glare.
“I’m here on a scholarship. I’m in the eleventh grade.”
“And how old are you then?”
“Thirteen years old.”
His eyes bugged out, his mouth falling open. He had a nice mouth and a nice form. Stop it right there Nick… I scolded my raging hormones. “But...but...” He stuttered.
“I’m ahead of my own age...” I explained. I would have to repeat this constantly during the whole year and it was starting to irritate me.
‘Oh. I’m in the same grade as you then. Lemme see what’s on your schedule.’ His nose wrinkled. “Ugh! Just like me! You have a double period of History, then a double period of algebra. I hate History.”
I shrugged it off. I had already memorized part of the textbook and it wasn’t specially interesting or boring either. I just considered it as part of the curriculum to graduate. “Makes no difference to me. I just hope the teacher won’t bore us to death.” As we walked side by side, only then did I realize I had fallen in step with him. “By the way what’s up with tightass Peter?”
He choked on my cuss word and grinned. “He thinks he’s the hotshot of the school and he just spoke to you to win the hearts of the few reluctant ones who will not fawn over him. I hate him.”
“No wonder.” I muttered. “He needs to learn how to respect people. But that’s not new to me...”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jordan asked instantly interested. I mentally kicked myself for the slip of the tongue.
“I’ve often been insulted.” I recalled all the times gangs had jumped me or spat at me in the dirty streets of the underworld. Not to mention the fights with the Creepers. “So it doesn’t really bother me...”
“Oh? Then why were you crying when I saw you?’ His eyebrows rose an intense look of curiosity shinning in his eyes.
I groped for an answer as we walked into the classroom. “I...had just been thinking about my old friend, that’s all...” He chose this moment to be silent and I thanked him inwardly. He snagged a seat in the back and I took one next to him. A few stares went our way. “Is there a reason why they’re gawking at us like that?”
He frowned but simply shrugged it off. “Since you haven’t been here that long, I would understand why you’re asking this. Well the ones that are gawking at us are homophobic. There are a few of us in this school, but they’re usually too shy to show it off...}”
I took this in stride priding myself on my intuition. “Um-hm... Well I think that it’s time they relax a bit with the sexuality issue. We are in a modern society that is supposed to ban discrimination but it’s still not the case.”
“You bend that way then?” His casualty in saying it surprised me but I nodded.
“Would you mind going out some time?” He flashed a handsome grin. I was privy to his charms no matter how much I denied it.
I reddened, reminding myself that I belonged to Seth. “Sorry... I’m already taken.” And another one is also competing for my attention. I added mentally.
He did a good show of hiding his disappointment. “Oh... Then you wanna be friends?”
“Sure.” I answered before the teacher walked in. Silence ensued, and I looked up, ready for the boring teacher lecture.
I fell from my chair in shock. Two surprises in one day. Talk about misfortune. The teacher was none other than Hermes in the flesh, in front of me. In a pearl gray suit, he held a slim briefcase and wore one of those trademark conceited smiles. He thrilled in my surprise.
On the floor, I groaned, rubbing my head while students looked at me curiously. Jordan helped me up.
“Hey are you okay? What’s the matter?”
The matter is, is that my boss who gives me missions to assassinate people is standing right in front of me! I wanted to scream out, but simply shrugged. “Uh, it’s nothing. I just slipped.” Great, now I’ll be called clumsy! And mister Arrogant Ass here is laughing his face off! Containing the urge to kick that smile off his face, I resumed my seat and sighed in annoyance.
“You looked shocked…” Jordan hounded me for answers. “Do you know him?”
“N... NO...” I stuttered, since he was not far from the truth. “I don’t know him at all...’ Brushing him off, I jumped into the lesson, glad that I had managed to keep him off my tail.
By the end of the double period, I was barely able to contain myself anymore. I took my time to gather my stuff and told Jordan to wait for me by my locker for the break. When I was satisfied that no one lurked around, I turned around to face him, eyes narrowed in anger.
“Okay Hermes...” I growled. “What’s the big idea?”
“I work here, if you don’t mind. I’ve been teaching here for the past three years.”
“So you decided to put me in here as well?” I fumed, stalking up to him. “What for?”
“To make sure you don’t get into any trouble. I know you have a tendency to ask for it...” He chuckled at my bristling anger.
Wrapped up in my anger, I leaned forwards across his desk and thrust a finger at his chest. “You had better stay out of my way and every time you stare at me it annoys me so if you don’t....”
A flash of his porcelain hand snaked before my eyes and snagged my pointing hand by the wrist. Before I could even react, he tugged me forwards and pressed his own lips against my own in one quick kiss. I gasped at his bold move and this proved to be another mistake. His tongue immediately entered my territory and explored it tantalizingly. My own reason betrayed me as I groaned into the kiss. Before it could go any farther, I pulled away and smacked him in the face.
“What was that for?” I yelled, humming with newfound anger. I bristled when he reached out with his other hand and cupped my cheek.
“You were being careless and offered yourself to me...” His words threw me off-guard and I had no reply to this. Fighting a crimson blush, I stalked away, angry with him for being able to destabilize me like this. This was wrong! He must be at least ten years my junior! What was wrong with this world? Why did so many people run after me! And those words... what did they mean? I offered myself to him? How and when did I do...
I paused in mid-rant. As I recalled what had happened, I groaned. Oh no! I had leaned forwards across the desk, closer than I should have, caught up in my anger, and I had thrust a finger in his direction. That must have been what he meant. I had given him easy access to my proximity.
Oh this is just great! What am I to do now? I slapped my forehead and sighed in frustration. Why did life have to be so complicated? I had not even told Lukas Seth and I were a couple. Now I had to worry about my hitting on me? Jesus! I ended up with a pedophile of a Boss!
“Hello! Earth to Nick?” Jordan’s voice suddenly registered to my ears. A red tint blossomed on my face as I shuffled my feet.
“Oh, sorry. I was just really deep in thought.” I said a little too quickly. He grinned and we walked towards algebra.
This year would prove to be more difficult than I thought. At lunch, I reveled in the break from so many class hours. Although I was quite advanced, this did not deter my boredom. The classes reminded me of the hours or private tutoring at the institution. Since we had left so early, I had two more years to complete while the other children of the project had graduated.
Hermes kept insisting attending school ensured perfect assimilation and helped me in my socializing skills. But now that I knew that the excuses were a cover-up to come on to meI had been completely disillusioned. What a sly bastard! He played his game well! Well, the ball was already in the court and I needed to just find a way to steer away. Didn’t he know how to separate business and pleasure?
“What’s the deal with the History teacher and you?” Jordan’s question jolted me out of my furious contemplation. “I don’t believe that you don’t know him. You acted too weird in his presence...”
Inwardly, I double kicked myself for my stupidity. So much for maintaining secrecy. “Um, well...” Come on! You can think up an excuse! “You see, I am an orphan and with my other friends, we work at a pet shop. He is a regular customer there and he likes annoying us... I in particular.” Oh great is that the best you could do? The urge to kick that little voice back to oblivion erased my uneasiness.
“You work at a pet shop?” Jordan exclaimed. “That’s cool! I’ve always wanted a pet! Could I stop by after school?”
The joy shining in Jordan’s features amused me. I knew we would be good friends as time wore on. “Sure, but I’ll have to stop by the herb shop to get incense. That’s what we burn in the store so that it doesn’t stink too much...”
He burst out laughing at my words the heat of my face blotching my face red. Sometimes, you are too honest for my own good. “I imagine it does! Cleaning animal cages with all their poo!” Jordan riled, falling sideways in laughter.
“Jordan! Are you teasing some poor stranger again?” A female voice admonished causing Jordan to bolt upright and sober up immediately. The girl turned up to be the same red haired girl with freckles who had shown me to the registration office. “Hi... I’m Jordan’s friend... We’ve known each other for two years now...” She moved her tray next to me, so I scooted over, jostling Jordan in the process. I smiled relieved I was not alone anymore. This normalcy made me forget and endure the pained guilt that devoured me.
“Sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier. My name’s Lucille Suppine... It’s a pleasure.” I shook her hand again and dug into my food not missing Jordan’s eyes on me. The other girl I had seen earlier with Lucille walked up to them and nodded, then slung an arm around her. I nearly choked when I both kissed briefly before the girl took her seat beside Lucille.
“Oh...” Lucille uttered, squirming with unease. ‘We didn’t tell you...This is my girlfriend Claudia Strauss.’
“It’s no problem. I’m gay myself.” I grinned and nodded to reassure them. They relaxed and started on their food. Well this made an odd bunch, but the originality made it all the more fun. My eyes wandered to The table of teachers far ahead of the hall seemed to preside on the student tables. They ate at the same time to keep watch on us. I jerked a chin towards the specially reserved table.
“I guess food fights are out of the question?” I told Jordan giving him a smirk.
“I guess not. Why? You got a rebel streak in you?” He arched an eyebrow in challenge.
“Why would I be called Lawless if not?” Thus came my next sharp comment. He chuckled and I sipped at my water, eyes wandering towards the table. My gaze froze on Hermes aka Mr. Coty who walked up to the table with a tray. As if detecting my gaze on him he looked up, throwing a suggestive grin my way. Livid with anger, I broke eye contact. I had to admit the stunning handsomeness in that gray suit cut to perfection for his lithe body. I vaguely wondered if he worked out daily or... Stop this! I have to quit thinking of him that way! He is my boss and gives me assassination missions! That is all! And he’s my teacher!
“Don’t you think Mr. Coty is kinda hot?” Jordan whispered, mirroring my earlier thoughts.
I sprayed the water I had been drinking all over my food. Hacking my lungs away, I wanted to die so strong my mortification. What a way to put my thoughts in words. Jordan pounded my back in the middle of interested gazes from the students.
“What’s up with you? You sure look...” His head cocked in wonder trying to find the appropriate word. “Tense.”
“Well duh!” I rolled my eyes. “It is my first day of school.” And my teacher has the hots for me when I already have a boyfriend! Thankfully, those words never left my lips.
“Well you’ll get settled in when you get to know us better.” Said Lucille with too much enthusiasm.
“So how is it you’re so ahead of others?” asked Claudia.
“I was tutored at the Orphanage and I caught on really easily.”
“So you’re a Genius then?” Her companion blubbered.
I shrugged. “I don’t really think myself as one. I just have a few facilities. I work now with my other friends who were also with me at the Orphanage in a pet shop. We get our money from that...”
“Oh.” Pity swarmed her features. “Sorry.”
“It’s no biggie...” I understood her pity but I never had parents anyway. Bred from test tube experiments, no sense of family developed between our creators and the children, but a tentative fraternity between the experiments. “I lost my parents when I was very young so I don’t really remember them.”
Jordan smiled in sympathy. “Well don’t you ever wonder how they were?”
The idea was worth exploring. The scientists at the institute who had bred us only treated us when we obeyed their orders or when they wanted something from us, so I held no affection for the ones who had triggered my birth. “Well not really. I learned that they were bad people anyway...” They silenced after this and I was grateful. I did not want to branch too much on my personal life because it was not a life anyone would wish for. They sensed the pain in my words and respected my privacy.
Jordan switched subjects sensing my unease. “They have many clubs at the school, and I was wondering if you were interested. I am part of the fencing team, but there also is an academic challenge team, a gymnastics team, an orchestra band and an art club...”
Glad to steer my mind elsewhere, I considered the different clubs. “Well, I think I would like try out for the fencing and the gymnastics team...”
“You sure?” He frowned. “We compete against schools regionally and nationally if you’re good enough.”
“Sure. I maybe won’t be good enough to compete, but I could use the exercise.” It would change from using the regular katana. When we had trained with swords, Seth had favored the katana, but I turned towards the western style of fencing, so I had had a lot of practice with Lukas, who claimed himself a champion. The afternoon sailed by pretty fast because we had English lit and Art. After school, Jordan followed me to my locker, which happened to be close to his.
“So you’re gonna buy that incense for your shop?”
”It’s not too far from here...” we drifted out of the school, waving to Lucille and Claudia then headed towards the shop. Inside, I riffled through the different scents and tried to think of the best fragrance.
‘You’ve been quite agitated today.’ Seth said into my head. I nearly fell over with shock. I steadied myself with the table of a display.
‘Seth! You scared the shit out of me!’ I grumbled. ‘Yeah, my school day has been... let’s say quite bumpy. A lot of unexpected things have happened. Anyway, which incense do you want?’
‘The Arabian one, if you don’t mind?’
‘Sure. Catch you later.’ I closed the mental link just as Jordan turned to me with an inquisitive look on his face. I summoned another mental kick at myself for jumping at Seth’s frequent intrusions. I would need to stop being so conspicuous or Jordan would be hounding me with questions.
“You sure do fall over for nothing...” He mocked me in a chiding tone. I rolled my eyes and finished the purchase. Finally, we headed out and snagged the bus. “What’s the matter with you? There’s something about you that I can’t put a finger on.”
You got that right. “You’re looking into things too much. Come on let’s catch that bus before we’re stranded here for the next half-hour.” I sprinted to the air bus taking care to check my speed. Jordan kept up the pace quite easily. We slipped inside just in time and fell into free seats by the windows in the back.
Now was the time to dig out personal information. “So what do your parents do for a living?” I cautiously picked out the question.
“Well...” His face fell revealing undisguised hatred. “I only have my father, since my mother passed away from bone cancer. My father tried everything to try to cure her, but failed. He works at an international firm called Focus Corporation, and he is also the Head of finances. He tried to invest money in her recovery but...” He went on with his story, but I was not there to follow him anymore.
Focus Corporation! It can’t be? His father works for that science firm! Does that mean.... No... It can’t be happening! Does this mean that his father could be one of our potential targets? No matter how much I denied this, I would maybe have to kill his father. What would happen then? How could I destroy his family when... when we were just starting to be really good friends? A sore tenderness tore my heart up and I hated myself for it. I’m letting emotions get the better of me. But I hate Focus Corporation, and every person that actively participated in these evil deeds needs to be punished. I can’t let my damn sentiments...
“Hey Nick! Are you listening?” I jerked awake at Jordan’s irritated voice and flushed. Then I could not help the guilt from flooding my mind. I was befriending the son of a target!
“Uh yeah. What were you saying?’
“I was saying how my father has changed so much since my mother’s death. I mean, I’ve never really regarded him as a father figure. He is always so distant, even when my mother was sick.” Hatred flared in his features. “I’ve come to hate my father for this you know? He won’t even consider me as his proper son, and sometimes I wonder if he really has a heart...”
I sighed relating to what he said. The same happened with Steve, our dear Steve who literally went overboard and killed someone that we considered our brother.
“Lately, he’s been moody and dangerous. He has these sudden outbursts, and I think he’s up to no good.” His fists clenched, his head bowed. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this. I’ve known you for a day, and I tell you what I couldn’t tell others in a lifetime.”
I smiled gently and patted his shoulders. “Because I’m a good listener. At least, that’s what my friends tell me. I inspire people to tell me their problems.”
“Hmm...” He chuckled, his features remaining sad however. “You know, I think that my father is not himself anymore. I’ll tell you something that I haven’t had the courage to talk about to anyone.” His eyes delved deep into mine, seeking the reassurance there. I gave it, for the sake of my shame. “I am his only son, and so you see, our relation ship is rigid. It’s always addressing him as yes sir or no sir. He shows me no more affection, claiming I am growing too old for it. One day, he discovered my sexuality and he went crazy with rage.” There, he stopped in his painful tale, biting his lip to prevent tears. “He beat me up, Nick... He dared to harm his own son for who he is.”
I gasped in outrage. ‘That’s intolerable! He can’t do that! He’s your father!”
“For him, I am his failed son.” His head hung with guilt. “I can never make him proud, whatever I try…” When I heard him take a shuddering breath, on the brim of sobs, I could not help but envelop him in a warm hug.
“Sh... It’s okay to cry and let it all out. You’ve been wanting to confide it to someone in a long time... I won’t resent that.” He shook violently against me, and I pressed him tighter. Other people on the bus stared but I did not care. I was long past caring about other prejudices.
When the moment of heated emotions passed, he finally drew back, wiping his eyes. “Uh, thanks... I haven’t cried like this in years.”
“You needed the release.” Taking his hand in mine, I frowned, trying to put my thoughts into a coherent question. “Jordan... If your father were to never come back to see you, if he disappeared from your life, would you regret it?”
His brows furrowed at my odd question, but he mulled over it, chewing his lip absently. I asked this for the own sake of my guilt. If I were to kill his father, I wanted to know how guilty I should be from taking him away from Jordan.
“To tell you the truth, no...” He finally answered. ‘”nside my wildest dreams, I sometimes wished he could disappear. I know it’s unheard of and this is frightening in a way, but this is just the way I feel.”
I breathed out in relief. “Don’t be ashamed of what you feel. Today, the world’s crazier than we can imagine.” The bus rang, signaling our stop. Out on the sidewalk, I realized we had shared a private moment that would seal us as veritable friends.
The Heaven for Pets as usual, was crowded with the regular teenage group of fans. Most of them were girls since the majority of our staff was male, but there were a few boys. Walking inside, the jingle alerted the customers of my presence. I swallowed as a troupe of girls came yammering towards me.
“Oh great!” I groaned, warding off the waves of humans. Thankfully, Jordan beside me effectively pushed them away until I reached the counter. Selina behind it, rang up a sale of a small kitten for an old lady.
“Oh Nick! You’re back!” She smiled, snatching the incense for me. “I’m so glad you arrived! How was your day?”
I twitched, recalling Hermes’ unexpected appearance. “You mean, you’re glad you can get off this shift so I can relay you?” I deadpanned.
“Aw!” She chided, poking my ribs with her elbow. “Don’t whine! Seth’s on the shift too!” Her suggestive tone turned my cheeks warm “So your day at school?”
“Um...” To divert her attention, I pushed Jordan in front of me. “I met a new friend! His name’s Jordan Heckelberg...”
Selina flinched, but quickly hid her reaction behind a cheerful mask, sticking out her hand. “Nice to meetcha!” He took it smiling broadly. “Hey you’re a cute when you smile. How about I take you out some day?”
“Sorry.” Jordan deflected it a dash of unease in his voice. “I’m not interested in girls...”
Selina shrugged, her merry eyes twinkling. “Oh... Well, you’d better keep your hands off Nick or Seth will have the death of you. He’s off limits, comprende?” She wagged a finger, to my utter embarrassment. “And that’s for you too, Lukas!” She yelled over the din of the customers. Lukas at that moment stocked up shelves in the store. His head popped up from one of the alleys and he flashed me a predatory grin.
“Selina! Will you cut it out!” I moaned wishing I could disappear. By now my face burned a bashful red. Jordan beside me smothered a giggle. “it’s not funny!’ Why do I have so many people running after me anyway?”
‘Cause you’re so cute without wanting to.’ Seth’s warm voice filled my mind, and a pair of arms curled around my waist in a clearly possessive manner. “Hi. You’re Jordan then? A new friend of Nick?” His eyes clearly told Jordan, watch out.
Jordan nodded. “I came to see what kind of pets you have...”
I disengaged from Seth’s arms, wishing he would stop publicly displaying his affection and donned my apron. “Well, I have to go check on the animals.”
In the back of the store, I verified the food rations and selected the ones I would need for the dogs and cats. The monotony of the labor allowed my thoughts to wander to our earlier training sessions. We had trained under mock missions before, so we were bound to have a real one this time around. I shifted my attention to feeding the pets. Lukas had finished his stocking and scrubbed the display window, dirtied by many children’s hands.
“Did you have a good day at school?’ He asked, his back still turned to me.
Ugh not him too! Why does everyone keep asking me these questions? Just the recollection of Hermes’ kiss urged me to erase it from my memory. That perverted pedophile! How dare he even lay a finger on me? “What’s up with everyone asking me this?”
“Well...” He turned back to me having finished a large portion of glass, his eyes thoughtful. “I’ve never been to a real school before. I’ve had to pick up education on the way.”
“Part of growing up fast, huh?” I completed. “I guess the Underworld does not let enough time for normal child development. My day was crap and boring to death but I did meet a nice guy.” I paused on my way to heave a heavy bag of dry food up on the shelf from the cartons. “His name’s Jordan Heckleberg...”
“Oh...” He drifted his eyes shining in sympathy. “But he will never replace him...”
I nodded the inevitable truth painful. “Nobody could replace him. He was unique in his own way. You know, he was the most generous of us all and very gentle. He would never have hurt anybody willingly. He was the gentlest of us assassins. He would never have survived with the guilt.” My unloading ceased and sat on one of the cartons. Lukas took this as a cue to sit down as well and patiently wait for what I needed to get off my shoulders. I appreciated that. “He always used to tone down Steve’s icy attitude. He was always the one defending me even if he knew he couldn’t break Steve’s ferocious authority.”
“It’s a harsh world we live in, where the most innocent ones suffer. The gentle ones die, and the fit survive. I guess after so much progress and advancement on the part of technology and science, mankind still has to learn. We are nothing but animals still running on the Darwinism concept.”
“I wish I could create a world where we could all be equal. What good is so called democracy if it doesn’t protect the weak? What good is law when it doesn’t serve the unfortunate and only caters to the elite of society?”
‘That is why we’re here, Nick. This is why you’ve decided to work with us.” Lukas explained. And I had to admit he was right. My goal in life was sitting right in front of my nose. I had grasped the meaning of it, and now, it was time to act. Breaking off from the philosophical considerations, I went back to work and relieved Lukas from his shift.
As I came back into the store to assist any customers, I noticed that Jordan chatting away with Seth on a choice of animals. I opened my mouth to call to them, but the jingle of the doorbell diverted my attention.
A groan escaped my lips at the sight of a familiar person. Our boss, Hermes stood in the entrance, eyeing us expectantly.
Jordan blinked in surprise. “Mr. Coty! Did you come here for the pets too?” Selina flinched, instantly glaring at me.
“Oh, Mr. Coty. I’m sure you’d be glad to meet my co-workers and friends.” I pretended to introduce him to his well-known assassins but he played along at my glare. “Mr. Coty is my new History teacher at school.” I failed to disguise the scorn in my voice, hoping Hermes could hear it. The rest of the crew gaped at me as flabbergasted as I had been. I pasted on a kind smile at Jordan as a way of dismissal. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow. I gotta go...”
Taking the cue, Jordan waved and walked out. Once I made sure he was gone, I flipped the closed sign on our door and we followed Hermes down to the basement dubbed the mission room.
“Hermes is your teacher?’ Selina whispered in shock.
I grimaced. “Yup. I asked him why he did this, and he said he put me in this school to keep an eye on me.”
“Actually, it’s more than that, as I’m sure you have guessed, Prometheus.” Hermes sliced into my acid words. “That friend that you just met, his father will be the target of your present mission.”
The words bound me to my fate as a killer and an assassin. I was about to kill the father of a friend. A friend I started to have feelings for. “So you sent me to that school on purpose so I could befriend Jordan, than have easier access to his father? Am I correct?” I said, voice glacial at that point, as was my stare.
“Of course. My motives lay deeper than just looking after you.” He smirked, smug pride ill-concealed at his genius plan. He had played me well, that arrogant prick. He knew ways around my stubbornness to make me work for him.
“You manipulative bastard...” I growled under my breath. The others arched their brows at my anger. “What makes you think I’ll accept this mission?”
“Because you’ll discover that Heckelberg was the one who sponsored the idea of your creation. Project Miracle was all financed by him...”
Mute amazement struck me full blast as I sat there, just staring. Damn he’s good! I cursed. He knew. He knew everything about us it seemed1! “So... You know about us then?”
He nodded, and distributed a file each containing some information. “Etna hasn’t been fully able to access the background of the target nor his particular habits. He is a hell of a sneaky bastard, and very paranoid. Since the death of two Focus corporation agents, he has hidden himself behind his legal cover.” His eyes bore into me at that moment. Wait a minute! The two Focus Corporation goons Seth and I killed. Is he talking about them?
‘Of course he is.’ Seth admonished mentally. ‘He probably learned it from Lukas who had been spying on us.’ I breathed in, feebly attempting to calm my quivering lungs.
“What position is he exactly in the Focus Corporation company? And how much is he responsible for the Project Miracle?” Pandora demanded in her mission-like tone.
I cleared my throat to get everyone’s attention. “Well, apparently, Focus Corporation is an international firm that invests in different areas, because he told me his father was the head of finances.” Odd looks came my way.
“Well you certainly did not waste time gleaning info…”
“He told me his father has been going through strange erratic behavior, and by the way, the father-son relation ship is totally fucked...” Seth frowned at my usage of bad language. I laughed inwardly when Hermes flinched. The more reason to do this, a small victory in the private we waged. “He hates his father and he confided to me that he would rather see him dead. He said that in his wildest fantasies, he wished his father would disappear.”
‘How did you get him to confide such personal thoughts so quickly?” Lukas demanded suspicion creeping in his voice.
I shrugged, leaning into Seth. “I dunno.” In the momentary pause, I recalled how Jordan had expressed wanting to go out with me. “He kinda likes me, so I guess he decided to confide in me.” I met Seth’s and Lukas’ jealous glares. “So I guess since I am his best friend, I might as well continue my infiltration.”
Hermes graced me with an approving smile. :Good. Then I guess Prometheus will take care to relay the information to you three. Are you sure you want to do this Prometheus?”
Why did he even bother asking me? Did my opinion count so much? “Sure I will. I am the closest to Jordan and I will be able to gather more information. He won’t be suspecting me as much as someone that Jordan is less close to.” I reasoned. “So in other words, this mission is a solo one?”
“Well, you’ll be the primary link to our mission since you’re the gatherer of information.” Said Lukas. “We’ll back you up in case you’re in trouble.”
“I will put up a mental link with all of us.” Seth volunteered. “Like this, you’ll be able to contact us at any time. Of course, if I am knocked out or dead, the link will be down.”
I squeezed his hand hard. How could he speak like this about his death so unemotionally? “Nothing will happen to you.” I reassured him with a hug. I glanced over at the file with mild interest. He lived in the rich people’s residence in the Upper Central District otherwise as the Gold District, not too far from the business district. His full name was Jonas Quentin Heckleberg, age 38, was a Caucasian, of Irish and American descent. He had traveled all over the place, including Asia and Africa. Other than that, there was no other information.
“So what I basically have to do is find out about his hobbies, the patterns of his life and if he has any abilities?”
“Yes Prometheus.” Replied Hermes then addressed everyone. “So I take it you are all in?’
“Yes.” We replied in unison. At the top of the stairs by the shop, Hermes saluted us, then vanished, leaving us to plan for our mission. Seth did not relinquish his inquisitive stare as we went up to our apartments.
“Is there something between Hermes and you that I should know about?” The question froze me in my tracks. Slowly, I turned fighting to keep a straight face.
“Uh, no.” I said lamely. “It’s nothing. Listen, I have a ton of homework, so I’ll see you later.” Plastering a smile on my face, I retreated back into my room and flung my schoolbag near my desk. In fact my homework consisted of readings I had already done, so I ended up with a free night. What I wanted was time to start my mission. To the soothing sound of my favorite CD, I booted my computer up and started my search. I had not met him in person, but I could start by working from scratch.
Several hours later, I gave up with a sigh. The results were an approximate picture of him, a record of his regular stays at a high-class men’s penthouse club and a registration at a golf club. Well, Mr. Heckleberg, you don’t seem to like public attention that much. Stretching back to relieve the kinks in my shoulders, I closed my eyes. My best shot was to invite myself to Jordan’s house one of these days and try to pick up a few things on his father.
A knock and a muffled voice pulled me out of my frustrated planning. “Dinner’s ready, if you’re willing to pry yourself from your engine. I’m beginning to think your computer is your first love.” Seth said with a snicker. I smirked and pushed myself out of my swivel chair, opening the door.
“Hey, that’s not…” His lips stifled my angry reply. My body melted at the immediate contact feeling the familiarity of his touch. I groaned and crushed our mouths closer by grabbing the back of his head. I had been so absorbed in my search that I had ignored how much I missed his presence.
“You could at least take your making out sessions in your rooms.” Selina brutally ended our session with an impatient frown. I gave a devilish grin and slipped my hand in Seth’s jean back pocket and pushed him forwards.
“Hey I smell someone envious here!” I declared, earning myself a matriarchal death glare.
“You should be glad I don’t have my whip here to beat you into submission.” She grumbled.
“Oh I didn’t know you were into kinky stuff...” Seth teased. Before she could beat him over the head, we entered the kitchen. Lukas an apron around his waist, balanced boiling pots and steaming sauces.
“Oh, you’re right on time!” He chirped, setting down the bowl of pasta. “Pasta primavera tonight.”
Inhaling the smell of sweet Italian sausage, I hummed. “Mmmh! How’d you learn how to cook like that? Smells delicious.”
He blushed pleased at my appraisal. “I like cooking, as a matter of fact.” Then, the flustered expression shifted to malice. “I can cook up anything for you, Nick. All you have to do is just ask.” The innuendo did not go unheeded by Seth.
A heated debate between Seth and Lukas ensued during the whole time. Selina volunteered to settled them down to prevent them from throwing food at each other. As for I, I wished I had never come down to eat. Gee this will be a long night! And I still have to figure out what to do about Hermes.
Ignoring the noisy banter, I slipped out from the dinner room and walked up to the roof of the apartment. From there, I could view the moonlit sky and forget my worries. Staring at the night sky always left me relaxed and able to think. I was torn between condemning Hermes for wanting me while he was much older than me. I was after all a minor, and he was an adult, thus could be branded a pedophile.
But on the other hand, I felt the same tug of curiosity I felt for Lukas. Another thing nagged me. I could never imagine Hermes doing something I did not want him to do. It almost looked to me like he worried over me more than all the other members of Olympus. What had triggered his interest in me? That was what I wanted to know. So when would I be able to talk to him one on one and straighten things out? Argh! You’re complicating things too much! I scolded myself impatiently. I wanted to simply tell him that I was honestly not interested and that I already had Seth. But I didn’t want to hurt him either. So why is it he pursues me even if he knows that Seth and I are together?
That last question lingered with me as I made it back to my room, more exhausted than I would have thought. First came the mission, than maybe I could make myself face Hermes to tell him what I really felt about him.