A Mission Given

It was midday, and seemingly no one had any clue about the attempted attack on me at school. Indeed, it's probably for the best that they didn't, as they would likely mock me for not eliminating him.

Alternatively, they could commend September for successfully rescuing me, which is much less unfortunate.

When I received my food, I noticed September dining with her friends. She was enjoying her meal while her companions seemed less interested.

They were seated across from each other, engrossed in conversation, while she sat quietly, enjoying her meal.

I experienced a profound sense of distress in my heart.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm extremely anxious, or if it's just my heart urging me to express my gratitude.

I wanted to approach her, but my feet seemed to be rooted in place, unwilling to take any action whatsoever.

However, my determination allowed me to overcome the frozen grip of my worries, and I approached with a growing sense of calm.

She soon found me and gave me a glance that didn't seem hostile, but I was quite discouraged by it. "Can I assist you in any way?" she asked. I was rendered speechless, unable to form coherent words.

"I just wanted to express my gratitude," I said, after a moment of continuous stumbling over my words. I could sense the sweat trickling from my armpits, making its way down my side.

"I must say, it's been quite a pleasure," she replied. "Is there anything else you'd like to share with me?"

I stuttered.

However, at that moment, she mentioned, "I actually have something important to tell you." Now, have you developed any abilities with your wand yet?"

"Absolutely not."

"Anyway, when we discovered water, earth, and gas?"

"Absolutely not."

"All things considered, it was probably the smartest choice for you to make," she said. "I was summoned to rescue you as soon as the red alarm blared in my quarters. I hurried over and they informed me that you were being chased by another TSA agent.

"I'm grateful you're here," I said.

"But you're interested in finding a way to acquire power quickly," she remarked. "You won't be able to rely solely on your wand as a weapon to protect yourselves from them."

I nodded, unsure if I was being addressed or educated. "He possessed wolves, and it's highly unlikely that you'll be able to combat wolves with your wand, so it's crucial to quickly acquire proficiency in a powerful skill, alright?"

"Alright."

I departed, feeling slightly more confident than before. Basically, she wasn't being honest with me, and it wasn't like what she said. I did a terrible job, in fact - she suggested that I should have been fired. I suppose she believed I possessed some sort of magical ability when she discovered me being restrained by him.

My throat is actually hurting from that.

Once more, in that moment, the Dad framework activated, and I was summoned along with September, Malachi, Tisiah, and Nikki. Under what circumstances were five students supposed to be summoned? We casually made our way to the workplace where Mr. Drails was located.

We all entered the workplace, and Mr. Robbs greeted us with big smiles as we approached him, saying, "Welcome back students, or welcome to the workplace." Mr. Drails has a comment for you all.

Then, at that moment, Mr. Drails paused briefly, contemplating his words. He glanced down at his work area, observing everyone in his office — except for Nikki. He quickly glanced back at us, pausing for a moment to take a deep breath. "A researcher employed by the government was apprehended by the TSA, and we're dispatching all of you to rescue him," he stated firmly. We are currently unaware of his location, however, we have discovered a facility that was provided with a theory regarding the most recent place he may have been.

Mr. Drails paused once again, waiting eagerly for our response. But there was a lack of understanding among all of us as none of us had a clue about what he was talking about. Finally, he stated, "You are expected to visit this base and verify its legitimacy." Moreover, if this is indeed true, rescue the individual and ensure their safe relocation to a secure and protected location."

There was a lot happening here:

1) A researcher was apprehended by the TSA and we were determined to rescue him.

2) It wasn't just me - it was also September, Malachi, Tisiah, and Nikki; and Tisiah informed me about the mistreatment of detainees by the TSA - they subject them to torture until they die.

3) This was my first experience being involved in a project where individuals were detained by the TSA, particularly by a renowned scientist whom they were reluctant to release without causing him distress over his knowledge.

4) Something was happening in a remote location.

5) This is not some kind of adventure game where we go on a quest to find a treasure and win a million dollars in the end. Instead, we are risking our lives to save someone else, and honestly, it could be worth dying for.

6) This is the real world, not a plaything...

7) ... or a movie.

8) Or perhaps a book.

I looked back at September, wondering if she shared the same fear that I currently felt.

She glanced in my direction and shook her head. So I glanced at Malachi, and I could feel his eyes on me, but I quickly looked away to avoid any potential interaction with him - not wanting to engage in conversation with him right now. He understood that I had very little knowledge about the mission and even if I did, I would likely have no answers.

But it was difficult for me to resist observing him, as he possessed notable expertise in certain areas and I was aware of his impressive capabilities.

I could never defeat him in a fight unless I possessed a wand like his, but maybe he's the only person who can rescue me from the torment inflicted by these individuals.

In addition, I was filled with fear at the thought of him accompanying me on this mission. Who knows what dangers lie ahead and if there are any individuals who would go to great lengths to capture him. Their intentions might even involve harming him.

One problem we faced was that he hadn't joined us yet. So I found a spot near Tisiah on the outskirts of the room and waited anxiously to see where they were taking him.

"Alright," said Mr. Robbs after Mr. Drails finished explaining our plans for the day. "You can all take a break now and get some rest." Tomorrow, let's rendezvous at this location at 5 pm and then depart. We will depart promptly at 6:00 PM."

We all expressed our gratitude to Mr. Robbs and departed from the workplace, heading to our classrooms to grab some lunch. However, September chose not to eat as she had no appetite anyway. She observed Tisiah, who appeared lost in thought, staring off into the distance. I wondered if she shared the same restlessness I felt about tomorrow's event, as I couldn't stop imagining what it would be like out there. Does the TSA not release individuals without any means of retrieval? They relentlessly pressure them until they extract the information or any other necessary details. Overall, it is unclear what exactly happens to a person when they are apprehended by the TSA, but it is likely a distressing experience. It is possible that they are currently being held and interrogated in an attempt to extract information or elicit a confession.

It was quite concerning, that's what I knew. Furthermore, I couldn't imagine myself truly being a part of something like this if it was actually real — because this was the TSA we were dealing with; these individuals aren't trustworthy. I have no clue why they were doing this and I don't know the complete story of everything that happened, but I sensed that there was more going on beneath the surface. I had a feeling that we shouldn't have been involved in this mission.

I don't believe it was a typical mission where we embark on an adventure to an unknown land. It wasn't like a thrilling quest where we have to conquer creatures or overcome challenges and wield a magical wand to defeat the villain.

No, this was something different; something more sinister and dangerous than that. There was nothing about this mission that instilled a genuine sense of confidence. I didn't expect anyone to feel confident about what might happen when we got there, suggesting that we should be prepared for anything - even death.

I grabbed my lunch and headed towards the cafeteria. As I entered the lobby, I noticed September and her group approaching me. They walked together, moving with a sense of purpose, like a group of predators ready to strike at any moment. I was filled with fear when I saw them, as they were glaring at each other as if they were about to engage in a confrontation of some sort. I could sense Tisiah's unease, yet he made a conscious effort to conceal it, as he often did whenever they visited his vicinity. Malachi had his fists tightly clenched, while Nikki simply looked down at the ground.