Stacked Deck -
Chapter 1: So It Begins...
The day my life changed started out just like any other
day. Good friends, and a normal
life. I had a dream, then, of what I
wanted my life to be like. I had wanted
to be a psychologist, a doctor who helped people to find hope again. To find life. It's not always, however, that childhood dreams come true.
Today it is my job to help people lose faith. To lose hope. To die.
* * *
"Hey, TK. You got a
package in the mail today."
"Thanks, Matt. Just
leave it on the counter. I'll be out in
a second." I looked up into the
bathroom mirror. I sighed. The image in the mirror never seemed to
change. I still was the same old boring
TK. I had an odd feeling though. Something was going to change today, and I'd
never be the same.
I chose my clothes with care, trying to show a little flare
without being too noticeable. I reached
for my hat and hesitated. I really
looked nondescript enough without it.
Why was I trying so hard not to be noticed?
"TK, come on. You're
going to be late!"
"Coming." I left my
hat where it was and ran out of my room.
Grabbing the package off the kitchen counter, I ran out the door. I was late as usual, but I'd still make it
to school on time. Of that I was sure.
* * *
Two men dressed in black were sitting in a car just up the
street from TK's house. Both were
watching as TK ran out of the building.
Pulling into traffic, they followed him.
"Are you sure it's him?
We cannot afford any more mistakes."
The man's voice was thin, tired sounding. He eyes were ice blue and his mouth was set in a hard line.
"Yes. There can be
no mistakes this time. That child is
the Angel of Hope." Unlike his partner,
this man had brown eyes, and appeared to have more emotion. He certainly looked sympathetic over the
fate of the boy under observation.
"You're just lucky we found him in time. Any longer and he would have figured out who
he was."
"He just looks so ordinary.
Normally the Angel is a little more flamboyant in his
self-expression. Why would it be
different this time? Why would he
suddenly change his habits after so many centuries?"
"We're not here to find answers. We're here to make sure the Angel is ours before his powers begin
to grow."
The man with brown eyes started after the young blonde. He watched as the boy greeted his friends
and as he made his way into the school. I'm sorry Takeru. I held them off as long as I could. Now, it is up to you. I only hope you realize who you are before
it is too late.
