New Beginnings


I was eighteen when I met my first best friend.


On my eighteenth birthday, Ellen told me the truth. She informed me that my father was actually a murderous, thieving, dirty cop from DC. I learned that my real name was Neal Bennett, that I was born in DC, and that I had grown up in Wit-sec.

I can still remember that feeling of disconnect when I realized that the people I had trusted most had betrayed me and lied to me from the very beginning. It was the most devastating feeling that I have ever experienced!

"Who was I, where should I go in life, what should I do, how should I be reacting to this, why did things have to go this way…?" The questions spun around in my head until I felt I was going to be sick. I wanted to run away and hide; to do something stupid to help me forget the pain that I was feeling…

Then words of advice started rolling through my mind. "Do what's right… no matter what… you'll be successful… let the pieces fall where they may…"

Taking a deep breath, my mind relaxed and I felt that maybe it would be okay. There were other directions for me to go in life and other people for me to aspire too.

Ellen was surprised when I appeared to calm down. She expected me to be emotional and to flip out about all of the lies that she had been telling me. Instead, I had a few moments of difficulty, then I looked at her and asked her what she thought of me choosing a different path.

For a moment she stared at me, then she slowly said "Alright… what path do you have in mind?"

"Well, there is the option of going to college… I did fill out the application to Stanford." Then I muttered. "I um, got the acceptance letter today."

"You were accepted? Congratulations Danny! …Neal. Um, what do you plan on studying?"

It was awkward as we decided which name she should call me by. "Neal is my real name isn't it?" My smirk was painful, even to me, but I tried to lighten the situation. "Anyway, I think I'll major in computers and minor in art and art history. Computers have a larger market for employment and they have both been my passions growing up. I think it will be good for me to step away from trying to be like… James, and instead discover who I am."

Ellen nodded. "Well, that sounds like a good plan. I think there is another detail that you should take into consideration… are you going to stay in Wit-sec or are you going to leave?"

Taken back, I realized what she was asking. Did I wish to discover the truth, or did I want to continue to live a lie… either way I could never simply come forward and tell others who I really am. "I think that is something that should be thought over and discussed with you and mom… I don't know if I could leave you two, but I also want to find out who I am on my own."

After several weeks of talking things through and discussing options with the Marshals, we decided to take a path down the middle.

I was eighteen, and still a high school student. It wasn't the time for me to go off on my own, yet. My first step towards independence was to be moved to a temporary Wit-sec arrangement with a new name and identity created with a fake family to transition me into a new life. The new life that I was to lead was to be that of Bryce Larkin "of the Connecticut Larkins."

It was two steps away from my family, and yet still in a Wit-sec identity. That way I could have some independence to discover the truth without bringing any danger too close to my family. Also, I would still be able to have some distant contact that would prevent me from losing everything… for the time being…

I spent most of the last semester of high school being the track star and aspiring engineer with the shy little sister who had the eyes of all of the boys. It wasn't what I would call an easy semester, but I must say that my "little sister" came out of her shell with some work. By the end of the year I was graduating, and she had a cluster of friends keeping her from retreating back into her shadows as well as two classes of boys who knew to treat her right… or else.

Once graduation was completed, I moved on to college. My packing included pictures of my fake family, my real family hidden behind, and the couple I met that day in St. Louis (this one was a product my artistic abilities). Beyond that was the usual nerd memorabilia, my art, and basic necessities. I had already left most of my belongings with my mom and Ellen since Bryce got all new belongings to go with his new life.

Although my time with the Larkins had been short, it was still like leaving my family again, but this time there would be fake family events for the holidays to come home to. After all, most college students still enjoy going home for the holidays in order to take a break from the work load and for a chance to reconnect with family.

Arriving at college, I found myself excited. Here, I wasn't the son of a dirty cop, no one looked at me like I was the kid who lost his dad all over again, and no one knew anything about me but my backstory and what I told them. It was the chance that I had been looking for, the opportunity to discover who I was when I was looking to achieve the best that I could be instead of looking to live up to false legacies.

For the first few weeks I went about my schedule. I learned where my classes were, who to talk to and who to avoid, how to interact best with my teachers, and the fastest routes to class when I needed to cut my time. Outside of classes, I trained in track, socialized in the quad, flirted with pretty girls, and got comfortable settling in to my new routine.

Then one day I met the next person to change my life, Chuck Bartowski.

I was bored and lounging around in the quad when a classmate asked if I wanted to throw a football around with him. Despite not being particularly interested in sports, I could throw a ball and it would be something to do. After I agreed to play, we walked out onto the grass and begin throwing various passes. It didn't take us too long to migrate out to a longer throwing range that put me closer to Chuck. One of the times I turned to throw the ball, I caught a glimpse of what book he was studying. Amused, I couldn't help but comment on his choice of classes and we started a conversation. It didn't take me long to signal my other classmate that I had found something else to do and I walked off with Chuck.

The next week the fraternities started recruiting and Chuck and I both made it into the same one. It took some work for us to ensure that we were set as roommates, but once the goal was achieved we were set for the rest of our college stay.

Over the years that we were there, we spent a great deal of time staying up late to play and program games, watched nerd movie marathons, spent time studying together, and simply talked a lot. I learned that his family had its problems and he had his own issues because of them, but he wasn't letting them get the better of him. As he put it, his father's mistakes were his own, so Chuck shouldn't spend time wondering about why his parents abandoned him. Instead, he should focus on what he was going to do and endeavor to do it. I was already following this path in a way, but his story encouraged me to put my feelings on my father's actions aside and go on with my life. He was the murderous, thieving, and dirty cop, not me… so why punish myself?

As I got to know Chuck, I learned he was innocent, honest, and he had integrity. He became the little brother in my life and there wasn't anything that I wouldn't do for him. Unfortunately, my opinion and my protectiveness of him eventually led me to do something that Chuck wouldn't forgive.


A thanks to each of those who have read and shared their appreciation by following, adding to favorites, or leaving kudos. I enjoy knowing that readers like my work and appreciate it when you take the time to let me know what you think.

For those who may be new to reading my post, I will be posting each Sunday as this story is complete. A heads up, I do work two retail oriented jobs that are in full pre-Christmas swing so if I should miss a day, I'll post as soon as I can.