Disclaimer: I do not own Recess, everyone knows that.
'Goodbye dear! Are you sure you'll be alright?' Mrs Griswald asked her son.
'Yeah I'll be fine mum, I only have a cold,' replied Gus. He pulled the covers of his bed over his neck and yawned. 'Is dad coming home later?'
Mrs Griswald smiled and nodded. 'Of course he will sweetie! Take care and ring me if you have any problems at all!' Gus nodded and received his kiss.
'Ok mom, bye!' he said, burying his face into the pillow. She smiled and closed the bedroom door.
Silence…
Gus stayed perfectly still; waiting for the sound of the car leaving in the drive. When he was finally granted of it, he smiled.
'Finally,' he sighed, tossing his duvet onto the floor. He walked across the landing to the telephone and placed a hand on the speaker.
No.
He couldn't do this. It wasn't fair and besides, they had been friends ever since he could remember! Gus slid his fingers down through the phone wire and felt tears welling up in his eyes. He knew that he shouldn't do it but he had to, for the good of the industry; no matter how many people got hurt in the process.
He took a deep breath and reached a shaking hand towards the speaker and lifted it from the wall. He bit his lip hard to urge himself from crying, even though the flashbacks of the past year were flooding in through all directions in his brain. Gus shook them from his head and dialed the number quickly before his better judgement told him not to. He listened anxiously as the phone began to ring, and felt the colour drain from his face when it stopped.
'H-h-hello?' he said, breathing heavily. There was a large pause. He could hear people talking in the background; laughing. Gus grew impatient, and between tears…he screamed his greeting.
The noise stopped instantly.
Gus wasn't sure weather he should hang up. This was a stupid idea, he knew that. He could just hang up now and everything would be alright.
Gus leant towards the receiver and reached his finger out, ready to end it.
'Stop Gustav,' a harsh, cold voice ordered. Gus leapt out of his skin and clutched the phone, his nails scraping against the plastic.
'Gustav, I trust you have brought the information to me?' the voice said again. Gus swallowed hard and opened his mouth to speak. Only to find it dry, the lack of words was all that surrounded him. He was entranced, he knew that he only had to utter one word and he word have betrayed his best friend forever. Was he ready to do that?
'Gustav, the name,' the voice said, an air of impatience added in. Gus bit his lip hard and began to cry silently. He felt the tears run down his face and hitting the speaker.
'GUSTAV! THE NAME!' the voice commanded, harsh and brittle. Gus lifted his head and looked at the ceiling, his heart pounding; he opened his mouth to the receiver.
'It's Gretchen sir,' he muttered. Lowering his head and feeling the relief welling up in his body, he sighed. 'Gretchen Grundler.'
Silence.
Gus' eyes widened and he prepared himself for the next order. What had he done? He had just betrayed the best friend that he had ever had. He felt so ashamed.
'Gustav, you have done well. You are free from your duties in the army at present, but we may have to call on you again. Thank you for your co-operation; you have done your country prou-'
'STOP!' Gus screamed at the phone. 'Gretchen is a good person! She didn't know what she was doing! Please, don't do this to her. I'll take the blame. I'll work more or something just…just PLEASE!' Gus was really crying now. Hunched on the floor, the phone on his shoulder, he cried. He would do anything to help her now, what did they have after her. The police? Army? Secret service?
'Gustav, your next mission will be sent to you, over and out,' and with that, the phone went dead.
Gus placed the phone on the receiver and rasped for breath. He thought it was all over, and that thought stayed with him for the next few seconds until he realised, it was just the beginning.
