-Chapter 3- Fun Ghoul's POV-

"Stupid fucking girl," I grumbled, kicking an empty can of Power Pup. "Thinking I had a goddamn chance. Stupid." I kicked the can again, but this time it came back and bumped into my feet.

"I knew you had a thing for him." The Lightning chick was leaning against a pay phone and smirking. I clenched my gloved fists.

"You fucking-"

"Hey. Calm your tits, man. It's cool. I'm fine with it."

"Did you even see how he was looking at you?" I fumed, desperately trying to stifle my distressed fury.

"Fun Guy-"

"Ghoul."

"Ghoul Guy, I know about dudes. And he wasn't looking at me like anything. And hell, if he was, he's kinda in for a rude awakening." My tension faded somewhat- but only somewhat.

"Wait… so, you mean you're not straight?" I asked, hoping that's what she was getting at.

"Straight as you is, bro. Hell, maybe even less. But who the fuck cares. Point is, you love him."

Hearing this, I totally went weak. I had never said the words aloud before… I had a hard time even thinking them. But here they were, coming from this chick's mouth who I had met not even an hour ago.

"Fuck," I moaned, my voice cracking, "Is it that obvious?"

"Lil bit," she responded sarcastically. I swore again and grabbed my hair. Ray- Jet Star- was right… I really did need a haircut. He was a hell of a one to talk though with his huge poufy afro… My attention faded out with worry and thoughts scattered everywhere. She noticed and reeled me back.

"If it's any consolation though… I'm pretty sure it's mutual."

"Yeah?" I laughed to mask my faltering, hopeful voice. "And what makes you so goddamn sure."

"I know love when I see it." She shrugged. "If I was you, I'd go do something about it before it's too fucking late and he's dead."

-Agent Wentz's POV-

The one place without the patrolling cameras- the conference room. Some of the all-white clad agents were murmuring to each other with pointless small talk while others on their phones and others still sitting stoically, waiting for the stupid thing to begin. Naturally, I was the latter.

The doors burst open and everyone shuffled into stillness. Agent Korse marched his way to the head of the table, followed by the silent entity of a tall, Asian woman with sharply cut black hair in a bob. Korse sat, and she took position standing beside him, clasping her hands behind her back and looking straight on.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to President Sato of Better Living Industries in Japan," Korse began. Mild applause followed, and she bowed her head. "She will be joining us on the account of missing person 395 of sector 2. As some of you are new to this program, I will elaborate." Korse shifted in his seat, and fussed with a page of his notes. President Sato's eyes landed on me, and I watched as a small, almost invisible smirk curled up one side of her mouth. I swallowed hard in intimidation and looked away.

"Missing person 395- showing here…" Korse held up a mug shot of the girl- poufy brown hair, light brown skin, the collar of a colourful coat showing. "…10 years old, female, four feet five inches tall." He passed the photograph around the room, most everyone boredly passing it along. It was nothing new, most of us had seen it.

"She is immune to the regulated medication- a mystery to the corporation. Naturally, we would need to keep her to further investigate this… But as it is, she has been abducted by these criminals." He passed out more mug shots. "They call themselves the 'Fabulous Killjoys'- modern day pirates, if you will. Our goal is to retrieve the girl, and eliminate these… Killjoys."

"With all due respect, sir," someone interjected, "We have been on their case for quite some time… is there any-"

"If you are asking the importance of the meeting, Agent F27…" Korse interrupted, rubbing his temple. Anyone else could've warned the guy not to talk without being directed to. "…It's a, hmm, welcoming party for our new members. Getting them acquainted. And why have you been brought here? To introduce you to President Sato. Any other questions; issues, agent?" Everyone at the table turned to look towards were the voice came from- a pudgy looking blond guy whose face was now scarlet with embarrassment.

"No, sir. Thank you," he muttered, turning dejectedly to his own notes. He must have been at least relatively new; I hadn't seen him before. Korse leaned back in his chair and President Sato whispered something to him.

"Yes, thank you," Korse said in response to her unheard message. "You all have new assignments- a lot of you are to do field work now. Agent D20…" He put his eyes on me firmly. "…You are in charge of a field crew now. Agents F27, D31, D17, F33- you will receive a schedule from me and return to your mentor for training at a later date- tomorrow." I nodded at his words absently, but swallowed, jostling a lump in my throat. That's all he was going to tell me? I had nothing to work with!

"Thank you. Meeting adjourned. D20 and those I mentioned, please remain here to greet your… friends." Korse swiftly stood and marched out of the room, followed by President Sato. Everyone else filed out, a couple even offered a side look of condolence.

The door clicked, leaving four pairs of eyes staring at me in silence. I figured a proper greeting was in order. I cleared my throat.

"Uh… hi."