Hi everyone! Remember me? I'll keep this short, but for all you devoted readers who are confused with this chapter, I'll explain later. For now, read, review and enjoy!
Sinead bent over her test. It was the last final of the year. She had passed all of the other tests, with flying colors, of course, but the Madrigal test was proving to be harder than the others. The questions were based more on ethics and teamwork, and less on facts. And ethics and teamwork weren't things that you learned in the clue hunt. Still, she was feeling reasonably confident until she reached the last question.
While you are on a mission with four others, one of your team mates is shot and falls. She is alive, but unable to stand. Everyone else can escape, as long as they move quickly. The team turns to you as the leader. What do you do?
Sinead thought for a minute before responding: I would have the rest of the team go and see if I could stall the guards long enough to save my team mate, but get out if it was impossible.
She turned her test in, confident in her answer. After all, what was the point of losing everyone over one person?
Ian grinned as he reclined in his seat. Though he wasn't hopping up and down like Dan, he was enjoying the last day of classes. The only thing they had done the whole was receive scores, play games and talk.
He smiled at Amy, his girlfriend of nine months, as she entered the room and sat next to him. He took her hand as they talked, her face aglow.
"Aren't you excited?" she asked. "Soon we'll graduate and be active agents!" He grinned at her enthusiasm.
"Of course, love," he responded as Nellie entered the room. The class quieted as she walked around to the front of the desk and leaned against it. Everyone was eager to her the results.
"Everyone passed with amazing scores," she began, "but only two of you got a 100." Ian smirked. He had this one.
"Congratulations to Amy and Dan!" Ian's eyes widened. He wasn't surprised that Amy got a 100, of course. His girlfriend had been studying so much lately, he hadn't got to spend much time with her. But Dan?
"It may have been unfair as they are madrigals, but they were the only ones to correctly answer the last question. Most of you either said you would leave the person behind or stay behind to help."
"What I was looking for was not to split up. If two people helped the person escape, the other could hold off the guards. Teamwork is an essential part of being an agent. If you had left that person behind, not only would you probably never see them again, but you would endanger yourself and others. They would be tortured for information before being killed." Nellie paused a moment to let that set in.
"Think about that. Anyway, Fiske and all your teachers are very proud of your improvements throughout the year. I am entitled to accept you as active agents after your graduation. A cheer rose at this. The class settled down as Amy raised her hand.
"When is the graduation?" she asked.
"Five days from now," Nellie replied. Ian felt a pang of sense of unease. Why so long? He pushed the thought from his mind as Nellie continued.
"Fiske and I decided to reward you for all your hard work through the year with a party for the Cahills tomorrow evening. All agents in their teens will be attending. It will be just like a high school dance, so no formal dress is required. Alright, class dismissed. Oh, wait," she exclaimed as everyone started to leave. "Just remember, if you are late to graduation, you won't graduate. Alright kiddos, have a good time tomorrow.
Ian stood up to leave as Amy came over, almost bouncing with excitement.
"Can you believe it Ian? Our first real high school dance! Well, yours, anyway. I went to one at Attleboro High..." he hugged her as she continued talking. It's amazing how much one person can change in a year, he thought ruefully, remembering. At the beginning of the year, he wouldn't have hugged anyone, including his sister. Now, he always felt more relaxed and, well, happier with her around. Her smile had the power to make his whole day better. They had a few difficulties spend the way, but they always managed to push through. Occasionally however, he wondered if the power she had over him was a good thing.
Even so, he grinned down at her. "Amy Cahill, will you go to the dance with me?" She smiled back at him.
"I thought you'd never ask."
Amy spun around, laughing, as she knocked into Dan, tripping him. He stuck his tongue out at her before turning to grab more Cheetos off of the refreshment table. She turned to continue dancing with Sinead, Natalie and a few of her madrigal friends. They were goofing off and doing random ballet moves to the upbeat pop music playing.
Amy continued to sing, dance and laugh for another hour, before she decided to sit down and take a break. She sat down by the refreshment table and relaxed. The room was decorated like any other high school dance. The room was dark besides for the colored lights that danced around the room. Besides the table next to her, there was nothing in the room besides seating, the DJ stand and the doors leading to the balcony.
Amy's eyes returned to the DJ stand. Amy was surprised realize that she didn't know the DJ or the caterers that were weaving their way through the crowd. Fiske had hired ten people, including the DJ, to help set up and clean up everything, which seemed a little excessive. But then what did she know?
"Alright people, it looks like this dance is coming to a close," the DJ said, his voice ringing through the speakers. "We have time for one more song before its time to pick up. Let's finish it with one last slow song."
Amy stood, looking around for Ian. She hadn't gotten to dance with him yet, as other boys always seemed to be asking her, some of them extremely cute. She never let them get farther then flirting however, as she was loyal to Ian, and knew she could never leave him. She continued searching wasn't able to find him in the ballroom, but caught his accent as she passed a doorway leading to the hallway. She paused, but couldn't hear what he was saying. She turned the corner, only to see one of the Janus girls that attended the party kiss him!
Amy gasped and stumbled back, her eyes blurring with tears. Ian pulled away from the girl, though she continued holding on to his arm.
"Love, I can explain..." he began, stepping toward her. She retreated farther away from him.
"No thanks. First Korea, now this? That's it. I decided to give you one more shot Ian. I fell in love with you again. But I can't be with you if you're going to always stab me in the back!" she yelled, her heart wrenching.
"Love please..." he pleaded, stepping forward again. Amy turned and ran away.
The DJ watched as Amy ran out of the hallway and escaped the door leading to their bedrooms. "The Cahill girl is alone, and upset. She is heading towards the bedrooms. Time to act. Who's got her?" he asked, speaking into his headset.
"I'll take care of her," Agent three responded. He watched as a caterer separated himself from the crowd and slip through the door. It was go time.
Amy continued running, but soon, she tripped, falling onto the carpet. She froze, her ears listening for movement. She laid her head in her hands after she realized he wasn't going to follow. Her body shook as she sobbed. She cried even harder as she remembered how she had thinking about how loyal she was not eight minutes before. She waited until it was mostly out of her system before slowly standing and walking again. People were going to be coming soon, and she didn't want to talk. As she thought about it, she heard footsteps approaching. She started to turn but was too late. Before she could fight it, a cloth wrapped around her mouth and she blacked out.
Dun-Dun-Dun! Anyway, I want to start by thanking everyone for being so supportive of me, and reviewing, even when I don't update. I have been very busy and spent the day typing this instead of doing homework, which isn't a good habit to get into. So, I have decided to finish the story. This is the end of the school year, leading to graduation. I'll finish it, and if I have time, I'll go back and add in all the months I have missed. It's not fair to keep you guys waiting. Thanks to all who have reviewed and kept me going. Any questions, PM me or review and let me know. Ta-ta!
