If Dex could chuck his phone across the room, he would. The buzzing was incessant, rattling against the cold black steel of the nearby nightstand.

"Ugh…" he rolled onto his stomach, burying his face in the pillow. Every joint in his body popped while he laid there, reaching for the device. Turning onto his back, he scanned the plethora of missed calls from Emma. He dialed her number in an effort to respond, getting her voicemail after a few rings.

"Hey," he yawned, "it's me. I missed your many, many calls. Give me another one when you get a chance. Thanks."

A knock at his door caught his attention as he ended the message, and the sound of the lock snapping caused him to stand at attention.

"Dexter," Brennan chuckled, "you're up bright and early, I see."

"You knocked on my door…so…"

"Right, yes, well, I wanted to speak with you as soon as possible. It's quite important."

"In my dorm room?"

"In a private location. Where exactly we are doesn't really matter."

"...Okay. What do you want to discuss?" Dex sat down on his bed, Brennan joining him.

"In my heyday with the WSB, a few select students from all levels of training get selected to go on a…let's call it a 'field trip,'" the elder man began, "We'd get shipped off to another country and simulate a sting operation. To my surprise, when I became the director, the academy discontinued these trips for no discernible reason."

"So you're reviving it, I assume?"

"Correct, and I'm letting you know that you've been selected to join this group."

"Really," Dex raised an intrigued eyebrow, "Based on what?"

"Many factors: your strength, prowess, skill. I think you'd be an asset. And it's not just you who's going either," Brennan nodded at the young man's cellphone, which lit up to show off Emma's contact, "Ms. Drake is exceptional as well. Once I get a few more names on the list, I'll see you all off."

"Where are we going?"

"Italy. Rome, specifically. What exactly you're doing there will be revealed in due time."

"I see," Dex donned a small smirk. Brennan mirrored his impression, "I appreciate the offer."

"But?"

"That's just it. I appreciate the offer, and I accept it."

"Excellent!" Brennan bellowed, resting a hand on the young man's shoulder, "I'm glad you're going. I know you're going to do great things."

"You have a lot of faith in me."

"I have faith in all students I think are worth the investment."

Dex gulped as Brennan leaned in, watching as the elder man scanned his face. He then got to his feet, dusting off his suit, "Have a good day, Mr. Heller. I'll see you soon."

Dex scrambled for his phone as the door closed, placing a second call to Emma. This time, their connection clicked.

"You finally picked up," Emma chided, "For a second, I thought something happened to you."

"Something did happen," Dex replied.

"Wait…really? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Brennan dropped by for a visit."

"He visited you in your dorm room? That has to be some kind of violation or something. Too bad I can't ask my grandma about it."

"He didn't do anything weird. He…" Dex looked at his door, "He offered me a spot on this trip to Italy."

"He did? I'm going to be stuck with you in another country?"

"Oh, shut up. You love me."

"No comment."

Dex rolled his eyes playfully as he got to his feet, keeping his phone between his cheek and his shoulder as he searched for a clean uniform, "Yes, you and I will be on the team going to Italy."

"Did he happen to mention why we're going?"

"No. He said we'd find out eventually, probably from whoever is leading this thing."

"Grandma never mentioned any kind of field trips, at least not one she did as a freshman."

"Maybe she wasn't picked as a freshman? Brennan said they happened when he was a student."

"And you're going to believe him?"

"C'mon, Emma, do you really think he'd be dumb enough to set a death trap and rope me into it? After all, you're the one who said he's got his eyes on me."

"...Whatever."

"Hmph," Dex hummed smugly, then opting to pivot, "How did you find out that you got picked for the trip?"

"I got an email from who I assume is the faculty in charge of it. We're supposed to meet in the courtyard after regular academy hours. I was calling you to share the good news, but since you're going…"

"Ha-Ha," Dex mocked her, rolling his eyes again, "Funny."

"I am funny, thank you," Emma remarked, "I assume Brennan told you personally?"

"He did."

"Are you sure you don't want to clue Grandma and Valentin in on him? They could save you from something dangerous."

"Yes, I'm sure. I'm a big boy, Emma. I can handle Brennan."

"But-"

"Stop it. I'm fine, and I will be fine. Let it go and let me deal with it."

"Okay, okay, I will," a small beat of silence fills the static, "I gotta go. I have Molecular Biology in thirty minutes."

"Good luck with that. I'll see you later."

"Bye," the line clicked off. Dex let out a rough sigh before changing into the next available uniform in his closet. He exited his dorm room, taking a brisk walk towards his assigned academic wing in the academy. A few turns around corners to his left later, he arrived at an indoor shooting range, and he couldn't help but lick his lips in anticipation.

"Welcome in," a faculty member waved at a stream of students coming in behind him, prompting Dex to move to the lane right against the opposing wall. Everyone else selected the next available lane, lining up to await instruction. The faculty member cleared their throat, a bright smile on their face.

"I'm ecstatic to have you all here today," they began, "All of you have made significant progress in your studies and training, especially with the disabilities and conditions you have to deal with personally. Being able to get you all into the shooting range, which has normally been reserved for able-bodied students, is quite exciting."

They scanned the row of students, one in each lane. Dex eyed the small selection of guns in front of him as they continued to speak, "Getting you all here wouldn't have been possible without an accepting, supportive group of board members signing off on this wholeheartedly, and none of this would've happened without the approval and endorsement by our new director."

"Anything to help integrate this group, I'm happy to do."

Dex froze immediately, eyes wide as he turned towards the door. Brennan entered casually, dusting off his suit before he stepped up next to the faculty member.

"You all deserve a chance to be in the spaces that the majority of students already occupy, regardless of your disability or health issues," he responded, "and your fearless faculty instructor here, well, they spearheaded all of it. They deserve the credit they likely gave to me and the board."

"Why, thank you," the faculty member blushed while Dex and Brennan exchanged firm looks.

The director donned a hardened face, "I'd like to see everyone's opening shot with the gun of their choice before the lesson begins, please."

Going from the lane closest to the door, each student took their aim and fired at the distant targets, with many missing the tarp, striking out of bounds, or hitting the outer areas of the black silhouette. Eventually, it was Dex's turn, and he ran a finger across the silver handgun, taking in the dimensions as he aimed for the head.

Eyes closed, breathe in, he thought to himself, following those orders before his eyes broke wide open, and…release!

The bullet ripped from the gun, twirling until it nailed the direct center of the head. The group of students cooed at the sight, while Brennan wore a smug smirk. The lesson proceeded as normal, the director observing each student from behind. While some kept missing, others steadily improved, and he kept his focus on the young man at the end, hitting each and every target with slick precision and ease.

"Just as I suspected," the man remarked from behind, "Your aim is impeccable."

"Thank my dad for that," Dex slid a few bullets into the handgun.

"I'll be sure to," Brennan stepped up directly behind the young man, a hand on his back. He gradually moved it downwards, "but he has my gratitude already."

Dex tensed up, panic spiking inside of him when the director reached the small of his back. His limbs felt loose and tight, his senses clouded at the sensation.

"Why'd you stop?" Brennan whispered in his ear, "The lesson isn't over."

The young man shuddered as he felt the director's hand press against that area.

Eyes…closed…breathe…in…

"Hit the right elbow," a clean hole formed from the fired bullet in the spot. The elder man smirked and kept it going, "Now the top of the forehead."

The bullet strikes perfectly.

"The heart."

It hit the center of the chest with ease.

"Excellent," Brennan cooed, causing Dex to flinch. The elder man pulled back when he heard footsteps echo nearby.

"How are things over here?" the faculty member questioned.

"Good, good," Brennan nodded, "I must say, Mr. Heller has an incredible aim, but his posture is lacking."

"I'm glad you're helping him with that! He's one of our most promising students."

"I'm glad we're of like minds in that regard," Brennan finally dropped his hand, causing Dex to let out a relieved sigh. The staff members walked away, further engaged in discussion, and when the young man turned his attention to his lane, his eyes blurred from dizziness. He wasn't sure when the class ended, or when the rest of the day passed him by. A haze rested in his head when he walked to the courtyard, silently praying that he wouldn't see that man's face whatsoever.

"Hey," Emma waved as Dex approached her, "just in time."

"Of course," he answered, turning to face the advisor in charge, who stood alone.

"Now that we're all here," the man began, his voice rich and deep, "I want to welcome you to the Italy deployment. You are here because Director Brennan believed you were the best representatives the WSB Academy has to offer. This is a privilege that I hope none of you take for granted."

"Is Director Brennan joining this meeting at some point?" one student asked, causing Dex to shoot her a glare.

"No. He has other matters to attend to," the advisor then paced the ground, "so it'll just be us."

Thank God, Dex let out a quiet sigh, ignoring Emma's intrigued glare.

"Our goal in Italy is busting an ongoing gambling ring. Rome is currently home to a bustling casino that allegedly hosts the central core of this ring. If we infiltrate it, then we can shut it down."

"The WSB does this kind of stuff?" Dex muttered to Emma.

"They take a 'violence-second' approach here. It would behoove you to adapt to it," she replied.

"We'll be gone for a few days, and all credits will be covered per the administration. Specific assignments have been determined through extensive discussion with the director and the board, and they'll be announced during travel. We leave at midnight, so I suggest packing now."

The group disbanded almost as soon as it formed, leaving Dex and Emma behind. The pair stood firm in their spots, the sky slowly turning from purple to black and stars appearing in the sky.

"We're busting a crime ring," a smirk formed on Emma's face, "Pretty exciting, huh?"

"Yeah, it's…certainly something," Dex didn't look her way.

"You don't like it?"

"I never said that."

"I'd like to think you'd be all over this. Weren't you a spy for your dad once upon a time?"

"I was."

"Then I don't get why you're so distant," she scanned his face, her mood dropping, "Are you okay? Did something happen?"

"I'm fine."

"...What did Brennan do?"

"It's fine."

"No, it's not. Something happened. Did he interfere with any of your classes? Did he say something slick?" Emma scowled, "Did put his hands on you?"

"Don't worry about it-"

"Oh God, he did, didn't he?!"

"Emma-"

"He needs to be reported, big time. There's no way he should get away with this, not at all! We should go to the board or whoever's above Brennan and-"

"Just drop it, alright?!" the young man snapped, his glare hot. Emma jumped back, her skin cold as she took in his terrifying form. He then inhaled deeply, "I told you a million times already: I can handle Brennan."

"But-"

"Can you trust me on this? Please? I know you hate my guts and think I'm an ass, but you need to let me deal with this. Butt the hell out."

"Dex-" the young man turned away and marched off, leaving the young woman stunned. She stayed put for a few minutes, a sinking feeling forming in her stomach. She pulled out her phone and swiped for Anna's number, hovering over the call button. She then pocketed the device and walked off towards her dorm room in the opposing corridor. Brennan observed her movements, and once she disappeared into the building, he then focused on the area that held Dex's dorm room, licking his lips before he vanished into the dim hallway behind him.