The overhead bell rings at dot 3.30 pm, dismissing the class. All the students pack up and leave in a hurry, discussing their plans for the weekend to unwind after a long week at school.
I collect all of my belongings from my desk and head towards my car, only stopping to bid Ms. Warner goodbye. She’s the Math teacher at the school I teach at, and by far the only friend I've been able to make here. I joined as an English teacher less than a month back and she happens to be the only other teacher in her twenties around here. So it’s just us two amongst a host of middle aged teachers.
I recently moved to Marble falls, a beautiful small town in Texas. I wouldn’t usually prefer moving around too much, however my newest job demands it.
I wasn’t particularly looking for anything new. Being a 24 year old high school teacher with a decent salary in Arizona had its perks. I spent the weekdays in school, teaching teenagers with the attention span of a toddler and my weekend unwinding from the stress. My life was ordinary.
However once the opportunity was presented to me I couldn’t say no. The thrill of a new rendezvous overshadowed any other concerns. Plus, it paid much better than my previous job.
Once I reach home, a cozy one bedroom apartment I rented at just a 15 minute ride from school, I drop my belongings on the couch intending to pick them up once I finish my work tonight. Although knowing me, they will be lying there the whole weekend till I need them again on Monday. I quickly changed, showering and choosing a more comfortable pair of black jeans and T-shirt for tonight’s job. Making myself a coffee I go over the details that were sent to me by Michael, my team head.
This case is that of a money laundering cartel that had set its base up on the outskirts of the town. The plan was simple. Get in, clear out the mess and get out.
You see, half a year back I was offered a job by the Government . Well not a regular nine-to-five job, but something that entails a tad bit of danger. Apparently they were putting together a network of spies that enforced law, sort of like the cops, but only in the shadows. Apparently the daughter of a Lieutenant , a regular teacher with a history of training in various martial arts, had caught their eye. The offer was simple, stay undercover, get the job done and hopefully along the way, don’t get killed.
Although at first I wasn't interested, the satisfaction of knowing that I helped make someone’s life better, even if it were only one and the need to make my late father proud, drove me to accept their offer.
So for the next three months I went through a rigorous programme where both my body and mind were trained to withstand ghastly situations. Like I did in almost every aspect of my life, I was able to excel in this training too, and soon I set foot in the real world, ready to teach and do some good work.
Once the clock strikes 5:45pm I’m out of the house with a burner phone in one hand and the newest developments on the case playing like a record in my head. The sun was going to set in half an hour, giving me the perfect opportunity to go ahead with my plan.
I get seated in my Ford Hybrid, courtesy of my new job and type in the GPS the location of the warehouse that the criminals were operating from.
Fifteen minutes away from the location and I get a call on my burner phone from my co-worker and senior- Maxwell.
His voice fills the silence in the vehicle. “There has been recent activity around the lookout based on what I've gathered from my sources. Looks like a new shipment just came in. You won’t be able to take them on yourself, we’ve dispatched a team for your backup. Don’t go in alone. We don’t need an extra corpse,” like always straight to the point.
“Well hello to you too Maxi. I’m good. How are you?” I tease my co-worker and follow with a small laugh when he hums with displeasure at the nickname. Max has never been one for greeting or people in general, very uptight in my opinion. He prefers to work by himself but it’s not a hidden fact that we make a good team, regardless of his insistence to work alone.
“This is not funny Cruz. Your backup will be reaching you soon. Don’t pull any unnecessary stunts. We don’t want to mess this up,” Max tone is strict and stern leaving no place for negotiations.
“I’m hurt to know you think so lowly of my skills. I can take on a couple of newbies. You know that,” I speak confidently. Although I’ve been in the field for less than a year, I’ve quickly adapted to my new life. That's the only reason they sent me here, because both Max and the Headquarters know I'm very good at what I do.
“These are direct orders Cruz. The word is final. Sit tight and wait. I mean it. You don’t want to cause any more trouble than you already have. I won’t be bailing you out this time.” “Yes boss, whatever you say,” I say, rolling my eyes. He disconnects the call at that. How rude.
At this point I have parked my car to the side of the road, windows rolled down. A car of teenagers pass me, their music blasting through the speakers. I chuckle slowly at the lyrics of a familiar song. The car, instead of continuing straight down the road that leads to the city, takes a turn toward the warehouse. That is no place to be for teenagers and there’s nothing in a 25 kilometre radius of the location.
Curiosity and concern get the best of me. Although I told Max I wouldn't advance, he couldn’t possibly expect me to sit back when a group of innocent teenagers could be in danger.
With that thought I rolled up the windows and start the car, heading in the direction of the warehouse
#spy#teacher#secret#agency#school
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