I lingered in the student government room after school to fill out my application to run for student body president. I figured I would just go for it. I didn't have much to lose. I finished up and went out into the nearly deserted hallway where I was met with a strange sight. Outside the vice principal's office, Mrs. Youngblood was talking to my dad. I was surprised that he was in the school. I thought they had better security than to just let ex convicts roam the halls. Mrs. Youngblood looked distressed, and when she saw me, she pointed in my direction and then disappeared into her office. My dad smiled and walked toward me, and it took all my resolve not to run away. I could at least hear him out. I would give him a chance.
"Hi honey," he said confidently, making like he was going to give me a hug.
I backed away and gave him a warning glare.
"Okay, I get it," he said, chuckling. "It's too soon. I spoke with your mother-"
"I know. She told me," I said curtly.
"She said you were willing to talk to me," he continued, disregarding what I had just said.
"Yeah. I want some answers," I responded.
He shrugged. "Fair enough. Do you want to go to the park by the library?"
I stared at him. It was freezing outside. But at least that would give me an excuse to cut our conversation short.
"Sure," I said. "I'll meet you there." There was no way I was going to get in a car with him.
Ten minutes later, I was pulling my coat close around me as I sat down on a bench that faced a small pond. Next to me, my dad sighed contentedly.
"I used to bring you here all the time," he said, looking out at the pond. "We'd feed the geese when they were here in the summer."
I gave a slight nod. I had a faint memory of it, but it wasn't a pleasant one. All my memories of my father became tainted with bitterness when he betrayed us. There were a few moments of silence, and then my father turned to me.
"So, how have you been?" He asked.
I almost laughed. What a loaded question. "I've been fine," I responded. "Mom and I have gotten along just great without you."
"You're both working yourselves to death at that decrepit diner," he scoffed. "I wouldn't call that getting along great."
"We're fine," I asserted.
"Alright, alright," he said, putting his hands up. "So how has school been for you? What are your hobbies?"
I took a deep breath. "Dad, I really don't want to sit here, in the cold, talking about how the last ten years have been without you," I said sharply. "What I really want to know, is why you did it? What in the world could have possibly driven you to nearly kill someone?"
My dad leaned back on the bench and chewed on his lip. "Honestly? Money. Lots of money."
I felt sick. "Money? And was that worth abandoning your family and becoming a despicable human being?"
"No, it was not," he admitted, looking regretful for the first time. Then he looked at me, his eyes intense. "But you've got to understand, Kayla. We were always struggling back then, and when an opportunity came that offered so much possibility, so many ways to turn our lives around, I had to take it. I know I was naive then, but there's a part of me that still wishes I had completed the job."
I swallowed. Okay, so I could recognize that he felt some remorse, but he hadn't completely changed. At least he was being honest.
"I'm sorry for the pain I caused you, Kayla, I really am," he said, his expression darkening. "But now I've been offered a second chance to make it up to you."
I nodded. He was out of prison, he could make a clean start. "A second chance to start over with your family?"
"No, to finish the job."
"What?" I yelled, jumping off the bench. You caused us so much agony, and you spent ten years in jail, and now you're just going to go try and kill someone again?"
"Quiet down!" My father scolded, glancing around. "I'm not going to kill anyone."
I shook my head in bewilderment. "Then what is it that you're going to do?"
"I'm going to kidnap someone."
I was ready to scream. "Oh, and that's so much better?"
"Just listen. Back then they were trying to kill the guy, but since then they've gotten new information, and they know they need to keep him alive."
"Who are 'they'?"
"The organization that recruited me in the first place. They're very prestigious, very moral."
"Oh yeah, going around trying to kill people is very ethical," I scoffed.
"No really, they are. They're trying to redistribute a rare metal that this guy and his country are hoarding. If they succeed, it could really change the world."
I closed my eyes. This just didn't ring true. I couldn't believe I was listening to this.
"And if we succeed," my father said meaningfully, I could give you whatever kind of life you want. Wherever you want to go, whoever you want to be, I'd have the resources to make it happen."
I stepped back. "What do you mean we?"
"This is why I wanted to talk to you, honey. I could really use your help. You'd be able to get around easier than I could, provide distractions… of course, I'd make sure that you were completely safe."
I started to shake with anger. "Are you kidding me? There is no way I'm going to go help you illegally kidnap the guy you tried to kill before."
"Actually, it's not the same guy," my father said nonchalantly. "That guy is already dead. It's his son that they need."
"Son?" I said incredulously. "And who is this person?"
My dad leaned forward. "It's the crown prince of Gulbrania."
"Gulbrania?" I choked out.
"Yeah, some cheeky teenage boy. He's probably a spoiled brat."
I rubbed my forehead. This was so weird. Gulbrania? What were the odds?
My dad stood and put his hand on my shoulder. I was so distracted by my thoughts that I didn't even pull away. "Let me know if you change your mind," he said, slipping a piece of paper into my hand. A phone number. "I could really use your help, and the reward would be life changing."
I stared at my father, and I had a sinking feeling as I realized we were alike. We were both driven, ambitious, we liked to be in control. But I could never let myself go that far. He squeezed my shoulder and walked away, leaving me alone by the bench in the empty park. All I wanted to do at that moment was to get as far away from him as possible.
*****
I closed my laptop in frustration. I had spent the last hour looking up Gulbrania, trying to find out anything about this mysterious metal, or the royal family, or how I might be able to send a message to them, but I had found virtually nothing. I remembered that Frog had once said they were a very private country, and my futile search definitely proved that point. All I could find was an old picture of a castle on a cliff near the ocean, and a blurry picture of their prince. From what I could tell, he seemed muscular and handsome, but that didn't much help my cause.
Ever since my father had asked for my help with his awful task the day before, I had been consumed with finding a way to warn the prince. I knew it was a long shot, but I figured there must be some kind of social media channel or royal security line where I could send them a message of the impending threat. Unfortunately, I couldn't even find a single article relating to the country, much less somebody's contact information. It was almost as if the country were made up.
I fell back on my bed. I should just forget about it, I thought. This had nothing to do with me, this wasn't my fight. And yet, it was, because my selfish father had told me about it. And now, if he got the job done and kidnapped that guy, I'd always feel this awful guilt that I didn't do anything about it. And yet, what could I do about it?
I looked at my phone, thinking about the option I had been avoiding. I could just call Frog, who was conveniently in Gulbrania, and see if he could get a message to the prince, but I really didn't want to have to go that route. Not only had I decided to leave him alone, but I was also a little afraid that he wouldn't answer. I rolled my eyes at my own juvenile behavior. If me calling Frog could somehow help the prince not get captured, I needed to just do it. I picked up my phone and pressed the button to call Frog, then waited anxiously, trying to figure out how I was going to explain the situation to him without sounding crazy. My heart sank when I heard it go straight to voicemail.
"Hey, Frog, this is Kayla. Sorry to bother you, but I just found out that the prince of your country is in danger, and I thought you might be able to warn him somehow." I shook my head. I sounded so stupid. "Anyway, just please call me when you get this."
I ended the call and sighed. I was disappointed that he hadn't answered, but at least I had done something. I checked the time. I had a volleyball game in 30 minutes, and if I didn't get going I would be late.
I got dressed in my uniform and drove over to the school, wondering why I was even bothering to go to the game. Coach Hartwell had benched me for every game so far, and I knew I wouldn't be playing, but I needed a distraction.
I halfheartedly went through warm ups with the team then took my place behind the sidelines. I got lost in my thoughts, but about 15 minutes into the game, I heard several gasps from the crowd. I looked up and saw that one of the girls was limping off the court, with the help of two other players.
"Oh, crap," Coach Hartwell muttered, then she turned to me. "Morrison, get in there."
I shrugged and went to fill the vacant spot on the court. For the first few minutes I didn't have to do much, the ball didn't really come my way often and the other players must have known not to pass to me. I did a couple lackluster bumps and sets that managed to do the job, but for the most part my mind was on Gulbrania. I saw the ball zooming towards my face and put up an arm to block it, causing it to go straight to the floor. My teammates scowled at me and I heard Coach Hartwell yelling from the sideline.
"Morrison! Get yourself together!"
I nodded and tried harder to focus on the game, and then an idea struck me. What if I just told my dad I'd help him? Then I'd be able to get to Gulbrania and possibly warn the prince or some royal official myself. The thought sent a jolt of energy through my body. I jumped up and effectively blocked the ball from coming over to our side. I was sure that if I went to Gulbrania I'd be able to break away from my father at some point to foil his plan. Possible scenarios flickered through my mind as I spiked the ball over the net. I thought about what I might tell my mom. I'd have to lie to her, which I hated, but I felt it was for a good cause. I spiked the ball again. But won't it be dangerous? I thought. Probably, even though my dad had promised he'd keep me safe, and there were no promises about what would happen after I betrayed my father. But wasn't this what life was all about? Taking chances? Doing things that actually mattered? Things that went far beyond this high school?
It was my turn to serve. I aced it three times before the other team could return it. As much as I didn't want to spend extra time with my father, this seemed like one of the only ways to set things right and save that prince from being kidnapped. I dove down to the floor to bump the ball up, then a few moments later I jumped up to spike it. There was loud cheering, and I had to blink a few times before I processed what was going on. We had won the game. I hadn't even been keeping score.
I nearly ran off the court to gather my things so I could get home to work out my developing plans.
"Morrison!" Coach Hartwell exclaimed, standing in front of me. "You were amazing!"
"Thanks coach," I replied, "I quit."