The threads of emptiness and hopelessness intertwined within a fragile being. It seems life would never be complete unless it sows its seeds of torment every now and then. As the ship sails smoothly, the storm after the calm lies in wait. How coincidental?, they say the cafe radiantly exudes the fuzzy comforting warmth to light up your day. A brick wall impedes anything in its path, the cafe was not more to be obstructed from restoring the drained Irene.
"I see", Agent sky lifted his coffee mug, his view seemed to be calmly attached to the falling droplets of the rain against the window. It was evident that his gaze was majorly locked on Irene by the window. "Mr. Ryan followed by Mr. Neil. Both chemistry specialists, a coincidence that seems uncanny. He took a sip of his coffee observing any reaction from her. As usual, Agent sky assumed she was in a daze. The air was thick thick with unspoken words, the silence between them was heavy and oppressive. her gaze was fixed on nothing, yet they were as fierce as ever.
"You and I know that he isn't dead and as long as the host survives, your hope should too", Agent Sky tried to reassure her, not expecting her to respond. His gaze softened a little as he tried very hard to be as empathetic as possible.
"We were on the second floor. The stupid paranorm got a hold of him forcing him to commit suicide. Even if a miracle occurs, he will be nothing more than a shell of his former self. His soul...
Irene paused taking a deep breath. She didn't dare finish her sentence. That memory was etched on her mind like a scar, continuously haunting her.
"Agent Sky I couldn't protect him. I failed to keep my promise", Agent Sky sensed the tinge of sadness in her tone, in the midst of this chaos of feelings. Her emotions appeared to swirl violently in a maelstrom. But Agent Sky had known Irene more than half her entire life. He instantly could tell that sadness, anger or even frustration were just a front she was putting up unconsciously. Deep down within, the feeling of worthlessness and incompetence were gnawing at her conscience. She felt more useless than she did more than her entire life.
"What are you going to do about it?", Agent Sky looked her dead in the eye indicating his seriousness. A shocked Irene refused to believe her ears. However, she felt the mood fade into a determined one. Her eyes darted around with doubt before catching his resolute gaze. She leaned back into her chair, a sigh threatening to slip out.
"I just can't prove my worth to the rest with many problems brimming over the cup at once. Sometimes I really think it's safe to say that--
"It's still about that huh?", he asked in a low voice, just loud enough for her to hear.
Agent Sky cut her off interrupting her. He had a clue of where she was going and it irked him.
"From proving yourself to your parents and the org to survival to protecting those around you. Irene even you can't deny that your goal has changed. What motivates you to get out of bed everyday isn't about showing yourself off. How long as it been since your joy had its own glimmer?. I don't know if you realize this, but you've made a pact with yourself to protect those around you, no matter what it takes. Your friends, classmates, teachers, Netherlands Academy and your mission, they are a glimpse of your delight remember? I wasn't foolish when I chose you for this remember"
"And I am positive I'll never have any regrets"
Irene's gaze lingered on Agent's Sky resolute face, his words resonating deep within her. Her lips parted but no words came out, she didn't know what to say. Agent Sky knew he had hit the nail on the head with this. She nodded, a sense of clarity settling within her.
"You were always good with words", Irene lips curled upward, a gentle and tentative smile
"I know", he bragged with no hesitation. Now it was his turn to lean back and relax into his chair. Irene playfully rolled her eyes at his actions.
The paranom's threat of wiping everyone she knew, immediately flashed through Irene's mind. She was confident yet a tinge of unease still remained at the door
"Agent Sky, Whatever the paranom's plans are, they shouldn't be taken lightly or underestimated"
"Of course they shouldn't. The Irene I know would be ready with the whole world behind her. Come, on or before 48 days from now"
***
Somewhere in The Library of the Cox's mansion, an agnostic Bexley was investigating her skepticism. The instant Irene had her introduction, she couldn't shake off her initial suspicions. They had died down for a short while, however they suddenly resurfaced again due to the subsequent "incidents", that had occurred. "She arrived in the school and coincidentally strange things started happening. "Who is this girl?", Bexley's brows knitted in immediate contemplation. As she fiddled with her computer in silence, her eyes suddenly widened in disbelief. Her shocked face changed into a smug look seeing that she finally got access to the site. The Dolce family was known to be one of the wealthiest in town and the country.
They have been present in many top-notch interviews, talk shows etc presumptuously revealing details about their personal life. With Bexley's prior knowledge, the Dolce family had never mentioned children of their own. She scanned the site, displeased by their family status. If what was known out in the public matched this high-level secret, why bother to hide it?, Bexley thought hard, with no possible explanation popping up.
"Such a wild coincidence that they share the same last name", she whispered in a low voice closing her laptop shut resigning putting an abrupt end to the matter.
She stood up, making her way to the outside. With each step, she was conflicted about a shocking realization. Her face contorted in frustration remembering She had wasted her precious time researching on someone else. And that one was carrot head of all people.
HEADQUARTERS
An all too familiar breeze slides by, they didn't require any other sign to tell. No doubt about it, she was making her way towards them. The air thickened with anticipation as the familiar footsteps bridged the distance. Each step sent shock waves through the bottle of water tranquil state. With her indefinite oppressive aura, Nicole strutted down the hall. Her shiny black hair streaked with blue dye, bounced rhythmically swaying with the pace of the air. Icy blue orbs matching her aloof gaze, locked on the route to her destination. Her eyes sporadically drifted to the astonished glances, no one even daring to meet her icy gaze. Nicole, Agent Ice was the flawless, proficient soldier, being a spy in this case seemingly almost devoid of any slip ups and perfect dedication to the successful completion of the mission. In comparison with Bexley who share similar traits, Bexley's court could easily be marked off as a bundle of joy and kindness overflowing with hospitality, patience and everything good in the world.
"I'd like to apologize for the extended delay. A few facts had to be ascertained to be put the case in the right place", Agent Sky looked firmly between the attentive Nicole and the slightly distracted Aiden. Not wanting to waste anymore time, he put on a serious gaze handing them each the case folders and asking
"Shall we begin?"
After the briefing, they left the office with their case folders in hand. Aiden immediately jumped at the opportunity to make small talk after sneaking a few glances at Nicole. "If this isn't a big honour, I certainly don't know what is. I finally get to work with the great Agent Ice", Aiden said with a half smile trying to get a reaction out of her. Nicole continued walking as if he was a mosquito out of her range. He stopped in his tracks playfully pretending to be hurt by her blatant ignorance.
"Well, I can't say I'm completely surprised by your attitude. Irene had already given me the heads up"
A cord was struck in Nicole, which was noticed by Aiden. She stopped walking and slowly turned around. Her icy demeanor sent a chill through the air, transforming the once cool atmosphere to a frozen landscape. Her lips slightly up turned into a smirk. A slight grin, revealing vague expressions quite difficult to read. "Honoured as well that you feel the need to attract my attention. Unfortunately, my attention is only required by the mission for it to be undoubtedly successful", She uttered in a chill voice, just enough to catch Aiden, a few inches away. Aiden stepped closer bridging the gap between them balancing out the cool air with some gust or sort of warmth.
His lips parted intending to form a response, when a gentle yet distinct sound suddenly resonated through the hallway catching both their attentions. In already anticipated dismay, Aiden checked the caller ID, venting a deep sigh. He leaves the company for a few days, all of a sudden they act like he's the heart monitor required to function. Maintaining his composure, he conveyed his disdain through subtle gestures as he left to pick up the phone under the keen gaze of Nicole. After casting a few skeptical glances, she turned around ready to depart in peace. She had only walked a few steps, when someone concealed by the shadows, irritably blocked her path. Her defenses were always raised and never unwavering, however with this individual, there was no threat he could pose to her. Her sense of overconfidence didn't lie in the near- impossible fortress against intrusion, rather after taking a close glance at the uniform and weak aura of this individual.
"Agent Ice"
"Nicole", this time earnestly, the voice called out
Undoubtedly she recognized that voice, how could she not?. The only fool with the guts of standing in her direct path. The absurdity of a tiny naive chick believes that it has grown wings into a hawk waiting to bite the hands that fed it. He stepped out from the shadows after a brief moment of contemplation. Unexpectedly not with a smile of contempt, the smile radiating sheer admiration. It was difficult to say the same for Nicole, a look of condescendence plastered on her face as she irritably eyed the individual of no significance to her. It was clear that she made no effort to conceal the disgust within her.
"Agent Ice.. you're here?. Is it perhaps a mission or a friendly visit...
Cade continued bombarding her with many questions while maintaining his composure in front of his friends. He didn't see his sister often so he couldn't let go of this golden opportunity. Aiden in that moment got off the call, Nicole's shocking presence capturing his eye. He closely approached them, intending to find out what kept her here. From a short distance, his gaze landed on the small group of trainees, with a guy in the middle trying hard to initiate a conversation with Nicole. Judging by the casual manner in which he spoke, Aiden could tell that they were somehow related in a way. The idea to place the success of the mission on the highest pedestal, regardless of any external disposition was a doctrine that they abode by in their family. Cade's eyes desperately waited for his sister to say a single a word back to him. Though, she said nothing, It was clear that she made no effort to conceal the disgust within her. She glanced at him, meeting the pleading glint in his eyes. Without another thought, she brushed past him, his little hope completely shattered. The soft whispers of her vanishing footsteps, echoed throughout the silence. A dark cold shadow was cast over his soul as he remained there. His eyes caught a glimpse of her figure fading away, this was the harsh reality. As she vanished away from his sight, he was confronted with the cruel truth, he was forever relegated to the shadows, a lowly duckling unable to reach her lofty expectations.
****
The warm illuminated light barely spread its rays across the small room. At the center was the silhouette of a man seated on a black swivel chair.
"What did you find?!", the mysterious man's soothing yet demanding voice resonated through the room. They stepped forward immediately knowing their cue. One of them placed a bunch of photos on the table which separated them from the man. There was a moment of deadly silence before the mysterious man turned to face them. As he extinguished the cigarette, a wispy trail of smoke danced momentarily in the air, before vanishing, revealing a graveyard of used stubs in the ashtray. His eyes swiftly scanned through the photos, a devious glint forming in his eyes.
"Well done", he said unable to mask his excitement as he smirked. They nodded in response practically feeling his anticipation and embracing it as their own. They had captured several pictures of Alex and Janice that day in the park, with a distorted shot of Irene as well. As he kindled the lighter, a miniature inferno burst through casting shadows on the surrounding air. With his outstretched hand, another cigarette was briskly handed to him. A little puff of air escaping his lips, as it was lit.
"I assume you don't need to be told what to do", his gaze slowly darting between the visible girl in the picture and his underlings. They exchanged a similar look of understanding, nodding. When he saw this, his face twisted into a psychopathic smile, chuckling slowly already at the job well done
"After all these years they would watch with their own eyes as the empire crumbles beneath their feet!"