Chapter: 2
The halls of Westbrook High buzzed with the usual morning energy—students milling around, chattering about the latest gossip, homework, or weekend plans. Lockers slammed shut, and the distinct aroma of coffee from the teacher's lounge wafted through the corridors. It was a typical school day for everyone. Almost everyone.
Ethan Vex walked through the crowded hallway with a practiced ease, blending into the background despite his heightened awareness of everything around him. His footsteps were measured, calculated—each step deliberate but seemingly casual. As he made his way to his locker, he nodded at a few passing classmates, careful to maintain the persona he had carefully crafted over the years: just another senior, nothing more, nothing less.
His locker was tucked away in a quieter corner of the school, away from the high-traffic areas where the more social students gathered. He preferred it this way—fewer distractions, more control over his environment. He spun the dial of the lock with deft fingers, the combination memorized long ago, and swung the metal door open. Inside, his locker was neat, almost obsessively so, with books and notebooks stacked in perfect order. A small mirror hung on the door, reflecting his face back at him.
He paused for a moment, examining his reflection. Dark hair, cut short but not too short, framed a face that was sharp and alert. His eyes—deep, almost unnaturally so—held a level of focus that belied his age. To anyone looking, he might seem like he was just zoning out, but Ethan was cataloging everything in his surroundings, noting every sound, every movement in his peripheral vision.
Satisfied that everything was in place, he grabbed his chemistry textbook and slammed the locker shut, the metallic clang echoing in the otherwise quiet hallway. He had a few minutes before the bell rang, enough time to get to class without rushing. He liked being early—another habit that made him stand out in subtle ways. But then again, he was always careful to make sure it wasn't too obvious.
As he walked to his first-period chemistry class, his mind replayed the events of the morning. The mission had gone off without a hitch, just as he'd planned. It had been routine—an arms deal gone wrong, or rather, intercepted. The criminals never stood a chance. They never knew who—or what—they were up against. Ethan couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction at the thought. There was something satisfying about outsmarting those who thought they were untouchable.
But as much as he enjoyed the thrill of the chase, the reality of balancing his double life was never far from his mind. High school, with its mundane routine and trivial concerns, was almost more challenging than his work with the FBI. Here, he had to hide in plain sight, keep his abilities a secret, and maintain the façade of a normal teenager.
Ethan's thoughts were interrupted when he reached his chemistry classroom. He pushed the door open and was immediately greeted by the sight of Kyle, his best friend, already seated at their usual spot near the back. Kyle was a lanky guy with a mop of curly hair that always seemed one gust of wind away from complete disarray. He was the type of person who thrived on chaos, always late to class, always scrambling to finish homework at the last minute. But beneath his disorganized exterior was a sharp mind and a heart of gold.
"Ethan!" Kyle waved him over with a grin, his face lighting up with the enthusiasm of someone who had just discovered the answer to life's greatest mystery. "You're early. For once."
Ethan smirked, sliding into the seat beside him. "I'm always early, Kyle. You're just always late."
Kyle rolled his eyes, shoving a crumpled piece of paper into his backpack. "Details, details. Anyway, did you study for the chem test? I swear Mr. Robinson is out to get us with this one."
Ethan nodded, pulling out his textbook. "Yeah, I looked over the notes last night. It's not too bad, just make sure you understand the concepts and you'll be fine."
Kyle groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Easy for you to say. You're like a walking encyclopedia. I don't know how you manage to juggle everything—school, extracurriculars… and still have time to help me cram."
Ethan shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "I've got a good memory, that's all."
If only Kyle knew the truth. The memory was just a side effect of his powers—another gift from his Vector Manipulation, which had somehow heightened his cognitive abilities far beyond that of a normal person. But explaining that to anyone was out of the question. Ethan had spent years mastering the art of half-truths and subtle deflections, just enough to keep people from prying too deep.
The bell rang, signaling the start of the class, and Mr. Robinson, their chemistry teacher, strode into the room with his usual air of authority. He was a tall man with a salt-and-pepper beard and a penchant for bow ties. Today's was a garish plaid pattern that clashed horribly with his tweed jacket. Ethan couldn't help but smirk at the sight.
"Good morning, class," Mr. Robinson said, his voice deep and commanding. "I hope you all had a chance to review the material, because today's test is not going to be easy."
A collective groan rose from the students, but Ethan remained calm, flipping open his notebook to a fresh page. He had already anticipated the difficulty level, and while he wouldn't say he was looking forward to it, he wasn't dreading it either. He liked challenges. They kept him sharp.
As the test was handed out, Ethan quickly scanned the questions, his mind effortlessly breaking down each problem. It was all basic to him, really—just another puzzle to solve. He moved through the test with precision, his pencil gliding across the paper as he filled in the answers.
By the time he finished, most of the class was still on the first page. He set his pencil down, leaning back in his chair as he waited for the others to catch up. It was moments like this that made the duality of his life feel most surreal. Here he was, a high school senior taking a chemistry test, while just hours ago he had been taking down dangerous criminals.
The juxtaposition was something he had grown accustomed to, but that didn't make it any less strange.
The rest of the school day passed in a blur. Math, English, and History came and went, each class blending into the next. Ethan kept to himself for the most part, engaging in the occasional conversation with classmates but never letting anyone get too close. He knew how easy it was to slip up, to reveal something he shouldn't, and he couldn't afford that. Not now, not ever.
Lunchtime provided a brief reprieve from the monotony. Ethan grabbed a tray of food and made his way to his usual table in the cafeteria. Kyle was already there, along with a few other friends from the soccer team. Ethan wasn't particularly close to them, but he had learned that socializing was necessary to maintain his cover. He had to appear normal, even if he never really felt that way.
As he sat down, Kyle was in the middle of an animated discussion about the upcoming soccer game. Ethan nodded along, throwing in the occasional comment when needed, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming—something that would disrupt the delicate balance he had managed to maintain.
He was still deep in thought when a shadow fell over the table. Ethan looked up to see a tall figure standing there, a guy he recognized as Brandon, one of the school's more notorious troublemakers. Brandon had a reputation for being a bully, using his size and strength to intimidate others.
"What do you want, Brandon?" Kyle asked, his tone wary.
Brandon ignored him, his eyes locked on Ethan. "Heard you're some kind of genius, Vex. I need help with my math homework."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, his gaze steady. "And what makes you think I'd help you?"
Brandon's lips curled into a sneer. "Because if you don't, things might get… difficult for you."
There it was—the not-so-subtle threat, the attempt to exert control. Ethan had seen it all before, dealt with people far more dangerous than Brandon. But here, he had to tread carefully. A confrontation would draw attention, and attention was the last thing he needed.
"Fine," Ethan said coolly, "but you'd better listen carefully. I won't explain it twice."
Brandon blinked, taken aback by Ethan's lack of fear, but he quickly recovered, slapping a crumpled worksheet onto the table. "Just get it done."
Ethan picked up the worksheet, glancing over the problems. They were simple enough, nothing that required much thought. As he explained the steps to Brandon, he kept his voice even, giving nothing away. Brandon listened, albeit grudgingly, and when Ethan finished, he snatched the paper back.
"Thanks," Brandon muttered, clearly displeased with having had to ask for help.
"Anytime," Ethan replied with a hint of sarcasm that went over Brandon's head.
As Brandon walked away, Kyle let out a low whistle. "Man, you've got guts. Most people wouldn't even look him in the eye."
Ethan shrugged. "He's all bark and no bite. Besides, it's just math."
"Just math," Kyle echoed, shaking his head. "Sometimes I wonder if anything fazes you."
Ethan offered a noncommittal smile, but inside, he was already
thinking about the next part of his day. He had a feeling it would be far more eventful than a run-in with Brandon.
The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Students flooded the halls, eager to escape to the freedom of the afternoon. Ethan moved with the crowd, his mind already shifting gears as he mentally prepared for what was to come.
He was halfway to the parking lot when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen. A message from his handler.
Report to base immediately.
His heart rate quickened, though his expression remained neutral. He had been expecting this, but the timing was inconvenient. Still, orders were orders. making his way to the parking lot.
His car was parked in its usual spot. Ethan slid into the driver's seat, the familiar hum of the engine bringing a sense of calm. As he drove through the city streets, his mind shifted gears, focusing on the task ahead. The agency didn't call him in for trivial matters, so whatever awaited him was bound to be significant.
The agency's base was hidden in plain sight, a nondescript office building in the heart of the city. From the outside, it looked like any other corporate office, with a modest sign that read "Vanguard Consulting" above the entrance. But those who knew its true purpose understood that behind those doors lay the nerve center of one of the most covert operations in the country.
Ethan parked his car in the underground garage and took the elevator to the main floor. The doors opened to reveal a sleek, modern reception area, with minimalist décor and a professional ambiance. The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with a kind smile, greeted him as he walked in.
"Morning, Ethan," she said, her tone warm and familiar.
"Morning, Rebecca," Ethan replied, offering her a polite nod.
Rebecca had been with the agency for as long as Ethan could remember, her calm demeanor a constant in the otherwise high-pressure environment. She handed him a visitor badge—more of a formality than anything, but protocol nonetheless.
Ethan clipped the badge to his jacket and made his way through the building, nodding to the few agents he passed in the halls. The interior of the agency was a stark contrast to its unassuming exterior. The walls were lined with high-tech equipment, monitors displaying real-time data, and agents moving with purpose, their focus unyielding.
The journey to his senior's office was a familiar one, each step bringing with it a sense of anticipation. He reached the door and knocked once, a brief but firm tap.
"Come in," came the voice from within.
Ethan opened the door and stepped inside. The office was spacious, with a large window that offered a view of the city skyline. His senior, a seasoned agent with graying hair and a stern expression, sat behind a polished wooden desk, a file open in front of him.
"Ethan," the senior agent greeted him, his tone brisk but not unkind. "Have a seat."
Ethan complied, settling into the chair across from the desk. He waited patiently, his expression curious but composed.
"So, why did you call me?" Ethan asked, his tone light but tinged with curiosity.
His senior sighed before speaking knowing that Ethan was not going to like what he was going to say. But before he could speak a knock was heard on the door.
"Come in." He said
The door opened and a woman stepped inside. She was tall, with an athletic build and long auburn hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. She was dressed in a smart black suit that accentuated her confident demeanor. Her eyes, sharp and observant walked into the room.
"Ah just in time." He said as he turned to look at Ethan then spoke. "Ethan I'd like you to meet your partner Alyssa Pier."
As Ethan processed the the news he suddenly had a feeling wasn't going to like the rest of today.
"Great." Ethan muttered not at all pleased.
Chapter 2: End