The drive home was a blur for Oliver. His mind was racing, filled with fragments of thoughts and plans that had yet to take shape. The letter weighed heavily in his pocket, its presence constant, like a pulse in the dark. Whoever had sent it knew something—something that could change everything. And now, he had a choice to make.
As he pulled into the driveway of his modest house on the outskirts of the city, he sat in the car for a moment, staring at the familiar surroundings that had once brought him comfort. The quiet streets, the neat rows of houses, the distant hum of the city—they all felt distant now, disconnected from the storm brewing inside him.
He stepped out of the car and made his way inside, locking the door behind him. The house was quiet, save for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. It had been years since Natalie's death, but the house still carried echoes of her presence. Her touch was in every corner, every piece of furniture she had chosen, every small decoration she had placed with care.
But tonight, Oliver didn't have time to dwell on memories. He headed straight to his office, shutting the door behind him. He pulled out the letter once more, reading it over and over, the words etched into his mind.
Assemble a team of people you can trust—capable people, but don't tell them the truth...
It was a daunting task. He couldn't just choose anyone. They had to be highly skilled, professionals who could handle themselves in any situation. But they also had to be unaware of the true nature of the mission. It was a delicate balance—finding people who were capable but not too curious. People who could be trusted with their lives, but not with the secret.
---
The next few days passed in a haze of research. Oliver barely left his office, surrounded by stacks of papers, folders, and files. He used every connection he had left, pulling favors from old colleagues, calling in debts from people he had helped over the years. He scoured the web, diving into the dark corners of the internet where information was harder to come by, but also more revealing.
He wasn't just looking for anyone. He needed specialists. People who could do things that others couldn't.
His mind drifted back to the days when he had worked for the agency. The missions he had been part of, the people he had met along the way. He thought about the kind of skills that had been needed to pull off those jobs—the hackers, the strategists, the muscle, the infiltrators. He would need them all.
But where to start?
He knew he couldn't approach his old contacts directly. Too much time had passed, and too many people were likely still watching him. No, he would have to build this team from scratch.
---
By the end of the week, Oliver's office had transformed into a war room. The walls were plastered with photographs, dossiers, and notes. He had narrowed down his list to ten individuals. People he had heard of through the underground networks he still had access to.
At the center of the wall, at the very top, was the biggest image of them all. It was a photo of a young man—early twenties, lean build, messy blonde hair, and a smile that could disarm anyone. Oliver didn't know much about him yet, but the little he had uncovered was intriguing. The young man was an escape artist, a master at getting in and out of places without being noticed. His name was Theo Jensen.
If Sophia had walked into the room at that moment, she would have recognized him instantly. His hair gave him away—slightly tousled, as though he had just come out of some impossible situation. It was the same man she had collided with outside the interview just days ago. The same man who had caught her in his arms as she stormed out, frustrated and angry.
But Oliver didn't know that. All he knew was that Theo Jensen was the kind of person he needed on his team—someone who could slip into places no one else could, someone who could disappear at will.
Around Theo's photo were nine others. Each one represented a different skill set Oliver knew he would need.
---
There was Clara Xu, a tech specialist who had once worked for one of the top cybersecurity firms in the world before she disappeared from the public eye. She was known for her ability to hack into virtually any system, leaving no trace of her presence.
Then there was Marcus Steele, a former military strategist who had turned to private security after a fallout with the government. He was known for his ability to plan operations with surgical precision, anticipating every possible outcome.
Jasper Lee, a former soldier with a reputation for being unbreakable. He was the muscle, the one you sent in when things got physical. His intimidating presence was enough to scare most people into submission, but if that didn't work, his fists would.
Ethan Carter, another strategist, but this one different from Marcus. While Marcus was methodical and calculated, Ethan was all about improvisation—thinking on his feet and adapting to changing situations. He was the kind of guy who could walk into a disaster and walk out with a plan.
And then there were the others. Nico Vargas, the disguise expert who could become anyone, blending into crowds with ease. Zara Patel, the infiltrator who specialized in getting into high-profile circles unnoticed. Sofia Torres, the analyst, who could piece together the smallest fragments of data into a complete picture. Bella Cortez, the negotiator who could talk her way out of anything.
Each of them brought something unique to the table. Together, they could form a team capable of pulling off the impossible. But the key to their success would be secrecy. None of them could know the truth.
---
Oliver stood back, looking at the wall he had spent days assembling. The faces stared back at him, each one a piece of the puzzle. He didn't know them personally—not yet. But he would.
His eyes drifted back to the photo of Theo Jensen. There was something about the kid that intrigued him. Something familiar, though he couldn't quite place it. He would have to dig deeper, find out more about who Theo was and what made him tick.
But for now, the pieces were starting to come together.