Lucas Manchester

“Hello, Leroy,” the man in my living room said. “I’m Lucas Manchester, with the CIA.”

“What are you doing here? I didn’t do something wrong, did I?” I thought about what I could have done.

“No. You’ve done nothing wrong your whole life.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Uh…no,” I said, feeling embarrassed.

“Oh,” the person named Lucas said, looking somewhat embarrassed himself. “We’re here to recruit you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The CIA has been interested in you for some time now.”

“Why?”

“Well, for starters, you have exceptionally good marksmanship. And your fighting skills aren’t bad.” Lucas handed me a manilla envelope. I opened it.

“How did you get these?” I was shocked. Inside, were copies of all the targets I had shot at the shooting range. Also, there were a few pictures of me during my Karate classes.

“The CIA has its ways,” Lucas replied.

I stared at him. He looked exactly like I would expect a spy to do. He wore a three-piece suit, with a bulge of what looked like a weapon under his left arm.

“So, when do I start?” I asked.

“We are leaving right now.”

“What! Can I have some time to pack?” 

“Already done.” Lucas picked up a duffel bag, and opened it to show me its contents.

“Um, shouldn’t I talk to my parents first?” I asked. 

“Your parents already know.  But they think that you are attending Washington Academy for Gifted Students. Now let’s go. You need time to unpack your stuff and learn your class schedule.” With that he walked out of the front door. 

I started to ask another question, but Lucas cut me off. “Leroy, I understand that you have a lot of questions right now. They will be answered in time.” He opened the door to an inconspicuous black sedan and threw the duffel bag inside. “Now get in, buckle up, and let’s go.”

After he pulled out of the driveway, I thought to ask, “Where is the academy.”

“It is not far at all, but we require everyone to live on campus. That way, we can protect you students from assassins”

“Umm…Is that an issue that pops up a lot?”

“It only happens once or twice a month. As long as you keep a gun with you, you’ll be fine. By the way, here is your gun.” He passed a gun back to me. 

“Why do I need this now?” I eyed the firearm nervously.

“Well, as soon as you got into this car, your life became dangerous. Also, you should note that things can go very wrong, very fast. So keep your guard up.”

The drive continued as Agent Lucas turned onto the freeway. I started to grow nervous as I thought about what he said, and what lay ahead of me. But there was also a growing feeling of excitement. My life was boring. The most interesting thing that ever happened to me was the time I stopped a thief from stealing an old woman’s purse. 

I smiled at the thought of that memory. The thief had snatched purse out of the hands of the old woman a block down from where I was walking. As he started sprinting away I tripped him. He then fell on the table of an outdoor restaurant and landed in the spaghetti of a seven-year-old.

“Only about ten more minutes,” Lucas said. Then the explosion happened. 

TO BE CONTINUED…