Teen Spy: The Observer

Chapter 6

Kiara has always wanted to protect others, to bring justice and peace. Her dream is to become a diplomat or a member of the UN Security Council, to represent the United States and help find solutions to the problems that the world faces.

The offer is tantalizing. The helplessness she feels every time she reads or watches the news covering horrible situations eases just thinking about her taking action now.

But her instincts tell her to be careful. This isn't something to accept lightly. It involves a great level of risk and danger.

A part of her is relieved to know she isn't going crazy or paranoid. On the other hand, she is NOT happy someone has been following her. She is even less so about ISS's "test". Her blood boils just thinking about the last 24 hours. And now, they have the audacity of wanting her to work for them.

But most of her wants to laugh at the absurdity of what's happening. The thought of her as a spy seems... well... impossible, like someone is going to pull the curtain and tell her it was all a joke. Yet, it hasn't happened, and here she is.

She is indecisive. Her mind is leaning towards one side and then quickly tumbling into the complete opposite. So, she looks intently at the man in front of her. Kiara cannot read what Agent Knight is thinking or feeling. He is a blank slate, and she doesn't trust him.

"You expect me to accept your offer" She gambles, following her instincts.

"Yes" Agent Knight says calmly. "Eventually"

Kiara tilts her head. "Please. Do go on. You seem to know me pretty well." She says sarcastically.

This seems to amuse him. He gives her a knowing look that bothers her.

"Miss Startling" He says. "Your immediate answer is no. You are conflicted between what you want and what your instincts tell you. You do not trust me, which is reasonable. But do not forget that trust is a choice. So, mark my words. You will accept the offer. Your curiosity and your desire won't have it any other way."

Kiara is stunned into silence. What could she possibly say? The words vibrate with truth. As much as she doesn't want to admit it, she fears he is right. She won't accept the offer, but a part of her asks hopefully what-if?

Agent Knight continues after a pause. "You have a lot of potential, but we will respect your decision. My only request is that you consider the proposal."

He presses a button in his desk and a few minutes later, the same man who brought her to the office appears at the door.

"For when you change your mind." Agent Knight offers her a card as he stands up.

She hesitates for a moment before her good manners kick in. She stands up and takes it. Kiara glances at the card, before sliding it into her back pocket. It contains a phone number but no name.

"Agent Adams will escort you outside where your ride awaits." Agent Knight says. "We retrieved you an hour and half ago. Your brother should be finding the perfect gift for you while you arrive back at the mall."

Kiara gives him a glare when he says retrieved, but in the end nods her understanding. 

"A pleasure meeting you, Miss Starling" Agent Knight says shaking her hand. "And happy birthday."

Kiara barely contains a snort.

Agent Adams opens the door for her, and she walks out in automatic. When they reach ground level, he leads her to the reception desk and exchanges some words with the lady behind the desk. The lady gives him Kiara's messenger bag and phone.

"I believe this is yours." Agent Adams tells her as she grabs them.

Kiara hadn't even noticed it was missing. After she thanks him, he guides her to the main entrance and an Uber is waiting for her. He opens the door for her.

"Think about our proposal," he says as she gets inside. "We're more related to what happens in the world than most people know about. You could be part of it."

Kiara looks up at his face trying to read his thoughts, but of course, it is fruitless. Agent Adams guards his thoughts very well. Instead, she looks at him expectantly but the only thing he does is to shut the cab's door and walks back inside the building.

She sees how the city pass by through the window as the car drives away. But her mind doesn't register it. She replays in her head her encounter with Agent Knight. The knowledge Agent Knight has of her makes her think that she was being watched for more time, years maybe. There is definitely more that he knows than he is letting on. She frowns. This makes her feel like a lab experiment.

How come nobody but her noticed? Unless... She remembers telling Luke once. He dismissed it, but something was off after that. He seemed more vigilant. And her dad would sometimes stare intently at nothing. She didn't think much of it at the time, but what if... She shakes her head. Nah, now I'm being paranoid.

"We're here" the driver says, startling her out of the thoughts.

She looks around confused until she sees the mall up front. She had stopped paying attention to her surroundings. She never does that, but today is the exception. She sighs and thanks the driver.

As she enters the mall with a group of people, her phone vibrates. She pulls it out of her pocket and just as Agent Knight predicted, she has a text from Luke saying he is done. Agent Knight seems to know her brother and her very well. Although if ISS was keeping tabs on her, it is not so farfetched to think they would have also watched Luke.

Chills run down her body. Now she knows how her friends and family feel when she predicts their actions. She doesn't get to duel to much on this as she meets up with Luke at the car.

Once back home, she unlocks the front door and enters into the dark house. That's weird; mom is usually cooking dinner by now. She turns the lights on.

When the lights illuminate the room, "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" everyone shouts at the same time. Confetti springs from poppers and rains on Kiara.

Kiara screams in surprise. She had totally forgotten about the party. She looks around. Every one of her friends and family members are here. The house is decorated with beautiful balloons of her favorite colors, and a sign that says Happy 17th Birthday Kiara! hags on the wall.

"Guys, I think we finally surprised her!" Jessy says cheerfully as she gives Kiara one of her famous lung-crushing-hugs.

Kiara laughs as everyone cheers their success. It has been a long time since anyone managed to surprise her in a good way. She mingles with her guests, thanking them for the party. Eventually, she pushes her weird day to the back of her mind and starts enjoying herself.

"Nice party," Kiara says with a big smile when she spots Luke. "Now I know why you took me to the mall."

"Guilty as charged," Luke jokes. "You seemed deep in thought on the ride here. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah" She says trying to convince herself more than Luke.

Luke stared at her.

"Everything is fine," she insists.

Luke doesn't look convinced. He knows her sister well enough to see through her front. But he will not push. Kiara will tell him when she is ready.

"You know you can tell me anything, Ara" Luke finally says. "I will always be there for you."

For a moment, she is tempted to tell him, to spill everything that has happened to her. But in the end, she decides against it. She doesn't want to ruin the party and besides, she already rejected the offer, so she just wants to put it behind her for good.

Instead, Kiara smiles at him and before he can react, she tickles him as retaliation from earlier in the car. This starts a game of goofiness that helps improve Kiara's mood.