Agent Moonlark

Chapter Four

Astin gave her another tissue. "Thank you for your time, Oralie."

The video ended, leaving Sophie staring at it. She had no doubt. The Neverseen had killed him. Her heart broke as she glanced at Oralie's grief-stricken expression. Oralie didn't deserve this. Kenric didn't deserve this. None of the victims deserved this.

"Why?," Biana asked, her voice cutting through the silence. "Why do the Neverseen kill them? Is it just for fun? It's obviously not random if Kenric figured out that he was next."

"That's what we're trying to find out," Agent Granite answered. "The only things in common between the victims are that they were killed at night, and they were rich and/or powerful."

"What would they have to gain?," Sophie asked, not really directing the question at anyone. "Kenric didn't have any known enemies, did he?"

"No," Agent Squall, Dex's mother, replied. "Everyone got along with him. The police asked Oralie if she knew anyone who would want to kill him. She said no. She didn't even mention the Neverseen with them. Seems that she trusts us more."

Fitz banged his fist on the table. "We need to do something about the Neverseen. What they're doing is not ok! Shouldn't we at least tell the government, so that they can keep a lookout?!"

"Mr. Vacker," Agent Forkle said calmly, "are you implying that we cannot handle this?"

"We've been after them for years! If the public learns about the Black Swan, they'll think that we're behind the murders!"

"Fitz," Sophie came to the Collective's defense, "we're all trying our best!"

"Well, maybe it's not enough!" Fitz stormed out of the room.

"Sorry," Biana apologized for him. "Must be the jetlag. Or maybe he's just scared for the Basiles." She glanced at Tam, and told him, "As much as you claim the Basile children get on your nerves, I know that you guys care about them a lot. And Fitz met Antonietta once. They used to be friends."

Linh spoke up. "What do you think is the Neverseen's next target?"

Agent Wraith answered for the Collective. "We don't know."

"The Basile family," Sophie gasped. "They tried killing the whole family, but they only managed to kill Antonietta."

"But that's why we assigned them bodyguards," Agent Granite put in.

"Do they have bodyguards right now?"

"Well, yes, they do."

Sophie pursed her lips. She still felt like something bad was going to happen. Specifically with the Basiles.

"Dex," his mother said, changing the subject. "We want you and Linh to go to Foxfire High, starting tomorrow. We need new recruits. The Neverseen have made their move. We're going to need as many resources as possible."

Dex and Linh nodded.

"Ok," Agent Forkle said. "You are dismissed. Agent Moonlark, you just had a mission. You should have a break. Agent Shade, you probably want to catch up with your sister before she has to leave. You are free to go and be normal teenagers for the day."

"But-," Sophie started.

"No 'buts.'"

She sighed and walked out of the room. In the corridor, Biana told her that she was going to see Fitz. Dex went off to prepare for his mission. Linh had already disappeared with her brother.

Sophie found her feet leading her to Grady and Edaline's room. She knocked on the door.

"Come in," they answered. Sophie opened the door to find Grady reading a book, and Edaline baking her famous mallowmelt (yes, they had convinced the Collective to install a kitchen in their room.) Mallowmelt was a gooey cake that tasted better than anything else Sophie had put in her mouth. Well, there was custard bursts and ripplefluffs. Those were the only desserts that could rival mallowmelt, in Sophie's opinion. All three of those desserts' recipes were passed down through Edaline's family. Edaline was still trying to teach Sophie how to bake the desserts. Unfortunately, Sophie was hopeless at baking.

Grady and Edaline had adopted Sophie three years after she joined the agency. They had lost their daughter, Jolie, to a fire five years ago, and Sophie had lost her parents as a baby. They were pieces of a puzzle that fit together perfectly, and Sophie was ever grateful that they had welcomed her into their family with open arms.

"Hi, Sophie," Edaline said. She passed Sophie a plate with a slice of mallowmelt on it. "How are you? I heard the Collective wanted to talk with you."

Sophie nodded, a lump forming in her throat. "Senator Kenric was murdered."

"What?!," Grady exclaimed, while Edaline cried silently. "It was the Neverseen, wasn't it?," he asked glumly.

"We think so."

There was a beat of silence as they grieved for Kenric.

"But on the bright side," Sophie said meekly, "Fitz and Tam are back."

"Sophie, that's great!," Edaline tried to smile, but Sophie could tell that she was still sad.

"Yeah, but Fitz kind of got angry at the Collective for not catching the Neverseen."

"Well," said Grady, "we're all trying our best."

Sophie nodded. "That's what I said."

Grady and Edaline hugged Sophie. She felt a feeling of belonging in their arms.

Keefe

He walked swiftly outside. He was going to be late. The sun shone brightly overhead, taunting him. The clouds drifted lazily.

Keefe ran as fast as he could.

"Stupid mission," he mumbled. "Stupid everything." He jumped over a roadblock, not caring that he was going in a dangerous area. It was a shortcut. And shortcuts were more important, right now.

He got there just in time. The bell rang, signaling the start of school. He opened the doors, still running.

"Stupid Foxfire High."

Hello trying to get chapters out quickly! I should be able to start posting daily!