Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Becoming the Recruit

Time in school wasn’t exactly much different except I found myself sweating a whole bunch of times next to Kirk, whose breathing was large and heavy-very menacing. And being this is detention, no one was exactly here to watch us instead one came facing the desk!

Therefore, I returned home by taking the longer route instead of seeing confronted by those hooligans and today finally felt like a regular day.

I rang the doorbell as soon as I got to it, anticipating my mother to come and open the door, which is amusing because she has been opening the door for me when I was shaking in my bones. But this time, I felt more at ease, as if everything would turn out OK-and maybe everything would. Maybe strange things will no longer happen around my uncle as a result of this situation.

For once, I felt at peace and ready to go back into my normal routine. I walked into the house and changed my clothes before going downstairs to play with Greg.

The way it’s supposed to be.

But then I heard footsteps, walking quickly and getting closer to the door. The last time I checked, my mom wasn’t one to wear high heels anymore. So when the person opened the door, it took me a second to comprehend that it was the same man-all over again.

I let out an involuntary shriek upon seeing my Uncle Bruce in the house. “Heya, Connor,” He said equipoised as if it was completely normal that he would be here. I inquired about my mother’s whereabouts; however, Uncle Bruce seemed very adamant that I didn’t investigate further.

.....

As I sat down, he said, “Come have a seat.” So I did-climbing over to the sofa in the living room. This time, I was perplexed not only by how he got into the house but also by why he knew my name.

When he was getting ready to enter, did my mom give him the key or-what? He sat down on the couch with his right leg resting on his left and spread his arms across it.

“Would you like anything?” I asked politely after he saved me from a hoard of vest-wearing wizards. He seemed unfazed by my efforts but nevertheless humored me. “Water will be just fine,” he said.

“No Gatorade or anything, just water?” I asked. His head snapped around and he appeared to be more receptive to my efforts than before. “Gatorade would be great,” he added, turning his attention back to the piano.

I opened the fridge, getting ready to snatch one of them from under, pulling them out from their pack. “Which flavor?” I asked.

“It’s up to you,” said Uncle Bruce, laying his head down and closing his eyes. I’m not sure if it’s an agent thing or something for the sake of observations. Then he turned his head back towards the piano, and I struggled to keep from snorting out a giggle.

“You play the piano, I take it?” Bruce asked, and before shutting the refrigerator, I paused. But I did walk towards him with the orange Gatorade, nonetheless.

“I used to, not anymore,” I said. Uncle Bruce nodded. “How good would you say you were before you quit?” he asked.

“Well I could play a worse version of Mozart,” I said. “Decided to learn some jazz.”

“Oh, jazz.”

I was surprised that I even started a conversation like this, but I guess it’s better than bottled-up anger. “Yeah, and I’d say I did better,” I replied slowly, “But giving up is still an issue for me.”

He looked at me with his piercing eyes and, in a soft voice, said “Sit down.” I sat obediently; however, I felt uneasy by his abrupt command.

He shifted his sitting position and then moved his right leg back onto the floor. “Look,” he said. “You’ve seen things you weren’t supposed to see, and now you know that, right?” I nodded, knowing full well that I wasn’t supposed to be seeing any of that stuff.

“I believe there is quite a bit to explain to you,” he added. He adjusted his formation again, this time with his back leaning and his elbows holding it in place by clamps on his thighs. “If you would please close the drapes, that would be great.”

I quickly sat down in suspense and excitement. Who knew the need for answers would be so anticipating?

“What you just saw last night and possibly the day before was us dealing with the TSA,” Uncle Bruce said.

“What in the world is that?” I asked, confused about all three letters. Must be some sort of acronym or something.

“The Teenage Spy Agency, except that I was dealing with the eighteen-year-olds. They’re quite powerful,” he added. “As you can see, I’m the CEO of our field agency, the Youth Mage Protocol Academy. We combat unnatural phenomena throughout the world that no one is aware of. If they were to become known throughout the world, we’d just try to figure out what’s going on every day.”

“Chaos?”

“There will be a facade of law and order, but realistically speaking, there will also be war. The TSA’s primary goal is to take control of the stronger countries so that they can establish dominion over the weaker ones,” he clarified.

I was honest when I replied, “Um, I think I’m not following you here.” Uncle Bruce sighed. “Think of the strongest countries you can think of,” he said. So, I looked deep into my brain to come up with some answers.

“Russia, China, United Stat-”

“There we go.”

“Why the United States?”

“It has the most powerful military in the world,” my uncle informed me. “All of the weapons, devices and other resources they have might be useful for helping the TSA accomplish its objectives throughout the world. That’s a strong nation to rule over.”

“But aren’t they spies, why would they want to take over a country, but also be kept in secret?” I asked. Uncle Bruce chuckled, but it intensified into a laugh, and I began getting a bit more skeptical.

“You have no idea what we can do, do you?” he assured, and that only made me a lot more skeptical. Uncle Bruce laid himself back and he continued to chuckle.

He adjusted his tie and stared right at me, giving me a feeling where I felt very, very uncomfortable.

“There are many powers that we can hold in our wands. Cloning, fire, water, ice, lightning, mind control, wind, body transferrence-”

“Body transferrence?” I stammered as the thoughts ran into my head, making me twitch in disgust.

“In some cases, it’s very helpful,” he said. “Sometimes it’s not-at all.”

“So, why did you come here then?” I asked, still wondering how he got into the house. If my mom gave him the key to get groceries, wouldn’t she be back by now? She is a quick one when she is getting groceries.

“Because as I said, you saw things you weren’t supposed to be seeing, it’s probably best for you to join us,” he said.

Shock was the only thing that ran through my head. My jaw dropped in astonishment, unsure of what to say or do.

Me, being a spy?

And not like some regular spy. A literal mage?

“How am I supposed to be some wizard if I’m a regular person?” I asked.

“You’re not a regular person,” Uncle Bruce said. “Remember when your arms seemed to be glowing red through your veins? And when you punched him he flew and knocked himself out on the wall. That is your special power, and you need to learn to control it. After all, if you do, perhaps you’d be happy to take out those TSA freaks.”

I looked at myself, and all I could do was to smile. Me, being a spy mage, and using powers to keep my home safe? Imagine what all the people would say about me, and my special powers? That would be amazing!

“Yeah, I’d love to!” I said, getting up in excitement. “I would be honored to do so.”

“Perfect, because I’d probably have to kill you if I didn’t,” Uncle Bruce said. I stammered in confusion but tried to keep my mind out of it.