I was pressed warily against the wall, with little room between my body and his. I was getting irritated. What was his problem, I thought to myself as I stared up at his unreadable eyes. Finally, it got to a point where the silence was unbearable.

"I'm uncomfortable," I stated lowly, almost hinting at a growl.

Chestin raised his eyebrows and looked on without care. "You're uncomfortable? Let's get into why you're in this position."

"Chestin, I'm tired," I let out with a deep sigh, "Can't it wait till later today? You're being moody for no reason."

"It's urgent matter."

"I doubt it," I answered back, but wanting to sleep, I sighed and crossed my arms across my chest, looking back at him in annoyance, "What is it?"

"Open your phone," he suddenly commanded.

I frowned, "Chestin, what are you trying to do?" But I have nothing to hide, so I take out my phone. However, I hold it out for a moment while monitoring him. He seemed to stare at my phone like it was a person he didn't like.

I turned on my phone and the screen came onto the last app that I was on. Correction- the last app Chestin was on.

My Contacts.

— Liam — | 📞 |

I looked up at the man with a quizzled look.

"Who's he?" I asked, glancing back at the name.

Chestin glared at me in disbelief, but he blinked back a few times upon hearing my words. "Are you serious, Jamie?"

"I am fucking serious," I repeated, getting irritated that he was wasting my time with whoever his friend was, "Who the fuck is he?"

Chestin ran a hand across his face and stepped back- just a little- from me before staring at my eyes again. "Lennon, your memory can't be that bad."

"Why are you dropping informalities," I snapped, "I thought we were close."

"This isn't about us."

"Oh I believe so," I retorted, taking steps forward, so that he was the one backing slightly away this time, "What's gotten into you? Do you know how late it is? Can't I go to sleep, partner? I have a class to teach tomorrow and reports to turn in, you're taking away my sleep time for what? 'Liam?' A friend you called on my phone and forgot to delete the contact? I'm not responsible. I've been on loads of missions, visited plentiful places, and met with thousands of people in the past 5 years away from the R.U., and you're asking me who this one mere insignificant cunt is? Don't shit with me, Hall."

Chestin held his ground, but at the same time was forced to show some respect. Not as in age, but as in experience. I was a senior and well-recognized agent in the R.U., I point out shitty things when I see them. My partner was no exception.

"That's enough," came a low, grungy voice that sent chills down my spine.

Both Chestin and I snapped our heads in the direction of the voice and our eyes landed on Axel, who was rubbing his temple and squinting his eyes open.

"Axel," Chestin said before I could, walking over to the man. I stood in silence and frowned at the two men before me. One side of me was still vexed after Chestin gave me a hard time for no reason. The other side knew he probably meant well overall, and that I overreacted.

Sighing loudly on purpose, I shut my eyes close as my fingers swiftly ran through my brown hair. It had gotten longer, and the ends tended to curl naturally into tubes, just a little something interesting about my growth. Basically it.

"I'm going to bed," I let out just enough for the two in the room with me to hear. Glancing back before turning my head back to the front, I avoided Chestin's eyes and went to my room.

-

The moment I walked in, some eyes snapped my way and a look of confusion crossed their faces. They didn't know who I was, or why I was entering the training location all suited up and looking professional.

I went up to the instructor-in-charge and greeted the woman. "Agent J," I nodded towards a woman whom I've done a few missions with in the past. The red-haired woman went wide eyes upon seeing me.

"How many years has it been," she beamed, opening her arms and allowing me to come into her embrace, "Agent W," she ended with my code name, "Looking nice still."

I laughed and pulled away. In a short moment, both of our eyes surveyed the small number of snipers-to-be students that came to class.

"How're you holding up all these years, Clarissa?"

"Been a rowdy group of kids," she replied with a side-smile, "Some need serious discipline."

"And your hero has come," I let out, crossing my arms as I took in the faces of the students I was to teach.

Clarissa raised her eyebrows at me, "You're back? Officially?"

I gave her a small smirk, "Temporarily. Chestin fired me from our last mission."

That got her to laugh. "How're you holding up?"

I hesitated, "Let's just say stuff... happened last night that I wish I could take back. Chestin's mad at me..? I'm just confused."

"Hmm," she contemplated sincerely, "You'll figure it out. It's Jamie Lennon we're talking about."

I rolled my eyes playfully, "You say it like it's an amazing fact or something."

"It's amazing and it's a fact," was all she responded with before she clearly called forth her students with those strict, loud military voices.

Now every eye was on me. Who was this new woman and why was she standing with our instructor, would be some of their thoughts.

Sammy looked up from his group of friends and smiled warmly at me, giving me a quick wave. I noticed the girl from last night in his group, Diana, glancing at the boy before looking up at me, then looking down like she was ashamed. I returned his smile and turned back to Clarissa, who was ready to start class.

"ZIP YOUR TRAPS AND EYES UP FRONT," she shut the kids up impressively. It may sound rude, even unnecessary, but it was a daily protocol and all agents were used to it by now. Every one of them followed. Clarissa continued, "BULLET 15, now."

They all positioned themselves orderly and faced me, giving a deep bow, all of them holding it there for a good five seconds before standing back up.

Bullet 15, meant the 15th rule in the Agent Rule Book, which states that agents-in-training were required to greet senior agents in the corporation regardless of relationship.

They were probably all confused on who I was, but there wasn't enough time for them to process their thoughts because once an order was out, it was out. There was no repeating. And anyone who didn't follow would meet the consequences. R.U. agents don't play around.

"Who's she?" One kid next to Sammy's group, spoke up. He was a little buffer than the kid, and had a threatening demeanor to him.

"Jamie Lennon," Clarissa announced, frowning at him. He must be one of those kids that she talked about. The misbehaved ones.

"Okay?" He brushed away in annoyance, "Can we get on with class already? I thought I signed up for sniping, not meeting more adults."

Clarissa was about to snap at him, before I glanced at her and shook my head, signaling to her to let me handle it.

I walked up to the boy, some students clearing the way for me because they didn't know where I stood in the R.U. I could tell they were the ones with common sense.

"I dare you to repeat that," I tested him once we stood face to face, tilting my head a little as I waited.

His fist acted faster than his thoughts, and in a split second I sensed a punch coming for the side of my face. Dully side-blocking his hit with my right arm, the same arm twisted around his and turned it in such a way that made him growl out in pain, before it eventually made its way securely to the back. I locked his arm at his back while I faced it.

At that moment a similar scene tugged at the roots of my memory, but I wasn't too sure what had made me pause a bit to consider it. It could've been anything, considering how long I've been in the business. But... I'm sure I remember a mop...

With my weaker left arm, I grabbed my gun and aimed it slowly at the back of his head, slowly sliding the weapon down till it reached where his heart on the opposite side should be. His legs tried to kick me down. I knocked against the back of his left knee forcibly with the side of my feet and like a domino effect, he fell with a loud thump to the ground on his knees, and let out yet another, louder growl. I emphasized the nuzzle of the gun against his head and felt his whole body give up on breathing at that instant.

"You know," I spoke up softly so that it sent shivers down every student's spine, "Last night's bullets haven't been used up yet. You want to volunteer, smart one?"

"Your words don't scare me," he dared to give another go.

"'Bullet 299 will,'" I quickly stamped down on any noise that was present in the crowd at this time, "I'm sure you recall."

"You're shitting," he retorted, but quieted down a bit at knowing the severity of the rule, "Only four agents in the whole corporation are allowed to issue that rule."

Bullet 299, the 299th rule in the Agent Rule Book. Punishments bestowed upon students only at the hands of the best in the corporation, one in each division of Agent specialty. Very few students in all the history of the R.U. have experienced Bullet 299, and let's just say they disappear for a while before coming back completely renewed and disconnected. It's a harsh punishment that four agents are allowed to have control over, and because we're not team leaders, like Jay, or head R.U. commanders, we handle things our way and without diplomat.

Assault- front-line battle

Disguise- deception

Hacking- digital infiltration

Sniping- air-force attack

Currently, and respectively, Agent R, P, A, and W held those positions.

All attention was on me now, most students not being able to believe what they'd hear next.

"Agent W," came my most dreaded announcement to everyone's ears, "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

What can I say, I thought to myself as a small smirk finally tugged at the edges of my lips after all this time, I love my work.

-