I was perplexed albeit even perplexed seems like an understatement to describe the view.

The same two questions pondered me; what is this place, and who are these people? I needed to find out. I subconsciously got up from my chair and slowly walked towards the open door.

The warmth of the hallway was bleeding through the door. I was a spectacular.

Suddenly, the door slammed shut on me. Startling me backwards onto my chair. The person who closed the door was the fourth person in the room.

A very attractive lady, by societal standards, she was the ideal woman when it came to features. She was tall, slim figure with curves, medium length black hair, the common attributes. But, when it came to personality, she was hard to read, her demeanor was professional. Stoic to best describe it.

Then again, she was merely a stranger who I had no relationship with. Taking a deeper perspective, I had no relationship with any of these people. I merely came with them due to my own pride.

Due to this, the only real connection I had with any of these people is the fact that we’re all human.

“Before we can let you leisurely walk around, I have a couple of questions for you.” The lady said.

“How did you manage to survive that attack?”

A question straight out of the barrel.

“Lisa, don’t you think that’s a little impossible of a question to answer? She just—.”

“More impossible than surviving 200 tons of TNT at the epicenter?” She said cutting off Jun.

“Well, if you put it that way, then no, but—.”

“Jun, commander has a point. The chance of her surviving is practically zero. Technically speaking, she should be a walking pile of ash and mush, and that's the best case scenario.”

They’re right. How did I manage to survive? To also add onto that, I look and feel completely fine. It’s as if my injuries had never existed. The only memory I had before everything unfolded was me walking through the gates and talking to my façade of friends.

“I don’t know. I have no memory of the attack even happening.”

She would let out a sigh to my answer.

“To think you two broke protocol and bring a stranger here.” She whispered under her breath.

A suitable reaction I must say. But what could I say? Anybody who was in the situation that I was in would say the same exact thing.

It’s basic human nature; if you don’t know something, you don’t know. I was practically a walking dead person. Should I truly be surprised if they decided to kill me. To them I could secretly be an enemy or anything that could pose a threat to them.

“In that case, let me ask you this, what prompted you into tagging along with them. I assume you had no actual reason, correct? Basic first aid would’ve sufficed.”

“I—.”

My train of thought paused in the moment. I thought I had my reasoning figured out, but looking back, I don’t have a clear-cut reasoning.

I thought of it as a way to escape my own reality, the only reality that’ve known my whole life. . I basically, “did it on a whim.”

Her eyes slightly widened, but not enough to give out a proper expression, but I could tell that my answer surprised her. The stupidity of humanity once again plagued my thought process.

“I see, on a whim.” She said glaring in at Jun.

“You’re kidding, a fucking whim? Out of all the excuses you could’ve made, you picked that.” Zoey jumped in.

“Well, that’s the best I can really describe it. That’s just what I felt back then.”

“In case if you forgotten, we only saved you because you managed to survive an explosion right in front of you. Which I probably assume is the only interesting thing that’s probably ever happened to you.” She continued.

“Zoey...”

“I’m sorry, but am I in the wrong here? Are we forgetting the fact that she could literally be a fucking spy? Especially with that half-assed reason she gave us. Hell, she’s probably sending intel right now as we speak. Commander, you know I’m not wrong here. We might as well set her up for a proper interrogation—.”

“Zoey!” Jun interrupted her.

She became flustered from the sudden outburst.

“Whatever.” She turned her back towards us whilst arms crossed.

An immense amount of guilt hit me like a truck. Once again, I was at the end of the line. Everything she said was true.

I had no real reason to justify any of my actions, or in better words, a reason that I could understand. Pathetic.

“Well, you’re not wrong, it wouldn’t be in our best interests to keep her here. But I had some of my guys do a background check on her, and everything matched up perfectly. Plus, I didn’t sense any ulterior motives from her. But you already know all of this, since you did some research yourself, right Zoey.”

A stare from Zoey zipped straight into her eyes.

“Hmph. Yeah, so? People can be good at hiding things. Even someone as dumb as her is capable of it."

“And you’re good at finding things.” Jun smirkingly added.

Her eyes peered away.

“Well then that settles it. Congrats Mary, you get to live. Yay!”

I’m surprised he can be that joyful.

“For now.” Zoey said.

I smiled awkwardly at the remark.

“Not so fast, just because we’ve decided to not push further consequences. It doesn’t mean she can waddle around freely. Jun and Zoey, this is your mess, so she’s your responsibility. Just until I figure out what do with her.”

“Roger that, captain!”

“You’re kidding, commander. Don’t you think you’re being a little too soft on this. And I had nothing to do with this!”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“You both were assigned on the mission, so it’s an equal share of responsibility. Besides what’s the harm, she’s surrounded by hundreds of trained staff. Plus, Jun is personally watching her.” She said lighting up another cigarette.

“Honestly, that last part is what I’m most concerned about the most.”

I looked up towards Jun who was smiling at their constant bickering

“It may seem scary now, but I’m sure you’re going to have lots of fun here.” He quietly said to me.

What an interesting person. On the outside he seems like a spontaneous person, but taking a closer look, he’s a caring guy.

“I appreciate the concern, but I still get the feeling that I’m intruding. You don’t even know me.”

“No... I don’t know strangers, and you are by no means a stranger. I’d call you ‘a stranger that I picked up from a destroyed school building who turned into an acquaintance right now’.

“Pfft, that doesn’t even make sense.”

Something that almost everyone can say they’ve experienced before, it’s one of the many blessings that can unite humanity together. Laughter.

But this one was special to me, it signified that things around are drastically different than what I was used to. I haven’t experienced genuine laughter since primary school.

I wouldn’t say it changed my perspective on the world and of course on myself, but it was nice to have that feeling again after such a long time.

“Alright, while those two have their little romance, how about I show around the place.”

“Uh, yeah, sure.”

As I stood up from my chair, Zoey at once noticed our early departure.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going to show her around the place. If you don’t mind.”

“Well, I do mind—.”

“Yeah, sure go on ahead. Just keep a close eye on her.”

“Commander!” Zoey shouted.

“Alright, thanks.”

Hey, wait don’t just—.” Jun closed the door behind us before she could finish her sentence.

Oddly enough, I felt like a kid who was on a school fieldtrip. The place was even more bustling in person. There was an endless number of rooms and corridors filled with people in it.

The building looked like your typical government office building, but on a massive scale. The walls were painted in a light greyish color covered in white accents trims.

Overwhelming would be an understatement to describe the sheer amount of chaos wrapping around me. But amid the chaotic nature of the place everyone was working in unison.

“Ow, oh shoot, I’m so sorry about.” I was starstruck from everything going on, I had accidentally bumped into a person in the middle of the hallway.

It was a bald man wearing glasses that I had bumped into, after the incident he fixed his tie and gave me a reassuring smile.

“Oh, it’s all good, I wasn’t looking either. Hm, I haven’t seen you before. Are you new?”

“She sure is Bob,” Jun stepped in, “Zoey and I picked her up from our latest mission.”

“Ah, I see, so you two were the ones that cause that massive performance of negligence.”

“Mary this is Bob, he’s in charge of our special intelligence unit. Bob, this is Mary.”

“Don’t try and change the subject. Do you know how much coverup needed to be done. You know our nano-scanners are on the fritz right now, you have to be a lot more careful on your missions now.”

“Tomato, tomato, yeah I get it.”

A female voice called out for Bob’s attention. It sounded like a very urgent call.

“Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Mary. Now if you excuse, I must get going.” He’d sigh, “And as for you mister, get your shit together. Also, it’s intelligence analysts.”

Jun stuck his tongue out as he walked by.

Their chemistry seems odd, but I could tell there was some familial love between them. Must be a nice feeling having that kind of connection with someone. Not even my own parents talk to me that way in the slightest.

It’s always been work and school in our family. The last time I saw my parents was a little over a year ago. Both overseas for work. With the occasional phone call to know how I was performing at school.

That was practically my routine at home. Routine, huh. My life was kind of stagnant, now that I think about it.

----------------------------------------

— One Year Ago —

Summer break was just a few weeks away. This was around the time when people would plan their summer break, either with friends or family.

All, I could do was just overhear other people’s conversations, and when it was my turn to tell my classmates what I would do for the break, I would simply just smile and say, “I don’t know yet. Probably go to the beach.”

That was a lie. In actuality, my version of summer break included interning at prestigious medical schools and studying day and night.

Born into a prestigious family, my upbringing was already planned from the beginning. My parents had already planned out my entire future and took note of every single thing I did. I was trapped.

I would envy the people who were able to go out and be free to do whatever they wanted. I always felt alone.

It was another day of class, the day had ended and everybody was getting ready to go home.

“Hey, Mary. Some of us were planning to go to this new ice cream shop that opened, wanna come?”

And as the story goes, another classmate who was bounded to nothing invites me to a social outing.

“Sorry, I can’t today, I have cram school today.” With a smile so forced, I wanted to vomit.

"Oh, that’s okay maybe next time, yeah. See you tomorrow.” she said waving me off.

“I told you she wouldn’t come.”

“Shush. You're being too loud.”

She’s right. I wasn’t going to come. I perhaps never will. My parents think having friends is a waste of time and a distraction.

The only friend I had was back in junior high school, and she had to be approved by them.

Dinnertime wasn’t any better either, instead of the traditional family togetherness. It felt more like a business meeting with my parents.

“Mary, your recent mock exams scores have fallen by -1.2% percent. Care to explain.”

“Well, Father, it’s probably just because I haven’t taken a break. You know I’ve been overworking myself a little bit.”

“What are you talking about, we give you thirty-minute breaks every day. Plus, you'll be thankful for all that studying in the future.”

“No, what I mean is that, I should take a proper break, like a vacation. It would be a nice breather for me. We could even do it as a family vacation.”

He continued digging his fork into his steak, taking a bit of time before saying a word to me.

"A vacation. Mary, I don’t think you understand how much valuable time would be lost. I believe you're simply stressed out about the material. But don't worry honey, I’ll provide you with new material to study on. Perhaps a different instructor would suit you best too.”

“I forgot to mention, also my friends invited—.”

“Is that all?" My Mother interrupted.

Y-yes.”

“Good, we’ll discuss your cram school situation later. Now eat your dinner before it gets cold.”

“Yes, Mother.”

The night went ahead with silence. The proceeding weeks went according to schedule, the same day, the same questions, the same dinner, the same air, the same house, the same school, the same everything.

Only father time knows what will happen to my future. All I can do use the rest of my hope and grasp onto whatever is left. Just keep on smiling, Mary.

----------------------------------------

“I’ve been meaning to ask, I keep hearing everyone mention missions, what do you guys do exactly?”

I assume this would be a good time to get some information out of him.

“Hmm, that’s a good question. What do we do exactly? Well, I guess you can put it as we’re sort of like peacemakers, or in better words secret agents.” He cunningly smirked.

“But not in your traditional sense. We’re not like spies or anything cliché like that. Honestly, we’re more like superheroes in plain sight.” He added.

“So, does that mean you have powers then?”

"Mm, not exactly, we’re still human, we’re just better versions of them.”

“So, superhumans basically.”

“If that’s how you wanna describe it then sure, but it’s all thanks to our training. Anyone can do it, but only a select few can reach their true potential from it.”

I see. Training, a necessity when it comes to improving and learning anything. I wonder how much of an effect it has had on them.

Him and Zoey looked completely normal to me. I wonder how rigorous the training is. There’s been studies that have shown overtraining can cause some negatives physically and mentally. But so far, they seem completely fine to me. It must just be in my head.

As we walked, I noticed that a lot of people seem to respect Jun. A plethora of them showed their gratitude towards him and some even showed admiration. He must be someone important here.

“Hey Jun, are everyone here agents like you?”

“Nope, most of them are just regular employees for the organization. There are only about one hundred agents currently.”

“Does that have something to do with the training you mentioned earlier?”

“Wow, you’re a good listener. But yeah, pretty much. I told you only a small niche of us receives anything from it.”

Interesting, if the chance of success is that low then agents must be special then. If I recall correctly earlier, he mentioned that there were about ten thousand people employed in the building alone.

Agents are one percent of the organization but have the most impact.

“Speaking of agents, I want to introduce you to my group. I feel like they’ll welcome you with open arms. Oh, and Zoey is also part of my group as well."

His group huh. I wonder how they are and hopefully they’re not as intimidating as Zoey.

I feel slightly nervous, it’s the same type of nervousness you would get during your first day of school with introductions.

Jun suddenly paused at the door where his team was at.

“Oh, I forgot to mention this, but we’re not the typical agents that I was telling you about. Since there’s only one hundred agents, we’re able to rank everyone accordingly, and standing at the pinnacle of them all, is us.”

I was speechless, I would never expect someone like him to hold such a status.

“Mary, meet the top ten agents in the organization, but in cooler words, meet the top ten most powerful people on Earth.”

“Huh—.”