Peaceful Mind

"Who are you?" Timothy asked in confusion as the person that was brought in wasn't Leo. "I'm Leonard, I'm a publisher", Hawking replied. "Yeah sure, publisher. And you are running a company called what exactly?"

"Future Knowledge Company", Hawking had an Achilles heel when it comes to coming up with names, this was something he wasn't proud of. "You see that's just ridiculous", Timothy laughed sarcastically.

"I don't know how you got past the security guards, or the reason behind your infiltration into this school, but if you don't tell me why you're here, the cops would be happy to escort you out of here", Timothy threatened.

"Would it be immature to attempt an escape from these two bulgy securities behind me, and probably punch you in the face?" Hawking asked with a smile, but he wasn't smiling.

"Tsh", Timothy hissed and picked up the telephone. That was Hawking's cue. He instinctively turned around and punched the bulgy uniformed men on their Adam apple, disorienting them immediately.

In just four seconds, the two men were down, holding their neck while they gasped for breath. Hawking then pointed his Desert Eagle at Timothy's head. "Drop the phone", he ordered.

On seeing the gun, Timothy peed a little on his trousers. "Please, let's discuss this like adults", the once cocky man clamped his hand in a praying gesture. He has never seen a gun this close, and looking at the muzzle gave him chills.

"Give me every information on Albert Wood", Hawking ordered.

"Albert Wood? Yes, yes, yes", Timothy shook his head vigorously and ruffled on his desk, before taking out a blue cover file. "Here. Please drop the gun", Timothy's heartbeat was already through the roof.

Hawking grabbed the file and skimmed it for some time. When he verified that the information was correct, he lowered his gun and left the office quietly.

As soon as he was out of sight, Timothy immediately picked up the telephone and dialled the police number with visibly shaking hands.

"911, what's your emergency?" The caller on the other end began. "It's an emergency. We have a break-in attempt in an International school…"

* * * * * * * * * *

Hawking boarded the car and looked at the passenger seat, but Caleb was nowhere to be seen. He looked at his watch, and multiple return request dialogues filled his screen.

"Where are you kid?" Hawking growled with annoyance and started the engine. Next, he activated the compass feature and set it to locate Caleb's watch. According to the watch, the distance between him and Caleb was four hundred meters apart.

Hawking began driving in his direction, and not long after, he found him seated on an elevated platform, treating an open wound on his back. The suit was already burned through by an unknown weapon.

"What the hell happened?" Hawking's eyes opened wide with shock. "Your shadow buddies tried to kill me", Caleb muttered and tied up the wound with the torn-up black suit. "What are you talking about?"

"Those black figures na! They were three of them", Caleb responded with gritted teeth. "Caleb, I've completed many missions, and not once have I been attacked by those black shadows of the sort. Except they are after you, I have no idea what to think", Hawking said. Caleb simply glanced at him.

"Anyway, where were you since? I've beeped you like twenty times, but you ignored them all" Caleb glared at Hawking. "I was looking for Albert like the plan was", Hawking replied.

"That was your plan agent Hawking. It baffles me that despite the little effort I put into making this teamwork, you still don't take me seriously. I mean why?", Caleb hollered. The pain he was experiencing amplified the anger he felt in his heart.

"How did they find us?" Hawking asked. However, Caleb stayed silent and tightened the suit on his stomach. He walked past Hawking and boarded the car's passenger's seat.

Hawking sighed and boarded the car. Caleb groaned and gritted his teeth as he struggled to contain the pain. "I'll take you to the hospital", Hawking mumbled and started the engine.

"No, we finish the mission and go home", Caleb interjected.

"But you're—"

"I'm fine agent Hawking! Let's go before the police surround us", Caleb interrupted him with rage. The pain was even worse when he was angry.

Hawking was slightly angered by Caleb's attitude, but he suppressed his feelings and simply looked at Caleb before driving away. The sound of police sirens could be heard soon after.

* * * * * * * * * *

On the Road.

The duo booked a two-night hotel in the suburbs of Lagos. As soon as Caleb sat on his bed, he groaned in relief and contentment. The pain had subsided a little, but the scarring effect of the wound was still visible on his back.

Thanks to the spare shirt he had on his backpack, he was able to shield it from public view. Plus, it was already dark. As far as Caleb was concerned, the problem of electricity outages didn't apply to this developed area of the state, so he was sure to sleep in comfort this night.

The room they booked had two twin beds, one for each of them. Thanks to the VIP fee Hawking paid, they were privileged with a balcony, something Caleb found appealing, so he headed there.

From the hotel's balcony, Caleb could see the Ariel view of the city, with dots of orange lights spread across the business city. A gentle breeze blew past his skin, and the outside temperature was cool.

Caleb felt different, in a good way. He had always wanted to see the city in its full glory. He just wished his parents were here, enjoying the view with him. For a full minute, he closed his eyes and absorbed the feeling of isolation the view brings to his heart.

"What do you think they would be doing now?" Caleb asked himself.

"Probably watching the television, and you and your siblings would've probably gone to sleep", Hawking walked to the balcony and sat on the plastic chair a few feet from Caleb.

"True", Caleb agreed. Hawking sighed softly and cleared his throat. "How is your injury keeping up?" He asked. Caleb gently nudged it, and he felt a slight pain. "The burn was superficial. Apart from the scarring, I'm fine", he replied.

"Was Albert in school?"

"Yeah, he was. I saw him at the teacher's lounge moping on his bottle of water", Hawking said.

"So? How about his research?" Caleb asked. "He didn't have it with him, but I gave him my contact card".

"What makes you think he'd call you?"

"Because I told him he would die soon, the only way he could save his life is me", Hawking smirked. "Makes sense", Caleb said.

In the next second, Hawking's phone began ringing. It was from an unknown caller. "Hello?"

"121, Maryland Street. Please come along", the voice of Albert said cautiously and ended the call abruptly. "Looks like we have a job tomorrow. Dress casual", Hawking pocked his phone and stood from the seat.

"Agent Hawking? Can I borrow your cell phone?" Caleb asked. Hawking took out his phone and handed it to him. "I don't have a lot of call time on it, so manage it", he left the balcony and to the bathroom.

As soon as he was out of sight, Caleb took out the paper from his pocket and dialled the number. "Hello? Who's this?" A female voice asked from the other end.

"Is this Ava?" Caleb asked. "The teenager board member right?" "Yes, it's me. I have a question though. Why did you give me your number?" Caleb asked lamely.

"Really? That's the first question you ask a girl? Because I was interested in you, that's what", Ava replied with an obvious smile in her voice. For a moment, Caleb's heart flipped upside down. No girl has ever told him that before.

"What did you find interesting in me?" Caleb asked curiously. "You're smart and quirky", she drew the quirky word. "Oh come on. Even I knows that those terms doesn't apply to me", Caleb said.

"It does, seriously", Ava was then interrupted by an unknown noise coming from her bedroom. Caleb heard her say "Ten more minutes mum", before replying back to Caleb.

"I have to go. It's almost light out. We should meet sometime", Ava said. "I have barely met you hours ago, and you want to take me out on a date?" Caleb asked with a raised brow.

"I want to know more about you, is that a crime?"

"If you realize that the person you've been speaking with was really a board member in disguise, what would you think would happen?"

"Cut that crap dude. So it's settled. I'll see you on Saturday. 10am. Bye", Ava concluded and ended the call. Caleb stood on the balcony for a while, replaying the conversation in his head.

He has to think of a way to meet Ava on Saturday. No matter how long his stay was in 2010, he wouldn't think they would stay for five days straight. He was here to collect informations though.