54

Chapter 54: From Natural Disasters to Explosions

"What are you looking at?"

Locke glanced up from his phone in the cafeteria to find Gwen seated across from him, a curious expression on her face as she balanced a dinner plate.

Locke had arrived early, unlike Gwen, who had been in class earlier in the day.

Gwen gestured towards Locke's phone. "What's got you so engrossed?"

Locke grinned, flipping his phone over. "Ever seen eagles in Brooklyn Park, New York? Wondering if I could adopt one."

Gwen peered at the screen and then at Locke. "Is this another riddle, like your license plate LKNB—some sort of homophone?"

Locke raised an eyebrow at Gwen. "Care to take a guess?"

Gwen pondered for a moment. "We have students from Dongguo in our class."

She hesitated, then added, "It's also a lady."

Gwen was always helpful, especially with international and exchange students at Midtown College, striving to help them adjust.

She remembered Locke's license plate from earlier discussions. After a long search, she couldn't find a direct translation and tossed it aside as a topic.

Then...

It was deciphered by a female student from Dongguo.

L (Luo) K (gram) N (cow) B (break)!

The female student had been embarrassed, suggesting another meaning for 'B', which could only be expressed through homophones. Perhaps it meant something like that.

Gwen shook her head at Locke. "I couldn't tell; you're quite the enigma."

Locke chuckled. "Not an enigma, just self-confident!"

He, Locke—

From being an orphan in Texas, the Lone Star State, rumored to be haunted by various creatures and demons, Locke's life had been nothing short of a natural disaster.

As a teenager, he'd faced witches, demons, and ogres.

And the outcome?

Step by step, Locke had carved his path, not without challenges, but he managed to rise above it all, akin to a king bomb.

From natural disasters to king bombs.

At just 16, it was 99.9% hard work and perseverance, with a 0.01% assist from the system.

If this wasn't self-confidence, what was?

Gwen blinked, unsure how to respond to Locke's unshakable confidence.

At that moment—

"Gwen?"

"Mrs. Cod."

Approaching them was Mrs. Cod, the school counselor, with a kind demeanor despite her plump figure.

"Have you seen Morgan Vassey?" Mrs. Cod inquired.

Gwen shook her head. "No, is something wrong?"

Mrs. Cod explained, "She missed her morning appointment with me. Did she inform any other teachers?"

Gwen thought for a moment, then shook her head again.

"Alright," Mrs. Cod nodded, turning to leave the cafeteria. She planned to contact Morgan and, if necessary, involve the police.

Meanwhile, Locke remained seated, appearing unaffected by the conversation.

None of his concern, best to stay above it.

He wasn't afraid of SHIELD, nor did he expect them to bother him with such matters.

After Mrs. Cod left, Gwen, still thinking about Morgan, turned to Locke. "You were in biology this morning, and I remember seeing Morgan there too. Did you notice anything?"

Locke shook his head.

Gwen frowned. "That's strange; Liz mentioned Morgan left right after class."

Locke shrugged.

"No matter, I'll ask after dinner," Gwen muttered to herself.

Locke smiled inwardly. Gwen always showed such genuine concern for her classmates. It was no wonder she'd intervened when Flacey bullied a younger student recently.

Maybe—

It had something to do with Flacey eyeing Locke, seated next to Gwen in a tank top, showing off his eight-pack abs, wondering if his interests might switch to basketball.

But enthusiasm aside, this situation was beyond Gwen's usual efforts.

It seemed—

Morgan's disappearance might escalate to a missing persons case with the NYPD.

Locke took a bite of his smoked hot dog, pondering silently while casually watching the cafeteria door.

Next second—

What the...?

Morgan Vassey, in a green coat with curly hair, walked into the cafeteria.

What was going on?

Wasn't Morgan kidnapped by SHIELD?

Could an agent who defected from Aegis escape unscathed after being apprehended?

And—

Was Victoria involved again?

Unlikely.

Was this just a regular kidnapping?

It didn't make sense.

What kind of kidnapper was this?

Locke's mind raced through scenarios. Morgan Vassey wouldn't have managed to slip away post-capture. She'd been wearing the same outfit when taken, and there was no trace of blood that a struggle might leave behind.

So, Morgan must have gotten away on her own or with help.

Gwen caught Locke's eye, then turned to Morgan with a frown. "Morgan?"

"Hey, Gwen."

Gwen glanced at Morgan, now with a dinner plate in hand, and asked, still puzzled, "Where were you this morning? Mrs. Cod was looking for you; you missed your appointment."

Morgan glanced briefly at Locke, sitting across from her, then offered a strained smile. "I had something come up this morning. Just spoke with Mrs. Cod and explained."

Her Veritaserum hadn't worn off yet, but she was managing.

Gwen nodded thoughtfully. "Next time, remember to inform your teacher or me. It could get noted down, and too many times could impact your attendance."

Morgan nodded. "I will."

Locke, observing from across the table, found something intriguing.

The faint scent of Veritaserum.

Locke's well-honed senses, a product of his training as a killer, recognized the distinct aroma of the potion. Though not mandatory, he'd taken elective courses on various drugs, learning to identify common and rare scents from the Continental Hotel's sommelier.

Because being drugged required preparation.

Locke valued his life, having invested early on in talents and resilience after accumulating 50,000 achievement points that year.

So...

Morgan, what were you up to this morning?

And also...

Locke had the distinct feeling Morgan had been watching him closely.

Had he not been observing her enough this past month?

...