Lucas spun the memory stick in his hands.

See my brother? His heartbeat increased at the thought. He'd suspected this day would come the moment M18 said he'd look for him. However, not that it was here, he wasn't so sure.

"Is he close?" he asked.

The car roared into the turn lane. Zack took the turn as the light turned red. "Same country," he spoke. Changing gears, he sped up even more, cops in the area seeming to be the last thing on his mind.

"I suggest we wait for a job nearby to keep the big boss off our trail." He sped by another car, narrowly completing the task before oncoming traffic blared its horns and shot past.

Lucas tapped his fingers on the arm rest, still playing with the stick.

Zack shot him a look from the corner of his eyes but didn't say anything.

"Ok," Lucas decided. "A swing by, just to see him," he added, eyes clouding. A younger brother, huh? Questions raced through his mind. Did he get a new family? Live a normal life? Does he look like me?

"We still have a while to go," Zack spoke. "Maybe you should try to get sleep?"

Lucas adjusted his seat, leaning back. "The dreams aren't pretty," he admitted as he draped a hand over his eyes.

"Neither is what we do." Zack shifted gears once more, slowing down somewhat as they came to another turn. "How many since last time?"

Lucas didn't shift positions. He knew Zack was referring to the kill count. He didn't really want to think about it. "Five...six," he corrected.

He heard the low whistle.

"They've been keeping you busy with the elimination jobs. I thought retrieval was your specialty?"

"I think they're testing me," Lucas revealed his suspicion. "Waiting for a crack."

Zack didn't reply for a moment. "They're pretty brutal, aren't they?"

The younger agent let his arm slip from his eyes. He turned to squint at the driver. Though they were working together, the two really knew little about the other.

"When did you join?" Lucas posed the question.

Zack raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Getting personal now?"

Lucas shrugged.

Zack chuckled. "Not as young as you," he said. However, he offered no more. Lucas didn't ask.

The two continued in silence.

Only when they turned onto a familiar long driveway, did Lucas put his seat back into its original position.

Green fields greeted his eyes, lined with trimmed hedges. Sports fields were already teaming with students who were getting some pre-practice in. The boys' dorm lay on the other side with classrooms. Beyond lay Bel high.

Brown eyes flashed through Lucas' memory.

Is she there? He couldn't help but wonder with some excitement. His lips twitched. If so, it looks like I'll need to find a way to apologize. Then again, he was sure this time he would be avoiding delivering roses in the middle of the night.

The car pulled to a stop.

"Well." Zack unlocked the doors. He turned to shoot Lucas a grin. "I'll be dropping you off once again." He gave a salute. "Go get em tiger."

Lucas gaze a grunt and pushed the door open. He stepped out before turning. He caught the duffle bag tossed at him. A football followed. The latter made Lucas shoot Zack a quizzical look.

"You may not be on the team this year," Zack leaned on the steering wheel, "but I thought you still might like to practice with some old friends." He winked.

Lucas lifted the ball in thanks.

"Oh, and Lucas." Zack's grin dropped. "Try not to get stabbed, tortured, or shot this time. Preferably, stay alive. We still have things to do."

The younger ECHO agent scoffed. "I'll remember."

"Good luck. I'll be around."

Taking the farewell, Lucas shut the door. He stayed only a moment to watch the Audi speed off.

Taking a breath, the boy turned around. He faced the familiar administration building.

I'm back, he thought, adrenaline rushing through him. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed this place.

Striding forward, he headed for the interior.

The fact that no one was waiting for him outside wasn't surprising to say in the least. The government operatives most likely didn't want to cause a commotion by his return. He'd missed almost a year and by the commotion he'd caused last time with the chase across campus Lucas was sure any attempt to keep things quiet were next to useless. For if the killer was within the government operatives ranks, he would already know about Lucas' return, and most likely why. Of one thing Lucas was certain. Government or ECHO, his every move was most likely going to be watched. Both were suspicious of him, and if he wanted to survive, he was going to have to put on a show for each.

As soon as the teen walked through the front doors he took a quick scan of the room. Satisfied that nothing had changed, he turned his attention from the already memorized exits to the desk at the end. A familiar receptionist sat behind it, on the phone exactly as she had been the last time he'd come.

Her hairdo, layers of makeup to hide wrinkles, and polished nails, showed little had changed with her. Then again, a twinkling diamond ring, which she admired between "uh huhs" and "yes huns" showed that someone thought her a catch.

Congrats, Lucas thought to himself as he approached where the lady was sitting.

She saw him approach. "Hold on a sec, hun," she told the chatting person at the other end of the line. A hand covered the phone. "You'll want to go through that door." She pointed a long nail in the direction. "Two down to your left." With that, the phone made its way back to her ear. "You were saying?"

Lucas turned but was stopped the receptionist furiously tapping to get his attention. "You can leave your things here," she hissed.

The ECHO agent obeyed, dumping his bag and ball on the ground. As he walked in the direction pointed out, he was well-aware of the heavy lashed eyes following him. However, it was more likely out of curiosity than anything else.

He slipped through the first door.

Briefing, he guessed at the detour he was being sent on rather than heading right for a dorm. Of course, they'll want to feel like they have control of the entire situation. His footsteps echoed in the small hallway as he did little to mask them.

He was at the door in moments.

"Come in," the voice called before he could even lift a hand to knock. It was no surprise with the cameras set throughout the area.

Lucas swung the door open.

The back of a man's head revealed only black hair. He was facing screens that showed various images from around school. One revealed the very hallway Lucas had been in moments before.

"Doc," Lucas spoke.

The man turned smoothly, and a acquainted face came into view. Jim, the school's doctor and man who had shown reluctance at Lucas' treatment after capture, gazed at him.

Bring in familiar faces, Lucas had no doubt he would be surrounded by more. They're doing all they can to have people with previous contact around. He hid all thoughts from his mind. Try to make me relax, I assume.

It's nice to see you again," Jim spoke. The words didn't sound like he meant them.

Lucas leaned against the door, closing it. He gave Jim a lopsided grin. "Are you saying that as a teacher or partner?"

Jim's eyes swept over Lucas, pausing at his chest. The man had seen the scars that decorated the area below. "You look like you're doing well."

"Quick recovery is a necessity." Lucas cocked his head to one side. "Is this the part where I should apologize for..." he paused, unable to resist the jab, "taking belongings not my own?"

A sigh escaped Jim and he pinched the bridge of his nose. "You have no idea of the headache you caused."

"Oh," Lucas shifted his weight to one foot, "I think I have an idea with the actual headache I suffered." He exaggerated a wince. "Truth syringes?" The teen tapped his head. "Have you ever tried those out on yourself? I thought my skull would explode." He made an exploding motion with one hand, adding in the sound for emphasis.

A muscle in Jim's jaw jumped.

Easy to read when riled up. The confirmation flashed through Lucas' mind.

"You gave us little choice." Jim stepped forward. "We don't usually use the approach. Especially on minors."

Lucas waved him off. "Let's let bygones be bygones." Straightening, he let his entire face become a blank slate. "You called, I'm here. This time, we're on the same side. So, let's look forward from here on instead of back."

Jim eyed him, own face going just as blank as he too, turned to a more professional manner. "You're right."

"Wonderful." Lucas nodded to the screens. "Are you here to brief me?"

The doctor rubbed his chin. "You were already given a briefing your end, I believe?"

Lucas nodded.

Jim nodded. "Then let's make this quick." He turned to the screens and made a motion. Images of deceased agents sprang up – images Lucas had seen previously.

"We need you to take care of this problem."

"You need me as bait," Lucas corrected. "If I find out who in the process, that's just a bonus."

The shift in Jim's eyes gave him away.

Figures. Lucas motioned to the screen. "I'm assuming you've informed your team of my return in the hopes that the killer comes after me on his own."

The doctor kept his mouth shut.

"A piece of advice." Lucas walked to join Jim beside the screens. "To prevent any more of that," he pointed, eyes devoid of all emotions, "you'll share all the information you have and let me catch this killer."

The two stared each other down.

"We've already come to a decision," Jim spoke.

Lucas raised his eyebrows.

"Which brings me to the ground rules."

Rules? Lucas scoffed internally.

"One, you will not under any circumstances make a move without our prior permission." Jim didn't break eye contact for a second. "Two, you will never move on your own but always with one of ours when within our jurisdiction. Three, you will not access any information not cleared for you by us."

This is going to be fun, Lucas thought dryly.

"Four, as I've been appointed your supervisor, you will report directly to me."

Silence.

"Only four?" Lucas broke it.

"You should know the rest from the files you were given."

The ECHO agent ran a hand through his hair. "You do realize, whoever the killer is, he or she isn't just going to come after me if I'm sitting around doing nothing."

"And you say that because?"

"If it was me, I wouldn't." Turning his back to the doctor, Lucas walked a few paces. "the bait is to obvious." He spun. "Give me something concrete. Information on who is in the clear, targets to protect, anything that will actually get this job done instead of wasting time and costing more lives."

"Since when do you care about lives?" Jim asked bluntly.

Lucas' expression didn't change. "You've done some research," he spoke. ECHO is sure to have released trails that can't lead back to them to convince them I'm with LOW. The teen couldn't help but wonder just what jobs his agency had leaked.

Another muscle in Jim's jaw jumped. "I'll be frank when I say, I don't understand how someone so young could already have a kill count."

Oh, you have no idea. Lucas shrugged. "It comes with the job. Only this time, the job is to stop more bloodshed. I'm here to take care of only one target, to stop any further casualties. You are withholding everything won't make either of our jobs easier."

"Rule five, there is to be no killing."

"Even if I'm targeted?"

"No one dies," Jim emphasized.

Lucas let out a regretful sigh. "The file I was given lacked any useful information on moving this forward. I do hope you understand that for every name you withhold, another agent will get killed."

Jim scowled.

"Give me more, and I'll get this job done in no time and disappear from your sights. Drag this out by making me find it all myself, and things will drag on and get a lot bloodier."

The government agent set his mouth in a thin line, eyes growing cold. "We are your direct authority on this, given full permission by the very people you choose to answer to."

Choose to? The word almost made Lucas's lips twitch. When was the last time I got to choose a job?

"It would be wise to remember that this time, you are working for us," Jim finished.

"Noted." The teen gave a mock salute. "There will be no killing on your job. No moving on my own and so on. I'll apply by your codes and do things your way." He dropped his salute.

"If you decide to change approaches, let me know sooner than later. In the meantime, I'll try make myself a worthy target. I'm sure stirring things up a bit doesn't go against protocol? You know? Just to widen that little bullseye right here." He tapped his chest. "Make it a bit easier for the killer to try take care of things."

Lucas made a gun with his right hand and squinted one eye closed before pretending to release the trigger.

Jim didn't respond.

Letting out a sigh at the lack of reaction, the ECHO agent tugged at a strand of his own hair. "I'm assuming you've said almost everything, sir?"

"You'll be rooming with two of our own," Jim spoke, seeming glad to switch the topic. "We will choose what operatives we reveal."

So, I'll have to identify every other agent on my own unless they choose to reveal them? Lucas felt a headache at the very thought. This is going to be difficult. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Alright then. I'll wait for orders from your end and in the meantime, do nothing but be a handsome target." He shot Jim another grin. "Let's hope the killer avoids my face, I would like to have an open casket."

The other agent let out a grunt.

"I'll off to my dorm then." Lucas turned.

"Lucas."

He paused.

"The chase last time. The boys have been told it was a drill."

"I read the full report," Lucas replied.

"One more thing."

The ECHO agent turned. To his surprise, he found Jim's expressionless face had softened a great deal. The look had changed to one of genuine concern.

"I'll talk to the higher ups about releasing more information. I'm sure you understand that knowing the identity of all our operatives isn't something we can just hand over. If we did, there would be no way out of this at the end for you."

Lucas gave a thumb up.

"I'll let you know I was firmly against getting you involved." Jim sighed. "Using a minor as a target doesn't sit well with me. To put you in a situation where..." he trailed off, eyes going to the shirt that covered the teen's battle wounds.

"Don't worry, doc," Lucas shot him a charming smile. "You're not making my hands any bloodier than they already are." He lifted one before his face, turning it. "I'll do my best to keep everyone alive that I can. Including myself. Also," he shot the man a playful wink, "I'll drop by the office to report as often as possible. Just don't get sick of me!"

Jim's lips twitched into a smile at that.

The ECHO agent left the room, heading back for the reception. He whistled along the way, mind working. So, both ECHO and the government are using me as a target. He tapped a finger against his side. Maybe I'll get to stick around till graduation after all. The thought wasn't so bad.

The receptionist gave him a sheet. Lucas glanced down. A smile spread across his face as he saw the room was in dorm 3 again.

"Take a seat and wait for your dorm head to come pick you up." The lady pointed to a chair at the far end.

Not bothering to remind her that he wasn't a new student, Lucas picked up his stuff and dawdled to the seat. He ignored the ring tone of the latest summer hit that blared from the receptionist's phone.

As Lucas took a seat, the tone cut off.

"I never thought you'd call back," he heard the receptionist gush. "As I was previously saying, I definitely did put in that order as hot pink."

Leaning his head back, Lucas lazily let his eyes drift across the area. Familiar artwork and statues stared back in the room that gave off the very air of what Ellison High was – a school for the filthy rich, brightest and future leaders or the world.

Lifting the paper with his dorm information up, Lucas let his eyes scan the contents. He sat up straight.

Roommates: Brian and... The agent didn't look past the first name.

So, he's been cleared of suspicion? Lucas couldn't explain the relief that flooded through him at the thought. The corners of his lips twitched at the thought of meeting his former roommate again. Even if the feeling isn't mutual, it'll be good to know he has my back. A familiar image of paintballing event flashed through his mind. His lips twitched further.

"I heard someone called for a hero!" a voice boomed.

Lowering the paper, Lucas' attention turned to the door.

The receptionist tutted in disapproval, glaring as she motioned a finger to her lips.

The person of her rebuke lowered the arms he had flung wide.

Sparkling dark eyes connected with Lucas' own.

A grin spread across the handsome face of his former roommate and first ever friend. Nathan bounded over, tie loose and unruly as always.

Lucas stood, mirroring his friend's smile.

Strong arms pulled him into a brotherly hug. Lucas didn't resist.

"It took you long enough," Nathan spoke, giving Lucas a pat before stepping back.

The boy's sized each other up.

"You've grown," Lucas commented, noting how Nathan now towered a good centimeter above him.

"Oh, you know. Girls love the tall ones." Nathan's eyes twinkling mischievously. "As well as the more handsome one." He framed his own face. "Don't you think?"

Lucas shook his head. The happiness bubbling inside at meeting his best friend was something he hadn't felt in a long time. "Long time no see," he said.

"Too long." Nathan threw an arm around his shoulder. "Things got way too quiet around here without you."

"I bet," Lucas returned.

Giving him another pat on the back, Nathan turned. "This it?" he easily lifted the bag and tucked the football under an arm. "Well then, shall we head to the dorm?"

The red armband on the boy's upper arm was loose.

"How did you become a dorm head?" Lucas asked. He had to admit, the fact that Nathan had becomeone was a surprise.

Nathan straightened, taking full advantage of his height. "I can't help the popularity..." he paused, "after Auden graduated, someone had to fill his shoes."

Graduated. Of course. It had been almost a year since Lucas had last been here. The fact that some had graduated was something he'd known in the back of his mind, but he'd paid little thought. Graduates means new students. New students mean the killer could have come in with new government recruits. It's very possible they recruited a double agent... he let the thought roll through his mind.

"But don't worry, in case you miss Auden too much, he's in uni not too far off. Drops by every now and then to terrorize us," Nathan continued.

Or he's hanging around to catch the killer.

Nathan nudged Lucas toward the door.

The two boys walked side by side, Nathan bouncing in excitement. "Dude, the team totally won the championship last year! Since you weren't there in person, we had a live cardboard cutout for the team picture."

Lucas chuckled, just imagining the scene.

"Though, it may have gotten somewhat trampled in the excitement," Nathan added sheepishly.

Lucas shot his friend a side long glance. He was impressed how natural Nathan was acting. The boy knew more of Lucas than anyone else on campus, and he was bound to have questions. Yet, here he was, being the perfect performer.

They were sure to question him after last time. Lucas couldn't help but think. They would have tried to find out how much he and the others knew. But if they played the whole incident off as a drill, then maybe they didn't want to risk digging...

"I heard you're rooming with Brian the brain again," Nathan brought Lucas' mind back to the present. "That kid still has his nose stuck in books." He shook his head in disapproval.

"Kid?" Lucas didn't hide the amusement in his tone.

Nathan nodded. "As dorm head, everyone else counts as my kid." He sniffed. "Think of me as the alpha of a pack of kiddos that make up dorm three. They need someone to look out for them."

"Don't you need someone to look out for you?" Lucas shot Nathan's messy appearance an intentional glance.

"That's what you're here for, isn't it?" Nathan teased.

Lucas scoffed. "You don't think it'll do the opposite?"

"Nah. More like make sure life stays fun."

As the boys walked down paths surrounded by green.

Nathan slowed, expression turning serious. He shot a glance around, making sure there was no one within earshot. Dropping the bag on one side, and the ball on the other, he kneeled and began to re-tie his shoelace.

"Ok. So real talk. What's going on?"

Lucas raised his eyebrows, impressed by Nathan's smooth approach. He picked a place with no cameras nearby. Smart kid.

"You wouldn't believe me if I said I was just here to study?" he tried.

Nathan shot a glance up, lips twitching. "Ani," he answered no in Korean, not bothering.

"Figured," Lucas reached a foot out, snagging the ball and playing with it between his feet as he watched Nathan tie his shoes.

"You're not on the same team as the people who run this place," Nathan continued, taking his time. "They were after you last time. So why would they let you back in?" He switched to the other shoe.

Lucas dribbled the ball back and forth, considering the question. His best friend was asking him a something he wasn't sure he should answer. Last time, Nathan getting involved had been more of a help than anything, however, this time, there was a killer on the loose.

Pulling him into the loop could expose him as a target. The danger of him getting involved is risky. Lucas watched the boy tie the last loop. But if I say nothing, he's not the type to just leave it be. Him running around trying to figure it out might be even more dangerous. He continued to dribble.

Nathan looked up, questioning eyes searching Lucas' face.

Still, the ECHO agent didn't answer, mind racing with what move he should make this time. Leaning down, he picked up the football. He slowly turned it in his hands. It wasn't that he didn't trust the boy he called friend. It was a matter on what position it would put the other boy in.

The next chapter has been posted and so options are now invalid.    

Options:

a) Bring Nathan into the loop.

b) Tell Nathan to drop it and leave it at that.

c) Tell half of the truth.

d) Make up a random story.