As Rodney and Xero walked through the woods, they heard a stick break behind them. "Stay close," Rodney said, pushing the paw of his necklace. He began sniffing the air, perking his ears every now and then, as they continued walking. He could hear Xero begin shivering, his teeth chattering. "You should shift too."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFfyHtJnyZ 維尼
"A panther in these woods? What if it's a person?"8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKtG9XRn9R 維尼
"What if it's not?" Rodney didn't get a response. "Xero?" He turned around and he was gone. There was no trace of him, no scent to follow. A growl emerged from behind him. As he turned around, he was smacked in the muzzle and sent flying into the base of a tree. Growling, he shook off the pain and stood his ground, snarling at whatever threat was nearby.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqgXTeLoat 維尼
"Rodney," a voice said. "It's me." A man stood in front of him with outstretched arms.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlQLX0IZoy 維尼
"D-Dad?" Rodney whined. "Dad!" He ran towards him, whining and tears forming in his eyes. He never bothered shifting back. A gunshot rang out, stopping him in his tracks. His dads eyes rolled back as he collapsed to the ground. "No!" Rodney howled, trotting up to the body. With his ears pinned back, he nuzzled the cold heap of flesh that was his father.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWTmgUO32Z 維尼
His ears perked, hearing the cocking of a gun. He looked up to see Xander aiming a gun at him. "Sorry, kid."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO61BF3FTE 維尼
*BANG*8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡydb9NboGfQ 維尼
"Dad!" Rodney sat up, his arms covering his face. The pain never came. He could hear laughter all around him. Lowering his arms, he saw his classmates laughing at him and slowly sank in his seat, feeling his body warm as his cheeks flushed.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡEciEw2Ia2Y 維尼
"See me after class," his teacher said with a stern look. He lifted a textbook off of his desk, walking back to the front of the class.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW1aU6cnhZ 維尼
"Yes, Mr. Barry," Rodney said, looking at his hands in shame. Xero watched him from a few desks away, shaking his head. Amazing how we were chosen to save an entire species, he thought. He can't even stay awake in class! He saw the blush on his friends face, the bags under his eyes. He hasn't been the same since he found out how his dad died. That was weeks ago, though. A break in this case would really help.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdIwg3t8Pp 維尼
"Class," Mr. Barry said. "Don't start packing up until the bell rings. As you know, a speaker from the CIA will be coming in tomorrow to give us a brief lecture on national security and how it affects each and everyone of us. You will be expected to take notes," he said, glaring at Rodney. He sank further in his chair. Quit torturing him, Xero thought. It's been a rough couple of weeks for both of us. The bell finally rung, signifying the end of another school day. "Rodney," Mr. Barry called out. Rodney gathered his bag and slowly proceeded to the front. "Class dismissed."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡObQeWTQu9v 維尼
Xero was the last person out of the room. He knew it wouldn't be right to eavesdrop, but couldn't help himself. Using his watch, he activated the microphone in Rodney's necklace and used his wireless headphones to listen in. "You and I both know you don't have to be here tomorrow." What? Xero thought. "I know it's hard for you, especially during this time of year. Losing a father is devastating for anyone, believe me." He knows? "If you want, I can get you excused from my class."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGAsx8sx4N 維尼
"Thank you," Rodney said, his voice sounding broken, not like normal. "But I should be here. There are still a lot of things I don't know about him and I'd love to ask the guest tomorrow."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIpV5sVDjH 維尼
"I'll see what I can arrange." Some shuffling was heard, registering as feedback in Xero's ears. "Hang in there, kid."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡKonIGEU3hi 維尼
Rodney sniffled. Is he crying? I better get- The door to the classroom opened and Rodney walked out. "Xero?"8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi7ci6sHeb 維尼
"Oh, hey Rodney!" he said nervously, pulling the earbuds out of his ears. "What's up?"8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡafXOwaOSZ2 維尼
Rodney glared and him and grabbed his friends arm, half dragging him down the hall. Once they were outside, he shoved him aggressively. "Were you eavesdropping on me?" he growled.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRbPuGg7Km 維尼
"What? No! Why would you think that?" Xero shuffled his feet nervously.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEu12NDvau 維尼
"One, I have better hearing than you. I heard the feedback. Two, you won't look me in the eyes. And three," Rodney grabbed Xero's jacket, pulling him close."You're going to disable your little remote activator, or I swear I will tear you limb from limb," he whispered.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡWndQrJpGW2 維尼
"Whoa, hey, hey, down boy!" Xero chuckled. "Easy, no need to go feral on me."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTZwMR9ZAz 維尼
"Oh, you'll regret that," Rodney growled. Xero started running. He knew better than to mess with Rodney, but the little techie couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. He knew it was wrong, but funny to him, nonetheless. "You're dead!" he heard Rodney say. You wouldn't dare shift during the day. As long as I stick to public areas, I'll be fine. Hopefully.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxBInI1FhG 維尼
The two boys ran all the way to Xero's house. His parents were off on another honeymoon, leaving Xero alone for once. He slammed the door, making sure it was locked. His phone began vibrating. "H-Hello?" he panted.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMcbvZ5hSo 維尼
"Unlock the door," Rodney said. "We've got work to do."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4rFyyL72Q 維尼
"Use the doggy door," Xero grinned.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡU08GhXZ1jH 維尼
"Dude, I'm serious." A piece of paper slipped through the crack of Xero's door. As he read it's contents, his eyes grew wide. He quickly unlocked the door, worry stricken on Rodney's face. The boys dropped everything and raced upstairs. Falling to the ground was the paper. Painted in red ink were three words:8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0ig9Z7AEs 維尼
Xander is dead.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ4QnMlFZF 維尼
After analyzing the letter, Xero sighed, wiping nervous sweat from his face. "Well?" Rodney asked.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwSsvilUGp 維尼
"There's no fingerprints, other than ours." Rodney slammed his fist against the desk. "Calm down."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS95R205gn 維尼
"Calm down? Dude, our informant was murdered!"8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs3xMvGn4t 維尼
"We don't even know if it's true!" Xero yelled. Let's just sit down and think about this for a second. Who would send this and why? How did they get my address?"8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t4LIeXdgm 維尼
"How do we know it's not Xander tricking us?" Rodney growled. "I knew we couldn't trust him."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbl74xtsxd 維尼
"Hey, we don't know that either. He knew your dad was CIA, so he has to be telling the truth." The two sat in silence for a while, staring off into space.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAH3KRUcdd 維尼
"I'm going to talk to that agent tomorrow," Rodney suddenly said. "I need to ask him about my dad."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDdDun7vjS 維尼
"He'll probably say some crap like 'It's classified.'. How are you going to get anything out of him?"8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8ITSjaRxe 維尼
Rodney reached into his pocket, pulling out what looked like a credit card. "This," he said. "This was his badge."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVrEdvOZE0 維尼
"Where did you get it?"8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MjQFZ04zw 維尼
"His funeral. One of his 'co-worker's' gave it to me. I bet if I show the agent this, he'll be more than willing to talk."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFJb9X75y9 維尼
Xero sat there silently. He didn't always do well with sensitive conversations. "Th-that's great. I hope you get the answers you need."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡApE822dWkJ 維尼
"I need you to record it," Rodney blurted out."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNcXJsttcW 維尼
"What?"8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡidYPocu92S 維尼
"If he mentions anything about shifters, we need proof. Maybe it'll give us a clue as to where they are."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgngSqOd8V 維尼
"Are you nuts?" Xero stood up and began pacing. Rodney rolled his eyes, preparing himself for a rant. "This is the CIA we're talking about! They're gonna be sweeping the school for bugs all day! Before, during and after! We can't just waltz right in with mics and stuff!"8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk4SZLFhxR 維尼
Rodney smirked. "You put a bug proof plate in my necklace and your watch already."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLHWqrNGsp 維尼
"Well duh!" Xero said. "You know I don't trust anyone."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9vAqWXfw6 維尼
"Not even me?" Rodney tried his best to pull off puppy dog eyes without shifting.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8SmoJItcq 維尼
"Cut it out, Rod. Of course I trust you," Xero said with a smile.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwX7Oa93vr 維尼
"I trust you too," Rodney said, returning the smile. "Let's get something to eat, my treat."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YpFQHdv3E 維尼
"Great job, Xander," the agent said. "You've got them right where we want them."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡaezr5ndMdS 維尼
"Thanks. Incredible, aren't they?" They watched recordings of Rodney shifting, Xero hacking and other activities.8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡo45p7VyS8K 維尼
"Incredibly smart and dangerous. They're getting too close to the truth." He shut the laptop, turning to Rodney. "They think you're dead. Let's keep it that way. Tomorrow, I infiltrate the school, tell them what they want to hear. If all goes to plan, we should have them within a week or so."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmJiUWWx0v 維尼
"Perfect," Xander said. "Let's hope you humans know what you're doing."8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHTRjJJmRb 維尼
"Relax, foxy. You'll get you're revenge."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohxn4T57VA
8964 copyright protection262ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4bleFLXse 維尼
