Aftermath: Inception

hings were different. Odeyemi Oyelola took over as director of the SSC after Dr. Abdul Sahir, who had trained me when the program first began, retired from his position in that capa

was already occupied by a few people, most of whose faces I couldn't identify. It was different from the past when the institute wasn't as large. There were recruits, both agents in training and other personnel. I glanced at the control panel, it seemed we were going to the same floor. They all kept grinning at me, so I had to smile back out of courtesy. The elevator started to move, and when we reached the seventh floor, it stopped. I then exited

Adam." She didn't look a day over fifty. Sh

k at her and

a broad smile, "

he returned to her search for wha

ried, "Doc, you look

.ex....my ex-fiancé. I have to return it to

rents will be nagging her mercilessly to marry. In Nigeria, things were like that. If you are single, especially

tare. My impish grin quickly vanished. She was upset with me because I had never met any of her boyfriends and Anthony was a fake. What can I do, even though it was a poor sense of hum

ore comfortable than the others," I was attempting to

. five months ago," Angela emphasized the last word

sat with a stiff expression on her fa

he bed "Absolutely not. Nothing out o

me, "What's the usual, Adam

the fatigue

m and returned an evil grin without making eye contact. She inserted two fingers between the bones in my wrist and the tendons that

Angela said as she

he wrapped the cuffs around my upper arm, just above my biceps. She handed me a rubber bal

also good. Lie

s on the battlefield but I managed to sprain my ankle just by fixing the network cable. Angela assisted me with a few treatments. Because I was a covert agent, I wasn't supposed to report to a

deep b

d her rhythm for a few seconds before s

o give you some drugs first. So, befo

er she was done speaking. Sometimes, I could

ly, and she return

?" I said. I was expect

Andrew," she said fin

was almost there.

er. "You'll find someone who makes you happy, I promise. You

im," Angela said,

't be concerned," I said, trying to maintai

eed to give him the fucking book back

It might make you feel better...it might g

great idea. He can s

ised she ag

e're going to turn that book into asses onc

Angela said, frowning slightly as s

leasure of working with. She was the institute's psychiatrist. The goal was to ensure that everyone in the institute, particularly the field agents, was in the right frame of mind. Because living a double life was difficult, the covert operatives were given mo

t glass of her office door. She was reading a book as usual, completely unaware of my presence. I tried to op

, smiling as she op

o get into the specifics, she completed her studies in Canada. She had completed all of her studies to the doctorate

se co

r the office's corner and looking sideways. She drew t

welling up as she returned to her de

e, how a

st recent edition of Kawaki's Peace of Mind. H

ven begun yet. Nene carri

ent with Mariam, and she suggested a book for me that she had on her shelf. She didn't hesitate to hand it over to me. It w

scinating," she said, pulling the chair closer

as eager to get this done. I wish I hadn't said it with

oremost, tell me h

I said sarcastical

mission?" Maria

le on my face that I later realized was too fake. It didn't hold up. Mariam immediately scribbled something on her notepad. Every tim

riam said, returning he

we begin. Everything I did and how I did it must be expla

er was extorting money and was also extremely corrupt. He assassinated the maj

o me. I simply avoided making eye contact with Mariam. I had placed a gr

?" Mariam inquired,

y expression was not giving Mariam anything to go on

t my opinion m

t me off after hearing what I had just said. Her pupils dilated unexpectedly. That was stupid of

sed to do what they're told. Your thoughts a

t get to do what I want when I want or how I want," I explained, "especially one for which I have spent my entire li

w s

just how we were taught, but now our opinion isn't worth much," I replie

ed her gaze on me before conti

ware of it. I was certain she did, but who ca

if I expected her to respond to that question. "I believe that will b

t of but if I was a magician, which I am not that would be like pulling an elephant out o

s not worth it?"

now. Right now, I am doing what I have to, just l

. How do you balance your personal and

unded more at ease as I tried to release the tension I was feeling earlier. Talking about Nene calms m

nate one weakness or limitation

face a little frowning. I could spend the rest of the day a

Mariam replied with

as heard on the door

in," sh

m's office. It was Mrs. Selma, the assistant director. In that bu

l smile on her face. That smi

said as if I were a

t bothering yo

miling as well. We were all smiling at this poi

oing?" Selma aske

ack and that said it all. Of course, she was fine. If she wa

at the director would like to see you wh

me happy. As she was about to leave the office, she returned our

e asked, turni

m," I m

and Mariam does as well. These people are aware that I dislike the d

izing the last word heavily. Mrs. Sel

" Mariam inquired as soon as

ter during my mission," I explain

she sneered as she

You don't want to make hi

e door. I was about to open the door when I realized I neede

ose reports?" It was a stupid quest

e to assist you, not him. You ha

was the only one in there, so I had that period all to myself. I didn't want to see the director, but I didn't have a choice any longer. The elevator door slid open less than two minutes later. Straight ahead was the director's offi

d. You may proceed with your plans... Then I decided to knock on the door, drawing his attention to where I

ll talk to you later," Yemi said as he hu

t's great to have you back. How did you find your evaluatio

anks," I replied

ctor took out a pack of juice and tw

fine," I repli

in the fridge. "Good job yesterday," he co

, tha

summon. I scowled at him. It was already becoming a habit, so I was surprised when he inquired about it. B

eptable for an agent of your caliber," Yemi said as he sipped f

e to explain why you

l to be alive," I

rous times. If you require assistance, we rely on th

amn inconsistency of the information. It was so much easier when your toys weren't telling me what to do." I must ha

you expect me to tell your superiors... our superiors? Huh?! That one of

clueless nutjobs in front of a computer scr

d the backs of every other agent in this institute! Yo

er alone than with someone who has no idea what I'm doing." I was turning this

place," Yemi raged. You're a damn soldier! Whe

You should just give me a chance to survive out there b

support center is doing. If they make a mistake, correct them rather than ma

nd act as if you know everything. You have no idea what you're doing

all duties until further notice. You

tions me out. I stormed out, furious. As I passed Selma, she shoo

ceived about this mission. Unfortunately, he would have dismissed it as a mistake, which I would not h