17 From Agent to Coyote (2/2)

” You did WHAT!? ” Joseph exploded. ” Do you hear yourself?! You promised people you barely know, that you would keep a child safe, in a war camp! How stupid are you!? ” He added. ” No! Don't answer that. ” He then backtracked.

” Listen, sir. The kid is no threat. He will keep his mouth shut and he won't be seen by others. I'm not about to jeopardize my position here for nothing. He will be kept away from unwanted eyes and I will train him into an operative myself. ” Henry said. ” Think about all the ops we could do with a child operative, instead of a grown man. This is a golden opportunity! ” Henry added, trying to convince the Commander to calm down.

Joseph sat down in a chair and began massaging his temples. His brain was working overtime, trying to figure out a way to keep the child from being caught in this camp. That would send both Henry and the kid straight to death row. He couldn't have that.

” Uggh. You're causing me trouble again, Henry. I hate you for that. ” Joseph said. ” Fine. Do what you want. But if you or the kid get caught, I'm washing my hands clean of this. ” He said, taking a deep breath.

” Message received, sir. ” Henry responded.

Meanwhile, Jhonny was still hiding behind the stairwell, terrorized at the giant that had just sent henry flying away with one punch. Henry managed to pull him out of hiding and forced him to introduce himself.

” My name is Jhonny Spitfire. Son of Joshua Spitfire and Madelaine Spitfire. I was born and raised on Earth. ” Jhonny said slowly while looking at his feet.

Henry gave him a small slap behind the head.

” Stand straight, Jhonny. ” He whispered.

Jhonny looked at him angrily, before straightening up and starting over.

My name is Jhonny Spitfire. Son of Joshua Spitfire and Madelaine Spitfire. I'm proud to have been born and raised on planet Earth. ” He said again, with pride and a touch of defiance.

Joseph just looked at him, sizing him up with an expert eye. He then huffed and looked back at Henry.

” You better make sure that kid becomes the best agent there ever was Henry, or I will make sure both of your heads roll. You are putting us at great risk here. Does the kid even know your secret? ” Joseph asked.

” He didn't. But now I have to tell him. Thanks for that boss. ” Henry said, rolling his eyes.

” What secret? ” Jhonny asked, turning to face Henry.

” Well. ” Started Henry. ” How do I say this without terrorizing you. ” He added, hesitantly.

Jhonny was looking at him weirdly, his mind going through scenarios of what Henry could be hiding. Seeing that Henry was trying to stretch it out, Joseph decided to end this masquerade.

” He has to kill people to keep on living. ” He dropped, giving Jhonny's mind a shock. ” He's on a clock and to add some time, he needs fresh blood. ” He added, not intending to spare the kid at all.

” Really, Joseph? You are going to simply drop it on him like that? Shame on you. ” Henry said, looking at Joseph with a disapproving look.

” You weren't going anywhere with your explanation and my time is precious. ” Joseph blandly replied.

Meanwhile, Jhonny was still standing there, in shock, unable to do anything other than breath. His mind went blank as soon as he heard that Henry needed fresh blood to survive. His imagination flared up, going back to old books he had read. Books about creatures of the night that drank blood and were evil by nature. Vampires.

His heart started beating wildly, thinking he had just entered the hideout of such terrifying creatures. He slowly backed up to the stairs while the two men were arguing. Soon enough, his foot banged on the first step, and both men looked straight at him. His imagination was playing tricks on him, his fear making him see things. The looks he saw on Henry and Joseph's face were scary to him. He thought they were looking at him like predators to prey.

Jhonny quickly spun around and tried going up the stairwell, only to feel a sharp pain in the back of his head and lose conscience.

” That's it. This is where I die. I'm sorry mom. I'm sorry dad. I won't be coming back. ” Jhonny thought, his eyes closing as he fell forward.

Joseph picked the kid up by his jacket and shot him to Henry. Henry fought him mid-flight and just looked at him with a slight grin.

” What kind of stupid things were you imagining, kiddo. ” He laughed while he lugged him onto his shoulder.

” What a hassle. ” Joseph said, sighing. ” Take care of him, Henry. Make sure he doesn't run off, lest he gets shot by patrolling soldiers. Also, make sure no one ever finds out he's here. That would spell trouble for you and for me. ” He added, walking towards the secret path in the underground.

” Will do, sir. If he becomes what I say he can, will you let him come with me on assignments? ” Henry asked.

” I will try my best to make him into a legit soldier on paper. But make no mistake, this stays a huge risk. Don't disappoint me, Henry. ” Joseph stated, disappearing into the darkness of the hidden tunnel.

Henry waited for the tunnel o close back up, before going back upstairs and putting Jhonny into a bed.

” Sleep tight, kid. You have a tough journey ahead of you. ” Henry said, closing the door to the room.