Today was the day, and man, I was feeling all kinds of nervous and excited. Time was flying by like crazy. I thought today would drag, like every second would crawl by because I was so hyped up about the mission, but it was like I blinked, and boom, the day was here.

  I knew what my Perk could do, but getting it to work when I actually needed it? Yeah, that was the tricky part. It usually just popped up on its own when I was scared out of my mind. Not exactly reliable.

  Now--I was supposed to meet up with everyone in the school parking lot, but somehow I ended up in Mr. Drails' office instead.

  Nikki, September, Malachi, and Tisiah were already there, which made me feel like I was fashionably late. Mr. Drails cleared his throat and began to speak, his tone serious and professional. "The mission is about to begin, and despite my previous mention of 6 o'clock, the satellite window has moved up 45 minutes."

  "Bro..." Malachi sighed, though it made it quiet enough for Mr. Drails to not hear.

  "We have received some fresh information regarding the situation. When you guys exited the premises, I journeyed over to Washington D.C. to delve into the mystery surrounding the scientist who was taken against their will, only to discover that the individual in question is none other than a close acquaintance of mine, Dr. Michael Jones."

  "Wow, creative name." Nikki remarked.

  "Anyway," Mr. Drails continued, "we're not aware of the abductor's identity, but I can confirm that he has connections to the TSA. Just to provide some details, he has sleek black hair and a clean-shaven face. If you happen to come across someone who fits that description, please detain them so that we can proceed with questioning, alright?

  "Yes, sir," we replied in perfect unison.

  "Okay, make sure to say goodbye to your friends here, because you might not see them again," Mr. Drails said, looking at me for a moment. I could feel my emotions building up, and tears were on the verge of escaping.

  I couldn't help but notice my fellow teammates, and it was clear that they were also struggling to comprehend the significance of the moment. Many of them inhaled deeply, trying to calm their jitters.

  Overwhelmed by the overwhelming emotions, I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to block out the rapid succession of vivid images flooding my mind. These images were filled with peril, suffering, and a sense of uncertainty. The future seemed overwhelming. I felt a sudden jolt, my heart pounding as I woke up, covered in perspiration.

  "Okay, is everyone prepared?" Mr. Drails interjected, bringing our attention back to the present. "Yeah, I believe we are," September replied, her voice filled with unwavering resolve. "Okay, simply step through this portal, and your mission will begin."

  The portal opened before us in a dazzling swirl of colors, like a mix of deep purples, electric blues, and shimmering silvers. It pulsed softly, almost like it was alive, humming with a low vibration that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

  The edges flickered like flames, but instead of heat, it gave off a cool, almost icy breeze. I felt both drawn in and a little scared—like stepping into it would either take me to another world or swallow me whole.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  We prepared ourselves for the obstacles that awaited us.

  "Let's get moving!" Malachi exclaimed, straightening his vest.

  We were all dressed in tactical vests over sleek, black suits made from some kind of stretchy, durable fabric that moved easily with our bodies. The vests had multiple compartments for gear, giving us that official, ready-for-action look.

  The suits felt surprisingly light but still warm, like they were designed specifically for missions like this. My boots were sturdy, with extra grip for rough terrain, and my gloves were thin but provided plenty of dexterity.

  However, I couldn't vouch for the girls in our group—though from what I could see, their suits were tailored to fit better, and their boots seemed a bit more flexible.

  "Just make sure to keep me updated on the radio, alright?" Mr. Drails brought it to our attention. "There is still service even in this winter wonderland."

  "Winter wonderland? It's already November..." Nikki objected. Mr. Drails offered a mysterious smile. "Certain locations have a tendency to experience lower temperatures compared to others, I suppose. Best of luck."

  We entered the portal, and it closed behind us with a loud warping sound. Malachi couldn't help but grumble, "Overreacting much..."

  However, Malachi's complaint was quickly forgotten as everyone let out a gasp of amazement. The structure in front of us looked like something out of a medieval fantasy. It was a grand, age-old stronghold with weathered stone walls that had a faint bluish hue under the dim, overcast sky. The texture of the stone was rough, cracked in places, with patches of frost clinging to the edges like nature's decorations.

  There were three massive levels, each with its own distinct sections; some had narrow windows glowing faintly with warm light, while others had wide battlements lined with jagged, ice-tipped crenellations. The tower, though, was the true giant—it soared so high that its peak vanished into the low-hanging clouds. It gave off this eerie, ancient aura, like it had seen centuries of battles and still stood, defying time itself.

  The base was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with intricate carvings faintly visible beneath layers of frost and snow. Snowflakes twirled through the air, landing softly on the stone and our shoulders, adding a quiet elegance to the looming fortress. The air was crisp and sharp, each breath visible as a mist, making the whole scene feel both breathtaking and a little ominous.

  "Alright, let's get going," Malachi said, bringing us back to reality. We proceeded with caution, keeping our heads low and moving in slow, deliberate steps as we tried to blend into the thick forest that wrapped around the fortress like a natural barrier.

  The towering trees had rough, dark trunks with patches of moss clinging to their sides, and their branches stretched out like long fingers, casting faint shadows over the snow-dusted ground. The faint crunch of twigs beneath our boots made my heart race, but we pressed on. Guards paced along the stone walls, their dark silhouettes outlined against the dim sky, eyes sweeping back and forth with sharp precision, like predators searching for prey.

  We crouched low, knees brushing against damp leaves and frozen soil, our breath misting in the frigid air as we crept through the underbrush. The branches above created a canopy that shielded us from view, though every rustle of wind or distant snap of a branch sent a spike of adrenaline through me.

  The thick bark of the trees was rough under my gloved hand as I leaned against one, peering through the gaps between trunks. It felt like the forest itself was watching, holding its breath with us. Fortunately, the density of the woods gave us plenty of cover, the shadows and overlapping branches blending us into the scenery like whispers in the dark.

  I glanced to the side and observed that one of the guards was shifting away from our location. "Okay, we can go now!" I spoke in a hushed tone to everyone. We started moving towards the wall, only to find that it was much taller than we had expected.

  The towering wall reached a staggering height of at least twenty feet, with no sign of any doors in sight.

  "Um, does anyone have a strategy?" Nikki asked, her voice tight with doubt. "I don't think we can just climb this thing."

  "We can," September said confidently. She turned to Malachi. "Come on, I'll give you a boost."

  Malachi looked skeptical. "Wait, what? You want me to climb on top of you? Seriously?"

  September crouched down, bracing herself. "Yes. Now hurry up. We don’t have all day."

  Grumbling, Malachi stepped onto her back. As he did, she let out a strained groan. "What the heck, do you weigh like 250 pounds or something?"

  "Oh, hush would you?," Malachi snapped, rolling his eyes.

  The rest of us quickly followed suit. We used September as the final step, pushing up and over the wall, one by one. It was awkward, but it worked. By the time we were all over, we were breathless but relieved.

  The mission was truly underway now.