Page 27 of Captured Immune

Growing up, I begged my uncle to make me a ZIRDA agent. It was my dream to work for the anti-Royals department so I could help bring down the violent organized crime group who blew up my parents.

When I was nine, Victor put me through training where I learned how to throw a proper punch and to control my powers better. He kept saying that once I turned eighteen, he’d assign me my first mission. When that birthday finally came, he told me to get lost.

A few months ago, Victor called me out of the blue to assign me Arella’s mission. He said, “It’s top secret, typically for level-five agents, but if you think you won’t fuck it up, I’ll give it to you.”

I was ecstatic to be handed such an honor and to be told I could skip the onboarding process. Now I’m being spoon-fed another mission, and I’d rather gouge my eyes out with chopsticks. Can Victor seriously not find any other agent to work this one? I’ve got more important things to do—like get Arella away from him.

My phone buzzes with a text from Victor.

We’ll be meeting in room 409. Your coordinates?

With a sigh, I Google what my coordinates are and text it to him.

Within seconds, a loudpop!bursts into my ears like someone’s cracked a whip right next to me. I wince and cover both ears.

A slender guy who looks barely nineteen appears in my kitchen. The zense in my chest tingles, telling me what I already know.

“Sorry, bro,” he says. “I’ve gotten used to the sound. Barely hear it no more. You must be Big V’s nephew.”

“Yep.”

“You got everything you need on you?”

“Give me a sec to get some shoes on.” I head to the garage door where my shoes are, then return to the kitchen to find the dude staring at my living room.

“Where’s your TV?”

“Don’t have one.”

“The fuck do you do all day then?”

I let out an exasperated sigh. “Are you here to judge me for my lack of screen entertainment, or are you here to take me to the Ridge?”

“Right.” He holds out his skinny arm to me. “You ever been teleported before?”

“A few times.”

“Super. Whatever you do, don’t let go.”

Reluctantly, I grab onto his arm. Without any warning whatsoever, that loudpop!startles me again. It’s more painful this time. I’m about to cover my ears until I remember that I can’t let go.

My vision blurs, and my ears ring. The sound stops when my feet hit a hard surface.

Icy-cold liquid drenches me from above. The Teleporter tugs me away from the waterfall.

“Sorry, bro. Missed the mark by a few steps.”

I spit water out of my mouth, then rub away the wetness on my face. The familiar dark cavern hidden behind the waterfall greets me with a sneeringWhy are you back?I’m wondering the same damn thing. Of all the places I want to be right now, this isn’t it. Especially not while wearing cold, drenched clothes. Still, I follow the Teleporter into the black of the cavern.

“You wouldn’t happen to be a Pyro, would you?” he asks. “My phone’s dead, so I can’t use the flashlight.”

If he typically uses his phone for light, that means he’s either a Hydro, an Aero, or a Terra, who produces rock balls instead of lightning balls. I answer his question by making some flames appear in my palm and throwing them ahead of us.

“Thanks.” The guy gestures a hand forward. “After you.”

We continue down the cavern with my fireball illuminating the way. The Teleporter doesn’t try to make conversation with me, and I’m glad for it. The only sounds are our echoing footsteps and the waterfall fading behind us.

After several minutes, we reach the secret entrance to Shadow Ridge. The door looks like any regular part of the rock wall. I stick my index finger into a little hole and press it against a flat scanning device inside.

---