text: [Themes: love & dating, serious]
  
  As the alarm screeched violently next to his ear, Adam slowly cracked one eye open to survey the room around him. Sometimes he would wake up and be on the floor or near the bathroom, always somewhere different and never where he belonged. Since he moved out of his hometown, night terrors had wreaked havoc on him every night, causing him to walk in his inebriated state around his small house.
  
  Today he was safely tucked in bed underneath three throw comforters and a sheet twisted around his legs. He tapped the head of his alarm and rubbed his other eyes open as he struggled to release himself from the tangle of blankets over his body. The temperature was ten below zero last night before he went to bed; he could only hope it had risen just a tad today.
  
  He ran a hand through his hair as he decided whether to shower or skip it and start his day...
  
  > start the Day
  After taking care of some bathroom essentials, Adam walked out of the bathroom clean shaven and dressed in a pair of jeans a sweatshirt that read 'Georgia State'.
  
  He ran a hand through his hair as he padded to the front door for his snow boots and coat. He had a few errands to run today and things that needed to be accomplished.
  
  He eyed the kitchen as he slipped his arms through his coat; he longed for breakfast but knew his stomach couldn't handle food at such an early hour. As he stepped outside he wondered whether he should go to the school first or head on the road...
  
  > School
  Adam drove his pick up truck out to the high school. Yesterday, in his rush to beat all of the student driver's and buses, he had forgotten the set of keys to his parents' old house. On a teacher's salary, it was hard to maintain his house and his parents' old home, but somehow he managed. There was no one around the school as he parked his car and pushed the teacher's tag onto his windshield.
  
  Winter Break left the school empty and destitute.
  
  He used his school keys to go inside and made his way to his classroom. Before he could unlock his classroom door he heard a faint sniffling coming from down the hall. Adam glanced from his classroom door to down the hall - torn in what to do.
  
  After taking care of some bathroom essentials, Adam walked out of the bathroom clean shaven and dressed in a pair of jeans a sweatshirt that read 'Georgia State'.
  
  He ran a hand through his hair as he padded to the front door for his snow boots and coat. He had a few errands to run today and things that needed to be accomplished.
  
  He eyed the kitchen as he slipped his arms through his coat; he longed for breakfast but knew his stomach couldn't handle food at such an early hour. As he stepped outside he wondered whether he should go to the school first or head on the road...
  
  > Road
  Adam started on the road towards his hometown after climbing into his old pickup truck. It only took an hour or so to get there; he had moved just a few towns over when he left his parents' house. As he drove through the shops, many people waved at Adam as he passed. He offered nods to old family friends; he was still well-liked here.
  
  When he arrived to his parents' old home he took time to look it over from his seat in the pickup. It was still a nice little house. The paint was worn but still the baby blue color his mother had badgered his father to paint it. The porch was just big enough for two chairs that Adam had put in storage when he decided to buy the place. The windows were still covered with drapes that he hadn't gotten around to washing in a few months.
  
  There was still a tire swing hanging from the old oak tree in front of the home. Adam smiled fondly as he recalled how jealous his friends' had been when his father put the swing up. They had lined up around the block to play with him after that.
  
  The home was old and needed work but...it was home.
  
  Adam walked up to the door before face palming. The keys! He should have gone to the school; they were still in the desk drawer there.
  
  Adam climbed back into his truck before heading back to the school.[Themes: modern, serious]
  
  You're waiting in the briefing room for your next assignment. No one else is there, leaving you alone with your thoughts. You hope it will be a good mission this time. Your last one was disastrous and you barely got out alive, what with the electricity going haywire. That reminds you to check the voltage on your stun gun. You don't want another enemy prisoner to be sent to the infirmary again. Five were bad enough.
  
  As you are toggling the switches on the weapon, the doors at the end of the hall open and Mr. Bond enters. His dark hair is greying at the temples and crowfeet line the edges of his eyes, but he walks with an air of authority as he marches into the room. The cane in his right hand, a souvenir from his earlier missions when he was shot in the leg, is lined with countless nicks and burns from years in the force. He holds a manila folder under one arm.
  
  He scowls as he watches you fumble with the gun. He pauses and clears his throat, motioning to the weapon with his cane. You hurriedly put the device in its holster, set your hands on the table, and face Mr. Bond.
  
  "Sorry, Sir," you say as you give the commander your full attention.
  
  "It's quite alright," Mr. Bond sighs as he sets down the folder and slides it across the table to you.
  
  You quickly open the folder and gasp.
  
  "Sir!" you exclaim, "This mission is far too difficult for someone of my age and experience!"
  
  "I realize that," he says as he takes the seat opposite you and grunts as he lowers himself into the chair. "But I think you can do it. You have shown great skill and responsibility in all your previous missions and I think you are ready for this one."
  
  You start to disagree, but Mr. Bond raises his hand continues.
  
  "I understand you are young and inexperienced in such matters. That is why I have gathered a team to assist you. You will meet them at the location."
  
  "But, Sir—"
  
  "If you choose to decline, I assure you that this opportunity won't arise for a long time to come," he warns, "but if you feel you are unready, I will accept your concerns."
  
  He sits back in his chair and regards you with his dark calculating eyes, waiting for your answer.
  
  "I-It isn't that I won't accept it, sir," you stammer, "It's just that I don't think I'm ready."
  
  "You're ready."
  
  [Author's Note: Try to survive on your mission. Every choice you make brings your closer to success, or ultimate failure. Only the sly and quick shall survive.]
  
  > accept the Mission
  You stand and take the folder. You know that this mission could be the end of your career, but you are willing to take a chance.
  
  "I'll do it, sir," you say, leaning across the table to shake Mr. Bond's hand.
  
  "Good man," he exclaims. He exits the room and you're right on his heels.
  
  "When do I leave?" you ask eagerly. Now that you've accepted, adrenaline is pumping through your body in anticipation.
  
  "Immediately," Mr. Bond says. He walks over to his group of bodyguards and takes a bag from one of his men. He turns back to you and hands you the pack. "In there you will find everything you will need for your mission. If you need any help, the communicator on your watch will alert your backup. A plane is on standby, waiting to take you to your destination."
  
  You take the bag and swing it over your shoulder. It's heavier than you anticipated for such a small bundle, but you quickly right yourself and salute Mr. Bond.
  
  "Thank you, sir!" You say as you turn on your heal and head for the air port where your plane will be waiting.
  
  The plane takes you to a remote island in the south pacific. The journey is long and tiring, but there is still farther to go. Exiting the plane, you are handed a note by an attendant that says to go to the docks where a boat will be waiting to take you to your mission. You board the boat and travel to a neighboring island a few miles south.
  
  When you get there, you head to the location marked on the map you found in your bag. Along with the map, you found a coil of rope, a few hand grenades, some small explosives for stunning enemies, a lock-picking kit, and two disguises. One was a black maid's dress, the other a guard uniform. You have no clue what the maid's dress is for.
  
  The gathering point is in a clearing surrounded by trees. You sit in the bushes for a few minutes, surveying the area before you felt it safe to come out.
  
  Two people were waiting for you, a tall burly man and a petite pixy of a girl. They are dressed in dark camouflage that blends into the foliage and shadows and black hiking boots. The man has blue eyes, short black hair, and a clean-shaven face. The girl's eyes are a stormy grey. Her long coppery hair is tied back in a black bandana. They introduce themselves as Horace Mackle and Suzy Windy. You shake their hands and listen to the mission plans.
  
  Horace, standing with his feet apart and hands behind his back, says, "Our mission is to infiltrate the enemy headquarters and secure a thumb-drive containing encrypted evidence. We don't know where it is, but we suspect that it's being held in the leader's office." He paces back and forth like a military commander, but his voice is hushed, like he's afraid someone might hear him. "You and I--" he says, pointing to you, "--will don our disguises and Miss Windy will work on surveillance. Any questions?"
  
  "Yes," you say, "What's with the maid's outfit?"
  
  "I haven't the slightest idea," Horace scowls as you show him the clothing.
  
  "I guess I could try to go undercover as a maid and search the offices and rooms," you suggest. Horace doesn't look convinced, but he nods anyway.
  
  "That's worth a shot."
  
  > Be A Maid
  You quickly put on the maid's uniform. The black dress bunches around your thighs and the white bonnet thing doesn't quite hide the fact that you don't have enough hair to pull it off. The apron fits, but not as much can be said for the shoes.
  
  You look down at yourself in the maid costume. You look ridiculous. Why you even decided to choose this option, you have no idea.
  
  Throwing off the clothes, you hurriedly dress in the guard uniform. They fit much better. After you lace up the boots, you run out of the forest where you decided to change, and head back to the group.
  
  > Starting Your Mission
  You sneak into the barracks with no trouble.
  
  After shadowing a sentry for a week, learning the motions and routes, you tranquilize him and take his ID badge. Using your rope, you hog-tie your prisoner and stash him in an empty storeroom. You tell everyone you see along the way that he's just sick and you're taking him to the infirmary.
  
  You send the confiscated ID badge to Suzy Windy. She'll take out the man's picture and replace it with your own. You get it back a few hours later.
  
  A few days later you pass Horace on your morning patrol. He's dressed in a uniform similar to your own, but on his shoulders, two gold stripes gleam. You realize, a little begrudgingly, that he's an officer.
  
  He suddenly veers your way and bumps smack into you.
  
  "Watch yourself, man!" Horace bellows as he indiscreetly slips a small paper into your shirt pocket, "I should have you flogged for assaulting a commanding officer!" He points to the gold stripes and puffs out his rather impressive chest.
  
  You suddenly realize that you would never have been able to pull off the officer role. You're just not as big and imposing as Horace is. You regret envying him his position.
  
  You salute smartly, aware that Horace's yelling has attracted attention, and click your heals together. "Sir! I apologize for my moment of stupidity; I wasn't watching where I was going, sir!"
  
  "Dismissed!" Horace shouts as he continues down the path, "But don't let it happen again, or I'll have you whipped so hard that you bleed for months!"
  
  You resume your patrol, mindful of the slip of paper in your pocket. You know that you can't read it now, in full view of the cameras and your fellow guards, so you decide to wait until tonight.
  
  That evening you duck into the supply closet where you put the guard to check on him. He's wide-awake, staring at you as you walk toward him and sit on the floor. Pulling out a canteen and a gun that you added to your pack, you offer the man some water. He slowly nods and you remove his gag, keeping the gun trained on him. You help him drink before replacing the gag.
  
  Once he's secure, you lean against the wall and take Horace's message from your pocket.
  
  It read...
  
  Miss Suzy has located the thumb-drive. It is in the director's office under the creaky floorboard. Meet at the warehouse at 0200 hours for the next step of the mission.
  
  After reading the message, you pull out a match and burn it.
  
  Checking your prisoner's bonds to make sure they won't unravel while you're gone, you exit the room and head for the warehouse.
  
  After a few steps, you feel like someone's watching you. You glance over your shoulder, but no one's there.
  
  > hide Behind the Corner and Wait
  You think that someone might be following you so you duck behind the next corner and wait.
  
  It doesn't take long before you hear slow, tentative footsteps. As they near your hiding place, you hold your breath and get ready to pounce.
  
  They round the corner and you dart out your hand, cupping it around their mouth from behind and pulling them against the wall. They give off a startled yelp but your had muffles the noise. Their fingers claw at their mouth, trying to break free, but you hold on.
  
  "Hold still," you whisper into their ear, "or I'll shoot."
  
  It's a bluff; you didn't bring your gun. They believe you anyway, going slack as a sack of potatoes.
  
  You waist no time ripping the hem of your shirt, making a makeshift gag that you stuff in their mouth. You tie their hands behind their back with another strip of cloth and prod them between the shoulders to get them moving.
  
  With your prisoner, you make it all the way to the meeting. Horace and Suzy are startled to see the uninvited guest, but you explain that he was following you so you had no choice but to bring him along. You stash him behind a few crates before turning to your group.
  
  Horace quickly informs you that the room containing the thumb-drive is heavily protected and they'll need your help.
  
  "I can't take out all the guards myself," Horace whispers, "And Miss Windy will need assistance on the locks."
  
  You're about to answer him when suddenly the captive makes a break for it. He darts out of the doors that you forgot to shut and across the open loading dock, heading for the guardhouse.
  
  You can't let him get away, but then again, Horace and Suzy need your help.
  
  > go After Him
  You give Horace an apologetic look before running after the escapee. They will just have to get the thumb-drive without your help. You're sure that Horace can manage the guards; if all else fails, he can just show them his officer badges and order them somewhere else. And Suzy can handle the codes and locks. She's a hacker, for heaven's sake! Anyway, if you let him go, the prisoner could alert the whole compound that they have been infiltrated, so even if you did help your team, you mission would still be a failure.
  
  With these thoughts giving you comfort, you quickly catch up to the man and tackle him from behind, slamming him into the hard ground and accidentally knocking him out. You realize that he's not going anywhere and you might have time to help your team. But if you leave him in the open, someone could see him.
  
  > hide the Prisoner
  You can't just leave the prisoner out in the open!
  
  Grabbing him under the arms, you haul the unconscious man across the ground back to the guard house. You tell everyone you pass that he hit his head and you're taking him to the infirmary, but when no one's looking, you throw him into the room where you put your other prisoner.
  
  You duck in after him and sit on a crate where you pull out your communicator. You wait for news about the mission from Horace.
  
  A few hours later when no one contacts you, you venture into the halls and are immediately seized by two guards.
  
  You realize that the mission was a failure and everyone was caught, thanks to you.
  
  End