It was the afternoon. Casey's car idled as she shifted her car from hybrid to electric at the stop light just to save on gas. Agent X was quiet, staring at the road, thinking about the encounter he had with Agent L not remembering who he was. Agent X pondered on why Agent L was hell bent on killing him, while still trying to process everything from his past. After a long hour on the road, Agent X and Casey arrived at Lakewood Drive. Casey parked her beat up car off the curb behind a black BMW. Agent X looked down at the paper and looked back up at the white house with the matching numbers eighty-nine. He turned to Casey. "You have done a lot for me; I don't know how to repay you."

"It's nothing. Besides we make a great team," Casey said, getting out of the car. Agent X followed her lead.

Agent X and Casey walked up the wooden steps of the white house. Agent X knocked at the door three times. He stepped back as someone was unlocking the door.

"Can I help you," an older man asked.

"Yes, I'm looking for Jared Grimsby," Agent X said.

"And who might you be?"

"My name is Federal Agent Xavier Watson," Agent X said and this is Agent Casey Penny we have reason to be there has been a series of murders in Washington and was hoping we can speak with Jared. May we come in?"

"You two don't look like Fed's," the man said.

"We have reason to believe that Jared might know something of the murders that took place in Washington," Casey said "We just have a few questions to ask, and we will be on our way."

"Okay, come in," the man said as he widened the door.

Agent X and Casey followed the man in the hall as they entered a room. Jared Grimsby was on his black laptop sipping on his coffee from a brown table.

"Jared, you have guests that want to speak with you, 'I'll leave you too, alone," the man said, closing the door.

Agent X walked up to Jared's desk. "Jared, I was hoping you could help me out."

Jared looked up as his eyes bulged at the realization of Agent X presents. "Agent X? I had no idea it was you. What brings you here? And who is the lovely lady here?"

"Casey Cook. I used to work for the Raven Agency." She extended her hand.

Jared clamped on her hand with a gentle handshake. "Nice to meet you. And how did you and Agent X meet?"

"That's complicated." Both Agent X and Casey said it at the same time, while glancing at each other.

"So, what can I do for you?"

"I was sent here by Nelson. He said you would know something of my past," Agent X said.

"I'm afraid I can't help you," Jared said.

"Why not?" Agent X asked, staring at him.

"The information I have on you is gone. The Raven Agency erased any clue of your former life. They made sure to cover their tracks on Project Dark Descent."

"What can you tell me about the project?" Agent X inquired.

Jared cleared his throat. "I'll start from the beginning. Two years ago, the Raven Agency selected five young subjects for experiments. You were one of the five. Trained in hand-to-hand combat and weaponry. Military strategists, and stealth. Even given advanced abilities to carry out missions that were deemed classified."

"Where are the other four like me? What kind of missions did they send us on?" Agent X asked, probing deeper for answers.

"The other four I can't say what happened to them," Jared said while drinking his coffee.

"Why do I get the feeling you know more than you are letting on," Agent X said.

Casey intercepted to ease the tension. "What Agent X is saying is that any information you provide would be helpful."

Agent X's eyes never left Jared's as if he was looking to breach whatever he was hiding. "What can you tell me about the four like me?"

Jared turned the direction of his laptop and showed an image of one light skinned African American, a man he recalled from the Raven Agency that tried to kill him in a shootout. "I've seen him before."

"One of them is Agent L, he is tough as they come. He specializes in guns and mixed martial arts. Agent L studied five different styles of fighting, and one of them being Wing Chun. He is exceptional at camouflage, swords, and master escape artist. I would say he is a mirror reflection of you."

"Well, he never danced with me before, fist to fist. Tell me about the girl," Agent X said, noticing a blonde-haired girl with a petite complexion, blue eyes, and with a slim figure.

"Don't let her looks deceive you. Agent S is trickery than a snake on a vine and her rap sheet is much higher than Agent L's. Agent S is a real smart cookie with enhanced intelligence. She's good at cyber warfare and had a hand in hacking secret information under the government's radar, money laundering, property theft, and the list goes on. She is also a deadly fighter."

"Okay, what can you tell me about this guy?"

A third image popped up of a young man with green hair, brown eyes, and having a distinctive dark flame tattoo on his right neck. "Meet Agent Q. He is not your typical run of the mill assassin. This guy's skin is stuff like diamonds and has a high pain tolerance. That's all the Intel I have on the four."

"Unless I kick him between the legs," Casey said in a sarcastic tone.

Agent X and Jared turned to Casey. "What? It's true."

"I like her already," Jared said with a warm smile.

Agent X felt connected to Casey. It was a feeling he couldn't shake off; he wondered if they met under different circumstances what life would be like, instead of being chased and hunted down by a dubious agency that the government doesn't know about. But, still, it was those moments that count the most that he would cling on to.

A cold wind blew against the trees when three dark SUV cars pulled on the curve down the road and Agent L stepped out of the vehicle. His phone started to buzz in his pants as he grappled with it. Three other armed men, dressed in tactical gear, came out of the car and got into position behind Jared's home covering all areas. "Hello."

"Did you find out the location of Agent X?" Deshed asked.

"Yes, sir, the tracking device came in handy. He is inside of a house on Lakewood Drive," Agent L replied. "We are closing in on him now as we speak. He is not alone, there are two others."

"Others, you say?"

"A middle-aged man and a red-haired girl."

"Interesting."

"What do you want me to do with them?"

"Bring me the girl and the man alive."

"And Agent X?"

"Eliminate him."

Agent L smirked. "It would be my pleasure, sir. Time to settle who is number one."

"Don't screw this up, Agent L, and I want the other two alive. Do I make myself clear?"

Agent L Sighed. "Yes, Deshed."

Agent L always felt shadowed by Agent X's reputation. The fact being more of a proficient killer than he was. That, in some way, he couldn't measure up to topple the legendary killer of the Raven Agency and the idea of being second best didn't sit well with him. It was an old itch that nagged at him, reminding him of his current position. He wanted to prove to Deshed that he got what it takes to deliver on his promise to kill Agent X. Even if it means breaking a few eggs, going against protocols.

Agent L informed the others what needs to be done. There was a sudden power surge within Jared's home. Agent X eyes adjusted to the dark, noticing five red dots circling through the window.

"Look out," Agent X said, pushing Casey and Jared away from the window. One of the armed men shattered the glass and fired darts. Jared went done with a dart in his back. He whispered to Casey not to move and stay low as she panicked in the dark.

Agent X took up his gun, leaning against the wall. His eyes were keen. He heard footsteps coming from the corner and hearing a familiar voice. "Give up, Agent X, you are surrounded. You are outnumbered, maybe outgunned. I suggest you surrender now. Nobody else needs to get hurt."

"The only person who is getting hurt is you," Agent X said.

Agent L chuckled. "Okay, you had your chance, Agent X. Light'em up!"

"Sir, did you tell us before you wanted the man and other girl to live?" One soldier asked.

Agent L gripped a black collar of one soldier. "I gave you an order. I expect you to carry it out."

"Yes, Commander," the soldier said, afraid of what might happen if he said something else.

Agent L shouted. "No one leaves alive!"

Agent X placed a new clip into his gun, walking toward the door. "Time to do what I do best."