"What?! Are you guys crazy?"

"Joshua! That is not the way to talk to your parents," a stranger called 'father' said.

"Do you both realise what you are saying? Or has senility caught up to you soon?"

I know I am being rude, but try to be in my situation.
What situation, you must be thinking? Well, here's what happened.

I entered the dining hall with a most weird sight to behold: my dad and my mom were sitting together, yes, you heard me, together and talking to each other. It has been eight years since I last saw them like this. Needless to say, when dad wasn't the CEO of some big corporate giant, and we were quite a happy middle class family, things were different. We lived a normal life, similar to other people. Weekly trips to the park, a beach outing during summers, movie nights- we did everything. When I used to make a mistake, they would assure me that it was okay and that we learn from these mistakes. And we can always correct them. That is why pencils have erasers at their ends.

However, when I turned eleven, these pencils got swapped by eraser-less ones, and every eraser within my radius was incinerated. One small mistake, and I was ambushed with reprimands. My only blessing was that I wasn't hit. Dad got much more engrossed in expanding his newly established company's tentacles, yup, that's what I call it, instead of extending his dedication to the family. And my mom, she suddenly started to work overtime, leaving me in the company of helping staff, PSP, anything cash-related, lack of emotions and a truckload of loneliness. Spiffing combo pack, isn't it?

I remember I had once broken a small vase. It was really a small one, and "a waste of space" as I had heard, okay, "overheard" my mother calling it. And it wasn't on purpose, I swear. I have never even broken the tip of my pencil ever. I was yelled at as if I disintegrated the mansion to ashes.

Since then, my so called family has been dysfunctional. We don't acknowledge each other's presence. I tried to, but then, facing rejection each time, I stopped it. They saw this and gave me a credit card. So much for consolation...

So imagine my state when these two people tell me that a notorious gang is after my life.

My dad said, " There is a very powerful gang, which happens to be my rival as well, in the corporate sector I mean..."

Or so I hope...

"...is after your very life. They won't stop at anything to get your head on a platter."

Yeah, I am bombed.

"And why is that? Care to explain?"

"You are the key to something important, that's why."

He was saying this as if it was normal.

"But I do not have jagged teeth at either ends of my body!" I exclaimed.

They blinked. "Jagged teeth?"

"Yeah , you know? Those crooked stuff on the metal thingies used to open locks-"

"Yes we know what locks and keys are, " they snapped together, as if they rehearsed it.

Well, it does take two blades of scissors to snap at something.

"Joshua, even if we don't talk that much that doesn't change the fact that you are our son,"dad said.

Finally! Took you long enough.

"And we won't like it if something were to happen to you," mom added.

They are sooo right. Who will be the next donkey to carry the load of the company otherwise? Or worse, if they had to organise a funeral. You know, dying is really a costly affair, at least for my parents. Trust me, I know from experience. Not by dying myself of course...

But obviously, I did not say that out loud.

"Well, thank you for your utmost concerns," I said," But would you mind telling me what is that the key to which I hold...oh, nevermind, I am?"

"Yes, I would mind because I don't think you need to know now. Because you are eventually going to know. Till then, you have to be safe. That thing is really important."

"More than my life?"

"Shut it."

"Okay, so how am I supposed to defend myself?"

Dad replied. "I thought you knew how to fight?"

"Yeah. But I still haven't learned how to wrestle with an enemy's gun. You know, they don't exactly like to be punched, plus they won't budge because first, they are metal, duh, and second, I am no Hulk. And last time I checked, there are no online courses for it."

Dad glared at me. "Yes, I have thought of that. "

"My, my."

"We have hired an assassin for you."

Cue the double take.

"You what?!" I exclaimed.

Mom sighed. "There is no other way. The assassin is a trained one. Knows how to handle guns, fight, hack, and all that stuff."

Was it my imagination, or there really was more emphasis on "handle guns"?

"Why didn't you hire a bodyguard? " I asked, nonplussed. "I mean, he would have done the same thing."

"it's because those people are out to kill you, perhaps even torture you," my dad said. "So before they kill you..." he trailed off.

A lump formed in my throat. With great difficulty, I managed to say, "You kill them."

"Exactly."

Damn. This was serious. I couldn't wriggle out. But this was also insanely absurd. I mean, seriously, who the hell wakes up to this bullshit in the 21st century? I was contemplating whether or not should I address this absurdity. But considering the look on my parents' faces, I decided I would just listen and then try to process it properly.

"So where is my assassin?" I asked.

"You will meet the assassin in school," mom told me. "This person will be there in the Principal's office, where you have to head to the first thing you do in school today."

"But why am I the key?"

"You'll know. Mr. Peterson will tell you."

Of course, my Principal will know.

"And where is this so called "thing" hidden?"

"In your school."

Oh for the love of-

"Please tell me this is a huge big joke and where the cameras are. This just for laugh thing is getting kinda overboard."

My dad looked at me. "Do you really think that out of the blue I would decide to prank you for giggles? Trust me, I have much work to do in life and pranking you isn't exactly on the top of the list."

"Fine." I gritted my teeth. "So I'll meet this assassin in my school?"

"Yes," they said in unison.

"And will stick with me like a glue?"

"As much as you hate it, yes."

With that, I headed out, my eggs and toast long forgotten on the dining table. I hopped into my Maserati Grancabrio and drove off.

Yay! I just got a babysitter. Life is just so beautiful. Note the sarcasm.

******************

So people, here is another chapter for you guys. I liked that jagged teeth part a lot. Let me know what you think of Joshua's story by commenting, because as much cool as it sounds, again, I am not a mind reader.

As for this assassin... I ain't telling you anything right now😆😆 because you will be seeing the person eventually. 😅😅

However, I was thinking of the cast for this story. If you can give me some hints, I'll be so glad...

So, apart from the random things I stated above, if you have questions, please ask them, and I'll gladly answer. And trust me, I answer every comment.

So, for now, think of the assassin, like Joshua, and a giant virtual chocolate for anyone who can even remotely guess how is Joshua the key🍫🍫🍬🍬🍭🍭

Anyways, till the next update...

May the force be with you.
-(a chocolate searching) natasha.