I woke up on a bench, curled up against a wall. The folder the Commander gave me was in my lap, and I touched the cover, my fingertips lingering on top.

What happened? Slowly, I remembered everything. The assignment, the arguing...Gabe. I tossed the folder away and stood, searching the area. It was empty except for benches and a door behind me. In seconds I was pulling at the knob, but it was locked tight.

Where the hell was I? If they were going to kill me, I wouldn't have the folder with me. But I'd already said no unless Gabe was coming with me. So where was he?

The room started to shake violently, and I was knocked into a bench and thrown to the floor. I stumbled to my feet and grabbed at a curtain, yanking it off the window accidentally. The images outside made my heart stop.

I was easily three thousand feet in the air, staring down a mountain side. Wind and rain shook the train, and I tumbled backwards, screaming as I went. I flattened myself against the other side of the room, and the view from that window wasn't much prettier. It was a flat wall of rock, barely a foot away from the train.

"Get me off!" I yelled, wedging myself between two benches and squeezing my eyes shut.

If I have one weakness, it's heights. And there I was, thousands of feet in the air, rocking precariously on a mountain. My screaming continued as the train shuddered furiously again.

"Can it, Sweetheart, I have a headache," Gabe grouched, opening the door and stepping into the room.

"Gabe!" I screeched from my position in the corner. "What are you doing here? What's happened? Where are we?"

"Heading home, darling."

"You mean they're letting you come on my mission?" I dared to hope.

"Yes, barely. We better not push our luck by screaming loud enough to wake the dead. The ol' dog finally negotiated with me to have me be a trainer at the new institute. I'll still be your partner, but we won't be with each other as often kiddo. I did my best," he commented.

"I know you did. Thanks Gabe. I don't think I could do this job without you," I said gratefully.

"Don't get all sappy on me Eris. Twenty push-ups, now!" he ordered, and I quickly dropped to the ground, hiding my smile.

We made it to the Institute without falling to our deaths around six in the morning, and Gabe stood beside me like a protective older brother as we waited out front. The place was different from my old home; the buildings were cracking and crumbling with age, and it didn't seem as sleek and new. I did notice they had an old running track leading into the woods surrounding, and I tried to grin. That was something familiar, I guess.

"Eristina!" someone called, and I jumped, coming back to reality.

"Call me Eris," I suggested, reaching my hand out to shake a woman's hand. She smiled brightly and introduced herself.

"Commander Alison. Welcome to the Institute, Eris. I assume you've read the file...?" she asked. I shook my head, awed by this Commander. Her body language demanded respect, but she was kind, unlike my own Commander. She was young too, probably only in her early twenties, like Gabe.

"Well then I'll take you to your home so you can get settled in and read the file. Didn't you bring anything?"

Again, I shook my head. "They didn't give me time to pack. But it's alright, I didn't really need any of that anyway."

"Fine. Mr. Gabriel Dawson?"

"Please, just Gabe. I have my résumé if you'd like to see it, and I've been in this program since I was eleven. I prefer working with the younger recruits, but if I'm needed elsewhere..." he trailed off, staring at Commander Alison expectantly.

"Yes, I've read your files," she laughed. "But I'm afraid I don't need you helping with the recruits." Her eyes were twinkling as Gabe's shoulders dropped. "In fact," she continued, "a certain Recruiter needs a full-time partner. Would you like that job?"

"Gabe!" I exclaimed, lightly punching his shoulder.

"You mean...Eris and I will be on this mission...together?" he stuttered. Alison nodded, smiling brightly.

"Is that alright? I've heard you work together so well. I guessed that no one would be a better partner than someone you know, am I right? And you won't be together all the time, Gabe is only a backup. Oh look at me, blathering on. Come on, I'll drive you to your house. It's not much, but it will serve its job. You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you? Well, you, Eris, are posing as a student at a school not far from here. Gabe will be your older brother, who gained guardianship after your parents died in a car accident. Why am I telling all this to you? Just read the file, it'll explain everything."

I grinned and followed Alison down towards the Institute. I already knew she and I were going to be friends. Gabe winked at me, and I could tell he liked Alison too.

"Now, you'll be at your house or school most of the time, so on weekends we'll try to pick you up if you don't have anything going on. Since you did receive your assignment a year early, all your continued studies will be held here. Sorry, but you'll have double homework. Your file said you liked to run, so I found some trails near you. Oh, and darling, you might want to change your makeup. It's pretty, but a little too much for the job you'll be doing," she advised, doing her best to insist but not seem too pushy. I have to admit, she was doing a great job.

"Ok. That's fine," I decided. Alison was too nice to argue with. It'd be like kicking a puppy. Not that I've ever seen a puppy, but I've read about them.

We headed behind the building and got into a sports car with real leather seats. I'd only ridden in a car a few times, but this was by far the best.

We drove for an hour or more in silence. I stared out the window and watched the scenery. I really had no idea what state I even was in, so I did my best to gather hints and clues. There were the mountains in the distance, of course, and I thought I could see ocean on the horizon. The air was cold, but it was only early September. I listed the states in my head, but I couldn't decide if it was Washington, Alaska, or Maine. I'd just have to wait and see.

"We're here!" Alison announced, jumping out of the car. A cabin. Perfect. I climbed out and leaned against the car, staring at the small building.

"I see your face, Eris, and it's not as bad as it looks. See? There's a running trail that goes straight past. The cabin only has five rooms: two bedrooms, a bathroom, the kitchen, and living room. We don't get much TV out here, but there's plenty to do. Like reading your file! Go!" she ordered, giving me a little push. I sighed and grabbed my file from the backseat of the car before climbing the steps of the porch.

I explored the place and immediately claimed the smaller room. I knew Gabe was bigger than me, so he'd appreciate the space, and I didn't mind the fantastic view of a lake behind the house.

With a small smile, I jumped on the bed and opened my file.

Atticus -

LOOKS: blond, curly hair, brown eyes, average height.

LIFE: His mother died, and his father was a drunk before he disappeared. His aunt is now the solo guardian. Aunt is known to be depressed. Possible for exploiting?

AGE: 16

PROBLEMS: Won't speak since his mother died last year.

IQ: 127

Aria -

LOOKS: bright blonde hair and blue eyes. Tall.

LIFE: She lives with her parents and little brother (Matt), but her father is too busy with work and she doesn't see him too much. Her mother is often out with her friends and leaves Aria to watch Matt by herself. Aria is extremely independent as a result.

AGE: 15

PROBLEMS: She's a little stiff and doesn't make friends easily.

IQ: 129

Ryhan -

LOOKS: curly natural red hair and gray eyes. Short.

LIFE: Her parents are divorced, but both do their best to spoil her with gifts and surprises.

AGE: 15

PROBLEMS: Her dream is to one day be a comedian, and sometimes can't be serious.

IQ: 134

YOUR BACKSTORY:

Your parents died a year ago, and your older brother is now rasing you. Both of you decided to move to Maine to get a fresh start.

That was it. Nothing else, no personality notes, no helpful hints. Just, you know, go out there and recruit them! How in the world did they think I was going to do this? They were crazy!

"Hey Eris, Alison just left with another car that was parked on the other side of the house! We get to keep the Scion FR-S Toyota! Is that freaking awesome or is that freaking awesome?" Gabe shouted from the porch.

"That's great buddy, but I'm having a mental breakdown right now!" I screamed back.

"What's up Shorty?" he asked, at my side in a flash.

"I can't do this! They didn't tell me how I'm supposed explain about us! Do they honestly believe I can just waltz up to these people and say hey, I'm part of a secret organization that works for our government and right now I'm supposed to kidnap you and bring you to this institute so they can use you for their own purposes?" I snapped, glaring at the stupid folder on my bed. Gabe stared calmly back at me, waiting until he was sure I wasn't going to throw something at him.

"Ok, Eris, remember all your training. You're supposed to know how to solve these problems. Think." He suggested. "And right now, your only assignment is to be friends with them. And you know, get to school."

"Ok," I nodded. "Just be friends."

"And school. Because right now you're going to be late on your first day! Move it!"

"Why didn't you tell me? Where's my bag? Ughh I look horrible! Start the car, let me find my backpack!" I shouted over my shoulder as I ran through the cabin.

"Your backpack is in the car. Let's go Sweetheart!" he called. I dove in the passenger seat and slammed the door behind me.

"Step on it!"

"You got it kiddo!" Gabe slammed his foot on the gas. I almost regretted telling him to go fast when my head snapped back and hit the leather headrest. It could have been worse, Gabe might've crashed into a tree, or a building.

"I'll pick you up this afternoon Eris. Just work on blending in and finding your targets!" He stopped in front of the school.

"I will and don't be late!" I demanded. Gabe only smiled and slipped on his sunglasses. A few seconds later he was gone, leaving me coughing in the dust.

I turned around and stared at the huge building in front of me. This was going to be a long day.