“Alright, kid. Let me get one thing straight: I didn’t take you in because I care about you.”

You’re sitting at a table, a large, imposing man seated opposite you. He’s talking. He’s talking about missions and intel and suspects. He’s telling you that you’re a key part of his job right now, that you’re a necessary asset. But the only thing you hear are those last few words. ”I didn’t take you in because I care about you.”

You’ve been hearing those words all your life, they’re essentially how you’ve lived for its entirety, and by the looks of things, that won’t change. Never having known your parents, you spend the majority of your time in foster homes. Never in the same school twice, the same home twice, everything was always changing.

According to this man, — Ghost, as he refers to himself — someone in your school is… “A suspect. And they’re in your class. It’s not uncommon for kids your age to get roped up in things that they don’t understand.” he says blankly, not elaborating as much as you’d like him to. “Obviously, we can’t just waltz in there. It would cause a panic; too much confusion, we’d be asked too many questions. That’s why we need you.”

There it is, the reason behind all this. You’re just another tool in this operation. You don’t get much time to brood over it, as Ghost is already talking again. “You’ll live here from now on, and you’ll get an earpiece to keep in contact during school hours.”

He looks down at you thoughtfully. Ghost wants to know what you’re thinking. From the start, he was skeptical about your involvement, as not only does it jeopardise your safety, but there’s also no guarantee that you’ll actually be willing to cooperate. He just sighs. “In the meantime, make yourself at home.”