Agent X

xx| 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙵𝚒𝚟𝚎 |xx

I stood in my bathroom, brushing my teeth. It felt strange not doing training at eight o'clock in the morning. Nevertheless, the Director wanted me to experience actual spy training. I suspected that he was going to be there in some way, shape, or form, observing my performance interacting with the agents.

Knuckles rapped against the door to my bedroom. "Are you ready, Xara?" Professor Nyryn called. I spit out my toothpaste.

"Yes, I'm coming," I replied.

I rinsed my toothbrush and mouth with water, then headed for the door. I took one final glance at myself in the mirror, and for the thousandth time that morning, I was struck by how closely I resembled my predecessor. I wore her signature leather jacket, pants, and boots. But what really sent me over the edge was the makeup Professor Nyryn had applied.

The real Xara still looked fairly young, considering the intense pressure she had been under for so long. But still, she was double my age. So Professor Nyryn managed to use various makeup products to naturally make me look older. It was barely noticeable, yet it aged my face by twenty years so that I was identical to my predecessor.

With one final look, I exited my bedroom to find both Professors waiting for me. Professor Endals eyes popped open when he saw me.

"I have worked on many science experiments, including the cloning project. I've heard of countless discoveries made by other scientists. But in all my years, the most incredible thing I've ever seen is the way Professor Nyryn made you look like Xara."

Professor Nyryn grinned proudly. "I've been training my whole life for this moment. Speaking of training, you'd better get down there Xara."

I nodded. "Okay, I'm heading out now."

I headed for the door, my palm on the handle, ready to leave.

But―something stopped me. It was almost like there was a short circuit in my brain, caused by the exponential amount of anticipation that I had been shoving aside for the past day.

The nerves hit me at once, a tsunami of indistinguishable emotions that overpowered my senses.

I felt tethered to this room. I'd never turned this handle before. I'd never stepped into the corridor beyond.

I'd never left my little corner of the world.

And now... now I was.

But I'm not experiencing this world as me, I reminded myself. I am experiencing it as Xara. Which meant I could show no excitement or intrigue. No, today was just another routine day in her life. There was nothing special about training. I had to be indifferent to this new, unexplored world.

So that's what I'd be. Even though I wanted to walk through the halls slowly and soak up every last detail outside, even though I wanted to talk to a billion people and explore every last nook and cranny of the IIA, I wouldn't.

Instead I'd be indifferent. I'd be Xara.

"Xara?" The worried voice of Professor Nyryn broke into my thoughts.

I gulped down the lump in my throat, sniffed back the flood of unfamiliar emotions.

"Xara, are you..."

"I'm fine!" My voice was strained and hoarse, like I was being strangled. A high-pitched laugh escaped me as I realized the absurdity of my response. Clearly, I was not fine.

But I would be as soon as I slipped into Xara mode.

I took in a deep breath, wiping stray tears from my eyes. Come on, Xara. Be calm, cool, and collected. You are Xara. Be Xara!