Hughward Home - Melenie: When Danael and I got married, I knew who I married, but I hadn’t known what he was. Danael Kris Hughward is known as Computer programmer, loving husband and father of three. I know better as his wife, but my husband actually is an agent for the Central Investigative Bureau of America. It’s been a secret until our Jarrett, our first child was born. Then Danael told me the truth, his conventions about the latest software and technology are actually secret missions for the President of the United States.
When Danael came clean about his true occupation the bureau had me under oath with baby Jarrett in my arms as I swore to keep this a secret for all of my natural lifetime. I even believe that Jarrett stuck out his little hand in his own oath. On his twentieth birthday we officially told him the truth, but so far we’ve protected Liam and Kellsea.
I suppose secrets are an automatic part of being a spies’ wife, but keeping secrets from your children is hard. The next hard part is really keeping a boundary between a spies and a civilian life. When Danael insisted that cameras were a vital part of security, I was afraid that his secret agent habits were somehow taking over.
“Melenie,” He tell me every time, “I’m not being paranoid, I just want to keep our family will be safe.”
At first the cameras were just at the front and back door.
Then Liam was born and hallways were also being watched the invisible “eyes” of Danael.
Finally the news of a third pregnancy with Kellsea put Danael into overdrive as he placed cameras in our backyard, a 60 foot perimeter around the house and I suspect that his shopping sprees to buy clothes for the kids are actually an excuse to get them microchipped somehow.
No matter my disapproval of the extreme measures that Danael has taken, I do believe he’s trying to protect us. Sometimes I find myself drawn to the secret nook that shows the sights of my house. I can even see the street that would be in front of my house. I notice a cab pulling up on the curb. Kellsea appears and seems to be paying the driver.
I call out, “Danael! Kelly’s home!” I leave the nook, carefully closing the door. I walk towards the foyer so I can greet my daughter. The first thing I notice is her hair, on her shoulders and long; I remember her leaving with a bun. I didn’t mention the hair as I hugged her, “Kellsea, where’s Pam-Ella and Margo, I thought you would be with them.”
“They stayed at that party.” Then she hobbles a step forward, all three of us look down to see that she only has one shoe, “Uh – I got a long story to tell you guys.” She says with a big grin.
“Great,” Danael eyes narrowed, “Is that blood?”
“Dad, it’s just a bump, I fell at the party.” I also notice the bulge on top of my daughter’s head, “And my shoe got – uh, that got shoe-napped.”
Yup, this is going to be long story.
So our daughter tells us every detail, but I suppose the best part was the shoe-napper, Antanie Karlos.
“So, this Antanie takes your shoe.” Danael’s voice is stating a fact that Kellsea has already said. I suppose as a father he regards any other male as a threat when it regards our 17 year old daughter.
“Yeah, uh – can I just go to bed early?”
“Is everything all right Kelly?” I ask, she hasn’t gone to bed early since she was 8 years old.
“Everything is fine. I just want to go now. That’s all.” So she leaves with a single slipper in her hand. I look at Danael whose brain gears are turning slowly and processing every detail and possibly one thought is too pull out the polygraph test.
“Danael?”
“I’m not – the polygraph is a very primitive instrument, even if I did use it…”
“That wasn’t my question, but thank you for admitting that you were thinking about it.” I kissed his cheek, then I notice something about him, “Honey, that hat. I never thought you would wear it in the house.”
“I figured there was no harm in wearing this hat, besides, there’s plenty of others in the world.”
“I guess so, Danny, I was thinking maybe we should tell Liam now. He’s just turned 21 and we haven’t told him yet.”
“I think Jarrett had a right to know. I was gone most of his life time, but I’m retiring this year. Liam and Kellsea don’t need to know.”
“I still think they should. Your next mission is even more risky. If something ever happened….” I hold back the tears that had been building up. Since Danael had gotten his orders for his latest mission, my nightmares had been returning. Returning with vividness as if it were the future, “Danny, please tell them.” I kept my other thoughts to myself, but I was prepared to tell Liam and Kellsea the truth, whether or not Danael wanted me to.

Kellsea: Just when I close the door I realize that it’s 5:38 and for the first time in my entire life, for as long as I can remember, I haven’t come close to enjoying Masquerade Day. This was supposed to be my favorite day, the best day in the world, but instead it ends up ruined by my own best friends.
What happened?
I guess Aronn and Antanie Karlos happened. Ruined. My. Day!
Aronn happens to be the guy that gets fresh the first meeting.
Antanie had to be the guy that steals my shoe.
Maybe I am overreacting. It’s my favorite day in the whole wide world, but the rich boys have ended it for me. Doggers, this is not fair!
I suppose I might enjoy the nap I’m about to take.
Yet even as I curl in the blankets there’s a knock on my door. “Come in.”
Dad enters.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
“How are you?”
“I’m fine.” Didn’t we just go over that?
“So, you’re not coming to watch the parade with your Old Man?”
“I can watch the reruns.”
“Oh, okay. I guess I can pass on the front row seats to some co-worker.” He’s slowly walking towards the door, but I’m jumping out of bed and I pull him back in.
“You did not just say front row seats.”
“I did just say exactly that.”
“Directions! You didn’t tell me!”
“You didn’t ask!”
“I need shoes!” I run over to the closet.
“Go get them; I have to get my costume back on!” He bends down behind my door and picks up a gray boulder hat. “Ta-da! I thought I’d change it up this year.”
I look up and down, realizing that he has this stripped tux on and the bowler hat slightly tilted over one eye. “Cool. I’m ready!”

Max Bode Stadium - Kellsea: Waiting isn’t a talent of mine. It never will be. I’m itching for fireworks to shoot into the sky and go BANG-BANG!
“What time is it?” Dad stares me down with a You-asked-that-a-second-ago, “Uh, can I get popcorn?”
“Sure.” I’m almost surprised, but I won’t wait a second for him to change his mind. I walk down the aisle passing by counts, clowns and a rather silly coconut. I’m not joking. It was a coconut costume that was really hard to pass, but the custom was filled with air. So I managed pretty well, but in-line I had to wait again.
Wait – waiting – wait.
Then I get asked, “Hi, what can I do for you?”
“Large popcorn with no salt, but lots of butter,” Then I receive my bag filled with popcorn. “Thanks.” I’m just out of the line when a hand reaches to take out some of the popcorn.
Antanie munches slowly on the popcorn then he says, “No, thank you.”
“Get away from me, Shoe-Napper.”
“Nice to see you too Cinderella,” He tried to swipe another bunch of popcorn, but I hold it tightly and turn, “Careful, you’ll spill, unless you give me some.”
“Where’s my shoe?”
“You already have a pair on Cinderella.” I watch him take another bunch of popcorn, “Besides, I left the shoe at home.”
“Fine,” I get passed him, but I feel him following behind me. “Leave me alone.” Just ahead I notice my dad. Looking for me probably, but if he sees Antanie talking to me I’m not sure what he’ll think.
I walk right up to dad, “Hey dad!”
I’m hoping Antanie will get the idea and will skedaddle into the crowd.
Instead, he says, “Sir, I’m Antanie Karlos, it’s nice to meet you.” His hand is probably oily from the buttery popcorn, “I suppose you’ve heard about me?”
“I have, Kellsea said you stole her shoe.”
“So, Kellsea,” Antanie now knows my name; at least I won’t be Cinderella anymore, “You did tell your dad about our infamous meeting.”
“Yeah, sure did.” Then Antanie was laughing with dad and Dad invited Antanie to sit with us.
Antanie begins to glance around, “Actually I have to find my brothers, but oh – hey! Let’s meet afterwards.” Antanie spins around, “Just right out here and you can meet my brothers. I’ll make sure Aronn behaves and Arik is cool.”
“Sure, that would be fine.” I glance at my dad; I’m hoping that he won’t seek revenge upon Aronn, “See you then.”
We go our separate ways, but I know that we may meet again, very, very soon.

Antanie: Princess Cinderella and the Bowler Hat Man are waiting for us. I’m pulling my stubborn brothers over to meet them, but as their big brother I can make them do mostly anything. I promised Aronn would behave. That’s going to happen. I also promised both of them chauffeuring services for the next two weeks.
When I see Cinderella I sort of get this automatic grin on myself. Cinderella notices the three of us coming towards them, but then she just frowns and looks away. I think she has the cutest nose crunch I’ve ever seen.
“Hey, so my brothers, you know Aronn then there’s Arik.” The brothers shake my dad’s hand, “Kellsea and her dad.”
“Mr. Hughward, but Danny is fine.” I’m pretty surprised that Kellsea’s dad isn’t being so formal. I expected a bit of a fight from this guy.
“Why not get something to eat, on me and you don’t have to pay me back.”
“I suppose, even if the wife won’t be happy.” So we’re off to eat.

The Barriemore - Kellsea: I didn’t realize something to eat meant a ridiculously high-priced bistro called The Barriemore. What was even more surprising was when the host took us to the patio. It was a spectacular view with the darkening sky, palm trees and skyscrapers. There was burning coal along a wall, lanterns on small tables and there were patterned couches, seats, pillows. This was too luxurious to be real.
“Sit down and I know just what to order,” Antanie tells us everything we need to know, Dad and I listen, but we’re both in a state of shock. I’m not sure if Antanie noticed, but I’m in a costume. I am not a real princess.
“So, Mr. Hughward – or Danael, I was wondering where you work. I feel like I’ve seen you before.” Antanie says casually. A waiter stops by and in a second Antanie has ordered for us without asking for our consent. The other two Karlos brothers just seem to sulk in their chairs like trapped dogs. Obviously they wanted to be somewhere else, but something must’ve been said to keep them here.
Aronn has the guts to pull out his phone and start texting. Antanie is ignoring his brothers and asks my dad his questions again about work.
My dad isn’t his usual dull self when he gets right to the point, “I’m just a computer programmer at Telmar.” He seems oddly comfortable. I have to wonder if this confident guy is still my dad, “Perhaps your parents invest in the company, I’ve certainly heard about them. How is your father’s latest project?”
“I don’t keep track on my parent’s money or any projects, but I guess everything is good.” Answers Antanie, then his attention turns to me. “Kellsea, what school do you go to?”
“I’m homeschooled.” I blurted, but it was a bit of a lie. Just habit I guess, but recently I had received a scholarship to Dimmesdale Private. The expressions on the Karlos brothers were priceless, obviously they expected some lowly public high school.
Arik Karlos confirmed my belief, “Dimmesdale is the most expensive and the best in this city or state possibly. How much money do you make as a computer programmer?”
“That’s none of your business. I’d like a normal conversation not a comparison of our family’s bank accounts.” I snapped. Arik seemed to melt into his chair.
Antanie makes an attempt to smooth everything over, “Hey, guys, maybe our food will be better than our little chat.”
The waiter is coming with our food that Antanie ordered for all of us. Maybe my patience is running on a short fuse, but I’ve had enough of this. When the food gets set before me, I take one bite, I spit it out, and I look right at Antanie and smile. “My mom cooks better than this, waiter!” The waiter returns, “I want the most expensive meal here, immediately.”
“Yes, miss.” When he’s left, I decide to take another shot at being a brat.
“Guys, you can enjoy that meal I just ordered for you. After all – food is food.” I push back my chair to stand, “Dad, I’ll wait for you outside.”
Everyone is just staring at me. I push my chair under the table and I leave.

Arik: I look at Antanie and Aronn, but they look back at me as if I know why that crazy girl acted like that. Her dad is the first one to speak, “I apologize for Kellsea, but we’re certainly not privileged to dine at a place like this often – at all.” Says Mr. Hughward, “I’ll be paying for that last order that Kellsea got.” but the guy is barely managing to hold back laughter. What the heck happened here?
“No, no. Its fine, but I want to talk with my brother, Arik. One minute.” I thought I didn’t hear right. Talk to me? I would’ve expected Antanie to go after this girl, he’s been raving about Crazy Cinderella ever sense he met her. Instead he pulls me right out of my chair. The bigger shocker is what Antanie tells me to do next, “Arik, I think you’ll need to apologize to Danael and Kellsea.”
“No Directions for me, I’m not apologizing to anyone.”
“You’re a lazy bum of a brother! Get out there. Now!” Antanie can get scary when he’s mad, but this was furious like a dog with rabies.
“Lazy bum or not, fine, I will. But next time you talk with your new girlfriend!” I walk outside to find Crazy Cinderella, but it takes me a minute. Maybe she lied and did leave without her dad. Anyhow I’m wrong because she sitting on the curb, “Hey, you’ll get that dress dirty.”
“Then I’ll wash it. Where’s my dad?”
“Not here, are you blind?”
She stands up, “Are you dumb? Listen to me right now, GO-AWAY.”
We just stand face to face. Neither of us is making a move, but I notice her hair, nose, and her lips as if there’s actually something appealing.
Suddenly, her dad comes from behind, “Kelly, I’ve texted a cab.”
“Great, so Dumbo you have nothing else to say?”
It takes me a minute to realize she’s asking me. I don’t know where Dumbo came from, but I’m Arik Karlos and no one gets away with that.
The taxi arrives.
Kelly and her dad get in and drive off.
So I guess someone does get away with that.

Karlos’ Laboratories - Markus: I’m the father of three boys and a scientist. Lately my experiments have proven to be a success. However they’ve proven to become a risky situation for me and my family. The CIB are here. They’ve been sleeping in my private den for the last month as “Uncle” Fillip and “Cousin” Dieter. I don’t think my son’s realize that I’m an only child and my wife lost her only sister in a car accident.
It’s complicated being a scientist. It’s more complicated when it’s taken me away from being a father. There’s two things I regret - 1) I’m not there for my sons and 2) I’ve brought my work home.
“Uncle” Fillip has been an agent for the last forty years, “Cousin” Dieter is a short-term replacement for another top agent that we like to call Bowler Hat Man. My son’s haven’t even met him, but he’s usually around. He was with me in the hospital’s waiting room, around the time Arik was born. I was on the progress of a prototype of Laser-Travel. Perhaps Laser-Travel isn’t the most creative name, but I’ll think of something.
Laser-Travel has proven to be secure and would be an immensely powerful transportation tool. However in the wrong hands, I’m afraid that anyone can commit murders to robberies very easily. So far we know of only one major threat, the Mafia of Detroyt are anxious to get their hands on this creation. Hopefully the government can offer it as private transportation and when the world is truly peaceful than it may be open to the public.
Today is a glorious Monday, provided that there’s leftover cake from my son’s big party. As I’m scavenging through the refrigerator, from behind the younger agent, Dieter taps my shoulder. “Uh, so Uncle Mr. Karlos - ”

“Just Uncle or Markus, Dieter.” I correct him. The agent must’ve been drilled so roughly that he didn’ t know how to be casual anymore.

“Uh - sir, I was wondering if - if the younger sirs - ”

“Dieter, you’re not the butler. Just call them the boys or by their names.”

“Oh, then I was wondering if they would be coming back soon.”

“Why?”
“Oh - for no particular reason.”
“Agent Dieter, I’ve already heard of your success at the retro video games.” I give the fridge door a slap to close it, “They’ll be home soon. I suppose their new jobs are keeping them all busy.”
“Sir - Markus, I was wondering why the sudden change since this weekend.”
“I don’t know. Ever since Arik’s party, it seems like Antanie couldn’t resist the part-time job at some shop called Top or Shop. Something like that. Then I suppose Arik and Aronn actually followed their brother’s example.”
“Strange.”
“You think that’s strange. There’s no cake left.” I went back to my study to think. Perhaps then the answer to my sons’ behavior will come to light.

Antanie: At some point she’ll walk through those doors. It’s the only reason I accepted this job at Topshop. I even pulled my brothers into this. Aronn is a greeter - which suits him well enough when a cute girl enters the store and Arik - he’s been with me at the cashier register. His silence is taken as pure professionalism when another cute girl tries to flirt with him.
“So Uncle Fillip seems to watch us a lot.” Since we’ve started this job, Arik hasn’t been talking to me much. Or maybe he started avoiding me after Kellsea’s little temper tantrum at the Barriemore.
“Why would he?” Then I choked back the laughter, “You’re not saying...”
“Shut up! No, I’m just wondering why he seems - so protective of dad and us.”
“This is just the first time we’ve met. Dad hasn’t seen him for like forever I guess. He just missed dad and us.”
“Did he even know we were born?”
“Arik - hey, dude are you okay.” I try to put my hand on his forehead, chances he has a fever that would cook a turkey.
“Stop that! I’m fine.” Arik shouts, it attracts a bit too much attention from the customers.
“My kid brother.” I point at him and I notice a pair of girls giggling. Giggling a little too much for three little words. Then I notice a third girl with them. with the largest sunglasses I ever saw in my life. “Hey!” I jump over the counter like a wild cat and I run over to sunglasses girl.
“Oh my gosh, it is Antanie Karlos!”
“See Pam-Ella I was right! Don’t you think I would would recognize my future brother-in-law.” Says one girl, I’m going to ignore that comment. Instead all my attention goes to Cinderella, also known as Kellsea.
“So, you’re visiting me. Right?”
“So, you’re stalking me. Wrong?” She takes off the sunglasses. As if that would’ve really disguised her.
“Nah, thought I’d check out the latest trends.” I said, “You?”
“Fine. I couldn’t stay away.” Then she grabs her friends’ wrists and begins to walk away, “Come on Margo. Pam-Ella.”
“Kellsea! What are you doing?” They huddled together, Kellsea glanced back at me and rolled her eyes. I think I can guess what they’re talking about, in a fashionably girly voice one of them stated, Who would miss out on dating a Karlos boy!
Sometimes I wonder why anyone would say that at all.
I just hope Kellsea will actually agree with her friends on this one.

Kellsea: I’m so not listening to this. Not one word.
“He’s a Karlos.”
“Yeah!”
“What other chance are you going to get!”
“Yeah!”
It doesn’t matter which friend says what - they agree with each other, but they don’ t know me if they think I’m going to date such an annoying, egotistical guy. For a moment I thought Antanie would be okay, but I’m not going to jump right in. I don’t want to be trapped into this like Margo. It seems to me that dating Aronn hasn’t been as amazing that she said it would.
I tell when something is wrong.
Especially since that night at the party. What kind of guy forgets he’s dating someone and tries to give a “kiss of life” to some other girl? Not someone I want to date. That’s why I’m not going to get mixed in with the Karlos boys.
No matter how much first-aid they know or even if they have my shoe.
“It’s never going to happen.” Oh - oh, did I just blurt that out loud?

Arik: I’m still at the counter. I’m able to watch the whole thing.
Antanie actually interested in a girl.
Girl (Kellsea) is actually not interested in Antanie.
And my ears have actually heard, “It’s never going to happen.”
I don’t need a crystal ball to see the future.
Antanie is my brother. So I know him. He’s not going to give up.
I may not know Kellsea, but I don’t think she’s going to give in - easily or at all. Just my opinion. That’s all it is.

“Hey, big brother, I need help back here!” Maybe this will save Antanie from any more humiliation. He turns around, looks back at Kellsea and then walks towards me at the counter. There’s no one at the counter, but he sinks against the wall. I watch Kellsea and her friends leave. No surprises here. Except for those five words, It’s never going to happen.

Danael: I was probably half asleep when the doorbell rang. “Melenie!” I called for my wife, but then I remembered she was picking up Kellsea from the mall. I realize that I’m alone in my own home and I’m scared. I go straight to the Security Room. Melenie seems to come in here almost as often as I do, but she doesn't know all of my tricks.

There are sensors on the welcome mat that would detect the exact footprint of any visitor, measuring weight and the door’s peephole is actually a camera that is motion-activated.

There’s no evidence of a person at the door. I’m not a paranoid guy. I’m just cautious. In my profession you can never be too careful, but you can be careless.

I find myself looking down, at a blank card. Once I have it in my hands it flutters back to the floor. There’s no mistaking the signature of Talin Jaksen, leader of the Detroyt Mafia. That man has tried to find me for the last decade. I have to call CIB immediately. I will be composing myself for the next few hours. Once Melenie and Kellsea return - we’re going to evacuate our home.

To be continued....