The Young Adult Police Force

Andromeda's Explanation

I stood before them terrified. This was the worst part of the job. Their eyes were glazed like they were in a trance and they seemed as though they were at war with themselves. I cleared my throat as I always did and this made them snap into a laser focus. I felt like their eyes were stripping away every layer of my body and they were just about to get to my core and if I didn't speak they'd find it or worse, I'd find it. "I know this is an extremely complicated time and this isn't going to make it any better but you need to know. My name is Andromeda. I don't have a last name because I was an orphan. My parents were murdered by two armed robbers when I was only 5. I was sent to an orphanage but they could barely feed the kids they already had, so I left. I spent a year wandering around until I get picked by a police officer. He brought me to the station and long story short I made a home for myself there. The only way I could stay was for me to join the cops so I became a part of The Young Adult Police Force, or the YAPF. It's a special section for 7-20-year-old's. I was put in the special school section where I am sent into a school to protect a specific person who may be put in danger." I took a breath and looked around. I wondered if any of them had actually heard what I said or if it had just bounced off their ears. "Any questions?" a terrible moment passed and when no one even breathed, I concluded "Well, that's it." I got up to leave and I sighed.
      "Wait, Alex, I mean Andromeda, I mean... ugh." Christopher was standing up and frustrated he rubbed his hands.
      "Yes, Christopher?" I said softly.
      "U-uh... Ummm--- How many schools have u saved."
      "Including this one, 17." I said numbly.
      Christopher's mouth fell open. "17? Do you have a new life every time? Can you never settle down? What are you going to do after you turn 20?"
     "Not a new life, just a new alias. I can't settle down but who really wants to. I'll probably continue work as an undercover cop." I said leaving the threshold. Now the questions came freely and quickly. I answered all that I could until the pain developed in my side again. They stopped bombarding me once they saw me gasping and wheezing. With shaking hands, I pulled out my medication. Without water, I swallowed them. The effect was quick and I felt better immediately.
     "Does it hurt?" Marie asked almost inaudibly.
     "Yes." I said tentatively.
     "What does it look like?" She said curiously but timidly. Sighing, I pulled up my shirt so that they could see the bandages. I slowly unwrapped it and then showed them the bullet-wound. The girls gasped and the boys grimaced.
     "It was a clean through-and-through shot, so it should heal fast."
     "Have you ever been shot before?" Jack asked.
     "Including this time, 4." I said. "There, my shoulder, my thigh, and my arm was clipped." They just stared at me wide-eyed.
     "Why?" Christopher said. "Why do you keep doing this?"
     "Because someone needs to protect the children of the world." I laughed at my own cheesiness.
     "Will we ever see you again?" Sophie piped up.
     "No... I'm afraid not." I said solemnly. "I'll probably have to go somewhere and completely change. You won't even know who I am anymore."
     "Andromeda. Are you really serious? After all this, you're just leaving?"
     "I'm sorry to say but yes. it's my job."
     "What? That's not fair!"
     I shrugged, "Life isn't fair." At this everyone turned their faces to hide whatever feeling they had. "My email will remain open for a month but after 30 days all contact between us will be cut off. Please email me if you have any questions." With that I spun on my heel and left the room. I could almost hear their astonishment but I had to go forward. I found myself sprinting to get out. I ran to the car door as the tears started to boil over. I jumped in the car and screamed "Go!" at the driver. I turned one last time to see my latest life burn away in the evening sun.