Assassins Water: First Tide

By Odie Matthews

It started just like any other day for Nuke Waters. He woke up, ate breakfast, and then said goodbye to his family. What he didn't know was that it would be the last time he would ever see them again. Nuke was about to find out a secret that would forever change the course of his life. His family, that he loved so dearly were really assassins working for a top secret American Agency. After being approached by a mysterious man known as the General Nuke agrees to take their spot. With his life flipped upside down and everything he knows altered Nuke faces challenges unlike anything he has ever faced before. Now Nuke will have to kill, steal, lie, and fight through World War III in order to get the vengeance he seeks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499024685

Odie Matthews

*Ecclesiastes 3:8* Odie Matthews was born in Kokomo Indiana before moving to Florida at a young age. Taking up an interest in writing early on it was in 8th grade when the idea for Assassins Water: First Tide came to him. Taking two years to complete, Odie never published in hopes of perfecting it. After high school he left to join the United States Marines, where he spent seven months in training and then returned to Florida as a reservist. After coming back home, he dove head first in to not only finishing his first book but completing the sequel. Never losing sight on what matters most, Odie is a family first kind of a guy and a Christian centered man. Expressing his love for writing in multiple way it's through the hopes of having a series in order to help better his family that he strives for. Currently Odie is a college student and working full time on completing more books, including Assassins Water 2 and a continuation of the story through different eyes, with his main goal making all his books collide in one universe. Follow him on twitter @OdieMatthews for news and updates about the sequel and any questions about the books!

Book preview

Assassins Water

First Tide

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Odie Matthews

Copyright © 2014 by Odie Matthews.

Library of Congress Control Number:         2014909207

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4990-2470-8

                Softcover        978-1-4990-2471-5

                eBook              978-1-4990-2468-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 05/20/2014

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

551569

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17


Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 1

About The Author

Dedicated to Tom Smith John Wey

Chapter 1

T he day began like any other, just another average morning for young Nuke Waters. He awoke to the smell of pancakes and bacon permeating through the house from downstairs. He sat up still feeling tired from a long night of gaming, and stretched as he tried to force himself the rest of the way out of bed. Nuke’s morning routine is nothing of note. He took a shower, brushed his teeth, applied some body spray, and got dressed for the day of classes. He checked his armpits to make sure they smelled okay, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

Nuke is your average teenager: 17 years old; 5'10"; about 155 pounds; and fairly muscular. He has brown hair, longer on top and shorter on the sides, that he usually wore spiked. His eyes are the prettiest shade of green you had ever seen, and to some girls they were what you’d call mesmerizing. Proceeding downstairs, Nuke made his way to the kitchen where his family was already enjoying breakfast. Atom Waters, his dad, is a corporate manager and traveled a lot due to business. His mom, Holly Waters was Atom’s assistant, which meant his parents were gone more than he preferred. His sister’s name is Jenny. She is a little older than Nuke and a typical teenage girl who loves to shop and hates to do anything that resembles work. She hated her job as a spokesman for a hair product company that forced her to travel across the country promoting.

Currently, Nuke lived for sports as his list seemed to get longer each year he had been in high school. He played baseball, soccer, football, swam, ran cross country, and even knocked down some pins for the bowling team. Now as his senior year came closer to an end he was enjoying one last season with the soccer team as captain. Sports had caused him to be interested in martial arts, training with his dad in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Ken Do, making him quite the fighter.

The Waters were a wealthy family who lived in Hollywood, California in a house that Atom built just for them. As if the house and lifestyle wasn’t enough to set Nuke apart from many of his peers, he was given a classic 2010 black Dodge Challenger for his birthday this past August. Needless to say, all the money made it hard to find true friends. However, Nuke managed to make some good friends at Spring View High School. His best friend Ben Pugh, was a science geek who was incredibly smart for his age. Bailey was a girl that he’d become friends with last year when she moved to California from Russia. She grew up in Russia and had difficulties fitting in when she first came to the States. Ben and Nuke had been best friends since they met in kindergarten and if there was trouble to be found, they usually stumbled head first into it.

Good morning family, Nuke said as he grabbed a fresh plate of pancakes his dad had made.

Atom looked at his son and took a sigh, bad news bud.

Nuke rolled his eyes, what else is new?

Your father and I are leaving for a conference in D.C, his mom cut in, breaking the tension, we need you to take care of the house while we are gone. That means no parties and no going out.

What about Jenny? I already had plans for tonight, Nuke asked with a wine.

Jenny smiled at getting out of the torturous task of house sitting, sorry bro I have to fly out for Florida in two hours, I won’t be home until Monday morning.

Nuke, just do this for us. I promise when we get home on Monday you and I will skip school and go shopping for parts for your Challenger. How does that sound? Atom asked as he grabbed his wallet off the counter.

Sure thing dad, have fun on your trip, Nuke said as he hugged them goodbye from his seat at the counter and they headed out the door.

Leaning back in his seat, Nuke sighed as he knew another long day at school was ahead and another weekend alone was to follow. Wishing he lived another life, one that wasn’t so routine and dull he grabbed his backpack from the floor and headed to his car.

First period, Chemistry, is Nuke’s favorite class. Mr. Davis was not only the best teacher; he is one of the coolest, and between Nuke and his friend David they always found a way to turn a simple lab into a fiery explosion. Multiple times in the school year the fire department had to come put out a fire in their classroom. This was also the class Nuke had with Brooke, the girl he had a crush on. Brooke is tan with dark hair, brown eyes, and a killer smile. In Nuke’s mind, beautiful. He had asked her out on a date the day before, but with his parents being gone he thought he could use it to his advantage.

He approached her desk and shot her a smile, hey Brooke, it turns out my parents are out of town this week, they told me not to go anywhere, so I guess I have to cancel our date tonight.

Oh, I was really looking forward to it, Brooke said as her eyes sparkled.

Nuke cleared his throat and tried to act smooth, well if you wanted to you could come over and hang out at my place, I just got this really funny comedy.

Sure that sounds great. What time?

How about 7? Nuke asked, still smiling at her impressive looks.

Okay, I’ll be there, Brooke replied, batting her eyes at Nuke.
 

He walked back to his table feeling very accomplished and sat next to David, dude! I just landed a stay at home date with Brooke, he said with a grin.

Wow how did you manage to do that? David asked emphasizing the word you.

You know, he chuckled, I worked the Nuke charm on her, he pretending to pop his collar.

So you made her puke? David replied jokingly. Nuke did a quick fake laugh as he pulled out his Chemistry folder.

Ok class, today we are going to study the electron configuration. Please turn to page… Nuke started to tune out on what Mr. Davis was saying. Instead, he and David made paper footballs the entire period and let the idea of graduation sink in.

2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th period all went by way to slow. The best part of the day was photography with Mr. Bridges. Today happened to be the day where the class had to go around the school and find the most unique thing they could. Then they had to take five photos of it each from a different perspective. Nuke teamed up with his good friend, Haley, and there was never a dull moment.

What are you thinking about taking a picture of? Nuke asked as he and Haley walked through the halls heading to agriculture.

Maybe of your dead body after I kill you, Haley said sounding serious.
 

Ha! Very funny, but it’s hard to take a picture when you have no fingers, Nuke said laughing.

Full of comebacks today aren’t you? Haley asked returning the laughter, someone’s in a good mood.

I finally asked Brooke out on a date, and she said yes!

Wow she didn’t puke?

So funny! But no she didn’t.

Haley stopped walking, I thought you were into Bailey?

Back on subject, I think I’m going to look for a flower or something, Nuke said getting off the subject.

Can you say feminine? Haley asked, catching on to him not wanting to talk about what she had brought up.

Wow! You are just being so mean today, Nuke said acting like he was upset. Haley winked as they walked around the agriculture section of the school hunting for things to photograph.

The day continued to drag on slowly after Chemistry. Math, reading, and P.E seemed to take forever. He met Bailey for a brief conversation and he could tell something was off, everything ok? He asked as she turned to leave.

Yeah, I’m ok, just have a lot going on at home.

Well you know if there’s anything I can do to help, he started on.

No, she replied, cutting him off, I mean, no thank you. Listen Nuke I gotta go, I’ll call you later ok? Bailey turned to leave and Nuke was speechless. His best friend just blew him off but instead it just motivated him to pursue Brooke even more and as soon as the 2:01 bell rang he sprinted to his car.

Nuke stopped by Ben’s house for a quick study session and some technical talk that Ben always fancied, hey man, that suit project is almost done.

The one that’s supposed to enhance a person’s performance? Nuke had always struggled to keep up with Ben due to Ben’s intelligence on so many different fields and seamlessly endless knowledge.

Yeah, I’ve got it down to just a few more things to tweak and it’ll be ready to test.

Nuke chuckled, I’d hate to be that test dummy!

After stopping by McDonald’s and the store to pick up a few things for his date with Brooke, Nuke made his way back home. He quickly took a shower and changed in to a nice button up shirt which he rolled the sleeves, and threw a pair of jeans on. After changing Nuke went cleaning crazy, making sure the entire house was spotless. A little while later the doorbell rang and Nuke ran to the door to greet Brooke. He took a minute to compose himself, breath? Check. Hair? Check. With everything in order he opened the door. Hey, how are you? Nuke asked as he motioned for her to walk in.

I’m doing well, what smells so good? Brooke said as she walked in and sat on the couch.

Oh well I thought you might be hungry so I prepared a meal. Nuke said.

You’re too sweet Nuke. So what’s this movie about again? She asked as Nuke sat down next to her.

Well when I went out to get the items to prepare the meal, I saw an even better movie, Nuke replied with a grin.

What would that be?

It’s ‘Attack of the Zombie Slayers Part One’, he said with a wink.

Isn’t that, I don’t know, really scary? Brooke said with a smile.

Well it’s supposed to be, Nuke replied looking at the cover, pretending not to know.

If I get scared you might have to hold me, Brooke said scooting closer to Nuke.

Nuke blushed, but managed to say, I think I can do that. He turned the TV on and enjoyed a great night. Unlike school the movie was over way too quickly, and the night ended earlier than expected when her mom called and told Brooke to come home, which meant they weren’t having dinner. Standing with her at the door Nuke couldn’t help but stare at her eyes.

Thanks for a great night, she paused, I… I will see you Monday, Brooke said and she surprised Nuke with a kiss on the cheek. Nuke stared at her for a few minutes before she left and he walked back into the house. He knew how lucky he was to have gone on a date with Brooke, but still couldn’t stop thinking about how strangely Bailey had acted at school.

She was the first girl to grab Nuke’s attention. He had befriended Bailey when she first moved here. She had dark black hair that went just past her shoulders, amazing brown eyes, and her smile made Nuke fall for her immediately. She was nothing like Brooke and in Nuke’s mind he still thought Bailey would be a better choice. With Brooke now in the picture, Nuke decided it was time to finally move on.

Wanting to check up on her he gave her a call, hello? She asked over the phone.
 

Hey Bailey, its Nuke. I was just wondering if everything was ok.

Yeah I’m fine. I just have a lot going on, you know family problems and what not, Bailey said with a cough. Nuke could hear people in the background and it seemed to be loud where she was. Figuring it was probably just her family, Nuke ignored it and continued his conversation.

Nuke sat down to enjoy the food he made, well you know Ben and I are still going to that shooting range this weekend if you wanna come.

Nuke you know I’m not a big gun fan, she giggled.

I know, I just thought it would be a fun way for us three to hang out before school ends.

I appreciate the offer, I’ll think about it. But I have to go with my mom so I’ll talk to you later?

Nuke sighed under his breath, have fun.

Good night Nuke.

Nuke leaned back in his chair and the emptiness of the house overwhelmed him.

Chapter 2

S unday went by all too quick for Nuke as nothing but TV and instant dinners filled his day. It wasn’t until after school on Monday that he felt something turn in his stomach. Bailey had gotten accepted to the University of Florida and would be leaving the first of June. For Nuke that meant his time frame to win her over was running short.

As he prepared to head to the airport to pick his family up he waited patiently for the time of their flight. An hour then two then four passed and it was ten a clock at night with still no call or text. Accidentally falling asleep Nuke woke the next morning late for school and an empty phone. Something didn’t sit right with him, his parents forgot to tell him they were going to be later? Or did he miss the information. Instead of going to school he tidied the house up a little more and prepared to get them tonight.

Again no call, no text, nothing, just another soundless night. Thinking something was wrong he tried their phones. Every time a message saying the service had been discontinued streamed across the line. It was early the next morning the he was awoken to the sound of pounding on the door, can I help you? Nuke asked.

A man dressed in a military type trench coat stood on the other end, Nuke Waters?

Yeah? Nuke looked around nervously.

May I come in for a minute?

Well my parents aren’t really home at the moment, but when they get back I’ll let them know you stopped by.

The man shook his head, that’s why I’m here son.

Nuke gave the man an inquiring look and stepped aside, letting him in, what’s this about?

Nuke there’s no easy way to tell you this and I want you to be prepared for the worst.

Nuke rolled his eyes, what? Did their flight get delayed or something?

The man sat down at the table, Nuke, your family, he paused, your family has been killed.

Nuke’s face went blank, what are you talking about?

There’s a secret your family has been keeping from you and it’s time you know the truth. You’re family works for me, I am the General, director of the ATA.

You do realize everything you’re saying sounds like a fairytale? There’s no American agency known as the ATA!

The Assassins Training Agency is a top secret organization funded by the government for highly trained killers that are sent behind enemy lines and on priority missions. Though it is hard to believe, I brought you these, the General slid a folder across the table.

Slowly Nuke picked it up and looked over the files. His jaw nearly dropped as he saw all the information about his family and pictures of them with weapons in other countries. It was overwhelming as Nuke knew that this meant his family was gone. Dead. Never coming back, what do you want from me?

I give you a choice Nuke. Join me and find your parents killer, get revenge on the ones who did this to you. Or you will have to relocate to a family member and pick up the pieces of your life.

Nuke was quiet, I don’t know.

The General rose to his feet, "I’ll be