Excerpt:

They had told him on numerous occasions that he would never be the same. Really, it was unnecessary to keep repeating that. He KNEW he would never be the same. He was reminded every time he took a step too fast and his leg collapsed under him. He was reminded every time he reached for a glass of water and his hand was too weak to grasp the cup. He did not need to be told. It had been long enough for the bone in his leg to knit somewhat but he was still using a crutch at the end of each day.
The worst part was it had been a training accident. That meant Jess had died for nothing. His stupid stupid mistake hadn’t been made saving anyone’s lives or the world as we know it. No. They had been practicing. Rinn thought maybe that hurt more than his arm and leg combined.
“This is your desk,” he hated how everyone felt the need to speak quietly around him. Yes, he was damaged goods, a useless waste of training when he could never go out in the world and help people. But did they really think that speaking quietly and softly would fix that? But he girl just looked so sweet, he could not be mad at her.
“Thanks,” he said as politely as he could. Her eyes lit up; apparently it was kind enough for her.
“So, I guess just call me if you need anything,” she smiled, “My name is Gina. I work right over there.” She pointed with one manicured nail to a desk on the far side of the room. “I am so happy to have you here with us,” her voice lowered conspiratorially, “To tell you the truth, it gets very boring down here in Data Management. All the agents work upstairs. But now that you are here…. Oh! You can tell us what being an agent was like.” She did not see his wince. Instead all she saw was the tired smile he had discovered worked best for getting sympathy and his way.
“Maybe some other time Gina,” He rubbed his left thigh wearily, “I need to sit down for a bit and I have a meeting with Danvers in an hour.” Her eyes lingered on his leg.
“Al-alright,” Her smile was much smaller than before, “But I meant what I said. If you need anything please do not hesitate. I like helping people.” He smiled and nodded and breathed a sigh of relief when she finally stepped from his cubicle. Thank the good lord above; she was exhausting. Rinn immediately stopped rubbing his thigh and sat down.
His desk was sparse, and it would stay that way. After the accident he was allowed to finish his training as an agent from his hospital bed but the doctors had told him and his superiors in no uncertain terms that it would take a miracle for them to clear him for active duty. So he was bumped from Agent to Paper Pusher. God he hated that title. When Gills had finally talked him into switching to the academy he had thought he was signing on for a life of helping people, a life of getting the innocents out of danger. What he had was a life of pain and form in triplicate.
“Morgenstern!” Rinn was out of his chair and across the office as quickly as his leg would allow. The rumors upstairs said that Peter Danvers was not a man who liked to be kept waiting for any reason.
“Yes sir?” He did not enter the office. It was policy that subordinates had to be invited in.
“Get in her, Morgenstern. You have got forms to sign.”
Great. Forms. Rinn limped over to the hard backed chair in front of Danvers’ desk. Peter Danvers was a tall, thin man whose face seemed permanently stained purple with his constant fury. He had tiny, black eyes and sparse hair. He was also universally hated by the entirety of the Paper Pushers. Rinn could easily see why.
As he signed and initialed his life away Danvers was talking, “You were an Agent so you know the company policy. It applies down here too. You mess up and get caught we do not know you. When you were at the Academy all of your records were erased, we will not reinstate them. You do not exist. No government can help you.” Rinn just barely managed to stop himself from rolling his eyes. He knew all this, Gills had talked to him and Jess about it in detail when they were going through the application process. Since the Agency worked for anyone who paid (or rather anyone who paid and was not going to use their services to hurt innocents) they had to be anonymous.
“I am done sir.” Rinn carefully stood up, “Do you need anything else, sir?”
Danvers eyed him meanly, “No,” he growled, “Get back to your desk. I will send Gina over with your duties.”
“Yes sir.”