Fire licked up the sides of my house as I helplessly watched through tears. I could hear my family wailing from the inside, agony scraping through their throats into inhuman screams. I tried to go in after them. Save them. But the people here don’t understand what I’m capable of. Don’t understand that I’m not like them. I won’t be harmed. The entire reason I escaped was owed to my strange abilities. But they don’t know this. They can’t know this.

I screamed until my throat burned, struggling against the arms of the spectators that held me back.

“My family is still in there! You have to let me help them!” I howled. “They’re gonna die! Let me go!”

“Hey! You need to calm down, miss. The firefighters are taking care of it, and your resistance isn’t helping. It will be alright,” one of the men holding me soothed.

I’ll never forget the image of the charred bodies that were supposed to be my parents and young brother. That picture will be forever ingrained in my mind. Guilt weighs heavily on me, not only because I know I could’ve saved them, but also because the fire was probably my fault. In the last few days leading up to the fire, I saw a few suspicious people snooping around our property. I brushed it off and didn’t tell anyone, but now I’m nearly one hundred percent sure that they were the ones who started it. I don’t know why they would come after my family, but if they found out about my abilities then that could definitely be a huge factor.

It all started when I was very young. My parents first thought that I was simply an early learner. I learned to talk, crawl, and walk much earlier than most children. They were surprised, but didn’t think too much of it. Then as I got older my abilities became more and more apparent. The shock my parents must have experienced when I taught myself to read and write at four years old must have been especially amusing to witness. If they didn’t find that to be out of the ordinary, then perhaps they were a bit more surprised when I figured out how to do college level math in middle school. I remember getting quite a laugh over my parents’ faces when they noticed that my eyes are reflective like a cat’s in the dark. These things must have led them to the conclusion that I was a bit different compared to other humans at some point. What exactly was I? Was I inhuman perhaps? Whatever it was, it was dangerous. My parents said people would definitely come after me if they realized what power I possessed. My parents homeschooled me and tried to teach me to blend in, and it worked so well that no one ever even sees me.

Now, I’m still unsure of many things, but I know one thing for sure. If they think they’re just going to get away with murdering my family, then they’re dead wrong. They will suffer ten fold!

“Hey there handsome. Care for a drink?” I brushed my auburn hair slowly off my shoulder and moved my lips slowly in a seductive manner I had practiced countless times before.

“I’m not sure. I’m a little busy at the moment.”

Ah, playing hard to get, are we? I can see your desire written all over your face! Where do you think your eyes are looking you disgusting man? You’re clearly more than twice my age!

“Ah, are you… sure?” I deepened my voice in a gentle, alluring tone. “My date stood me up, and I would really like to blow off some steam.” Ha… There it is. That look in your eyes is one I’m all to familiar with. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. I did cater everything about my persona to suit your tastes. It didn’t take long to figure you out with the way you gawk at every curvy woman who walks by.

“Well, I suppose business can wait. At least for a little while!” He moved in closer. “That drink is starting to sound awfully tempting.”

“Is that so?” I slowly slid my tongue across my teeth before leaning closer to him. I pulled his face closer to mine until we nearly touched, then inched towards his ear. I got so close I could feel my skin lightly brush against his.

“I’m so glad you’ve agreed to accompany me,” I breathed into his ear.

He gulped before slipping is hand down onto my lower back and leading me to the bar. He got drunk quickly and was very forward. He slipped his hand further and further down my back until…

This disgusting pervert!

“Less take iss to shumpolce lesh croded,” (Let’s take this to some place less crowded.) he slurred in my ear.

Perfect.

“I know the perfect place.” I led him to a dark back alley.

“Heyyy… wassispolce?” (Heyyy… what is this place?”

“You don’t need to know,” I replied in a calm tone. “But now I need you to do a favor for me. Can you? Oh please be a dear and cooperate for me.” My voice took on a sharper tone as I glared down at the spineless vermin of a man.

“Yer li’l #@%$! Jus way unil I geh my hands on you. You $@##$%#!!” (You little #@%$! Just wait until I get my hands on you! You $@##$%#!!)

“Haha… you’re in the situation and you still don’t know how to talk nicely. How pathetic.” I took out a gun I had concealed in this alley before taking on this mission.

“IF YUH DER LAY A FINER ON M— AGHHH” (IF YOU DARE LAY A FINGER ON M— AGHHH”

I slammed the back of the gun into his mouth. Blood trickled out as a few of his teeth spilled from his mouth.

“Haha… your boldness surprises me. Should I blame your stupid courage on the alcohol?”

“Whaddya wan fromme?” (What do you want from me?) He wheezed out as he tried to form words with his injured mouth.

“Me? Why would I want anything? Hahaha… You’ve ticked a lot of people off, don’t you know?” I raised my gun to his head.

“Ou wounen da!” (You wouldn’t dare!) He glared up at me defiantly.

“Oh, is that right? Wouldn’t I?” I leaned close and let him feel the cool of the gun against is forehead. “Well, I guess I should tell you one last thing before you go. You dear Veronica says hi.”

He went pale and his eyes flew open so wide they looked as though they would pop out. “Wai! No!” (Wait! No!)

*BAM*

“And there goes another successful mission,” I mutter to myself. I reach down into the pocket concealed in my uncomfortably revealing dress and pull out my phone.

“Was the mission successful?” A harsh female voice inquired from the other end of the line.

“No girl will ever be haunted by him again.”

“You never disappoint. Your payment will be waiting for you at the usual place.” *beep*

I let out a sigh. This isn’t exactly the life my parents had imagined for me. That’s for sure. I walk over to an empty window on the side of the building. A lonely girl stared back at me. Long auburn hair rolling in gentle waves down the length of her back. Dark brown eyes hardened from the countless horrible things she’s witnessed. “It’ll be okay. My hard work will pay off eventually. This isn’t all for nothing.” I assured myself.

I checked the messages on the phone I use for missions (because giving my real number out to any of my clients is just asking for trouble). Wow… 100+ different messages… why is everyone out for each other’s necks? Although I suppose I should expect this after training so hard to become the top assassin. I guess I’m going to have a busy week.

As I scrolled through the list of people who contacted me, I noticed one person who sent over 50 messages. What in the…

Please take care of someone for me!

I need the job done as soon as possible!

I’ll pay you twice what any other client will!

I need you to prioritize this.

Three times?

Please respond!

Four times? How about four times?

I’ll give you $1,000,000 final offer.

Ok fine. $2,000,000.

RESPOND!

*50+ messages later*

“What in the world…” I mutter in astonishment.

Oh! He’s typing again!

You might be quite interested in this case. It involves people with certain… skills I suppose one might say.

What is he talking about?! Oh… he’s still typing more?

Skills much like your own…

!!!

How could this person know?! Maybe I’m wrong… let’s play dumb for now.

Ah, does this mission involve other assassins perhaps?

Don’t play dumb with me darling.

I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about!

Fine. If you don’t want to take this assignment then I’ll give it to someone else.

Ugh… I know he’s baiting me, but…

I can take this mission as long as I get that large sum you mentioned.

Ah… you remembered ;-;

That’s my condition. Take it or leave it.

Fine. I’ll take the deal, but I’d better get good results.

You dare question my work, how insulting. Anyway, who’s the target?

He goes under many names, but you can probably find him by looking around the streets for “the Boss”. Big, scary, intimidating. You’ll know him when you see him.

When would you like this done?

Now would be great :D

** **I literally just finished a mission though…

I hung my head and trudged to the escape stairs along the side of the alleyway.

It’s gonna be a long day…

...…...

After a calling in a few favors I was able to track down the general location of the man I was meant to kill.

I looked up at the beaten up old building. The windows were broken and the roof was practically nonexistent. Who would want to stay in a place like this? Getting in is going to be easier than I expected.

I carefully scanned my surroundings and took a tentative step inside the building. Why was this area so empty? Did my sources have it wrong? Did they maybe trick me? No… perhaps I should look around some more before jumping to conclusions so quickly.

I looked around for several more minutes, but still found nothing. Eventually I wanted to quit, but just as I was about to leave I felt it. A vibration tingled through me, starting at the soles of my shoes. What in the world? I knelt down and ran my hands along the wooden boards of the floor. I wasn’t imagining it! It was vibratiing and rattling every few seconds. How strange. It almost feels as if there is something going on under the floorboards. There must be a secret basement, but how do I get there?

\*creeeeeak\*

I froze in place. Someone was here. I quickly hid behind the sofa and readied my silent shooter \(a weapon of my own design\).

“So you’re saying this whole in the wall is a popular club?” A deep male voice questioned.

“Obviously this isn’t the club part. Do you see anybody here stupid?”

Hm… this man has a light Chinese accent. Are there only two of them?*

“How am I stupid? You said the Boss ran a famous club here. If it’s famous then where are all the people?”

“OBVIOUSLY this club is only famous among our type of people if you get what I mean. You can’t do the things that go down at this club just anywhere.”

“But where are all the people?!” The man’s voice took on a whine.

Ugh… what a baby.

“Well if the activities going on here are super illegal, then why would we be so out in the open?!”

“Oh… right. Where is it then?”

”Come over here.”

\*click click click\*

The man stopped right next to the couch. I crouched lower and quieted my breathing.

“I’ll show you how to get in in a moment, but put this pin on first.” The man held up a small, silver pin.

“Why?”

“If you go in without wearing one of these, they’ll assume you are an intruder and kill you on site.”

Good to know…*

The man reached up towards a painting handing near the couch. “Now watch this.” He reached up and ran his hand along the top of the painting. He suddenly stopped and pressed down on something while simultaneously sliding the painting to the right. He only got it about an inch open before my bullet zipped through the air and hit its mark. He fell to the ground and his friend tumbled after. I kneeled down and took his pin from his shirt.

I tried to slide the painting open further, but it wouldn’t budge.

I guess you have to hold the button while you do it.*

I dragged the man’s body closer and carefully balanced on it so I could reach. The painting slid open with a quiet click. I carefully climbed inside and slid the entryway shut behind me.

To my right was a staircase. I looked down and it seemed to go down for a long while. I looked to my left, and just as I had hoped, a beautiful elevator sat there. Yes, it looked like every other elevator out there, but for me it shone for beautiful than anything jewels ever could.

Elevator \= no death by stairs :D

I pressed the button for the elevator and waited. After what seemed like forever but was really only about 10 seconds, the elevator dinged and the doors opened. I cautiously stepped inside, and the doors quickly shut behind me. A robotic female voice crackled over a speaker.

“Please scan your badge.”

A small wand\-like device popped out from the thin wall space next to the doors. I slid the pin quickly across and it flashed green. I melted in relief. What a smart trick. Not presenting the scanner for entrance until after the doors were closed, so if you don’t have a pin, you can’t escape. I fixed the hem of my annoyingly short dress, and adjusted my leather jacket neatly over my shoulders. The elevator finally reached the bottom, and I could hear music blasting from the other side. I had prepared myself enough for whatever was waiting for me. I was ready to face any scenario. Well, at least thought I was.

The doors slowly opened, and I was greeted by something that truly shocked me.

*What in the…*