⸻

I fell through a portal two days ago, crashing into a strange, unfamiliar home. I don’t know how it happened or what caused it—only that I didn’t belong there.

Two days earlier

“Agent, are you almost done with your mission?” the commander’s voice crackled through my earpiece.

I glanced at my watch and realized I had overstayed my welcome in the warehouse. My assignment was complete, but the place reeked of blood and gunpowder, and the air was thick with the silence that follows violence. I gathered my gear, my boots echoing across the cold concrete floor, and made my way to the exit. With one last sweep of the room, I sent the collected data to headquarters and mounted my motorcycle.

As I roared away, I risked a final look over my shoulder. The warehouse loomed behind me, and along its side lay a grim trail of bodies—soulless, motionless. My jaw tightened until my teeth ached.

“I’m sick of this,” I growled into the wind.

When I returned to the agency, applause erupted. Another flawless solo mission, they said. My twenty-second completed operation this week. They called me the company’s prize trophy, the top killer of the year. For my age, my reputation had already eclipsed veterans twice my experience.

And yet, as I made my way to my quarters, the praise felt hollow, each cheer echoing in my mind like a reminder of what I’d become.

⸻

I found my best friend sprawled out in my chair, a lazy grin plastered across his face like he owned the place. Typical. I rolled my eyes and unbuckled my gear, letting the weight fall from my shoulders.

“Oh, come on, Li. The mission was a success—show a little joy, Sarah,” he chirped, his tone far too bright for someone who’d just walked out of a gunfight.

I shot him a fake smile—quick, sharp, and cold.

Kai sighed, leaning forward. “When are you going to get over this whole thing, Sarah?”

I didn’t bother answering. Instead, I peeled off my shirt, tossed it aside, and stepped into the shower.

My name is Sarah Li, and—as you’ve probably guessed—I’m an assassin. Not exactly the life an average teenager dreams about, but dreams are for people who still have a choice. I was recruited into the agency at eight years old—barely tall enough to see over the kitchen counter, let alone hold a gun. I knew it was young, but I learned early that life doesn’t care about what’s normal.

When you live with something long enough, it seeps into you. It becomes part of who you are, wrapping around your bones until you can’t tell where it ends and you begin. And just like poison, it can make you sick. That’s what happened to me—I grew tired, restless… hollow. My smile that day wasn’t fake because of the mission. No, it was because of him.

⸻

Back at my apartment, Kai leaned against the doorframe, watching me with that infuriating calm of his.

“You could always talk to the elders—ask for a break,” he suggested casually, as if the elders were known for their generosity.

I dropped my keys on the counter with a sharp clink and headed for the fridge. “I don’t want a break, Kai. I want to quit. I’m tired—tired of the bloodshed, the endless killing. Do you have any idea how long it takes to get bloodstains out of my gear?”

Kai scoffed, a dry little laugh that said are you kidding me?—like I’d just asked if he was a florist.

I rolled my eyes, cracked open the beer in my hand, and took a long swallow. “You know what I mean,” I muttered.

He just smiled at me, that knowing, maddening smile that made me want to throw the bottle at his head.

“But what would you even do if you quit?” he asked, tilting his head. “You’ve done this job your entire life. Sure, we got an education, but not like normal people. We finished college at sixteen—how exactly would you explain that to anyone?”

I shrugged, leaning against the counter. “I could pull some strings, get into whatever profession I wanted. Haven’t you ever wondered what you’d be if the organisation hadn’t found you?”

Kai’s gaze softened, just for a second. “I always liked animals,” he admitted. “Maybe I’d be a vet.” He let out a small laugh. “But that wouldn’t mean—”

⸻

“Leave the agency,” he said suddenly, cutting himself off. His voice was low, steady—too steady.

I froze halfway through taking another sip. “You don’t just leave, Kai. Getting away isn’t freedom.”

“It’s more than enough,” he replied, but his tone lacked conviction.

I sank onto the couch, letting my head rest against the worn cushions. Kai moved closer, his shadow falling over me.

“Do you think the others would agree with me?” I asked, meeting his eyes.

His gaze was like staring into a starless night—endless and empty to most people, but I knew better. I knew the storms brewing behind them, the hope and kindness he rarely showed.

“I’m with you,” he said simply, pushing away whatever fear lingered in his voice. “Through thick and thin.”

My eyes lit up before I could stop them. “Really?”

He grinned faintly. “Of course. I told you before, and I’ll say it again—I’ve got your back.”

I was so excited in that moment. I loved Kai like a brother—my only family in this twisted world. But I had no idea those words would be the last ones he’d ever say to me.

⸻

“You what?”

“I want to retire,” I said, for the second time, my voice steady despite the weight pressing on my chest.

The commander’s eyes narrowed. “Why on earth would you want that, Li?” he asked, his ridiculous British accent somehow making the question sound even more absurd.

I already knew the truth—no one left the organisation. Ever. You either died in the field or betrayed it and were hunted down. Either way, the end was the same. But I was done playing their game. I was going to be the first to walk away alive.

“Because I’m tired, sir. I’m eighteen—turning nineteen. I want a normal life,” I said, each word sharper than the last.

“And you can—with the organisation. You’re given breaks. Isn’t that enough?”

I slammed my hands on his desk. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, I don’t want a vacation! I want out of this organisation—and I want it now.”

For a moment, silence. He just stared at me, as if I’d spoken in a foreign language. Then he leaned back slowly, adjusting his seat, his gaze unreadable.

“…I’ll speak with the council,” he said finally, voice low. “See what can be done about your… situation, Li. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m quite busy.”

I turned to leave, but the cold knot in my stomach told me this was far from over.

I didn’t respond. I simply straightened up, nodded once, and walked out. That was a good enough answer—for now.

All I had to do was wait until they called me in again. When they did, I’d give them whatever reasonable responses they wanted, and I’d be free.

⸻

At the park

I sat at the far end, staring into space. The air was cool, the sunlight spilling in golden streaks through the trees. I listened to the chirps of birds and the distant laughter of children playing with their friends and families.

A small smile tugged at my lips. No screams of terror. No metallic tang of blood in the air. No death. Just peace—sweet, unbroken peace.

“Enjoying the quiet, Sarah?”

I opened my eyes to find him leaning over me, his presence blocking out the sunlight. My smile widened.

“You know nothing completes without your face,” he said with a teasing glint in his eyes.

He chuckled and placed a kiss on my forehead.

“I thought you’d be late today,” I teased.

“No work today,” he replied.

He sat down beside me and took my hand. My chest tightened. This was why I wanted a normal life—because of him. My job was poison to people like us. Too dangerous. He wanted a life free from constant fear, a life where he didn’t have to glance over his shoulder every five minutes. Staying with me would destroy him, sooner or later.

“So… when are they giving you a leave?” he asked.

“I… I don’t know,” I stammered.

He giggled, and the sound sent my heart racing. “Well, they’d better hurry. This will be our what—twenty-third date?”

“Thirty-second,” I corrected with a grin.

Before he could respond, my phone rang. I pulled it out and saw my commander’s name on the screen.

“You’ve got to go, I get it. I’ll see you tonight?” he asked, his eyes searching mine.

I nodded, rising to my feet. I looked at him one last time—and it was the last time I ever saw him. The last glimpse of my reason for freedom.

⸻

Back at the organisation

Today was the day. I would finally be free. I wore my uniform and stood outside the heavy steel door, waiting patiently. The surveillance camera tracked me, but I didn’t care.

“Agent Li, you may enter,” a voice called from inside.

I stepped forward without hesitation, my heart pounding like it had the day I made my first kill.

This time, the stakes were even higher.

I waited for them to speak. The atmosphere was so thick you could cut it.

“Agent, your leading commander told us you would like to retire. Is that right?”

“Yes, Elder Jack,” I replied.

They exchanged a calm glance before one of them asked, “And your reason?”

“I want a normal life.”

Elder Jack shook his head, disappointment flickering across his face. My gut tightened. Something felt wrong.

“I won’t say anything about the organisation. I swore an oath, and you can trust me—you know me better than any agent here,” I said firmly.

Jack’s eyes went cold, and my stomach dropped. “Is that so?” I heard him murmur.

“I don’t think you’ve been entirely truthful with us, Agent Li,” Elder Sofia said, her voice razor-sharp.

I stared at her, confused.

“Do you really think we wouldn’t keep an eye on you? Our most reliable asset—yet you’ve been going behind our backs, confiding in an outsider about our plans… and this organisation.”

My heart pounded. “What—what are you talking about? I’ve said nothing!” I snapped.

I hadn’t. I didn’t know anyone outside the organisation. I wasn’t close to anyone… except him. Except Skylar. But he was a normal civilian, with a normal childhood and parents. He couldn’t possibly be part of this.

“You’re confused, aren’t you, Sarah?” Jack said softly, a small, almost gentle smile tugging at his lips. One that carried sympathy… and regret. Regret for betraying me.

“Agent, would you please enter.”

The doors behind me opened, and I froze. I didn’t want to turn. Didn’t want to believe it.

Bootsteps echoed across the room—familiar bootsteps. He came to stand beside me without a glance, reporting his name and status in a voice that sounded suddenly foreign.

I couldn’t take it. My knees gave way, and I sank to the ground, tears sliding freely down my face—silent, burning.

“Oh, Agent Li… the world is a cruel and dark place, full of people who worm their way into your life just to make you weak and vulnerable,” Elder Sofia said.

And in that moment, the truth hit me. How we met. How he’d saved my life. How he’d filled my head with dreams of freedom—only to hand me over to the people I’d been trying to escape.

I forced myself to look up at him.

"Skylar... tell me they're lying."

He finally turned his head toward me. His face was unreadable, his voice steady. "I did what I had to do."

My chest tightened. "What you had to do?" My voice cracked, trembling between rage and heartbreak. "You used me. Every word, every touch—was it all a mission to you?"

He didn't answer. That silence was louder than any confession.

Jack stepped forward, his presence looming over me. "You trusted him because he was ordinary, harmless... that was the point."

I shook my head, my hands curling into fists. "You could have killed me. It would've been kinder."

Skylar's eyes flickered, just for a moment—something between guilt and resolve—but it was gone as quickly as it came.

"Escort Agent Li to holding," Elder Sofia ordered.

Two guards stepped forward. I didn't fight them. I let them lift me, drag me toward the heavy doors. My gaze stayed locked on him until the last moment, memorising the face of the man who had destroyed me.

And just before the doors closed, he spoke—quiet enough that only I could hear.

"This is the only way you live."

In the strange world

I came across a waterfall — the first I had seen since arriving here. It felt like the only normal thing in this place. At first, I thought I had somehow wandered into a foreign country, but the longer I stayed, the more I realized this was far beyond anything I knew. No matter how strange a land could be, it wouldn't have winged lions roaming freely... unless it were some kind of government experiment. But no lab would let something like that wander a forest.

I walked toward the water, taking in its untouched beauty. It didn't look like any human had ever set foot here. Still, I hesitated. Could I trust it? Could I trust anything in this place? My thirst clawed at my throat — two whole days without proper water — and I knew dehydration would kill me faster than hunger.

I crouched at the water's edge, scooped a handful, and gave it a cautious sniff...

Before drinking it, I reminded myself—I was immune to most poisons. The organisation had made sure of that. I took another sip, letting the cool liquid slide down my throat, and collapsed back, my thirst quenched but my body heavy with exhaustion. The sky above was empty—no birds, no movement—yet somewhere, faint and distant, I heard a single chirp.

I didn't follow it.

I didn't dare.

Sleep clawed at me, my vision blurring at the edges. Then—snap. A twig breaking. Sharp. Close enough to cut through my haze. My eyes shot open, my body instinctively tensing. I turned toward the sound.

I wasn't defenceless. My daggers hung at my side, my katana resting against my knee—retrieved moments before I'd been dragged into this place.

Something moved.

For a heartbeat, I thought it was a person. But what emerged was far more dangerous—a panther. Not just any panther, but a pure white phantom of muscle and grace, its coat untouched by even a single speck of black. Its eyes locked on me, unblinking.

I froze. My pulse thundered in my ears.

Do not move. Do not give it a reason.

The beast studied me, then padded slowly to the water's edge. It drank, each ripple in the surface catching my every nerve. I shifted slightly—too slightly—and from the corner of its eye, it saw.

I was 5'4". It was easily 6', all power and precision. If it chose to, it could kill me before I even touched my blade.

It lowered itself onto the ground, its massive head angled directly toward me. And then—it just stared.

I thought it was waiting for me to speak first. My lips curved into a cautious smile.

"Hi... I'm Sarah," I said.

Its tail flicked once—then wagged. I could've sworn it smiled. That's when my composure shattered.

"Hi. I'm System 832," it said, voice calm and unnervingly human. "But you can call me Snow."

For an assassin, surprises are rare. But this... this was something else. My heart couldn't take it. The edges of my vision went black, and I fainted.