This just got fun. I disappear again, and Chuck hits himself in the back. I am standing on the ground, but it feels as though I am still in the air. I force myself not to put my hand on my stomach because of the nausea. I infer that doing such might just show weakness. Chuck looks at me in confusion and tries to tackle me but I disappear and appear behind him once more. He falls to the ground with a loud clap from the hard impact.
Suddenly, Chuck pulls himself up and takes me by surprise. I don’t think this is any fun anymore.
I take a few steps back as he sends a fist full of fire soaring towards me. I jump to the right just in time, but he is able to grab my left leg.
I mold my other leg into a large fire hammer and spin around as if my other leg was an axle and the hammer lands in his face. I overlooked the fact that he was holding me so he launches me in the air out of sheer inertia caused by the impact.
I scream as I soar through the air. I close my eyes and feel myself go through space and time as I reappear on the ground behind Chuck. Why the hell am I still on the ground? If there were a rulebook, I would sure as hell love to see it right now! He laughs at my confusion and jumps right in my direction.
My stomach is swirling as I try to stand. It can’t just end now. I have to win! Mostly to prove to Will that I am strong and I can do this, also for all of these bastards who think this is funny.
I am able to turn over so I am on my back, but instead of seeing the ceiling, I see Chuck over me. I am totally confused right now. Then I realize that he launched himself over to me so he will land on top of me.
On top of me? Shit! My breath gets caught in my throat and my whole body in general is just paralyzed out of shock. When he lands, my legs will most likely be broken. Ha, not just my legs! My whole fucking body! Great!
I raise my hands to the air and feel myself disappear. My head aches and my stomach is swimming. When I open my eyes I am standing on my feet (thank you! I am not on my stomach!), holding my hands out to my sides to keep myself steady like I am sitting in a glass of water trying to keep the water in the glass.
I look in front of myself to see Chuck lying on his stomach with his face pointing towards mine. His eyes are closed and I can see a bruise forming on his cheek.
The arena becomes silent as they wait to see if Chuck will get up or not. He stays down.
I stare at the crowd surrounding me and I grin. I did it. They all begin to cheer loudly and flock around the beaten Chuck. I look around, searching for the blue eyes that have seen my very being. A large smirk forms on my face when Will make his way towards me in the center of the small arena.
My stomach did not like the fight very much. And now I was just so eager to see Will, my stomach is just swirling inside… and all these butterflies… I vomit on the ground.
With sweat on my body I breathe heavily and feel a little better. I want to rest.
“Whoa! Are you alright?! And how did you do that? It doesn’t come with the fire. But damn, that mess you just made…” Is his greeting.
Hi to you too, William! I am great, thanks! It’s not like I almost just died in front of you!
I gather all that’s left of my strength and manage to say, “I don’t know. I just braced myself for a hard crash but instead I am on his back,” I sigh with a gleeful laugh, forgetting about the terrible greeting. It feels as if just talking to him gave me a small burst of energy.
Then Chuck walks up to me and says, “That was amazing. You have a great gift. You earned that win. And you made a nice mess here.”
I grimace at the large bruise on the right side of his face and his left arm that is in a makeshift cast. “Thanks,” I beam at him.
Chuck notices what I am looking at and assures me, “Don’t worry. My arm is just sprained and I am still devilishly handsome even though I have a large purple and black bruise on my face,” He wiggles his mustache and gives me a huge grin.
I laugh and glance at Will. He is staring at me. Awesome, here come the awkward police! I turn my gaze away and awkwardly laugh while staring intently at the floor.
Yes, that is defiantly the awkward police.
“You will forever always be handsome, Chucky boy,” Will laughs from beside me while patting Chuck on the shoulder. I look up at Chuck and he glances in between Will and me.
Chuck whistles and turns to look at the other Conduits who are pulling out bottles of beer. They start to motion Chuck over, so he says his goodbyes to us.
I wave slightly at his descending figure and turn back to Will. He isn’t looking at me at all. I clear my throat and he turns to me. I give him a small smile and he stops daydreaming.
Will smiles back at me and says, “Time for more practice.”
“What? I just did that for fuck’s sake, Will!” I whine.
“Oh stop your winning. He got you. Don’t think I didn’t hear that scream,” He teases while raising an eyebrow. I look down and blush with embarrassment. I am out of words. I had hoped that it wasn’t that loud.
Will takes his index and middle finger to lift my chin up to his face. “Don’t be embarrassed. It happens all the time, princess,” He says softly.
I can feel the heat come up to my cheeks and a furious blush forms on my face. He speaks so softly with such care. It surprises me. He can’t be serious.
“Out with the impudence, Will,” I say strictly. But I just can’t seem to ward my blush away.
While I am fretting, he is smirking. “Don’t think I don’t see that blush either, princess.”
I pull away and glare at him, “You are a little impudent shit, Will. Just leave me alone and stop teasing me!”
“Oh, sweetie! This is just the beginning,” He says with an evil chuckle.
I keep on glaring and a sad feeling appears in my stomach. Why does he have to be so irritating? “What is your problem, Will? One time you are nice the next you are cold and bitter!” I snarl.
He smiles wickedly, “Sorry, princess if I disappointed you.” He gives me a huge grin and continues, “Besides, why would you care?” Will shrugs casually. He turns on his heel and struts away, leaving me there to stare at his descending figure in shock.
…
After that discussion with Will, I decide to get some sleep. I must get some sleep or I’ll pass out.
I slowly walk to my room, which is sadly next to Will’s. I don’t mind the only problem is my silly crush. Stupid, pathetic, illogical crush. And the worst thing is, I see that it will come true.
Since the disappearance of Eric, I have been keeping my distance from people. The only people I happen to converse with are Will and some other trainers who want to help me practice.
Chuck seems to be very nice, but he intimidates me a little bit. Even though I won a fight against him, I am still scared of him. What really scares me is how I disappeared and got transported to a different spot.
Maybe Will is right. Maybe, my parents really were Conduits, but how can that even be? I knew my parents. They can’t be Conduits! I can’t remember if they had tattoos or any markings on their forearms so it really doesn’t make any sense to me.
When Will and I were talking before in the infirmary, I had felt something. He had sparked something in me that I have never felt before. I really need Eric right now.
I shake my head and open the door. My things from my apartment are still there, so I don’t have any of my old things, which really sucks. Will was able to find some things for me to use, but I miss my cozy home. I wish this never happened. I even wish my parents weren’t dead.
I collapse to the bed and sigh. I sit up a bit and grab my pillow. Pressing it to my face, I let out a scream. I scream into my pillow, and it is ever so refreshing. For the first time, I am letting out my emotions. Yet, I feel so cowardly and vulnerable in these quiet moments. After screaming, I begin to let myself cry.
A hand on my shoulder makes me disappear and reappear clutching my pillow in the corner of the bare room. My stomach drops at the feeling, but I ignore it t
he best I can. The blood escapes from my face and I blink several times to shove away the dizziness.
“Why are you crying, princess?” Will stands across from me with a slightly confused look on his face. I am surprised to see the emotion, but I know that if I show him that I am shocked then he will make a snarky remark.
“II wasn’t crying,” I lie. I shuffle my feet and clutch the pillow closer to my chest. The vulnerability I feel right now makes a shiver crawl down my spine. He better not laugh at me. “What’re you doing in my room?” I snap.
Will chuckles and ignores me, “Sure you weren’t.”
I glare at him and move my gaze to my feet. We stand in silence for a few moments. “Will you ever sod off? You are free to do so right now!” I croak.
“Not until you tell me what is up,” He persists with an irritated tone.
I sigh, might as well tell him. My eyes start to sting as I begin speaking in a soft whisper, “I am a human being, and human beings are known to have emotions, Will. I don’t have my brother. He is my best friend, the one who has always been there for me. Yet, he is gone. And this makes me feel, emotionally speaking, terrified,” I throw the pillow at the wall and the tears streak down my cheeks uncontrollably. My shoulders start to shake furiously, but I take in deep breaths to stop.
I continue quietly in a slow manner, “I have been mugged, and someone tried to kill me for no reason! I have been in brutal training that might not even lead to Eric and I just fought a huge man to just find out that I am a bigger freak than everyone here is, Will! And I don’t know what to do! You would be nice and sweet to me, and then all of a sudden I want to strangle you because of your rudeness and impudence! And so many secrets that I never knew of that my parents were hiding are now starting to cloud up my vision like that damn Mist! I might never know the answers to my aching questions because they are gone! Cause of a fricken’ idiot my parents are dead! II just hope t-that II can wwake up from this hhorrid nightmare!” I cry. I stutter on some words, the emotion slowly becomes too great for me to handle.
Will sighs at my cry and he takes my hand hesitantly. My body shutters at the soft and warm touch of his hand on mine. He leads me to my bed and we sit down next to each other. I stare intently at the crumpled pillow that lies on the ground, refusing to meet Will’s pestering eyes. I can feel him looking at me awkwardly, and I hope he just starts speaking already.
Soon enough, he begins, “Alice, please don’t worry.” Just from that one statement, my heart flutters dramatically. I slowly rest my head on his shoulder and he wraps his arm around me.
“I promise you that we will get Eric,” he continues, “I will do whatever I can to make sure you and your brother are reunited. Your training will help you get past the people who took Eric away from you, trust me I know. I’m sorry if the training is getting brutal for you, but to get Eric we need to work fast. And as for me what you said about me, I truly apologize. My mood changes quickly at the slightest of things. It is from my father. I hope that can change soon enough. I am a burden when you first know me but, after a while you will get attached,” he sends me a flashy smile and I blush furiously. He finishes with a hopeful suggestion, “You know, I have this old journal that belonged to my dad. Maybe if we take a look at that you could find some answers?”
I pull my head up and stare at him in surprise. He is going to do all this for me. There really is hope. “Thank you so much, Will,” I throw my arms around his neck for a hug.
Will hesitantly places his arms around my waist and returns the hug. “Anything for you, princess,” He whispers in my ear.
I pull away and smile. My tears are gone and a refreshing feeling is in the saddest and darkest places of my heart. “I would really love to take a look at that journal, actually now that you bring it up,” I say with a big smile.
Will nods and says, “Alright, It’s a date. Don’t be late, day after tomorrow, after dinner,” He stands up and takes my right hand into his. He brings my hand up to his lips and he gently brushes his lips against it in a soft kiss.
I feel my heart rise up my throat and a blush forms on my face. “It’s a date then,” I mutter dreamingly.
“Good. Goodnight, princess,” He whispers. Will lets go of my hand and walks out of the room casually.
I sit there in shock; I am hyperventilating from the rush of something so simple.
I had just agreed to do research with Will, which ended up being a date. I have never been with anyone before. I don’t know what I shall do. Should I just dress casually or all fancy? Maybe something in between. I place my hand to my lips and a small smile slowly forms.
I let out a sigh. My breathing has slowed down to normal, but my heart is still pounding against my sensitive skin. If I don’t go to sleep now, anxiety will hit me. So I jump up and quickly close the door. I undress and replace my training clothes with a nightgown Will had ‘borrowed’ from some girl that he knows.
Now that I think about it, what if he had slept with her? And if this is the thing she wore during that moment… I shudder at the disgusting thought. Ugh, now I feel nauseous. Good job, Alice. Why do I even care? I shouldn’t, we aren’t together and I don’t own him. So just let go of the thought, Alice. Now I can’t stop thinking about Will. How can I possibly go to sleep now? Stop thinking about a stupid and a petty crush! He isn’t the main objective, Eric is!
I curl up into a ball in my bed and close my eyes. I really hope I can get some sleep tonight and not have any nightmares. So my mind ends up drifting back to Will. A smile forms on my lips and I have the most perfect dream for the first time in what seemed like ages.
I finally have hope.
Betrayal
Alice’s Assassin Third Perspective
She failed.
For the first time in ages, Red Brown, the best assassin the Chemi-Terrorist Order has to offer, has failed. It was an easy task. The girl was weak, in the process of getting used to her abilities.
Red was given Alice Lee as her target only weeks earlier. Normally it takes an assassin months to track down, get their target alone, and to strike. Red has always been known to be the quickest in her job, it’s just how she was trained.
…
Two weeks ago
It was three hours after curfew when Red was called down to the Captain’s office. When she didn’t have a job, Red had a apartment in the Bronx where she stayed to rest. During her assignment days she was required to stay at the C.T.O. base by her boss.
Her life was incredibly strict. She was born at the base, grew up there, and worked there. Red didn’t have a choice. Her father, Oliver Brown ran the base as the Captain. Her mother was a Chemi-Terrorist that worked with the government in exchange for freedom.
Her mother died from sickness when Red was younger, so she was left to be raised by her father. The Captain was soulless, and heartless, even to his wife and daughter. He trained Red to be like him, so maybe one day she would take his place.
Until then she is a assassin. Her job is to receive her targets profile, locate them, and take them down – unless stated otherwise. It was illegal to speak with the target, to become ‘attached.’ Which is why Red’s preferred weapon is a bow. She likes to kill from a distance.
She was wearing her uniform – fully black clothing, hair tied in pony-tail, with the C.T.O. logo imprinted on the clothes. Red trekked down the long hallways towards her father’s office. She rarely saw him usually. He stayed, and practically lived in her office, as she went along with her work.
He never called her daughter, only Officer Brown. She never called him father, only Captain. He gave her and the rest of the assassin’s their targets. No love was ever received from her father.
She stood outside of his office doors for a moment silently, with her eyes closed. She was ashamed to have such a monster as her father. He certainly wasn’t human.
Finally she rapped her knuckles against the door and entered without any noise. The Captain wasn’t in the room, but inste
ad at the balcony leaning against the railing, and staring down at the C.T.O. officers marching in formation.
No lights were on in the room, the large master desk was neatly organized with files and papers. The Captain wore an all black suit with black gloves, his dark auburn hair slicked back with grease. He turned around on his heel to look at Red.
She trained herself not to wince when she looks at him, she used to never be able to look at him. His teeth were sharpened to resemble animal teeth, and his skin has had so many scars that it doesn’t even look like flesh anymore, just a layer at white and pink torn skin.
The Captain walked to his desk, and grabbed a folder that held confidential files. He handed it to Red, and she took it. As he walked to his leather chair, Red opened the folder and flipped through the pages.
“Alice Rosemarie Lee,” he said, his voice gravely and deep, “brother Eric Nico Lee works with the rebels. He has been extracted from their home and taken down to the prison. You,” he stopped to lean forward, “will kill the girl.”
Red narrowed her eyes at the papers. They were normal kids in her eyes, and the only thing that the government had against them was that the brother worked with the rebellion. “Sir,” she said, but paused to wait for his approval.
He waved his hand at her annoyingly, allowing her to see his sharpened nails. She quickly looked away and then back to his face.
“Who is the girl?” she asked.
The Captain crossed his arms around his chest. “You’re not to care for who she is, just take her down,” he said, “understood?”
Red paused for a moment and held his stare, “Yes, sir.”
…
Present
Red just arrived at her apartment, locking the door and tossing her keys onto the living room table. She crosses the room and falls down into the couch, closing her eyes while letting out a deep sigh.
Alice: The Leader Page 9