Chapter 2:

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Threat level Zero


We began to descend the stairs and walked through graffiti tunnels that had been long abandoned. Staying silent trying to slowly erase the image of blood in their minds probably except Braxton he didn't mind, and neither did I. At least, not anymore.. Soon we reached a large steel door with a slot, Scion knocked in a rhythm and the slot opened. A pair of dark eyes peered at us scanning with razor senses. “Welcome back” a rough male voice called and the door groaned open echoing through the tunnel the noise causing my body to shudder, admittedly our life wasn't perfect. After the escape we had to lie low for awhile, Reid even got a job like mine that didn't ask questions, except his was more noble suppose.

Lights glared of all colors, music blared and reverberated through my chest and we stepped into a giant room, the door groaning shut behind us sealing off sound to the outside world. My heart thrummed, people danced and moved to the pounding music. A large throne was at the back of the room with a large burly man on it. Scion led the group straight toward the crime boss, people began to part and stare, the music played on though. I kept my gaze forward, I was part of a small elite assassin group. If the boss wanted someone dead no questions, it was our job to take them out quietly.

The Crime Boss was well muscled, tall with tan skin and a beard growing, his hair blonde, and his eyes, a fierce calculating golden brown. Reaching the steps to the throne we all kneeled with a fist clenched to our hearts. I peered into the ground feeling eyes searing into my back. No one except the team and the crime boss knew about the powers or abnormalities we were.. It was part of the agreement. “Rise” he said calmly and we did, “good work, do you have it?”

“I wouldn't have returned if I didn't,” I leveled, pulling out the stainless steel floppy disk and extended it to him. Reaching forward he took the disk and smiled down with his white clean perfect teeth. “Well done agent Celeste” I tipped my head forward. Waving his hand forward, his little pup Tiffer stepped forward with several envelopes. Fat envelopes. Tiffer handed each of us one slowly, his scrawny frame tense and his blonde hair muddled. Carefully I opened the sturdy manila envelope inside was a lot of cash accounts to be hacked. It was better this way.

“Thank you sir” I closed it up and disappeared into the crowd that began to party again.

Weaving through dancers I made my way to the exit. I hated staying here for too long. Best way to avoid suicidal fighters, or worse, suitors.

Generally Braxton liked to linger, but I didn't want to wait this time. I let out a high pitched whistle. Sure enough heavy footsteps sounded behind her within minutes and he was ready beside her. There was another bolted door that connected to a dark alley. The man there opened it for us. Morning was approaching rapidly, and we hurried home.

The house was a modern mansion by the ocean. It was a private area, lovely, secluded. What more could we want? Braxton and I had managed to make our way into the house silently. I had cleaned the blood left on my face, changing into a white chiffon long sleeve over a pair of cargo shorts. Everything was tucked away inside my closet, including the mask I had stolen all that time ago. My eyes were pulled away from the closet by a scratching noise on my window. On the window pane was a pair of glowing yellow eyes watching me intently, looking closer I could see the rest of its body. It was a tabby cat. I chuckled, crossing the floorboards over to the windowpane, the cat's eyes never broke its gaze. With dawn creeping in and my night vision I could see the cat had a long pale stripe along its left side which was unusual. “Hello there” I purred, opening the window to run my fingers through the cat's sleek fur, it vibrated, rubbing it's head against my palm. “You wouldn't be so comfortable if you knew what I've done” I sighed. Slitting one claw I scratched the fat under its chin lightly. To my surprise it didn't seem alarmed, “you'll get cold out here” and with that I picked up the stray and placed him on my black silk bed. Finally I crawled into it as well and fell asleep.

I woke up in a cold sweat gasping for air. It wasn't real.. I had dreamt I slaughtered everyone with an asylum collar on. I got up quickly running to the mirror in the bathroom to examine my neck, it had scars around it, otherwise bare. The cool morning air kissed my skin and I sighed relieved. My stomach let out a loud rumble.. I remembered the cat suddenly and looked around the sparse room for him. But he was nowhere to be found. He probably slipped through the window while she slept.. Getting up off the bed I pulled the envelope out of my drawer and went to the door stumbling slightly downstairs. I could never hurt my family. Was it just an awful dream? Yes. But the memory still haunted her. A wonderful smell floated through the air and made my stomach demand food now. Downstairs in the kitchen was Kade, her hair up in a small ponytail. Spirit was at the table eating ramen noodles for breakfast along with Flame, Braxton was probably hungover in his room. Spirit looked over her shoulder with big eyes “CELESTE!” she smiled wide. Flame looked up noodles halfway in his mouth,

“morning” he smiled, sucking the last bits up.

“Made you some ramen, '' Kade smiled over her shoulder. It was by far my favorite dish Kade made, it was really appreciated it after that dream.

“Thanks Kade, hey where's Reid- '' arms wrapped around my middle from behind

“right here” he whispered his warm breath on my ear. His warmth filled me and I wished to stay like this, he knew the dangerous work I did, they all did. Pushing him away slightly I pulled out the envelope and opened it. Pulling out a few flash drives I handed it to him “this should pay the bills, get groceries, and be able to get you stuff to tinker with” I listed off. His face was soft when he gazed down at me, taking the money, his green eyes twinkled. I noticed Flame became quiet, his eyes bearing into Reid if Reid noticed he didn't show it. I dodged his stare and sat at the knobby wooden table.

These three years had been rough at first until Scion found me, stealing flawlessly one time if I might add. He had introduced me to Mark Crimsen the crime boss that ruled the central next to mine. Although the work was dirty it paid well and it wasn't like I was killing good people. Right? The Japanese cuisine was wonderful although Japanese stuff was mostly what Kade only cooked. She remembered when she met Kade, they were back at the asylum and about both of them were eight. Kade had just arrived at the asylum for force fields. Although she had been stripped of that with special bands around her wrists. Wanda had come and made fun of Kade with a few of her groupies and even dared to hit her. When I saw what was going on and Kade crying I threw myself in front of them both and told Wanda off before socking her in the face. No one had scolded me at the time, only turning a blind eye. Kade had clung to my side from then on and as she grew I taught her some moves which caused some of the teachers to take some favoritism towards Kade. It wasn’t uncommon for staff to favor the children and teens. Which is exactly why the lower levels like mine got strict staff. Many of us lower levels had some form of shock collar. All thanks to me unfortunately. I had quite the knack of unintentionally improving their security. Stealing from guards, bypassing into areas I shouldn’t be. Especially not into level Zero. 

Threat Level Zero

Threat level Zero


ArcaneOnyx
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