The shackles that had encircled my hands to where they hurt as they pulled me downward. Besides my footsteps, the deafening silence made my head hurt. Each step on the reddish sand felt like a mile. I sigh deeply. I couldn’t even enjoy the sunlight in its full glory. What a shame.
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"Walk faster," The harsh voice forces me to look up. I slip up as my shackles tug me forward. I flinch as my body makes contact with the ground. Red dust particles land in my eyes. I coughed harshly as dust covered my throat, only worsening the pain. My neck slowly drips with the red liquid as I'm struck by no fewer than five weapons. I let forth a painful groan. I have my arm bent back behind me. Was this really necessary. I couldn’t run even if I wanted to. Why go through this much trouble?
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"Let her go."
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I could almost hear the soldier considering whether or not to obey his orders. A weight was taken off my shoulders, and I let out a relieved sigh. I turned to look at the voice.
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King's Advisor Elijah James. I glanced at the figure in front of me, and my eyes widened significantly. I never thought someone so important would stand in-front of me. Someone like me.
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“Follow me,”
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My jaw tightens from the pain as I force myself up. I move quicker this time. ensuring that I stay up. Polished marble flooring takes the place of the filthy ground. I'm surrounded by walls that appear to rise higher as I move. My legs were getting fatigued, and I could feel my feet falter. I was going to collapse if I didn’t sit down soon. When the advisor in front of me eventually stopped and opened the door, my lips twitched upward.
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I watched as he knocked on the door.
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“Enter”
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Should I stay at the door or follow him into the room? My sharp intake of oxygen only made my dry throat more prominent. My gaze looked for a response. I watched as he waved his hand as if dismissing my thoughts. I moved cautiously into the unfamiliar room.
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All the bookcases in the room were dark brown. It was by no means a small room. One desk occupied the center, with a chair in front and behind it. One man stood behind it.
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My legs lowered, as so did my head. There was no way. I had to been imagining it. What would king had to do with me. Why I did have questions I couldn’t voice them. It would be an act of treason. Punishable by death. Never speak unless spoken to.
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“I have a job for you…”
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I waited. Was it safe for me to respond? I may have been foolish bout not enough to cut off the king. I treasured my life, despite the life I lived it.
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“And that job is?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. I try my best to sound confident. Sadly I know I failed, the cracks in my voice are just too strong. My body stands straighter, if only for a second. I know I look weak. My tears in Enteral Prison did not do me well.
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“You are apart of the elite, correct?”
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The elite. I haven’t heard that name in a while. A light chuckle escapes my lips. I cough trying to hide it.
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“Yes, sir”
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“I have a mission for you. Work under me, for ten years. Ten years only, and I will make you a free woman”
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My eyes widened. Free. I would be free. Shackles would no longer be a problem, but at what cost. To shorten my sentence to, ten years would be a miracle.
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“If you accept, money will be no problem. Neither will power. If you decline…”
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The silent threat didn’t go unnoticed.
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The deal seemed a little to good. If I worked for him I would be free. For ten years though… it was an hefty price. I found myself wavering. I would once again be able to walk in the middle of the day, without a worry. It didn’t matter what the job was. I’ll do it, even if I was to risk my life. Freedom in the sun was just too much of a deal to give up.
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“I accept…”
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“Good” I listen as he snapped his fingers, guards rushed out of the room, one by one, all except for one. “I need your strength. I have formed a team with an specific job in mind. I believe that you’re assist would be the best for it.”
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It sounded simple. He needed someone to do his dirty work. What’s better than a lowly criminal to do it for him? If something went wrong I was disposable. At any moment he could replace me. Something was wrong, though. I’m sure of it. The way he carefully picked each word. It didn’t sit right with me. What had I really signed up for?
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I raised my head, if only a little bit. That’s all I need. A glimpse of his face. His dark brown eyes danced with amusement. I flinched as, I remember how I must look. To him I could be nothing but a lowly criminal wiling to do anything for a small amount of freedom. It be honest, I can’t really denial it. His thoughts hold truth.
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“Do you still plan to accept?”
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“Yes…” I’ll do anything to see the sun. Even if it means making a deal with the devil.
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“Greene.” The man besides the king stepped forward.
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“Yes, Sir.”
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“She’s be joining your team, starting from today. Give her a tour and introduce her to Team A.”
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The man nodded. I shivered. His green eyes peered through my soul, viewing every expect of my life.
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“Your dismissed.”
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I waited till the Greene moved, to get up. I let out a long breath as soon as the door closed behind us. Standing in front of the king was scarier then I ever thought it would be.
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“Let’s get something straight. I am your captain, and you are a lowly criminal. You will follow every order exactly. Understand?” The black mask that covered his mouth shifted as he spoke.
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I couldn’t speak.
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“Do you understand?”
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I was still hesitant. “…Yes”
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“You will respond with Sir, or captain. Moving on. Every Monday and Thursday we met here for our training. Most of our missions are on Sunday. We scout out surrounding on Friday. Saturday is planning. And Wednesday is personal.”
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My eyes widened. I forgot he was showing my around. Black mats covered every inch of the floor. Benches pushed to the walls. Punching bags hung from the ceilings. My eyes turned towards the group in the middle. They stood in a circle. Each had on the same black suit.
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“Lucky for you, Today’s Thursday…Team A!”
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“Captain.” The group yelled in unison. Their movements looked practiced. No one stepped out of line, not even for a second.
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“Today, we’ll have a new member, Imogen Miller.”
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Imogen…
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My real name.
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“How do you know that name.” My teeth grit together. No one should know my name.
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“My name is-“ I try to speak.
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“This is Aiden Reynolds. He specializes in defense.” Aiden took a large step forward. “He is-“ I cut Greene off.
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“Greene, I don’t know how you got that information but I don’t go by Imogen…”
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“Cadet, I thought that I informed you to call me Sir or Captain. Did I not?” His icy glare sent shivers down my spine.
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“Yes, Sir. But-“
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“There is no but. You do not speak unless spoken to. As I was saying, He is vice captain, as should he be respected as such. You probably won’t see him around too much, because of his many duties.”
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I wanted to say something. I wanted to argue. I opened my mouth. Desperately trying to force words out, but not even a sound came. My jaw tightened. I could only nod. I scanned over Aiden. I had never seen purple eyes before. Not ones as dark as his. His black curls covered his forehead.
He towered over me. He was at least 6,0.
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“This is Irene Rivera. She is number one at stealth. You will be working with her until you get used to our routine.” His voice was rough.
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Irene stepped forward. She looked around 5,6 Her clear blue eyes peered through the long brunette hair, that almost fully covers them. Why hide such a beautiful thing, I wondered.
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“Next is Cain Ayes. He deals with offense. He’s also our weapons specialist. Have any questions about your weapon, go to him.”
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Just as the rest before him, he stepped forward. He had short dirty blond hair, and hazel eyes. He had to be only 5,8.
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“My name is Felix Greene, but you’ll will address me as Sir or Captain.” He looked at me sternly. “I am an all rounder. Along side me we have another member. You will most likely meet at our next mission. If you’re ready by then.You better pray that you haven’t gotten rusty. We wait for no one, here.”
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I nodded.
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“Our training will start. Rivera you are excused. Finish showing Miller the rest of the building. Also show her, her room.”His eyes traveled across me. I could only imagine how dirty I looked.
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I watched in silence as they walked off.
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A hand touched my shoulder.
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I swear I felt my soul leave my body. I turned around. My chest went down, as I exhaled deeply. It’s just Irene.
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“He’s not always like that,” She said.
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Her voice is soft, almost a whisper. If she spoke a little quietist I’m sure I would have missed it completely.
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“He’s just irritated. He has a lot of his mind. He’s worried for our safety. Being strict is just his way of showing he cares.” She walked towards the mat.
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I stood there as she walked off. My thoughts shifted to Greene. Irene could be right, or maybe Felix was just an asshole. I’m not really sure which yet.
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A little voice spoke in the back of my mind. I had lived an adventure life. It was dangerous I won’t lie. My instincts is what kept me alive half the time. I had to be conscious of everything. I prided my self on being aware of my surroundings. So how did Irene get behind me?
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Why couldn’t I hear her footsteps…
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