• I opened the door quietly, doing my best to not make a sound. A mouse would’ve been louder. Motioning silently behind me, I crept into the dark room, and waited as my companion followed. He shut the door with an inaudible click, and we were plunged into blackness. That was not a problem, however. I slid my night vision goggles over my eyes, and scanned the room for danger. No cameras at the ceilings, no laser in the walls, no pressure pads on the floor. I held my breath, tapping my follower’s chest to signal for him to do the same. There. Another person was in the room, breathing heavily. I silently counted, waiting. Sleeping, then. I crept forward, listening intently for any signs.
    Behind me, a floorboard began to creak, and I froze. Whipping my head around, I glared through the inky blackness at my partner. Sorry, he mouthed. I held up a short knife, its blade glinting, picking up light particles even our eyes couldn’t see. Next time, I mouthed back, I’ll be forced to use this to silence you. I didn’t worry about him being able to see my mouth move; we’d both been trained in lip reading and sign language. If we’d wished to, we could pretend to be deaf. People would never know the difference. We were that good.
    Starting forward again, we continued through the room, side-stepping tables and low-backed chairs. From the looks of things, we were in a sitting room. I stepped over a rug and paused. Ahead was a doorway, and through it I could see a motion detector, its plastic casing shining in moonlight. Windows, then. But how to find the arc of the sensor? No need, I decided. I held up two gloved fingers behind my back, then flattened my palm. A signal to my comrade. In moments, I felt him placing a small assassin’s needle into my palm, and I grasped it quickly, bringing it in front of my face. Holding the end, I took careful aim at the plastic device, and threw it across the room. It hit dead center, and a tiny spark flew from the machine and winked out. Short-circuited. We were in.
    Creeping into the room, I used the door for cover as I snuck over to the end of the bed, hiding behind the footboard. The source of the breathing was wrapped in the blankets on top of the bed, sound asleep. He was completely oblivious. My partner wiggled his fingers from behind the door, and I wiggled mine back. Checking this room as well, I noted that there were no more security devices to set off. Shifting slightly, I stood and strode over to the side of the bed. The windows were behind me, and the moonlight streamed in as my shadow fell across the body wrapped in blankets. I paused for a moment, listening for any other humans in the house. None; we were alone.
    Switching off my night vision, I set the goggles back above my forehead, and in the process, I pulled the short dagger from my belt once more. Poised and ready, my partner stood on the other side of the bed, holding his own dagger. I looked into his eyes, and he nodded at me. I nodded back, signaling him to pull off the blankets. Not waiting for him to pull them back all the way, I took careful aim and tossed the dagger with practiced ease, aiming for the heart, it landed with a dull thunk, right on target. I turned, speaking for the first time.
    “Let’s go,” without waiting for an answer, I began to walk away, not caring to silence my steps any longer.
    “But, what about the notebook?” my partner said, rushing around the end of the bed and blocking my path. “Isn’t that what we came for? That’s what he wants, isn’t it?”
    “It’s not here,” I sighed, exasperated. This guy sure didn’t catch on quickly. “Isn’t that right, Sir?” I said over his shoulder.
    “Very good, Alice,” the man said from the doorway. He stepped into view, and my partner skittered away from me, to stand with his head down, refusing to look the man in the face. I was defiant, and looked him straight in the glimmering eyes, crossing my arms and shifting my weight to one side. “I’m proud of you.”
    “Liar,” I spat. He’d never been proud of me. I didn’t expect him to be now. This was too easy. His eyes narrowed, catching mine and holding them. I refused to look away.
    Suddenly, a sharp dagger flew out of the darkness, aiming for my right eye. I dodged, but not quickly enough. It sliced through the skin on my cheekbone, and I blinked quickly, unwilling to show my pain. Blood began to trickle slowly down my cheek, but I ignored it. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of thinking he’d beaten me. The boy watched me, awed by my insubordination. Finally, the man stepped forward from the darkness, and the boy’s gaze hurriedly dropped. I, however, lifted my chin even higher.
    He walked straight up in front of me, and looked down, contempt showing in every line of his face. Without warning, he hand flew towards my face, and I countered it easily, stopping it from touching me. Quickly, I withdrew my hand, and switched my gaze elsewhere. Today was not the day to break a limb. I had training and classes tomorrow.
    “Your gaze shall not meet mine,” he hissed in my ear, “unless you want to lose it.” I could see the boy watching me, terror showing in his eyes. They should teach him to hide that. It does not do for an assassin to show his emotions like an open book. He would not last long in this profession. I could tell.
    “Yes, sir,” I said sarcastically. “Can I go now?” He smiled suddenly, and I took a step back. His smiles were not like normal smiles. If he smiled, people died. Regularly.
    “Of course.” I turned to leave, but he stopped me with a tap on the elbow. Turning, I glared at him. He didn’t notice, he was too busy watching the boy as he shifted nervously, head down, under the man’s stare.
    “Take him with you,” he said calmly. I watched as the boy’s features perked up, listening intently.
    “Why should I?” I hissed.
    “Because,” he said simply. His gaze returned to me, and I hurriedly dropped mine, not wanting to lose my sight so young. “He is your new partner.”
    “What!” I exclaimed, head snapping up. “Are you kidding me? The kid’s a klutz! I’ll never be able to work with him there! Did you hear that board squeak? He wouldn’t last five minutes—”
    “Alice,” he said sharply, cutting off my tirade. “That’s an order.”
    I gritted my teeth angrily. I couldn’t disobey a direct order like that, but if I kept this kid with me, I’d be forced to train and care for him myself. My work would probably take a dive. I’d have to work harder than ever to earn my meals and lodging each night. Sighing loudly, I reached out and grabbed the boy’s hand, dragging him along behind me as I stormed out.
    “If he fails, I want a raise!” I shouted behind me. The front door slammed as I left the building. If I hurried, I might be able to grab the last bits of food in the cafeteria when I got home. This kid looked like he was about to faint any minute. Needless to say, I missed what the man said after I’d left.
    Strolling over to the bed, he pulled back the sheets. There lay a dummy, roughly in the shape of a sleeping teen. A tape recorder had been taped to its chest, where the heart should’ve been. My dagger had buried itself in the box, cutting off the sounds of breathing that issued from the device. He pulled the dagger out, turning it over and twirling it between his fingers.
    “It’s nearly time…”

    ~Three years later~


    “You called us?” I asked calmly as I stepped into the circular office. My partner, Jake, was right behind me. Ever since he’d been forced on me three years ago, we’d been inseparable. I had decided, that night, that it wasn’t his fault that he was here. He didn’t ask to be kidnapped and sent to the Academy. From what I knew, he was a typical, small-town kid. Kidnapped at fourteen, he’d been sent on a mission with me on his very first night living here. I, at fifteen, was quickly rising to the top of my class as the best assassin this Academy had ever seen. Jake, however, was clumsy, loud, and extremely nervous. After I’d taken him in, I’d gotten him set up on a proper diet, training schedule, and workout sessions. Within six months, he looked like he’d been born here. I hated to admit it, but I was proud of him; proud of what he’d accomplished.
    “Ah, Alice; Jake. Please, come in,” the man stood from behind his desk and gestured at the chairs positioned in front of it. Jake strode over calmly, taking a seat in the leftmost chair. I walked over, slightly more cautious, and stood behind him, my hands resting on the back of his seat.
    “I’ll stand, thanks,” I said coldly. Jake had asked me why I didn’t get along with the Boss during his second week here. He’d quickly deduced that it had something to do with my upbringing here, and how I’d come to be in this school. Curious, he’d asked for details. He quickly learned not to ask about it again.
    “Alice, dear,” the man sighed. “Ever the cold-hearted one, I see.”
    “I’m not the one with a school full of child assassins,” I pointed out sarcastically.
    “Touché,” he said approvingly. I was getting better at my snappy comebacks.
    “Ah, um, what did you need, Sir?” Jake said quietly. He stared at his hands in his lap, dark hair falling in front of his green eyes to obscure them from view. I’d always hated how submissive Jake acted around the Boss, and I’d let him know it on more than one occasion. Still, the man instilled fear in the boy. I wasn’t about to force him into doing anything about it—that would be too much like the Boss himself.
    “Ah, right. Thank you, Jake,” he said, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. “Now, down to business.” I sighed. It was always, always, “business”. He never called us to congratulate us on a particularly hard job, or give us the day off. It was always about if we’d screwed up, or what he wanted us to do next.
    “Why don’t you get your other killing prodigies to do this crap?” I grumbled loudly. “Why us?”
    “Because,” he smirked lightly. “You are my prodigies.” Holy crap. Had I actually just seen that? Jake blushed. Actually blushed. Like, pink in the face with pleasure. I wanted to hit him.
    “Really,” I said, crossing my arms.
    “Really,” he replied.
    “Then what are the others?” Jake looked at me warily, but I simply glared at him in an, I’ll-deal-with-you-later way, and continued my defiance. Suddenly, the Boss smiled, and I thought my spine had turned to ice.
    “Toys,” he said, an evil grin splitting his face in half.
    ~*~

    Back in our shared dorm, I stormed into our room and slammed the door shut after Jake had gone past me into the room. He sat down at his desk chair, and I stomped over, spinning it around and slapping my hands down on either side of his arms, on the desk. He leaned back, trying to get me out of his face.
    “What the hell was that about?” I demanded, fuming.
    “What,” Jake asked warily. “What’d I do?!”
    “‘What did you need us for, Sir?’” I mimicked in a childish voice. “You freaking blushed, Jake. Way to suck up.”
    “So?” Jake said, suddenly defensive. “I’d rather not gain a new injury every time I see him,” he shot back. “What’d that bandage on your cheek come from? Telling him to stop dying his hair and get old already?”
    It was my turn to blush. I touched the white bandage gently. He’d hit the nail on the head.
    “Fine,” I said, straightening up and backing off. “You don’t want us to fight? We won’t fight.”
    “You won’t?” Jake said, surprised. He stood as well, and ruffled his hair lightly.
    “No, we won’t,” I said firmly. I turned and pulled open my closet door, grabbing my backpack off the floor. “Because I’m leaving.” Jake paled, clearly shaken.
    “What?!”
    “You heard me,” I said calmly as I began to methodically pull out my clothes and stuff them in the bag. Next went my assassin kit, my cup, my tiny plate, and my carving knife. After that went a small First Aid kit, and a blanket.
    “But,” Jake faltered, clearly not seeing this coming in the argument. “B-but you can’t!”
    “Watch me,” I said, my eyes flashing at him. He winced. Now he knew I wasn’t joking.
    “But,” he hesitated, and then pressed on. “What about me?” I stopped. Crap.
    “Um” I said, stalling for time. I slowly picked up my two-person tent and shoved it in the front of the pack, zippering the whole thing shut. “You could come with me,” I finally decided. “Or you can stay here, and become his pet. Your choice, but choose now, because I’m not waiting.” I watched the conflict play out in his mind through his eyes. On one hand, there was the constant that was a warm bed and good food each day, as well as a job and a life. On the other, I was the one who had saved him; raised him; taught him everything he knew. He sighed, defeated. I smirked to myself, hiding it with my hair.
    “Let me get my stuff,” he said.
    ~*~

    Wham.
    The force of the collision knocked the wind right out of me, and I fell to the ground with a thud.
    “Ouch!”
    “Sorry, sorry! Are you okay?! I’m so sorry!”
    “Shut up, moron!” I hissed. “And get off me!”
    “Sorry!” Jake rolled off me, and jumped to his feet, stretching out his arm and pulling me up. “Are you hurt?”
    “No,” I said quietly. “But will you please learn how to climb out a window? You’re an assassin, for god’s sake!”
    “Sorry,” Jake said, hanging his head.
    “Ugh,” I groaned and rubbed the back of my head where it’d collided with the ground. “Stop apologizing already and get the rope. We might need it later.”
    “Yes!” He quickly dashed over to the window, and flapped the rope, unhooking it from the sill. He deftly began to roll it up, and in seconds it was stashed away in his bag.
    “Alright,” I said, sighing once more. “Ready?”
    “Ready,” Jake confirmed, setting his mouth in a hard line and nodding seriously.
    “Then let’s go.” I turned and started off into the night, sneaking behind bushes, hiding behind trees, and darting from building to building, keeping to the shadows. Jake was right behind me. Finally, we reached the main drive, and we followed it in the darkness, taking care not to step on twigs or branches that might give away our position. We reached the wall that ran around the campus, and finally, the main gates came into view.
    “Oh,” Jake said.
    “Crap,” I finished. The gates were at least twenty feet tall, with two guard towers on either side of the opening. Made of three-inch-thick steel bars, the gate rose up into the blackness, its menacing shadow spread out on the gravel like spilt oil. The top was entirely made of sharp, glinting spikes, and a huge padlock and chain held it shut for the night. Spotting a padlocked switch on the outside of one of the towers, I realized that the entire thing was electrified.
    “No way,” Jake said, backing away slowly into the trees. “We can’t do this Alice.”
    “Jake,” I began.
    “No,” he cut me off, “Alice, do you see those guards? There’s at least eight of them, and two of us. There’s no way we could even touch the gate, let alone open it. Even if we did cut the electricity, I can guarantee the guards each have at least four or five guns each. We can’t do it.” He shook his head, and looked straight into my eyes. “It’s impossible.”
    Suddenly, I grinned, teeth flashing in the moonlight. I was reminded eerily of how much I looked like the Boss when Jake stepped back nervously.
    “Alice?” he questioned warily.
    “Who said anything about going through the gate?” I said innocently. My expression darkened, and I let my smile fade. “There’s more than one way out of this prison. Follow me.” Without another word, I turned and strode off through the trees, in the direction of the wall. I listened as I walked, and smiled to myself as I heard Jake sighed and come after me.
    ~*~
    “Ouch!”
    “Shhhh!”
    “Sorry!” Jake whispered, rubbing his head. “Why are we doing this again?”
    “Because, Jake,” I whispered back. “I’m fed up with being ordered around by that man like a dog. You don’t deserve to have this happen to you. You shouldn’t become some cold-hearted killing machine like me.” Jake blushed, and mumbled something even I couldn’t catch.
    “What?”
    “I said, you’re not cold-hearted.” I blinked, surprised, my face tinged pink in the darkness. I turned away, hoping he hadn’t seen.
    “Thanks.”
    “Anytime.”
    “Hey! Who’s there?” We froze, the sound of a man’s voice carrying through the night to our hiding place. Stashed away in a hole in the wall, Jake and I were crouching halfway through, waiting for the proper moment to dart through to the other side, to freedom. It was taking everything I had to stop myself from dashing forward into that freedom and getting us caught. I’d found this hole on an errand run for the dorm, when one of the guard’s dogs had gotten loose and chased me into the trees, I’d run for the wall, and flung myself into it, thinking it was just a bush in front of the wall. To my surprise, I’d fallen straight through, into the hollow we were in now. I’d come back every chance I’d gotten, and dug back, through the wall, until it cut straight through. Hidden escape route, check.
    Footsteps could be heard on the inner side of the wall, twigs snapping loudly in the night air. A patrolman, walking around the inside of the wall, making sure nobody was out trying to climb the wall. They never expected for someone to get through the wall though. I froze, terrified. I heard snuffling and sniffing coming from the bush, and it shook as the animal pawed at it and sneezed. A dog. Jake jumped about a mile high when my hand brushed his arm, and I had to cover his mouth to keep him from screaming and giving away our cover.
    “What’s the matter, boy?” the guard said, hushed, to the dog. It barked its reply. Eyes wide with fear, Jake stared at me, refusing to relinquish my gaze. Pulling my hand off his mouth, I put my finger to my lips, and motioned behind me. Go that way, I mouthed. Check if the coast is clear. He nodded, solemn. “Smell something?” My head snapped back to the bush covering the hole. The man just had to push it aside and he’d spot us. The dog barked again, more frantic. It began to paw at the bush, and it shook violently. Any second now, the man would shove it aside and catch us. We were done for.
    Suddenly, a dark shape shot out from under the bush, past the man and the dog, I guessed, and into the trees. The dog barked rapidly, and I could hear it straining against its leash as it tried to follow. With a yelp, he fell silent abruptly. I guessed that the guard had pulled the leash to make him stop.
    “It’s just a rabbit, stupid,” he said angrily. “Come on, let’s go.” Slowly, the footsteps faded, and Jake and I breathed deep sighs of relief, slumping against the wall of the cavern. Thank you, rabbit.
    “Is the coast clear?” I asked, suddenly breathing heavily. That had been close. Too close, for a professional like myself. What was wrong with me? I had to pull it together, for Jake’s sake and my own.
    “Yeah,” he said, breathing heavily as well. “We’re all set. All the guards are down by the towers, and there’s no cameras.”
    “Great,” I said grimly, getting to my feet and brushing the dirt off my black clothes. I picked up my pack, and Jake did the same. “Let’s go.”
    We poked our heads out, looked both ways like we were crossing the street, and darted into the trees outside the wall. We ran lightly, making about as much noise as a mouse. We sprinted nonstop, dodging trees and bushes, for about five hundred yards, then jogged lightly for about a mile and a half. We slowed when the trees began to thin, and a small development appeared ahead. We’d reached town, civilization. The Academy was behind us. Now, all we had to do was find a bus station, and catch the first bus out of here. We were free. I laughed, giddy with relief.
    Jake watched me warily, as I skipped forward, throwing out my arms and spinning around; laughing; dancing. I grabbed Jake’s hands and spun him around with me, and soon he was laughing and dancing as well. We were tired, so we dropped down and lay on our backs, looking up at the star covered sky.
    “Alice?” Jake said as he held his hand up above him.
    “Yeah?” I turned my head sideways and looked at him. He turned and faced me, offering his hand. “What?”
    “Welcome to freedom.” I smiled, and he grinned back. Slowly, I reached out and grasped his hand, shaking it gently.
    “Thanks.”
    ~Two years later~

    Rrrrriiing!
    “I want those papers by Monday, people! No excuses! Susan, you can pick up your phone in my office at the end of the day. Try to refrain from texting in my class, will you? Now, all of you, out!”
    “Are you going home, or to my house?” I asked Jake as we packed up our stuff and left the classroom. The teacher kept ranting behind us, but nobody paid attention. It was the weekend, Friday afternoon, and that had been the last class of the day. We were officially free from work for the next two days.
    “Your house,” he replied as he stood and waited for me to finish shoving my books in my bag. We walked through the door together, stopped at our lockers, and began the walk home.
    “Alright,” I said as we meandered down the road. “Roger and Liz aren’t home, so we can do whatever.”
    “Sweet,” Jake said. He sighed. “Why won’t you call them ‘mom’ and ‘dad’? You know Liz wants you to.”
    “Because they’re not,” I said simply. He shook his head.
    “Maybe Roger would be better if you did,” he snuck in. My expression hardened, and I turned away, speeding up to get away from him.
    “You try living with him,” I muttered. “Nothing works.”
    We turned up my street in silence, and I kept my eyes on the ground as I marched straight ahead of Jake.
    “Um, Alice?” Jake said nervously. I paused and turned to look at him.
    “What?”
    “Turn around.” I turned, scanning the street, utilizing my assassin skills to search carefully for hidden bombs and people in hiding. Suddenly, I froze, my eyes stopping on the driveway to my house.
    “Crap,” I muttered, turning around. I started to walk back the way we’d came, but I bumped into Jake, and he grabbed my arms and spun me around, marching me back toward my house. “W-what? Jake, what are you doing?!”
    “We’re going in there.”
    “What?” I exclaimed loudly. A few birds in the tree in our yard took off at the sound of my shout. “Why would we do that?”
    “Because,” he said as he pulled open the door and shoved me through. “We were planning this anyway, and it’s too much of a pain to walk to my house now.”
    I glared at him as he fell back onto my couch, sighing loudly.
    “Lazy much?” I shot at him.
    “Yeah,” he smiled innocently at me, and I scowled. Before I could respond, a voice sounded in the kitchen, followed by footsteps down the hall.
    “Alice?” a female voice asked. Liz, I thought, sighing. “Is that you?”
    “Yes, Liz,” I said as she came into view. “Jake’s here too.”
    “Oh,” Liz said as Jake stood and walked into her view. “Why hello, Jake. It’s nice to see you.”
    “You too, Mrs. Grey,” Jake replied politely. Of course, I thought as I rolled my eyes. Always with the manners.
    “Alice?” a male voice called from upstairs. “Where are you?” I froze, not wanting to answer.
    “In the foyer, dear,” Liz called. I stared at her, but dropped my gaze when she turned back to look at my face. Jake touched my arm lightly, and I turned and smiled at him.
    “So,” I said as I clapped my hands together. “Let’s go in the sitting room, shall we?”
    “Oh, of course!” Liz exclaimed. “I’m going back in the kitchen to finish dinner. Jake, are you staying?”
    “If you’d like me to,” he replied as I tugged him in and sat down. He grabbed the remote and flicked on the TV. As he chose a show, Roger Grey, Liz’s husband, stormed in.
    “Alice, where have you been?” he said loudly.
    “Um,” I said, glancing at Jake, “at school?”
    “I meant, after school,” he said, exasperated. “You took a full half hour to get home! What were you doing during that time? Drinking? Smoking pot? Getting into fights?”
    “Excuse me?” I said incredulously. “I do not drink, smoke, or fight!”
    “Often,” Jake said under his breath, and I elbowed him in the ribs.
    “We walked,” I emphasized. “Of course it took longer than usual!”
    “Don’t you shout at me, young lady!” Roger yelled. “I told Elizabeth you were no good! I told her! I said, ‘Elizabeth, you had better not take this girl in! She’s trouble, I tell you, trouble!’ And what does she do? She takes you in!”
    “Fine,” I shouted as I stood and pulled Jake up with me. I threw the remote down on the table, where it shattered and the batteries fell out.
    “Ali—”
    “You don’t want me here,” I continued, cutting across his ranting before it even got started, “I’ll leave myself. Come on, Jake. We’re leaving.” I grabbed his hand, pulling him to the foyer and through the door. I slammed the door shut, shaking the frame. I continued down the path to the street.
    “Um, Alice?”
    “What,” I said angrily.
    “You can let go of my hand now,” Jake said gently. I stopped, and he bumped into me. Looking down, I noticed he was right; I was still grasping his hand in mine. Blushing, I hastily let go and started walking again.
    “Hey, wait up!” he called as he jogged after me. “Where are we going?”
    “Your house,” I said. “I’m sick of Roger’s attitude. I’m sleeping over, and then we’ll go to work tomorrow morning. Okay?”
    “What about your uniform?”
    “No big deal,” I waved my hand lightly. “I’ll sneak in through my window tonight and get it.”
    “Okay, that’s fine,” Jake said. “Just don’t get caught.”
    “Pssht,” I hissed at him. “Come on, Jake. This is me we’re talking about, not you.”
    “Ha ha,” he muttered sarcastically. “I’m dying of laughter.”
    “Too bad,” I teased lightly. “I’m so not giving you CPR.” He blushed and turned away, but not before I saw. Curious, I decided to keep teasing him to gauge his reaction.
    “Ooooh, Jake,” I snickered. “Are you that disappointed?”
    “S-shut up!” He said, blushing even more. He shoved me playfully. I laughed again, and this time, he joined in. Our voices carried in the twilight, and grabbing his hand once more, I pulled him forward.
    “Come on,” I said, poised for action. “I’ll race you!”
    “Oh,” Jake said, readying himself. “You are so going down.”
    We took off into the night, and by the time we both reached his yard, we were out of breath, gasping. Falling back, we lay on the cool grass and stared up at the darkened sky as the first stars began to shine.
    “Hey Alice,” Jake whispered in my ear, making me shiver.
    “Yeah?” He leaned closer, until I could feel his breath on my ear, tickling me.
    “I won.”
    ~*~

    “Alice; Jake; get back to work!” our boss, Serge, yelled at us through the door of the employee break-room. “Break’s over!”
    “Alright, alright,” I said as I stood and groaned. “Keep your pants on,” I muttered under my breath. Jake snickered, and stood as well. We walked back into the store together, and I re-pinned my ‘how may I help you?’ pin to my vest. As I passed a few customers, Jake followed, and I noted how they watched me—or, I should say, how they watched my butt as I walked past. I guess Jake noticed as well, since the first thing he said was, “Maybe you should relocate that pin.”
    “Yeah?” I said, smirking. “To where?”
    “Your butt,” Jake chuckled. “Seems to be where everyone’s eyes go.”
    “Ha ha,” I said lightly. “Very amusing. Nah, if I did that, Serge might have a massive stroke.”
    “True, true,” Jake laughed. “I’ll see you in a bit—I’m going to check on the nonfiction aisles.”
    “Alright,” I said, heading off in the other direction. I wandered through the bookstore, peeking down aisles and occasionally straightening piles. I picked up some books that were stacked haphazardly on a table, and went to return them to their proper shelves. After stacking the last one, I sighed and brushed my hands on my pants, picking off some imaginary lint. Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me, and I spun around. Just another customer, I thought as I breathed a sigh of relief. I am way too paranoid for this job.
    ~*~

    “Do you need help, sir?” I asked politely. The man was dressed strangely, in all black: a long black trench coat; black leather pants; a black fedora pulled low over his eyes. He glanced at me, and I was startled to see his eyes were bright green, while his hair was as dark as his jacket. He placed the book he’d been holding back on the shelf, and I saw his black-gloved hands slip into his pockets. Instantly, I was on red-alert. Normal customers do not act suspiciously, or wear gloves to bookstores. This guy was not normal—he was up to something.
    I reached into my back pocket, feeling for the tiny radio that Jake and I kept on our person at all times. Finding the ‘talk’ button, I pressed it three times. Three bursts of static; our signal for trouble. I waited a few seconds, then pressed it twice more. Aisle two.
    “I’m fine, thanks,” he said, keeping his voice low. He spun on his heel and walked away, into the next aisle. Shrugging, I went back to my work, picking up more books, and scurrying off to shelve them. Pretty soon, I felt a presence again, but when I turned, it was just Jake.
    “What’s the matter?” he said, concern and alertness in his voice.
    “It’s this guy…” I said, and was surprised to see his hands curl into fists immediately. “He’s wearing all black, and acting really creepy. In fact, he’s hiding out behind me, next aisle back.”
    “Is he now?” Jake said, stepping forward to confront him. I stopped him with a hand on his chest.
    “No, Jake,” I said firmly. “If he bothers me again, I’ll take care of it.”
    “But—”
    “Jake?” I said sweetly. “Are you forgetting who taught you everything you know?” He glanced at me, then looked down sheepishly.
    “You.”
    “Exactly,” I said, putting my hand under his chin and lifting it up. “Me. And that doesn’t necessarily mean I taught you everything I know.” His eyes widened as I winked and walked away, getting back to work. Checking my peripherals constantly, I watched as the man walked along, following my every move through the shelves. After I’d caught him at it four times, I’d had enough. The next time I caught him, he was going down. I sighed loudly as I stepped around the shelving into the next aisle, and what do you know? The man froze, and turned to stare at me, clearly not expecting me to know he was there.
    “What do you want,” I confronted him angrily. “I’m busy, and I don’t like stalkers. Either buy something, get help, or get lost.” He grinned widely, and I felt a cold shiver of premonition roll down my spine. Something was wrong. Something was very, very, wrong.
    “Alright then,” he said, slipping his hand out of his pocket, and holding it at his side. A bulky object was clutched in his hand, and I stared at it warily. I’d learned at the Academy to recognize weapons when I saw them, and this was not something I wanted to have to use right now. He raised the pistol calmly, taking aim at my chest. Sig Sauer, my mind subconsciously informed me. Fabulous. Big bullets. I get hit with one of those in my torso, I’m done for. “I’m not going to buy something, and I’m not about to get lost. So I supposed I’ll just have to help myself, won’t I?”
    “Sure,” I replied, readying my stance to move. “But I don’t think you know who you’re dealing with.”
    “To the contrary, Alice,” he said, smirking at the look of shock on my face. “I don’t think you know who you are dealing with. By the way, the Academy sends their regards.” I froze, fear and shock coursing through my system. I watched, as if in slow motion, as his hand squeezed the trigger. A puff of smoke exploded from the end of the gun as the bullet raced toward my heart.
    ~*~

    “Oof!”
    I’d been hit by a truck. At least, it felt like it. I fell to the ground, and Jake landed on top of me as pain shot through my right arm.
    “Agh,” I groaned as my head collided with the carpeted cement.
    “What are you doing?!” Jake shouted at me as the mass panic began. The other customers and employees had heard the shot, and they were beginning to scream. “What happened to ‘I can take care of it’?!”
    “Jake,” I whispered. Suddenly, I hugged him tightly, burying my face in his chest, ignoring the pain in my bicep.
    “Wha—” Before he could protest or finish, I’d let go and began to run off. The shooter had already moved to another part of the store, and it’d now become my mission to track him down. I paused at the end of the bookshelf, listening. Shots. One. Two. Three. Four. Screams; crying. I could see people running for the doors. A hand grabbed my arm, and I spun, my fist flying out and connecting with the side of someone’s face. They fell over, pulling me with them. I gasped and fell on top of them, unable to stop myself.
    “Thanks for that,” Jake groaned, his face already red where I’d hit him.
    “Jake!” I gasped. “Oh, god, I’m so sorry! I didn’t know it was you!”
    “Crap,” he said, rubbing his face. “You sure can hit.” I smirked.
    “Why do you think you can never beat me?”
    “That’s great and all,” he said, clearly changing the subject. “But can you get off me? We do have a killer to catch.” I blushed, and quickly scrambled up, offering him my hand. He took it, and I pulled him up. Turning, he quickly walked to the edge of the bookshelf and darted out, completely disregarding my training on checking for danger around corners. I sighed. Someone has to save him when he gets hurt, I thought, ignoring the part of my brain that was reminding me that he’d just done that for me. I dashed out as well, taking cover behind a rotating bookstand. No bullets flew past, trying to kill me, so we continued forward. Jake and I ran through the store, dodging people, shelves, flying debris, and bodies. Suddenly, Jake ran out from behind a shelf, and I quickly dragged him back. A bullet shot past, narrowly missing Jake’s stomach.
    “See?” I reminded him, panting. “Always check around corners.”
    “I’ll remember that next time,” he gasped, his face pale with fear.
    “Come out, come out!” the man shouted to us, taunting. “Come on, let’s play!”
    “This guy’s insane,” Jake said through gritted teeth.
    “No, really?” I remarked. “I thought people walked into bookstores with a Sig Sauer and started shooting on a daily basis.”
    “Touché,” he said grimly.
    “Come on,” I said, taking a deep breath. “Let’s take this guy down.”
    “Now you’re talking,” Jake said with a reckless grin. He sprinted out from behind the shelf, and I followed. We took turns darting forward, taunting him, feinting, and generally confusing him. Finally, he got so angry, he just started shooting at us, not caring who—or what—he hit. Bullets buried themselves in wooden shelving, and ricocheted off piles of books and tables. Jake and I retreated behind another shelf, and we paused for breath, panting heavily.
    “It’s too much,” I said, taking the lead. “We can’t get close enough to land a hit. He’s too wild with the gun.”
    “Fine,” Jake said grimly, standing once more. “I’ll lead him on. You get yourself out.”
    “No,” I said immediately. “Jake, I’m more experienced—”
    “You’re also hurt,” he pointed out. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”
    “What?”
    “You’re arm.” I looked down, surprised to see the blood flowing freely from my right bicep.
    “Oh.” He stared at me, incredulous.
    “Are you serious?” he said, surprised. “You didn’t notice?”
    “I didn’t,” I said sheepishly.
    “How do you not notice a bullet buried in your arm?!”
    “I’ve been through worse,” I muttered.
    “That’s not the point,” Jake said, brushing my remark off. “You’re hurt worse than I am. I want you to get yourself out, and get help. Call whoever you want—CIA, FBI, 911, I don’t care. Just get someone here. I don’t think I can hold him off for long.”
    “Jake, don’t—” My words were cut off by his lips on mine, and I stared into his determined eyes in shock. He pulled away, and I gasped, utterly surprised.
    “Please, Alice,” he pleaded with me. “For me.”
    ~*~

    “I, wha—” I stuttered incoherently, at a loss for words. Did he seriously just kiss me?! “I—okay.” Whaaaaaaaaaaat?! No way!!!
    “Thanks,” he smiled and pulled me into a hug. Letting go, he turned and faced the edge of the bookshelf. Suddenly, the man exploded around the end of it, heading straight for Jake.
    “Jake!” I screamed, terrified for him. But I had no need to be. He flipped upward, easily avoiding the man’s blows, and I dodged out of habit. Landing behind the man, he kicked the back of his knee, and took off in the opposite direction.
    “Go!” he shouted before disappearing from my view. Without waiting to be told twice, I took off, not wanting to be around when the killer got the use of his leg back. Finally reaching the front doors, I cursed as I realized they’d been locked shut. Whether it was the store manager or the killer’s doing, I wasn’t sure—I didn’t care. The people huddled around the door told me all I needed to know—if we stayed in here, we would die.
    Scanning the area, I searched for something that could get us out. My eyes landed on the bike rack that had been brought inside, due to the rain. I sprinted over to it, grabbing the best bike I could find. It was locked to the rack, but I picked it in seconds, sliding it out of the gap. Straddling the seat, I worked the pedals until I was as far from the doors as I could be, then I spun it around with an earsplitting screech of the tires. Facing the glass doors, I yelled as loudly as I could.
    “Everybody, move away from the doors!” People glanced up, and upon seeing me on the bike, stood quickly. They stepped away from the glass, giving me plenty of room. I squared my shoulders, ignoring the pang in my right one, and set the bike in the right position. Gritting my teeth, I hopped on and pedaled as fast as I could.
    “Alice, no!”
    Andrea had shouted from behind the cash register. She was the one who Jake and I jobs. She was a great friend; always did the right thing. Obviously, she thought I was going to crash and die. Too late to stop now. I braced myself for impact, throwing my arms up in front of my face and keeping the bike perfectly balanced. I’m sorry, Andie.
    ~*~

    CRASH!
    The glass shattered into thousands of pieces, flying everywhere. They glittered in the light, some flashing red as they nicked my skin. I kept going, pedaling off into the night. I refused to look back as I crossed the parking lot, heading for the warehouses on the other side. If I could hide myself in the alleyways in between them, maybe I could call for help. Preferably before Jake was killed by that madman.
    Pedaling through the alleyways, they finally ended as I reached the end of the row. I saw our meeting spot and sped up. A tree rose out of the dim light, rainwater dripping from its branches. Not that it mattered; I was already soaked. I hopped off the bike and huddled under its branches, pulling out my tiny cell phone. Crap. No service.
    “Why do these things never work when you need them?!” I shouted angrily. I sighed. “Maybe I should try biking through the warehouses again…? Jake won’t be here for awhile yet…” I argued with myself, finally opting to pedal back through the warehouses. I set off, warily glancing at the store. The drama was over, and no gunshots sounded in the still twilight air. The screaming had stopped too. Did he…? No, I thought angrily. Don’t even think about it.
    ~*~

    I stopped. What the…? Another bicycle could be heard, its wheels whirring quietly through the rain, echoing off the warehouse walls. Whoever it was turned a corner, moving into my view. A young girl, maybe sixteen or seventeen, pedaled toward me, holding a small boy, in her lap. Her brown hair was slicked to her face, soaked with rain. The little boy’s blonde hair was soaked as well, and his blue eyes were wide with terror. His tiny grey shirt was stained with blood. Survivors.
    “Are you okay?” I asked quietly. She jumped, and stopped, staring at me.
    “I—wha—who are you?” she said nervously.
    “I’m Alice,” I said kindly, leaning my bike against the wall and walking over slowly. I held out my hand. “I worked in the store.”
    “Oh!” she exclaimed, relief and sadness flooding her eyes. “I’m so sorry. That must be terrible.”
    “Yeah,” I said quietly. “Is he yours?”
    “Him?” she said, surprised. “Oh, no no no! He’s…his mother was…”
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” I said. I understood—his mother wasn’t around to care anymore. “Do you want to join me? I was just about to head back. Help should be arriving soon.”
    “Oh, yes!” she exclaimed; her voice bounced off the walls. “I’m Sandra, and this is Jack.”
    “Pleased to meet you,” I said as I got back on my bike and turned around. We pedaled off slowly, silent as the rain continued to fall. Suddenly, I heard Sandra stop, and I stopped as well, turning to look.
    “Sandra?”
    “I wonder,” she said, staring at a door in the back of one of the warehouses. “Do you know where this leads?”
    “Into a warehouse, I’m sure,” I said quietly. “Come on, we should go.”
    “Let’s just check, shall we?” She said, reaching for the handle. “It can’t hurt.”
    A shiver ran down my spine once more, and I knew Sandra shouldn’t open that door.
    “Sandra, don’t—” She grasped the handle and pulled, yanking the door open. Immediately, the alley was flooded with the scent of blood, and I gagged, covering my mouth. I watched in horror as the water on the ground was tinged with red; leaking from behind the door. Watching her, I saw her face freeze in pure terror, and Jack squirmed as she gripped him tightly.
    My blood ran cold as a gloved hand reached out from the door, gripping the front of her shirt tightly; dripping with blood. Suddenly, it pulled, and Sandra tumbled forward into the doorway, taking Jack with her. The door slammed shut, and the click of the lock was audible.
    Screams began, loud and desperate. I dropped my bike and stumbled over to the wall, gagging and retching. I’d seen people killed before, killed them myself—but never like this. When my stomach was empty, I straightened and wiped my mouth grimly. Picking up my bike, I slowly started for the door, but stopped abruptly and closed my eyes. The screaming….it had stopped. I knew it wouldn’t start again.
    ~*~

    I reached the tree, and gasped. The storefront was surrounded by flashing lights—fire trucks; police cars; ambulances—the entire city's rescue department had shown up. Forgetting entirely about the meeting spot, I pedaled for the parking lot, and the EMTs I could see around the bookstore. Reaching the cluster of cars and trucks, I dropped the bike and stumbled, my reflexes slower than they should be. Darting from stretcher to stretcher, I searched desperately until I found the one person I cared for.
    “Jake!”
    He was lying on a stretcher on the ground, being checked over by two EMTs. His face was pale, and his eyes were closed, but I could see only minor injuries, maybe broken ribs. He would live. I sighed with relief. Dropping to the ground next to him, I laid on his stomach, being careful of his injured chest. His eyes snapped open as he felt me sob, and his hand rested on top of my head.
    “A-alice?” he said nervously. "What is it?!”
    “Y-you,” I faltered, gasping for breath. “scared me so much!” I smacked his arm away. “Don’t you ever do that again!” I wailed startling the EMTs. They eyed me nervously, as if I’d commit suicide right then and there.
    “Alice,” Jake begged. “Alice, I’m sorry! I—ow!”
    “Easy there, son,” an EMT finally spoke up. “You’ve got some broken ribs. Don’t push it. Young lady, I suggest you come with us. You should really be checked out as well.”
    “No!” I shouted at them. “I’m staying!”
    “Alice, please,” Jake said, his eyes pleading with me. “I don’t want you to die.” A police officer walked over, called by one of the younger EMTs—an intern, I assumed.
    “Alright, young lady,” he said, grabbing my arm to pull me to my feet. “Let’s go.” I cried out as pain ripped through me. He’d grabbed my bullet wound. My vision blurred, and I swayed.
    “Alice? Alice! Alice!” Everything faded to black, and I heard a dull thud as I fell over. The last thing I heard was Jake calling my name.
    ~*~

    “She’ll be fine, she just needs rest, like you.”
    “But she hasn’t woken up yet—”
    “She’s had a very traumatic experience. Give her time to recuperate and—”
    “But I had just as bad of an experience—”
    “Every person reacts differently.” Where am I…? My eyes blinked open slowly as I listened to the sound of Jake’s voice, arguing with someone I didn’t recognize. As my vision focused, I saw the doctor that stood at the end of my bed, and Jake sitting on an identical one that was obviously his. The doctor glanced at me before he left through the door.
    “Well, well,” he said with a smile. “The lady awakens.” Jake’s head snapped over to face mine, and as our eyes locked, he grinned.
    “Alice!” Jumping up, he rushed over to my bedside, taking my hand. “How do you feel? Does it hurt? Are you hungry? Do you want me to call a nurse?”
    “Jake,” I groaned. “Shut up.” He abruptly stopped talking, but his concern-filled eyes never left mine. I smiled weakly.
    “I’m always fine, remember?”
    “Right, I forgot,” he smiled weakly.
    “How are you?”
    “Minor blood loss and a few broken ribs,” he recited. “I’ll be out in a few days. You, on the other hand, will be here for a week. Massive blood loss, broken ribs, stitches in the forehead—don’t touch that—and gunshot wound to the right bicep.” I laughed weakly, wincing as my ribs throbbed.
    “Ouch.”
    “But you’ve had worse,” he said sarcastically. I laughed again.
    “Exactly.” I squirmed a little and sat up, fluffing my pillows. “Um, Jake…” Suddenly, he was hugging me, and I couldn’t breathe—not from the pain, from surprise and happiness.
    “Alice, when you went down, I thought you were done for,” he mumbled into my shoulder.
    “Hey,” I said as I rubbed his back gently. He pulled away, and I leaned my forehead against his. “I’m a fighter, right? I never back down.”
    “Right,” he said, smiling warmly. I hugged him, breathing in his scent. As he pulled away, I kissed his cheek, and he blushed pink.
    “I’m glad you’re okay too.”
    “Hey, they caught the guy!” He exclaimed suddenly, getting up and handing me a newspaper whose headline read, Blake Artemis, 42, arrested in bookstore shooting. “I checked him. He worked for the Academy.”
    “Oh,” I said as I scanned the article. “I knew that, I forgot. He told me right before he shot me.”
    “No way!”
    “Yeah,” I said, folding up the paper. “I guess Boss doesn’t want us anymore, huh?”
    “Well…” Jake said as he fidgeted.
    “What?”
    “About that…” he mumbled, watching me intently.
    “Out with it already!” I shouted.My ribs twinged again; I ignored them. “What is it?”
    “I was thinking…do you think we should leave the country?” I stared at him. “I mean, we could move to Europe or something, finally get away from the Academy and the old man once and for all. That way, he wouldn’t hunt you down anymore, and we could get away from the assassin life for good. You know, live like normal teens.” I smiled at him, and he smiled back with relief.
    “I always did like Europe,” I said thoughtfully. “Especially my trips to Paris.” Jake grinned mischievously.
    “Well, then, Mademoiselle,” he said. “Parlez-vous français?"