Keditha's End

Chapter Two

I reenter my building. Brittany, Fennic and Isabel were all gathered around Isabel's desk which was next to mine. I take a deep breath, preparing myself.

"Athena! I'm so glad you're back!" Isabel says.

Fennic nods in a agreement. "You seemed a bit flustered when you left earlier."

"Yeah well, I'm leaving again. I have work I need to finish." I tell them shortly. Hopefully they wouldn't ask about it.

"It seems the pile on your desk is quite enough for you right now Torsney." My boss tells me. He crosses his arms, glaring down at me.

"Something came up." I tell him.

"What? What do you mean? I already expect tons of articles from you Torsney. I don't want to fire you." He threatens.

I swallow, clearing my throat. I really needed this job. "I'm trying to get a story in Julian Kleinhaus. I have a meeting with him later." I tell my boss. Probably wasn't a good idea to admit being with Julian before he dies but I could lie my way through this.

That or I pack my things and move to Scotland.

My boss thinks it over for a minute before nodding his head. "But be back in two hours. I can't have you slacking." He snaps.

I force a nod and smile. I move past my coworkers, not bothering to make eye contact. But something catches my arm.

I spin to see Isabel holding my arm, with Fennic and Brittany watching me with interest. "You got an interview with Julian Kleinhaus? Isn't he so hot?"

I tug my arm from hers, not wanting to engage in conversation with her. "I have to go, I'll see you guys later." I reply shortly.

I quickly make my way through the building, exiting it. I climb into my ratty old car, grabbing my gun from the glove department and place it subtly behind my jacket. Let's get this over with.

              ______________________

I slowly turn the doorknob, swinging open the door. Julian stood by his desk, whispers sweet nothings to the girl in front of him.

Blonde, beautiful face and perfect face, definitely his type. He looks up, studying me. I assume to figure out if I was his type or not. It wouldn’t surprise me if I was, his type is any woman who breathes.

“May I speak with Mr. Kleinhaus alone?” I ask politely. The blonde nods, pressing one way too long kiss to Julian’s lips. Once she leaves, I close the door behind her.

Julian almost grins. “It’s the middle of summer, is there a reason you’re wearing all black?” He asks me.

“I find it intimidates men.”

Julian looks me up and down again, biting his lip. “Not all men.” He mutters.

I resist a eye roll. I lock the door, holding my gun which was hidden under my jacket. Did I remember the silencer? No, I got it.

Julian raises an eyebrow. “Is there a reason you want us to be alone so bad?” he smirks.

I could almost smirk myself, but for a different reason. “Cut the crap, Julian. I’m not some ditz you can wrap around your finger.”

His body language switches almost instantly, getting defensive. “Excuse me?” he snaps. I pull my gun out, pointing it at his head. He stiffens, stepping back. “Woah wait…”

“It’s nothing personal, a lot of people want you dead. I’m just here to do the dirty work.”

He laughs uncomfortably. "Maybe we can work something out?" He asks.

I shake my head. "I'm sorry, like I said... It's nothing personal." I get ready to pull the trigger when a loud commotion sounds outside the door.

Someone kicks the door in, instantly grabbing my gun and shoving me into the desk. "What the heck!" I snap.

They were wearing all black and had on a hoodie and mask so I could only see their eyes but barely. "I'm sorry but the program has called for your death." The masked person tells me.

I glare at them. "Over my dead body." I snap.

They only laugh. "That's the point." The person pulls out a knife, ready to charge me.

I dodge out of the way before grabbing their arm spinning them around to face me. I give them a wide fake smile as I take the knife out of their hand, throwing it to the ground. "Fight me like the coward you are," I gasp. I punch their face a few times, drawing blood from their nose.

I reach for my knife, but am taking back by them shoving me backwards and scrambling for their knife on the floor. I stumble back a few feet, quickly regaining my balance.

I huff as I simply walk towards them unamused. "You're not any fun," I mumble. I punch at them again, but they grabbed my arm, holding it still. They drag their knife across my skin, blood slowly seeping out of the small cut. I hiss, but continue fighting.

I kick at their legs, hoping to knock them off their feet. They grabbed me by my throat, pulling me closer to them. "Who's the coward now? Relying on your own weapon to fight your battles," they whisper. I spit in their face, waiting for them to wipe it off before I slice their hand with my knife, so they let me go.

I grab the back of their neck, slamming their head into the desk. They slump to the floor unconscious.

"Holy crap!" Julian gasps.

I reach into my pocket, pulling out of handkerchief and tie it tight around my arm. I stifle a cry of pain as pain sears through my arm.

"Let's go." I order Julian.

He narrows his eyes. "What? No way, you tried to kill me!" He snaps at me.

I drop my gun on the table, causing him to flinch. I rest my hand on it and lean towards him. "Well you could stay here and get killed by this person or you could come with me and  have a slightly less chance of being killed."

Julian hesitates slightly. Then the person stirs slightly. He bites his lip. "Fine." He mutters.

He follows me out the office. "Wait." He says, stopping In his tracks. "Why don't you just kill them? Wouldn't it be easier?" He asks.

I turn to glare at him. "I'm an assassin, not a murderer." I tell him.

"They sound the same to me." He mutters.

I clench my jaw. There was a very big difference, but I didn't feel like fighting with him right now. I need to figure out who put a target on my back.

Hopefully Cade knows.