Secrets Leave Scars [EDITING]

28 - Trauma

Training was once again cancelled because of my injuries. I wasn't sure why everything was suddenly put on hold, especially considering the giant threat to their leader. I didn't question it because of my random depressive state, however, it was time to get back up.

Never would I ever be taken advantage of again. I didn't care how hard I needed to fight, I would never go through that again. I made a new promise to myself to be more aware of my surroundings. I would kill whether I felt guilty or not, and I would fight back.

I know Marcus had warned me before. He said I would need to kill in order to survive in this life, and he was right. I hate how stupid I was being. All of that torture could've been avoided if I just listened.

I arrive at headquarters around 9am. Just because training was cancelled, doesn't mean I'm not going to train. I need to get on track if I ever want to be taken as a serious threat.

I pound on the door waiting for a response. As usual, the guards take their sweet time. They lead me through the usual security measures and leave me in the empty training room. For the first time ever, it's silent. I walk past it, heading to the shooting station.

It looks the same as before, a plastic booth separating each station with a gun and a silencer. I take a deep breath as I step into the booth and pick up the gun. I focus on the target and aim. I shoot four bullets, pulling the trigger without a second thought. All four land in the heart.

Marcus's POV:

I've been working in my office for the past few days sulking. Keeping myself busy was the only way I could get my mind off of Isobel. I have never been the kind of guy to fall for a girl. I had my share of meaningless flings, but never something where I developed feelings.

I hated the way I felt. There's no way I could even be with her, considering who I am. She would always be in danger and I would always be terrified of losing her. Even without all of that, I still barely knew her. How could I feel so strongly for someone who I barely know?

I finally pick myself up and dust off my suit. It's late in the morning, 9am. I have lots to do today. I walk out of my office and past the training room when I hear gunshots. The facility should be empty today.

I curiously walk over to the shooting stations, also looking out for any intruders. I turn the corner to see Isobel. A deadly look appears across her face as she lowers her gun gracefully. The target has a large hole in the heart. I look at her with confusion but she still doesn't notice me. She clears her throat again, lifting the gun back up and shooting. She doesn't even blink as the bullets land in the head.

"Isobel," I call out. She jumps a little before turning around.

"Marcus?"

"What are you doing here?" We both ask at the same time. I walk up to her and take the gun from her hands. She reluctantly releases her grip, staring back at me nervously.

"I came to get some practice in," she says, limping slightly as she walks away from me.

"Training was cancelled," I talk back, following closely behind her. She heads into the training room and starts putting on some boxing gloves.

"I know," she continues, "that's why I'm practicing... not training." I laugh at her ridiculous excuse. She punches the bag in front of her and it goes flying. Her punch was strong and angry. I stand behind the bag, holding it in place as she continues hitting it.

"You want to tell me about how you just shot that target to kill?" I question. She continues focussing on the punching bag, swinging left and right.

"What's there to tell?" She grunts.

"What's going on," I ask, more serious now. She grits her teeth together as her punches get stronger.

"Nothing." She swings at the bag rapidly, her face reddening as she tires out.

"Isobel," I say again, standing in front of the bag. She looks away angrily.

"I'm trying to practice," she mumbles. "Just get out of my way." I don't move as she grows angrier. I place my hands on her arms as an attempt to calm her, but she pushes away.

"Don't," she pleads, her eyes filling with unshed tears. She sniffles, attempting desperately to hold it all in. I pretend not to notice as a tear falls down her cheek.

I give up with talking and take a seat by her. I give her some pointers as she fights, watching as her technique improves.

The door opens as a guard walks in. Behind him appears Trinity. She glares over at us before joining. I continue training Isobel as Trinity stands nearby watching. I notice more tears form in Isobel's eyes as her punches become angry again.

The emotion in her hits grow as she continues, now kicking the bag too. The tears she's been holding back finally flow as she punches harder. She gasps for breath through sobs.

I eye at Trinity to leave us, but she remains strong in position. I look down at Isobel who's now on the floor crying. My heart aches to see her in so much pain. I begin towards her when Trinity stops me. She walks up to Isobel and wraps her tightly in her embrace.

Isobel's POV:

The tears I've been holding back finally break through as I punch the bag with all my strength. My hands ache through the gloves as I continue. The fear of what I went through, pushes me to keep going. Before I know it, I fall to the floor in tears. I pray more than anything that Marcus will leave me alone. I don't want him to see me like this...

I jump back startled to feel arms wrap around my weeping body. I turn away in surprise as I see that it's Trinity. I stare back at her confused and she nods for Marcus to leave. He looks at me with worry, before leaving us alone.

I look back at Trinity who stares at me sympathetically. "I'm sorry," she blurts. I wipe the tears on my face as I catch my breath. She continues, "I'm sorry I was such a b*tch to you. And I'm sorry about what you went through with Lukin."

I scoff at her attempt to be caring. "You don't know what you're talking about," I say.

"I don't you're right," she continues. "But I know what it's like to be paranoid and scared. I know you're traumatized and I do know what that's like."

I stare back at her with both curiosity and confusion. "What?"

"M-My brother," she stutters anxiously. "He used to beat me." My eyes widen as the words leave her lips. She shakes a little before she continues. "He called it training but... I could never fight back."

"Oh my gosh," I whisper.

"I was terrified, paranoid, and completely traumatized. I never wanted to be apart of this life," she sniffles. "Especially after what he did to me."

I flash a comforting smile at her. "Did you- I mean how did he die?" I ask. "You don't have to tell me it's just-"

She stops me, "There was this man who was one of our best assassins. My brother wanted to be one just like him, but he got sloppy and police were able to track him down. He got a strange request to meet up with this girl so he brought my brother with him as backup. Turns out they were FBI agents and well..."

My pulse reaches a new high as I speak shakily, "W-What was the assassins name?"

"Ray."