And Then They Died

Chapter 14- part 2

Leo's POV

I feel her body shaking in my arms. I see right through her because she's me. She suppresses her emotions until something finally breaks her and she can't function anymore.

She's a year younger than me and has been through so much. I don't need to know her personally to know that her job has traumatized her. Kind of like how my own did.

I don't know what I'm doing. I'm comforting someone who has killed hundreds of people. It's not like I don't know who she is, I know she's supposed to be a hero but i also know what the American Government has her do secretly.

She will probably kill me too when it comes down to it yet all I can remember is the smile on her face when she was carefree.

I lay back, allowing her body to fall next to mine. She instinctively puts her leg across my side and I pull her closer.

Seeing her breakdown makes me feel horrible. I feel even worse for leaving Allegra in that room. I puked after I left. I ran to the bathroom and remembered the way she looked at me. Her eyes ask for help but her lips never move.

I gently stroke her hair and she pushes me away, turning herself from me. Sitting up I notice her hands gripping the sheet.

"Allegra...."

Her chest rises up and down quickly and I realize that she's hyperventilating from a panic attack.

"You're on a beach" I start and she turns toward me trying to say something. "Allegra just listen. You are sitting on the beach in Bali. You look up at your parents and they both hold baby you in their arms, smothering you with love and kisses. You laugh and smile as your brother tries to hold you but he can't quite handle your weight. The breeze blows and little Allegra, not understanding what it was, tries to swallow the air" Her breathing slows and she lets out a small laugh at what I said.

"Life is perfect. You spot a little boy playing with your brother and as soon as he spots you he sits down and ruffles your hair."

She smiles at me, turning her body back towards mine. "Why can I imagine your story so vividly?"

"That's because it isn't a story, it's a memory." I slide to the edge of the bed sitting with my elbows on my knees.

"You told me to call you seven because that's how many letters are in your name. You couldn't pronounce your name correctly . You had just turned four and we played together all summer until one night I woke up crying because the fire alarm went off."

"Renee, Malachi's daughter, had carried me outside when I spotted a woman running with you in the opposite direction. First I didn't get it, but now I understand. They were planning to kill you. That's why we suddenly went on vacation. I remember crying when Malachi kept asking where someone named Allegra was. I didn't understand because I called you seven and you never said your real name, only that you couldn't pronounce it."

She gasps and her eyes widen. I can tell she remembers the night I was referring to. "How?" She mumbles.

"When you were fourteen you went on a mission in Maryland. You were ordered to kill a boy wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. That boy was me. We fought and I eventually overpowered you. That's when I recognized you."