RE Beginning: FAITH ~V~

Chapter 1

"Kill him, Faith," Grim, the leader of The Reapers, hisses, glaring down at the crumpled form on the floor.

She stares down at the figure of the man she has beaten within an inch of his life. She can't even say he looks human anymore. Bones stick out from various limbs, blood pools and leaks from him, and his face... where is his face? She can see where his head is supposed to be, but it's so bloody and swollen that she can't tell where his face starts. He is making strangled gurgled sounds, bubbles blowing from a section of his head that must have once been his lips and nose. He will slowly die. Should she put him out of his misery?

"Do it, Faith," He repeats, his voice starting to deepen as his anger builds.

Emotionlessly, she pulls the dagger from her belt. The man must be able to see something, as he starts dragging himself away from her. He barely moves a full inch before she places her boot against his leg, right on the splintered bone. He cries out, a high-pitched sound that vibrates through her. But she feels nothing, not even sympathy.

She doesn't have room for emotions like that.

She pulls her boot from his mangled leg, kneeling before him with the knife in her hand. He shuffles around, but he seems to have accepted his fate. She leans forward, forcefully sliding the knife into his chest, right through his heart. He gurgles again and she twists it. More blood dribbles out of the new wound in his chest.

Silence.

"Good girl," The deep growl of her father rumbles behind her.

She stands, wiping the blood on a cloth before pocketing her knife and tossing the cloth at the now lifeless body.

"Burn it," He snaps, turning and walking away from her.

The fire was easy to start, but the smell of burning flesh permeates through any and all memory. This is the signature scent of her first kill.

. . . . . 

"Ma'am?" Luna frowns, barely registering the soft mellow of the stranger's voice.

She feels a hand gently touch the top of her arm. She quickly grabs the stranger's wrist as her eyes spring open. The hostess gasps, wrenching her hand from Luna's grasp. She must have been trying to shake her awake.

"Sorry," Luna smiles, clearing her throat as she shuffles into a seated position.

"W-w-we will be landing soon," She stammers, watching her warily as she bows slightly and moves along.

Luna bows in return, grimacing as she silently scolds herself for such a harsh reaction. Sure, she was having another nightmare, but she can't react like that. Especially not on a flight like this.

She peers out the window, looking down at the scattered trees, open fields, and looming skyscrapers. She smiles, grounding herself in the moment as she tries to shake the fear she feels in her chest. Her racing heart continues, encouraged by the remnants of her dream. The sound and scent of sizzling flesh chases her, trying to pull her back in.

The beeping of the inflight announcement startles her, reminding her they are about to descend.

Finally, I am home. I am safe.

I am free.

Soon, they have landed and the seat belt sign flashes, alerting the passengers they are allowed to stand and get ready to disembark. Luna grabs her backpack, easily shouldering her entire life as she makes her way off the plane.