Tears streaked down my face; my vision blurred from the water forming uncontrollably in my eyes. "Please! Please no!" I cried, trying to resist the urge to look up at the man and plead to him face to face. But I knew I had to keep my head down. No one had ever seen the true face of the Overseer; he saw it as a sign of disrespect. "I let you in, I give you money, I make sure there is no trouble for a 16 year old to live in her own apartment, I keep your sister in school, I make sure your not arrested!" the Overseer thundered, but like always, his voice was perfectly under control. That was the opposite of mine, which was whimpering and stuttery. "This is the only way we can survuve! Please!" Silence. I kept my head down, watching tears drop onto my bent knee. For a long time the Overseer said nothing, and I knew he was about to kill me. I knew that was what happened when you disobeyed the organization, and I heard that the Overseer took the pleasure of doing it himself. I quietly whispered to god, so low that even the hawk ears of the man who sat before me couldnt hear. I prayed to god, but with all that I had done, God would never answer my pleas. I would go to hell, just like the other's in the organization. It just mattered when, and I wasn't ready to go to hell yet. During training, the un named trainer had warned us that we would not have a space in heaven, and we all accepted it. "You didn't kill the man." Overseer's words were whispered, but they echoed through the vast chamber under NYC." "It was a mistake, I'm sorry! I'll kill who ever you want, just like always Overseer!" More silence. "You are one of our best, Lane, I'll give you that. But you ignored my orders, and you know what that punishment is." Death. "But what a waste it would be! I will spare your life, but from now on you will never displease me... ever." I nodded ecstatically, "Thank you Sir! I won't fail you! I promise!" I knew it was time to leave, but I was so emotionally exhuasted I could barely lift my knee of the ground. The Overseer watched as I craweld away under his gaze, unsure of my own feet. When I could finally stand, I ran. I ran out of the dark under ground chamber and itno the light, streaking along the alley and onto the sidewalk. There, I skidded to a halt, gazing at the sky like it was the first time. I was alive! Overseer had spared me! Although I knew this... promotion should be an honor, the only happness that filled my heart was because I had not died. To be kept alive was a miracle, but to be kept alive for what I do was questionable. I leaned against a street sign, watching the busy New York life move on and fingering the whole in my jeans. I wanted to stay there longer, to remind myself that even though I worked for the organization I was still human being. "I'm one of you; don't you forget that," I whispered to the traffic, then righted myself and started to walk down 5th avenue.
I proceeded to an elementary school near Central park, where all the students wore plaid skirts, black blazers with a white pollo shirt underneath, and white knee high socks that lead to plain black Mary Janes. Alhotugh the dress code was... interesting, it was one of the best schools in New York. It was where my little sister, Luce, attended 1rst grade. It was my job to keep her in this school; my job to make sure her future is much brighter than mine. School was just closing, and a lot of the little kids awaited their parents on the play ground, swinging their feet from on top of the monket bars or relaxing on the slide. There I saw Luce, smiling and chatting with another little girl in the same outfit. Awwww, I thought, school mates. I had never had any of those. Luce's angelic blonde hair bobbed as she laughed, and her blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Her happiness reminded me every day of why I did what I did, and it kept me going. Luce owuld have the best, even if it is at the expense of my own life. "Boo!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped. When she saw it was me she giggled and waved goodbye to her little brunette friend, who was already walking to her mother. "You ready?" I asked Luce, and she nodde her head and took my hand.
I used to be afraid of walking home, since their were half a million theives and rapists down the alley I had to go. But now, with all the training I have and what I do, I could walk down the dark alley and be the most frightening thing there. In the alley I had no secrets; no regrets. But out in the open, even the air I breathed was tinted with guilt. I hoisted Luce up, then put all of that out of my mind as I climbed the fire escape, my hands familiar with the way I had to swing up to the platform and climb up the latter. I lifted myself to the door of my apartment and slid the key out of my back pocket. I rubbed my sister's back casually as I pushed open the door, my fingers slipping on the greasy knob. Luce ran in and threw her back pack on the couch, then herself. "I've got so much homework today!" She started," But I like homework! It makes me feel all grown up like I'm working and stuff!" I smiled at her and locked the door behind me, switching the light on so she could see the paper's in her hand better. Our place wasn't much of a sight; just a plain white rug, a red couch, a coffee table, and a little kitchenette. There was a small two person dining table to the side, but the leg to one of the chairs was broken, and until I got the time to fix it we were eating on the couch. Before I started dinner, whcih I planned to be a sketchy serving of macaroni and cheese, I opened the door to our room and slid inside. Luce, engulfed in work, didn't notice my dissapearence. I closed the door before looking in my room, preparing to change into some sweatpants. when I turned around, I couldn't help but suck in a breath. There, on my bed, sat a man dressed in black. He was relaxing, his head on my pillow and a book in front of him. The man didn't acknowledge me as I stared with wide eyes, and continued reading the book. "Hello, Tegan Lane." I froze. How did he know my name? "Who are you?" "I prefer to leave my name un mentioned, but no: you don't know me." I shook my head in disbaleif, sure it was someone form the organization. "I have your next assignment; one you must start right away," He said, finally putting the book down to look at me. His eyes were an bright, eery green color, and his hair was covered by a hood. "I just saw the Overseer. He would have mentioned any assignments," I told him tentatively, my mind whirring with possibilities. How did this man get into my hosue? I made sure to lock the door twice so Luce would be safe alone, and there were no windows for anyone to sneak in. "Don't assume what the Overseer does and does not do. And he has sent me to assign you to your next mission." What? The organization always made me come to them, and they never spoke to me outside of the chamber. "Okay, if that is your purpose then get on woth it," I said, but immediately regretted it. My words were too forceful. His eyes narrowed, and my heart sped up. "There is a man. He plays the lead in broadway's 'West Side Story.'" I didn' expect anything less than a difficult assignment for someone who had just disobayed the Overseer, and I nodded my head. I didn' meet the man's eyes as he continued," You know what to do. His name is Derek Allan, and he needs to be dealt with." I didn't ask why, that too was puniushable by death. "Never doubt the organization," I had been tuaght. Without another word, the man was out my bedroom door. He strode through the living room, attracting the attention of Luce, who stared up at him in surprise. He opened the door and shut it behind him, with me standing in front of the door stupidly. "Who was that?" Luce gasped. Luce had no idea of what I did for a living; what I did to keep her alive. "A freind of mine," I murmered absently, my eyes still glued to the door. After a few seconds, Luce added," He seems a little old for you." That got me laughing, and I tickled her until she begged for mercy. Luce had a way of distracting me from the horrors of my life. And right now, she was distracting me from how tomorrow I would have to kill a man.
