Scarlet Silence

Chapter 1 - Welcome To Hell

TW: Slight violence, slight strong language.

Russia, August 5, 2015.

Anzhelika awoke to the sound of handcuffs unlocking. A sound she had been accustomed to waking up to each day. She slowly sat up and waited for her turn, for her binds to be removed by Madame B's key.

Eventually, they were removed. Today was Wednesday, like every other day, the girls had a long day of training. On Wednesdays, the girls had the following time table:
Wake up, 6:00am.
Get ready for breakfast, line up for 6:30am.
Breakfast, 6:30-7:00am.
Combat training, 7:15-1pm.
Lessons, 1:15-3pm.
Lunch and dinner, 3:15-4pm.
Ballet- 4:15-10pm.
Get ready for bed, 10:15pm
Lights out, 10:45pm.

Anzhelika sat up, getting up and getting ready into one of the uniforms, the combat uniform. A black and red polo shirt, leggings, simple ankle socks and some trainers. She made her bed and went to the bathrooms, where Alyona Volkova and Elsje Smit were doing their hair. Anzhelika approached the mirror aswell. Amongst the girls, the most common languages were Russian and English, however, Anzhelika despised English, and couldn't read or write it that well. As she did her Dutch braids, she asked in broken English, that was laced with a strong Russian accent, "Where are Kateryna?" The other girls shrugged, continuing to talk to each other about something stupid, after all, it wasn't often they made conversation.

Elsje, the oldest of the girls in their circle of convenience, as Anzhelika called it, refusing to call anyone a friend ever again after Nadzeya's death, was a fifteen year old girl with dark chocolate brown hair and a mix of green and grey coloured eyes. She usually wore a smug expression on her face, her confidence creating an ominous aura. Second to Anzhelika, Elsje was a great shot, but also great at knife throwing. She loved to watch the look on the younger students' face as each one of her knives stuck the direct centre of the target.

Alyona was the second oldest, almost 15. She had light blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes, she was very bubbly before she was taken to the red room when she was seven, which sent her odds of survival way down, but being experienced in ballet helped her to survive the days of harsh training.

The two girls mumbled about different things, Elsje making the statement, "I'm Dutch. I think.." she said proudly. She never really remembered, being taken at the age of four.

Anzhelika tied her hair into two strong fishtail braids, washing her face and brushing her teeth, as Kateryna came in.

Kateryna Kovalenko was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, before she was taken to the Red Room. She was almost thirteen. She had hazel hair and coffee-coloured eyes, she looked very innocent. But that doesn't mean she was. Her sister was taken aswell, however, only one of them survived the training. Her sister would've been almost nine. She did her hair into two braids, washing her face and brushing her teeth as the girls gossiped.

Soon enough, the were all lining up for breakfast, they sat down eating, not many conversations took place, still, the girls found a way to at least talk a bit.
"I heard that Polina didn't make it back from her mission," Kateryna said.
Elsje smirked, "I knew she was too weak."

"Didn't she kick your ass in combat two months ago?" Alyona questioned smugly.

Elsje's smile dropped, "Shut up Volkova."

Alyona and Kateryna laughed.
"She was weak. Just like half of the students here," Alyona said, "she probably couldn't tell the difference between a pistol and sniper rifle."

"No wonder she's dead," Kateryna snorted.
Anzhelika didn't say a word.

Breakfast passed by quickly. The girls weren't fed much, instead having vitamins and pills shoved down their throats to keep them healthy enough, after, it was time for combat.

The girls rejoined their line and marched off, passing by the younger division of girls, who were 6-10, and also seemingly intimidated by the 11-16 group.

After the girls were marched off to one of the training rooms, they warmed up, stretching and doing numerous exercises. First, they practiced distance combat with handguns, knives and bows.

Elsje didn't hesitate to show off, smirking at her performance, clearly proud of herself. A smirk was painted across her face, she enjoyed intimidating others, the same way she herself was once scared.

The girls all performed well, except for one girl, Alessia, an eleven year old who missed her target. She was punished.

Eventually, the girls had finished combat and lessons, and after a small dinner, they were all getting dressed in navy blue skirted leotards, making their way into the line before Madame B brought them to another training room, passing some widows.

Each girl moved gracefully, but restricted, not stiff, but controlled. Like a puppet on strings. Anzhelika kept a perfect posture, doing everything she was told, on pointe. Madame B would tell them to go again, and again, and all the girls would comply like a broken record.

Just as the girls were practicing their leaps, one of Dreykov's guards came in and talked to Madame B. No girl dared to pay attention, continuing to jump. Then suddenly Madame B spoke up. "Miss Lukyanova."

Anzhelika immediately stood still, looking at Madame B.

"I want you to follow that guard into Dreykov's office. Take off your pointe shoes."

"Yes ma'am," she responded, taking off her pointe shoes with haste and following closely behind the guard. They approached Dreykov's office. Anzhelika bowed her head out of respect.

Dreykov spoke to his guard, sitting at his grand desk, "Is this the right choice? She's a bit small."

"Madame B said she'd be best fit general."

"Hmm.." he said whilst looking at Anzhelika, "who are you then?"

"Anzhelika sir. Anzhelika Lukyanova."

Dreykov ordered the guard to get Anzhelika's file, once he had taken a look at it, he was clearly impressed, he mumbled, "Anzhelika Vyacheslavovna Lukyanova.. 318 kills." He slammed the file shut. "Impressive," he said, met with a nod from Anzhelika. "I take it you have a lot of experience in the field?"
"Yes sir," Anzhelika replied.
"I have a mission for you. Simple assassination in New York City. Yaroslav Melnyk. An enemy to the Red Room. I need you to take him out, got that?" He said, pushing forward a picture of the man.
"Da."
"We have discussed a fake negotiation with him, in some abandoned buildings. I want you to kill him the first chance you get. No mercy."
"Yes sir."
"You will be undercover in civilian clothes and sent first thing tomorrow. Don't fail me. You are dismissed."
Anzhelika nodded and followed the guards back to her dorm, which was still empty. She was given a Black Widow suit and civilian clothes, a red hoodie, a green jacket, some trousers, nothing special. She'd fit right in.

The next day she was taken to a room and suited up, first, her Black Widow suit and holster, with some simple handguns and throwing knives. She put the baggy civilians clothes over it, concealing a deadly weapon in spunky teenager clothes. After a few adjustments, she was led to a helicopter and sedated by a widow.

And just like that, Anzhelika was sent off, not knowing that would a few hours later, her life was about to change. Completely.

But not all change is for the worse.

Authors Note:
Chapter 1 is done!!! 😻🎀
Finally 😭
If there are any mistakes in grammar, that's my bad
Some of my writing might be too descriptive or poetic for a story, I've always been that way mb 😔