Crucible {ON HOLD}

Chapter 1: Bad Memories

Tobin opened a black case revealing a M24. Its a sniper consisting of 5 bullets but Tobin already knows that she will only need to use one. "I'm nervous."

The tiny metallic earpiece located in Tobin's ear buzzed . "Tobin, relax. You've done this before. Take a deep breath. You're a master when it comes to this stuff. One shot, one kill and you're done."

Tobin thought about it for a second "You're right, Lauren." She exhaled a deep breath trying to slow down her heart beat. "I'll message you when it's finished."

As Tobin adjusted the sniper, she scanned the crowd of people coming in and out of the building. She rested her pointer finger on the trigger and waited for the target.

Slowly but surely, a limousine pulled up in the driveway of the sixty-five building. The very successful business man who went by the name of James Roscoe stepped out. TV broadcasters crowded him immediately.

Tobin sighed. She was prepared to pull the trigger but her fingers went numb and suddenly she couldn't feel anything.

What's going on?  was Tobin's last thought before she completely blacked out.

~

Lauren woke Tobin up by gently shaking her. She was instructed to take Tobin to a safe house after she blacked out.

Tobin slowly opens her eyes, "Yeah, yeah I'm awake." Tobin rubbed her neck as she stood up. "My neck is extremely sore."

"That is because you got shot with a tranquilizer gun." Lauren poured Tobin a glass of water and handed it to her. Tobin took the glass and chugged down the water quickly. "I didn't realize I was that thirsty." Tobin said as she set the glass down.

"There are clothes for you in that drawer over there," Lauren turned her head in the direction of the dresser. "After you get cleaned up, Abby would like to talk to you about what happened yesterday and about your upcoming assignment. She's waiting for you downstairs."

Tobin nodded, "Thanks, Lauren. I didn't realize that I haven't thanked you before for helping me."

"You're always welcome, Tobin. I remember when you were first brought to The Program."

The Program. That's what they like to call themselves. A secret organization that is run by the government. Tobin was only 14 when they transformed her into a brutal and highly skilled assassin.

They filled Tobin's life with darkness, but thankfully Lauren was there to harness the light that was still left in her. When Tobin was brought by The Program, Lauren took her under her wing. Lauren was like Tobin's mentor. She was the big sister she never had.

They didn't train Lauren to work in the field, but as a computer science major from UCLA she knew a lot about computers. Every assignment that Tobin has been on, Lauren was always there helping her behind the computer screen.

Tobin shook her head, not wanting to relive it again. "Tell Abby I'll be down in 15 minutes."

"Okay." Lauren said as she walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.

~

Tobin sat at a wooden table eating a breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, two pieces of bacon, and toast that The Program provided. It reminded her of her happy childhood that she once had. But that happy childhood is only a distant memory now because it was taken away from her when she was forced to join The Program.

"Do you remember this house?" Abby eased herself into a wooden chair across from Tobin. Tobin pushed the half eaten breakfast away from her because she had suddenly lost her appetite.

"Yeah, I remember clearly. This is the one where you murdered my mother and father." Tobin said coldly.

"You should be angry at your parents, not me. Your parents were dangerous people. We've been over this a million times. There was no other choice."

Tobin clenched her jaw tightly. She was holding back from what she really wants to say. "Just hand me the damn folder."

Abby nodded and slid a vanilla folder across the table. Tobin glared at her before opening the folder of her next victim.

She stared at the information for a long time. There is a picture of a woman with long brown hair and memorizing blue eyes paper clipped to the corner of the folder. Tobin continued to read.

"I don't know what's going through your mind right now, Tobin, but we need your full attention on this assignment. It's extremely important."

Tobin paused and looked up. "You want me to assassinate Alex Morgan? She's the face of women's soccer and you want me to end her life. Is there some type of jealousy there because your soccer career was cut short?" Tobin knew how to push Abby's buttons.

The expression in Abby's face changed and she slammed the table with her fist. "Don't you dare bring that up!"

"Then don't you dare bring anything up about my family!" Tobin countered. "Do we understand each other?"

Abby took a moment to recollect her thoughts before speaking again. "I played with Alex on the youth national team. She's a very nice girl and she's also an excellent soccer player. It's her family who are the corrupt ones, mostly her father but I won't elaborate on specific details. All you need to do is take out Alex and hopefully her father will lay off his off illegal actions. Let her death be a warning to him."

Abby continued, "The USWNT are playing a game against South Africa this weekend so you're flying to Chicago, Illinois. Early vacation, I guess." She handed Tobin her passport and boarding ticket.

"Once you land, there will be further instructions." Abby rose from her seat. "Also, we are looking into whoever shot you in the neck with a tranquilizer."

When Abby turned to exit, Tobin grabbed the kitchen knife from her abandoned breakfast plate. She quickly closed the small gap between her and Abby and brought the knife down. Abby was too quick and too experienced for sloppy mistakes that Tobin just attempted.

Abby reacted swiftly on her feet. She turned her body around and grabbed Tobin's wrist. She twisted it while disarming the knife from her hand. Then she brought down the knife into the side of Tobin's arm.

Tobin bit down hard on her bottom lip to keep from yelling in pain. She could already taste the fresh blood.

"Don't forget who trained you, kid." Abby said as she patted Tobin on the back and walked out of the house.

"Fuck." Tobin mumbled as she pulled the handle of the knife out.