Shadow

Chapter 1

"Ash!" My teacher yelled, startling me from my daydreaming. I blinked my eyes, startled. "Yes?" I asked. The class remarked in a swarm of laughs. "You just earned lunch detention, congratulations." She growled, moving on the mind numbing lesson. It's only senior year, one more year of bullshit to go. I spent the last twenty or so minutes of class staring at the white board, praying she wouldn't call on me. The bell rang and everyone headed off to lunch. I shot my friends a quick text on the group chat about me missing lunch and shoved my phone in my bag. "You and my other students will be in here for the rest of lunch, I will be back after I run across the street to grab some lunch." She spoke. I put my head on my desk and sighed. At least I can catch up on my sleep. The past few days I had to hunt down this weird vegan chick for a client. Turns out she's x-FBI and knew the location of some nasty people. Trying to get revenge for being fired, blah blah blah. Classic super villain set up. I heard more footsteps in the room. My senses have been getting better by the day, I always have to be on my toes. I lifted my head to see who was in the room. Three people, all guys. Of course, I get to be stuck with loud wannabes. "I'll be back by the end of lunch. Stay in here." She said, locking the door as she left. She's not even allowed to do that. I can break the lock, I just need to find an Allen wrench and a bobby pin. "Think you unlock the door?" One of them said, causing me to look up. "Hell yes I can, just get me a hammer and we are good to go." The other grinned. I pulled out a bobby pin and ignored the idiots. She has to have an Allen wrench, do biology classes have Allen wrenches? Whatever, worth a shot. I got up and shuffled through drawers to find one. "Looking for food?" One of them teased. "Allen wrench, you happen to have one?" I glared. "Afraid not sweet heart." He winked. I rolled my eyes and the name and kept looking. "I'm Benji by the way." He pouted, his voice resembling a child having a fit. "I'm Cody and that's Greg." Cody smiled. I ignored them and continued to look for an Allen wrench. "Looks like she woke up on the wrong side of the coffin." Chortled Greg. I shot my head in his direction. "Want to repeat that?" I growled. I hadn't gotten a proper nights sleep due to this stupid work and I was getting getting annoyed quick. "Chill Frankenstein." Grinned Greg. I gave up my search for an Allen wrench and sat back in my chair. "I bet I can break the lock with a pencil." Benjie grinned. "Maybe if you looked for an Allen wrench I could break us out." I glared. "If you break us out, I'll give you twenty bucks." Benji challenged.  "Get me what I need and I'll do it." I said, rising from my chair. "Cody, you got an Allen wrench right?" Greg asked. Cody dug through his bag and pulled out exactly what I was looking for. He threw it to me and I caught it with one hand. "Alright sweetheart, I'll even time you." Benjie grinned. I simply ignored his words, walked to the door, and got to work. I put the part of the Allen wrench in the bottom and the bobby pin at the top. I juggled it around for a few seconds until I heard a click. "Damn girl, where did you learn that?" Greg chuckled, Grabbing his bag. "YouTube video." I lied, getting my stuff. I'm about to leave when Benji cuts in front of me. "Hold on, what's your number?" He asked, holding out his phone. I grabbed it, typed my number by muscle memory and handed it back to him. "Cool, catch up with you later." He stated, not even a question as if he wasn't used to rejection. I shrugged it off and walked to the cafeteria to meet up with my friends. I saw them immediately, mostly because they stuck out like a sore thumb. My friend, Nicole waved at me. She was clear to see. She has ombré silver purple hair, pale skin and bright blue eyes. (In the picture above) She's really pretty but looks a bit odd. "Hey A, I thought you had detention?" She asked. "You dipped?" Rachel asked with a chuckle. I had no idea how Rachel got into our group. She has so many other friends and she's really pretty but she chooses to waste her days away with us. "Yeah, it got boring." I laughed. My phone buzzed. Hey Locksmith, it's Benji. Rachel leaned across the table to see my text. "Who's Benji." She grinned. I rolled my eyes. "This guy I was stuck in detention with." My phone buzzed again. Can we join you for lunch? Our friends went off campus. Rachel grabbed my phone and started typing. "Sure, cafeteria. See ya." She said as she typed. "Seriously?" I laughed, reaching to take my phone back. She pressed send than gave my phone back. "Who's we?" Nicole asked. "Benji, Cody, and Greg I would assume." I said, taking my bagged lunch out. It wasn't much since I was in a rush this morning. Just a sandwich, a bag of chips, a Twinkie, and a bottle of water. I took my sandwich out of my bag and took a bite. "You tryna share?" A voice asked from behind. Bennie sat next to me, Greg across from me and Cody next to Greg. "Not really." I growled. "You should." He smiled, taking the other half of my sandwich out of the bag. He made eye contact with me and took a big bite. I couldn't hold back a laugh. He smiled and continued to eat my sandwich. "So, who are you guys. His entourage?" Rachel asked. "More like he's ours." Greg smirked. "Yeah we pretty much are his." Cody laughed nervously. "Wow way to sound confident." I chuckled. Cody blushed and turned to face Greg. "So what are you doing when school gets out?" Benji asked, turning to face me. "Walking home and watching Netflix." I lied. I actually had to go to the park and track down a target. "Well how about we can't?" He asked. "Maybe another time." I fake smiled. "Come on, it's better than Being by yourself." He laughed. "Yeah Ash, just let him come over." Rachel winked, my cheeks tinted pink and I glared at her. "Really, another time." I said. He shook his head. "I'll walk you home and change your mind." He winked. "Doubt it."I sighed. You can't get into relationships as a hitman, you make enemies quick. The less relationships you make, romantic and friendship, the less of a risk it is anyone will get hurt. After a few more minutes the warning bell rang to get to class. "Where's your class at?" Bennie asked. "Third floor." I said, pointing to the large building where most of my classes were. "Cool, mines on the fifth i'll walk with you." He smiled, walking next to me. I just nodded in response. We shuffled through the crowd to get up the stairs. "See you after school." He smiled as I got to my floor. I sighed in defeat, looks like he's walking me home. My face was hot, it was so obvious to tell but I really couldn't care less. I walked into my class and got everything ready. I put my bag down, put my phone on the charger and turned in my homework. I hate my seat in math, we sit in rows of two and there are about ten desks in each line. Chris and George sat in front of me, Dain sat next to me and we are in the very back so there is no one behind us. "Hey Ash, who made you that pink." Grinned Chris. I rolled my eyes and ignored his annoying, far fetched comment. I started working on the warmup, hoping they would just ignore the topic. George and Dain strolled in a few seconds before the bell rang, signaling for class to start. My teacher went to the front of the class and announced the assignment. "Today you will be working with your partners on a study guide for your final exam. First semester of your last year, very critical you pass with flying colors." My teacher announced, putting a burrito in the microwave to warm up her lunch.  I grabbed my pencil and picked up my study guide. It was a big packet of about ten pages front and back. I glared at the thick packet and got to work. I'm pretty good at math, I had to be for my job. Being good at math runs in my family so it's a pretty easy class. I'm in question five when Dain says something. "We are supposed to be working together." He argues. "Yeah well, bud, I'd rather do it on my own. It's quicker." I said, moving back to my packet. "If you guys want to work in the hall in fine with that, it is quieter." My teacher said, inhaling her food. I got up and moved into the hall. There are benches out there at least so I can work on my own. I found one right next to the window and took a seat, leaning on the cool brick wall. I saw Dain walking toward me but I pointed to the other direction, signaling for him to leave. "We are supposed to work on this together, so be a sport and deal with it." He said. I moved so I was laying on the bench, but he just sat on my legs instead. "Get off." I growled a warning. "No, just work with me on this." He pouted. I went into work mode, I shoved my straight hand into the side of his neck and he coughed. I shoved myself off and he rolled to the side. "What the hell!" He choked out. "I warned you, now just leave me be." I said, satisfied with what I did. "Fine, I'll go work with someone who wants me." He growled. I chuckled. "Your gonna have to turn to your imaginary friends." He flipped me off and turned into our class. I spent the rest of the class period working on the packet and I got a good chunk of it done. I checked my watch, 2:10. I walked back to class and took my seat. "Hey what's up karate kid?" Chris chuckled. I rolled my eyes and gave a small laugh. I started packing my stuff, grabbing my phone and charger. I finished packing and we had two minutes left of class. "Now remember, we have the rest of the week, the weekend and then it's due Monday. You can work on it in class and over the weekend." She said. "What was that even about." Dain shuddered. "You were there, you heard what I said. What more is there to say?" I said as if it were obvious. "Do you take karate or something?" He asked, eyes wide. I chuckled and the bell rang. "See you losers tomorrow." I said, sticking tongue out. I made it to the front of the school. I checked my bag to make sure I had everything and started to walk.  "Need a lift?" Benji asked with a smile from his car. It wasn't anything special, just a blue jeep. "I can walk." I stated. "Come on, just let me be a gentleman." He said with a cocky smile. I sighed in defeat, it was better than waking two miles. I got in the passengers side and instantly assessed he car. It was pretty old, definitely a hand me down. It smelled like guy, but not in a bad way. It was a mix of cologne and five guys takeout. "So, what's your address?" He asked. "It's simple, just ride this road out until you get to the light. Take a right and go to the end of the street and it's the big grey house." I explained. "Alright, am I allowed to stay?" He wolf grinned. "I told you, plans." I chuckled. "Come on, your just afraid to get to close. Is that is?" He asked with a laugh. I rolled my eyes and turned to face the window. It was a few minutes before we actually got to my house. I unbuckled my seatbelt and hopped out. "Later lover boy." I smiled and turned to walk in my house but I heard the drivers door open and close. "We are hanging out right now." He said, putting his arm around my waist and leading me into my own house. "Parents are at work." I said, sitting on the couch. "Yeah? So we won't be disturbed?" He asked with a sly grin. I rolled my eyes and shoved him playfully. "Be out by 3 got it?" I told him bluntly. "Alright alright." He smiled, putting his hands up in fake defeat. "So what do you do for fun anyway?" He asked. I laughed. "You want to see?" I asked. "Alright, I'll bite." He smiled. We got to the back of the house and I looked over my shoulder and grinned. I had done this a million times so it was routine. I ran forward and leapt on the side of the house, clinging to roofing and pulling myself up. I scaled up my house in thirty seconds flat. I looked down to see  a wide eyed Benji. "Who are you?" He laughed, his eyes still wide in surprise.  "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I laughed, thinking his reaction if he knew. I slid down and jumped right in front of him. "I should probably get to that stuff, just walk yourself out." I smiled, walking back into my house. "Seriously how did you do that!" He asked. "Practice, lots of time on my hands." I laughed. He picked up his bag and saluted. "See you tomorrow." He winked and walked out the front door. I locked the door behind him and when up to my room. I got to my desk and opened up my next assignment. Forty two year old man, accused of being a spy for a rival agency trying to take our agency down. He must be killed immediately and his phone taken to head quarters. He is meeting an agent of our enemy at 4:00, so get there early to take him out.

I got dressed in leggings, an olive green tank top and white converse. I put on my jacket that is stuffed with all sorts of goodies and walked towards the park. It took like ten minutes and I reached the park, mostly because I was in a sprint. I looked at the picture at my phone once more and turned my phone completely off, just in case it could be tracked. I walk around the park, watching a group of boys playing basketball and a group of little girls coloring with chalk. People pass by, walking dogs and riding bikes. It takes me five minutes to find him, early. He's sitting on a bench, far off and right next to the parking lot. Not very convenient, but I'll make it work. It's just in and out, then I get paid handsomely. I approach him with a smile. "Hello sir, lovely day." I smiled. He just nodded in response. I went right in front of him, good thing no one was in good sight of us. I quickly put my hands on each side of his head and twisted with force and I heard a snap. This is really weird, it's too easy. I curse to myself at my foolishness. I see a teenage boy approaching me, a fake smile planted on his face. I search the mans picked quickly and find his phone. I secure it in my purse and take walk off, trying to seem casual. I take the shortcut to my house on the greenway, I'm just walking. I know that the guy will be on my tail any minute so I try to act normal. We have a certain set of rules as hitman, never get caught, always get the right target and do anything to get your job done. I just broke one, that's really great, fantastic! The silence of the woods was interrupted by the soft patter of feet. I turn to be met a few feet away by the guy I saw earlier. He wore a baggy black jacket and sweatpants. He has a bullet proof vest underneath, I can tell by the way he moves. "Just hand over the phone sweetheart." He smirked. "Oh, you mean this?" I asked. I pulled out my own phone. He nodded. My phone is a later newer version than his, so he doesn't know what the phone looks like. I don't really care much about my phone anyway, my things automatically save to my iPad and I can just get a new one from the agency. I toss it a good six feet into the woods and smile at him. "All yours." His smirk faded and he kept a knife trained on me. Knife throwing, no firearms. Trying to keep quiet and low key, just how I like it. I grab two throwing knives from my jacket and train them on him. He leans down, still facing me, to pick up his phone. I throw the knife, hitting him right in the shoulder. "Shit." He yells, annoyed by my sudden attack. He throws his too but I'm ready, I swiftly twist to the side. He stuffs my phone into his pocket and runs at me. I see the shiny silver in his right hand. I bring my knife up and aim right for he throat, I barley graze his neck and he's on top of me. I'm tackled on the ground and trapped. "Now sweetheart, sorry to do this but it's my job." He fake pouts, stroking my face with the side of his hand. I work my knee up and grab a garlic powder bomb I made and throw it right in his eyes. He shrieks in pain and lands in his butt. I scramble to get my knife that's on the ground and throw it, hitting him in the center of his throat. I grin down at my work and start collecting things. My phone, my knives, and his gear. I check every piece of gear he has for trackers and stuff them in my bag when I don't find any. I dump his body in the lake, I tear his body up so it is unrecognizable. I walk back home with a satisfied smile and a shitload of new toys.