The Choice

Prologue: Life before it Started

PROLOGUE: Life before it all Started

“Stop it Kath!” Caitlin giggled as her older sister tickled her.

They were sisters and they were young, Caitlyn and Kathleen. They were very close with each other that nothing sets them apart. They always choose, decide and wear the same things. Nothing really separates them.

They look alike; they smell alike and even think alike.

“What do you mean ‘Stop It’? You sounded like you were enjoying yourself. Are you being sarcastic?” Kathleen responded.

They both laugh.

The Sterlings, which most people would call their family, were very much popular in the world of industrial business. Their father, Mr. Sterling is the CEO of the world’s number one company, SGC, that invents different technological gadgets that is very useful for safety and protection. Of course being successful and all, they lived in a mansion where lots of bodyguards were roaming around and maids ordered around.

Mr. Sterling, invented the World Panorama in which the user can see what every surveillance camera captures from around the globe. “It is still not and will not be for sale” says Mr. Sterling. That is why many people are after it because of the value of the said expertise.

The Sterlings were having dinner tonight at their house, a celebration for yet another successful invention.

Mrs. Sterling cooked the meal while the sisters prepared everything in the table; the plates, spoons, forks and glasses. Each was arranged the way high-class restaurants would. Their father is very strict when it comes to discipline and proper behavior but very soft when it comes to family affairs. When they were done, they lined up near the entrance door to welcome their father or in the case of Mrs. Sterling her husband home.

“Welcome home, dear.” Mrs. Sterling greeted.

“Congratulations on your successful project, Dad!” Kathleen said excitedly.

Mr. Sterling then looked at his youngest daughter “Do you have something to say?” he smiled.

“Good evening, Dad.” Caitlin responded. They all smiled.

They went together and joined for dinner.

Just when they were happily eating and chatting about how their days have gone, there were series of gunshots at the table. Each plate and glass breaks into the air.

Kathleen and Caitlin hugged each other tightly and searched the room for a safe area. But there was none. Their eyes roamed around only to witness a very tragic event. Soon their eyes found their mother, dead. Shot by the head. Caitlin squealed and Kathleen cries loudly. It was all happening quickly. The guards were no use.

Then they saw their father, signaling them to get away. Then a gunshot was fired at Mr. Sterling. It was no use. Mr. Sterling was no more. The girls were trying as hard as they can to try to stay calm. They can’t. There was too much pain. The sisters covered their ears while they were crying. None of the maids and guards came to their rescue. 

Finally, the firing stops. Both of the girls ran towards the back door, holding each others hands. Kathleen knew what they were after, World Panorama. She seems to gain courage by protecting his Father’s last invention. She went to his father’s lab and found 3 men all wearing black. They were holding guns and unknowingly points it at her. Everything seemed to slow down. Time stopped for Kathleen. It was her time, she told herself.

But a voice from behind shouted “Duck!”

Both the girls ducked and closed their eyes. When they opened them, three bodies were on the ground. They didn’t really know what happened.

It was a boy. Around the age of Kathleen. Too young to take care of the bad people. Kathleen didn’t bother asking ‘How’.

“I go by the name Callen. Pleased to meet you.” He introduced himself calmly as if he is used to doing the things he does.

“I understand that you are-“ he suddenly stops. There was a man behind him. The man restrained him. Callen was helpless. He tried to reach the gun with his feet but only kicks it farther away. The girls were then in shocked. Then Callen looked Kathleen in the eye and nodded with a very serious face. Kathleen gets the firearm then a gunshot was echoing the lab.

The man lets go of Callen and tries to run away but collapses before making it out.

“Well done, no wonder I was sent to you” he quickly said.

The sisters were as confused as ever. Caitlin was very surprised by the actions of her older sister. She was supposed to get mad but the feeling of relief overpowered her.

“Wh..whhh…who are you?” Kathleen stuttered.

“Your father assigned me to take care of you. He knew this-everything that happened- was about to occur in your household. He already saw this coming. That is why he assigned me in advance to protect and take care of you.” He explained.

“You father was a prominent assassin, and so was your mother. They were both feared as ‘The Couple” who terminated everything in their way. They were strong and skilled. Why do you think your father has an idea on who to protect you from?” he added.

“Wh…whha..WHAT!?!?” Kathleen exclaimed. “Dad was an assassin? But that can’t be, he is home early and he’s always around, so how can he accomplish his jobs?” Kathleen added.

“He was an ex-assassin. He and your mother resigned after having both of you. They thought of your own safety. Great parents, aren’t they?” he answered.

“Are you making this up? How do we know you’re telling the truth?” Caitlin reacted.

“Come with me. Let me show you something.” Callen ordered.

The sister followed him. They didn’t want to be left alone with corpses around them.

Callen walks towards the office of Mr. Sterling. He slowly opened the door and walks again to his chair. He sat on the chair and looks at his surroundings. He spots a weird shape in the wall. Looked like an arrow or something. He follows it. It points to a wall clock. The time set was 5 pm. 2 hours and 30 minutes late. He looks downward where the small arrow form the clock is pointed. He knocks on the floor. It sounded like there’s something downstairs.

“Try steeping into one of these” Callen said as he was pointing towards a footprint mark on the floor.

Kathleen, although frightened, steps into it. There was light and there was an automatic voice form a computer. “Welcome, Sterling” it said.

The sisters were both shocked as to what happened. Callen only looks down. Staring at the floor. Then it opens, like a door to a passageway or something. He steps down the stairs. The girls follow him.

“I think I should believe you now.” Caitlin said. She has calmed down from the incident.

“This is you father’s real headquarters. Sometimes meetings were held here, especially when you were deeply asleep.” Callen uttered.

“How can they lie to us? Such a big secret and they just kept it from us.” Kathleen answered while looking around the big hall. There were lots of computer screens and tech stuff.

“What do we do now? Now that we have no parents, nowhere to go.” Kathleen pointed out.

“That’s where I come in. You see, I may not look like it but I own a house and I’ve got a job. Wether you like it or not you’re staying with me.” Callen answered.

“What do we do for a living then? We can’t just sit around doing nothing.” Caitlin voiced out.

“Do you really wanna know?” Callen teasingly replied.

“What? What do we have to do?” Kathleen asked.

“You take your parents role. You become assassins.” Callen told them in the most calm expression.