A Missed Shot

Chapter Three

Heading back to her bunker in the underground sanctuary, the name still rings in her head.

Ellie.

She lets out a small shriek when she saw Scarlet just around the corner flipping a coin.

"Scarlet, what the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be, y'know, gone," Destiny whispers in a cold, harsh voice.

As if getting a drive from Destiny's anger, Scarlet replied with a sly wink, "Well I learned stealth from the best." Destiny rolled her eyes. "Look, I heard everything you and The Overseer just discussed."

"Oh really? Didn't think you'd hear anything what with you being right around the corner and all."

"This Ellie chick is no joke. She's got bodyguards that are guarding her bodyguards. She's that powerful. If you're to take her out, you'll need more than just brute force, y'know, more than just an arrow between the eyes." She looks behind her shoulders and past Destiny's as if she expects someone is hearing her. "There's something about you, Destiny. You possess great potential."

"Ugh. Don't start with the same cliché 'With great power comes gre--'"

"That's not what I'm saying."

"Then what is it Scar? Huh?" At this point, Destiny is just about fed up with everything she's been told. With the anger rising in her voice, there was a faint blue glow coming from her chest. "Oh no, I see the issue! You took me in when I was naive! When I had no idea how to treat for myself!" Scarlet swears Destiny's irises begin to glow a normal shade of blue, vibrantly.

Reaching for her, "Destiny ca--"

Swatting her hand away, "No! You can't use me!"

"No one's using you!"

"No?! Then why me huh?! You've been at this position for years. I just got promoted. What is it about me that makes me applicable for the kill?" The amulet around her neck was glowing hard enough to illuminate the entire corridor. Her eyes were so blue, it was inhumane. She could have sworn she saw another shadowy figure, not even a foot away, out the corner of her eye. It was just about the same height as her. As she turned to look at it directly, it seemed to disappear.

Reality kicks in. Her neck feels like it's melting. Her gut feels like she's just been hit by a cinder block. Her chest feels like one thousand needles of death puncturing through it. Everything is going dark. She faints. Scarlet pulls up Destiny on her shoulders.

Destiny is in and out of consciousness. While awake she hears what appears to be Scarlet talking to The Overseer.

"Scarlet, what are you doing? You should be in--"

"She's discovered it."

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on, cut the bullshit! You know what I'm talking about." Keeping her eyes shut, she feels Scarlet making some sort of gesture. The Overseer lets out a grunt. "Should I tell her?"

"No, Scarlet, don't. When the time comes, she could do it at will."

"But she doesn't understand anything about it."

"That doesn't matter."

"Then what does?"

"Destiny and El--" Destiny passes back out. She has a vision.

She's in a dark room. A gun in her hand. Its magazine is full. She can hear a voice that sounds vaguely familiar.

Destiny?

Who's there? She draws the gun up to her eye level. Come on out!

Destiny!

Lowering the gun, tears well up in her eyes. Mom?

Destiny. . .

Mom I'm so sorry! I didn't know!

I forgive you.

No you don't! You're just saying that!

Destiny, despite your opinions, remember this. Are you listening?

Sniffling a few times, Yes.

We are one in the same, you and I. Out comes her mother, bearing the organization's insignia on her back.

She can't believe her eyes. Crying harder, she raises the gun to eye level. I want answers! I want answers now or I fuckin swear, I'll do it again! This time on purpose!

Showing no sign of worry or fear, What do you wanna know, sweetheart?

You know what I wanna know! Tell me where I come from! How I grew up! Why the hell is our family connected to some group of vigilantes?!

Letting out a sigh, I'm afraid my time is up Destiny. She begins to fade away into thin air.

No come back! She squeezes the trigger but nothing comes out. The clip is empty. Bewildered, she faints once more.