Royally Assassinated

I ~ Sienna

Groaning, I fell to to the ground, yet again covering myself with clods of dirt and other mysterious substance which were buried in it

Since the beginning of training- 5 hours ago, I had only managed to get half-way across the center's assault course as well as adding another dozen bruises(and pieces of dirt) to my body

"You know, jumping over the mud pit would help," Said a sarcastic voice.

"Shut up Luca. It's not like you've done any better. A whole one obstacle further than me. What an achievement." I snapped mockingly, still not bothering to get up off of the floor.

Luca simply replied by putting his hand on his chest and looked back at me in an 'offended manner'.

"I am hurt. How could you say that to your best friend?"

I rolled my eyes. "I am deeply sorry for my actions. Now could you please help me up or are you too wounded to assist your best friend."

Luca sniffed and mock-wiped away his fake tears but reluctantly helped me up. I smiled internally knowing that I had won this argument.

Luca Sparks had been my best friends since the day that we met at the JAR headquarters (that's Justice, Assassination and Rebellion. Don't ask. It sounded snazzy at the time.) Which is an organisation dedicated to ensuring the country of Aravia had justice and equality and the group did everything the could ensure that- including assassinating people who stood in their way. I mean what better way to prove to everyone what a great group you are by breaking some of the worlds most enforced and shared laws against homicide.

I had arrived at the institute at the age of 2 when my wonderful family left me for dead on the streets of New York. It must have been my lucky day as a senior member of the group, who had been on a mission, had found me there and took me in.

On the first day of training; Luca and I had instantly clicked. We were being taught the basics of self-defense (which I was - and still am- hopeless at) and had been asked to get into pairs. Being the only 'newbies' meant that no-one wanted to spar with us so we ended up being thrown together, which worked out quite well as Luca was really very good at self-defense and managed to teach me some things- although I wouldn't admit that I needed help from anyone.

Since then, we became best of friends, never spending a moment apart.

"We should probably report back to the assembly hall; apparently they have some important news."Luca said, breaking the silence. "Yeah" I muttered, not really wanting to go. Assemblies only meant one thing - someone was being sent on a mission otherwise known as their one way ticket to death. The missions were never easy- why would they be, we were practically trying to 'fix' the corruption of our country, of course it's not going to be something easy.

We reluctantly began trudging our way through the training fields towards the main building, located right in the center of the facility.

Once we approached the doors, we were greeted by a familiar tall, brunette girl.

"Morning Melanie"

"Morning." She replied. "Are you guys coming to the assembly?" Luca nodded in response.

"What's so important about today? We never have large assemblies with everyone. It's only ever small group meetings for the nominees."

"I can't say yet, but I think that you'll want to pay special attention today, Sienna." She replied. That's strange, I'm barely ever needed at the assemblies.

I brushed her comment of and began to follow Luca to our assigned seats. It seemed that we had arrived just in time as the assembly promptly started once we had sat down.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, please find your allocated seats as quickly as possible because we are about to begin," Melanie announced and paused for a brief moment to allow everyone to settle.

"Thank you. Now as you know the aim of our organisation, JAR, is to ensure fairness and peace within a country. Yet due to recent events in which many areas affected by poverty were eliminated by the king of Aravia. They claimed that it was for the benefit of the population as it was too large in the first place. However we disagree with this act of unnecessary homicide." She pauses as collective shouts of agreement were heard from the majority of the room. "We believe that it is time to act. Our solution may sound risky and radical but the monarchy has had too much power over this country- and it hasn't been used in a positive manner. Therefore we are resolving to our final alternative - to assassinate the king."

A round of gasps filled the hall. The members were used to dangerous missions but this one was far more extreme than those which were normally given out. Extermination of members of the royal family was never considered. If a person was caught in the attempt or even suspected of being part of such a plot, they would be instantly executed and so would anyone else who was remotely related to that person.

"Please settle down," continued Melanie.

"I realize that this is very drastic news but you have all been aware of the problems which have been occurring. Except, the situation is much worse than you have thought. Hundreds of people have gone missing with seemingly no explanation but we believe to have found out that the reason for these disappearances. These people who has gone missing have in fact been taken care of in turn as they knew too much about what was really going on in the palace behind closed doors. About the king's refusal to acknowledge the problems which have been affecting this country form many years now, but instead of dealing with them he shields the public from them. We need someone to go inside the palace and find out as much as possible, report back and then eliminate the threat- the king"

I felt a nudge on my should and turned towards Luca. "What?" I whispered.

"Didn't your dad 'disappear' years ago, which was why your mum left you on your own?" Luca said.

"No. Well yes... but they said he was in a car accident and that he died from tha-"

"But did they ever show you the body. Was there ever a funeral?" He cut in.

I stopped. Realization about what he was implying slowly dawning on me. No it's not true. They would have told me. Luca is probably trying to find an explanation as always.

"Sienna he wasn't in a car accident. And I bet that it was the king." Luca finishes angrily as if planning the king's death right at that moment.

"Luca stop. You're jumping to conclusions. Besides it doesn't matter, it's not like we can do anything and you know it." I said sternly. 

He looked like he was about to say something but decided against it. Good choice Luca, good choice.

 At that moment, Melanie continued with the details of the mission. "Killing the king will be our only hope of keeping peace and equality among our people. We hope to get the king's eldest son to understand our beliefs and hopefully, he will improve the current situations before they become too large to handle." 

"So now comes the awaited reveal of the person who has been nominated to complete this mission. The person we have chosen to complete this mission is... Sienna Giovinazzo." Everyone instantly began looking around, trying to locate where I was sat. 

Melanie smiles at me from the stage and becomes me over. "Please come up to the front, Sienna."

I slowly stood, shaking under the gazes of everyone in the room. Suddenly it was all too much. I felt myself beginning to hyperventilate. I couldn't focus. I could vaguely see Luca's face shouting something but I couldn't hear what. I looked around once more before darkness consumed me.