Masked

Chapter Ten

        The night before, Cassie had told her father of her new-found power. This night she was being forced to train. She thought it was to join the Umbrella Academy. She was wrong.

        "Cassie," Reginald said. "I have something very special in mind for you. As we have finally discovered what makes you one of the eight, I have decided that you can now go on missions."

        Her face lit up. "Does this mean I'll get to meet my siblings?"

        This caught her father off guard. "What? When did that preposterous idea get placed in your head? No, you, my dear Cassie, are going to become the world's most famous assassin."

        The girl's demeanor changed to one of sorrow, and then of frustration. "But, I don't want to. It isn't fair! They're my siblings. Why can't I join them?"

        Sir Reginald dropped to her level before smacking her for her outburst. "Because I kept you in solitude for a reason. This is your purpose, and you will accept it. Now."

        The man motioned for someone to come forward. Out of the shadows appeared Mom who had a sad look on her face. She had a bar stool in one hand, and scissors in the other. Cassie was quick to understand what was happening. Before she could object, her father brought her to seat and placed her on top of it.

        "An assassin," he told her. "Must never give away their location or identity. To do so, one must not have hair reaching their bottom. It must be kept neat and short. The less motion it produces, the better."

        Her mother then slowly cut her hair, one curl at a time. They fell to the ground in defeat. The girl did not cry in fear of getting punished. When Mom finished, Cassie brought herself to her feet. She could no longer feel the weight of her blond mess that comforted her for years. Putting a hand up to her neck, she felt what remained of her hair. She was left with a bob.

        It wasn't until hours later when they finished learning proper hand to hand combat that Cassie was allowed to go back to her room. Pogo escorted her, comforting her along the way. A single tear fell down the girl's cheek as she fell asleep.

•~•

        Diego and I drove off to the crime. He was dressed in his black attire, knives upon him once again. Still in my skirt and blouse, I thought I would at least look more professional than he did. It wasn't long before we had arrived at Gimbel Brothers. Sirens wailed, and police cars had already surrounded the store. Yellow tape had been placed by the entrance.

        We exited the car, grabbing the attention of some nearby cops. Before making it to the front doors, a bald man with a beard and mustache greeted Diego.

        "Beeman," Diego said, shaking his hand. "What's it looking like?"

        The guy eyed me suspiciously before pushing up his glasses. "No bodies, but a lot of bullet casings. The place's a mess."

        Nodding, Diego entered the building. I went to follow after him, but Beeman stopped me.

        "What?" I asked, exasperation coating my voice.

        "Sorry, ma'am. Only law enforcement inside please."

        "Are you kidding me? You just let Diego in, and he's not a cop of any sort."

        "He's a friend." The man crossed his arms and wouldn't let me pass.

        I thought of a better idea. "Fine."