Phoenix

Chapter 15

A dark place

Essence's POV
Finally, after two weeks of pure cold and gloominess I was back at TRAA. Back with my brother and friends. The weather here is not exactly the warmest, but it's much better than in Russia.

Over the course of these 2 weeks, my team and I have grown closer, and we now all hang out quite often. But I've especially established a good relationship with Phoenix... not the one you're thinking of. We're now really good friends. Despite still being the tiniest bit attracted to him, I guess having him as a friend is better than nothing. After going on these separate mission to return the blue prints, I've gotten to unravel his goofy side, as-well as his professional and caring one.
... speaking of blue prints; they have been returned to dean Roosevelt safely and all traces of our presence had been destroyed.

•°•°•°•

Right now, I was curled up in bed having a hard time falling asleep. Again... great...
As I've mentioned before, I am what some may call a 'cold blooded assassin', but I still have a consciousness and morals. The image of all those people I've killed in Russia flashed through my mind as guilt consumed me. What if they had families? What if they were forced to be there due to life's pusillanimity? I felt myself slowly fall into my depression. The feeling was horrible. Like falling into a deep black bottomless pit. Along with my depression came insomnia. There was no way I would fall asleep with all the shit running through my head.

After tossing and turning for what felt like ages, I finally felt a strand of warmth caress my face. I open my eyes to the celestial breaking of dawn, which ignited the dust particles in the air, turning them into sublime sparks of fire. It was euphoric, and brought back a sense of calm to my being.

Destiny's POV
It's been about a week or so since Essence and her team have returned, and I still haven't managed to go to her with my dilemma. Really, it's funny how this tiny friend of mine manages to frighten the shit out of me. Essence is actually quite infamous for her professionalism and intimidating aura.
Nevertheless, if I wanted to gain some peace, I had to talk to her. It's time I grow some balls and grab the bull by it's horns.

•°•°•°•

It was already noon, and I hadn't seen Essence all day, which was weird. We usually spend our breaks together, but today she was no where to be found. I asked everyone from Raven, to Grayson and Marino, even Phoenix with whom she had combat class, yet no one had seen her. So as soon as I was done with my classes, I headed straight to her room.
After knocking on her door, I heard some shuffling inside and it took her some time to actually open the door. When she did, I was taken aback by how distressed my best friend looked. She looked pale, and I mean not her usual light skin tone, but she was almost yellowish pale. The bags under her eyes still managed to make their presence known despite the fact that she had put on some concealer to hide them. Her hair was thrown into a despicably messy bun and she was still in her pajamas. I wanted to ask her what was wrong so bad, but I know she won't answer me anyways. She would just brush it off, as per usual, saying she was just tired or had a rough day. So knowing that she hates being tiptoed around, I start off by saying:

_ "Holy shit! You look like crap!" She just rolls her eyes at me as I bounce past her into her room.

_ "Sure, come on in." She sarcastically smiles at me. "Sooo... what brings you here?" She asks me after we both take a seat on her bed. My hands immediately fly to the gold chain I was wearing around my neck and I start fiddling with it. This immediately causes Essence to raise a skeptical eyebrow at me.

_ "Well um-" I begin. "You see, it's just... I-, but actually... what really happen-"

_ "Destiny!" She snaps at me. "You're rambling."