Young Assassins

2) Two Scared Assassins

    Joey arrived at his destination, slowly pulling into the dark garage. A man, Mr. Ellis, came out expecting to greet Maya and congratulate her on her return. He's always favored her over Joey. When Joey stepped out of the car, Mr. Ellis stopped dead in his tracks. The way Ellis looked at Joey made his heart beat faster. He felt tears beginning to prick at the corner of his eyes once again, but he forced himself not to cry in front of Mr. Ellis.

"Congratulations, Joseph Wells. This was a test of friendship, and you won." Ellis spoke solemnly.

"No. I didn't win. She won." Joey felt his face heat up as a fiery rage built up in him. And on that note, he walked past the taller gentleman and entered the mansion through the door connecting to the garage.

Joey felt his legs weaken and shake uncontrollably as he made his way upstairs to Phelix's room. When he arrived at the creaky door leading into his boyfriend's private chambers, he hesitated. He put his hand on the doorknob and shivered at the cold metal feeling on his fingertips. A single tear trailed down his face, which was still covered in dirt and dust from a previous task. He slowly turned the knob and walked in, only to find a broken down Phelix, sobbing and shaking as he clutched his old blanket. It was the only thing that gave him comfort.

Joey rushed to his side and immediately wrapped his arms around him, holding him tight as Phelix's sobs slowed.

"Ssh, hey, I'm here. It's okay, babe. I've got you," Joey cooed to his shuddering boyfriend.

As Phelix took a deep breath, he couldn't help but ask his burning question.

"What about Maya?" Phelix's words made Joey's head throb, and that empty feeling rushed back. To answer Phelix's question, Joey simply took the blue strip of yarn out of his tattered sweatshirt pocket and handed it to Phelix. Phelix closed his hand around the yarn and shut his eyes tight, as he understood the gesture. A few more tears rolled down Phelix and Joey's cheeks before they fell asleep holding each other. Phelix still clinging tight to his worn out pastel purple blanket.

Phelix had a history of nightmares caused by PTSD and anxiety from missions. He hated sleeping more than anything because of this. As he drifted off, cuddled into Joey, his mind took his consciousness back in time. To a nightmare he wished so badly to escape.

Mr. Ellis paced back and forth as he stared down the line of older students. It was the 23rd annual announcement of student vs student assassination. A sick game that Ellis played, twisting each of the students against each other, mentally and emotionally torturing them.

'The week will die, yes, but that will leave us with the strongest. Week links removed leaves more room for the strong to grow stronger.'

It was the same speech every year. Only this specific age group plays the game each year, and the game only ends with two students left standing. These students will be accepted into the higher council to train the younger students. Phelix was determined to make sure Joey and Maya were that top two. Despite his desperate efforts however, Phelix is busy hiding from a group of students who have joined forces, and he is unable to spare the life of Maya.

'Come on, fag... we know you're in here...' Phelix remembered the fear inducing voice of Charlie Reaper getting closer to his hiding spot. Despite being a young assassin, Phelix had refused to kill anyone. Ever. That changed when Charlie jumped out at Phelix, swinging his giant fists, and Phelix reflexively shot his arm out. It wasn't until he felt a warm liquid trickle down his hand that he realized he had stabbed Charlie with the knife he had been clutching the whole time. Charlie's goons quickly retreated as they saw their violently strong leader hit the floor, his own blood splashing and pooling underneath him.