His Assassin

Chapter 29: Blast from the Past (Part 5)

Vidalia

Running.

It seems like the one thing I do nowadays. The only difference is that the police are after me this time.

I've been able to survive on my own for about three weeks now, but my money ran out a week ago. I haven't eaten since then.

And I'm dirty. I became homeless and now look the part as well. Yea...shit's been pretty crazy.

I have no permanent place to stay. I stay where there is shelter. That includes stores where the store owners aren't very fond of me and call the cops when I refuse to leave.

Running with low energy wears me out. I make a lot of turns around buildings and alleyways so that the cops lose me faster. This is the second time I've had to deal with them.

I needed to rest behind a movie theater by a dumpster with the classic touch of rats.

I will never go home, I will not burden Andy, and I don't have anyone else. I'm here...and here isn't good. But it's better than home.

"Excuse me?" A tall man in a suit approached me. He looks about mid-'30s, has deep brown eyes, and some grey in his black hair, but his face was youthful. Must be the manager of the place.

I was still heaving, trying to catch my breath, "it's all good...I'll...I'll take my shit and go. I know when I'm about to get kicked off the premises. Just gimme a minute."

"No, wait. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ace, I want to help you."

"Help me how? Can you offer me shelter?"

"I can offer better. I take it you're homeless?"

"Yes," I replied, trying to control my breaths.

"What if I told you I could give you a new life?"

"I'd...I'd follow you in a heartbeat."

"Answer me this: would you be willing to leave everyone you knew behind?" He leaned down to me.

"That's..." Andy would be better off without me, "too easy." I nodded.

"Would you be willing to become a completely different person? Absolutely no ties to your old life?"

I didn't even have to think about it, "yes."

"This last question is very important: would you be willing to end someone else's life so that you may live yours?"

"Yes."

He raised his brows, "are you sure?"

I stood up with whatever strength I had left. Standing straight and tall, I looked down at the man who was still crouched, "sir, I have no limits. I ran away from home so that I could live another day. If ending lives is what it takes, I'll do it."

Why should I just sit here, rotting next to this dumpster? The rats are just waiting for me to die so they can eat my remains. Fuck this shit. This guy I don't know just offered me another chance at life...and I'll take it if it means shelter, food, and a whole new me. The choice is completely mine.

"Alright. Let's go to the facility to get you cleaned up." Ace led the way to his car.

All I remember is seeing him walking in front of me...then everything went black.

•••

Andy

I haven't seen Vidalia in 3 weeks...her phone is off, she hasn't replied to emails or even 3DS messages. I don't know what's happening...maybe she's having time for herself. She does that sometimes, but never for this long.