HEROES ─ fallen warriors series one shots

17| Orange Colored Sky

(Takes place before "Brainwashed")

Soroya

May 14th, 2004

I knock on the door of the seemingly abandoned tavern, trying my best to calm my nerves. I don't want to appear timid or weak in front of Caden Harvey, I want to make a good impression. If I don't...I don't know what I'll do.

A few hours ago I was given a new assignment, a kill order against another government official. After the success I had after my first mission, after fooling HYDRA and helping my victim escape death, I knew if I were to continue to do the same for future missions, I needed help. Loads of it. In order to make someone's death believable, make them disappear completely, documentation is needed, passports, fake identities. All things I don't know how to obtain. But rumor tells me a man named Caden Harvey does. I've heard his name whispered by other agents and guards, some of whom work with him. He's helped people pay off debts, helped people disappear, helped hide valuable items, helped turn the powerless powerful, the poor wealthy.

He's apparently a man of many talents, talents I'm in desperate need of. But seeking him out comes with risk. Caden Harvey is about to be learn information that HYDRA would love to have, knowledge that would get me killed along with my brother and my parents. I'm putting my life and theirs in his hands. I hate it. I hate putting myself in such a vulnerable position, but I have no choice.

I refuse to kill for them. I won't kill for them. Never again.

I jolt in surprise as the door to the tavern swings open slowly, and taking in a deep breath, I walk inside. I look around the inside of the tavern and feel my eyebrows knit in confusion, my breath catch in awe. This tavern isn't abandoned at all, and it doesn't even look like a tavern. The floors are polished wood, maybe oak. It's the same color as the leather couches and chairs scattered around the room. Draped over the furniture are animal skin blankets, identical to the rugs covering areas of the floor. The walls are painted a deep brown, a little darker than the floor, and adorning it are framed pictures of swans.

A door resides near one of the leather couches, and after a moment it opens, revealing a man. He's white, tall, in his mid-twenties, has gelled back brown hair, a full beard, greenish brown eyes, and a very charming smile. He's dressed in a dark blue suit, shiny black dress shoes, a zebra print shall draped over his shoulders, and a pair of sunglasses resting on the top of his head.

The man walks over towards me, his smile wide and welcoming as he extends his hand out. "Hello there. What might your name be?"

"Soroya Roberts," I reply, keeping my voice leveled, my chin held high as I grasp his hand and shake it. "I'm here to see Caden Harvey."

Caden lets go of my hand and steps back, bowing with the level of gravitas I would expect from a Broadway performer. "I am he. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Roberts. You seek my services?"

I nod. "Yes, sir."

"Oh none of that, call me Caden," He replies, sauntering over to one of his couches, gesturing for me to do the same. I do, and only once I have sat down on the leather couch across from him, does he say: "What can I help you with, Ms. Roberts?"

Folding my hands in my lap and taking a deep breath, I tell Caden my situation. I tell him I was kidnapped by HYDRA, I tell him about my powers, about my family being used as leverage, my training, my first mission, what I decided, and what I plan to do on my future missions. Caden listens to every word I say intently, his expression growing less and less amused with each word that leaves my lips. Once I finish my story he speaks in a soft tone, his gaze tender, his words sincere: "I am very sorry, Ms. Roberts. You don't deserve all that has happened to you."