Playing With The Puppet Master

11

"If you kill me, I'm never talking to you again even if I'm a controlled doll." Donna only whined in reply as her head laid on my chest. "I really do have to go today."

"Well, where are you going?"

"I found the stronghold a few days ago. I'm reconning it. Adrien is going with me so she can be out of Jordan's hair."

"Will you make sure you both get back safe. I don't think Jordan would forgive you if Adrien got hurt and Adrien won't be alive anymore if you get hurt."

"We will be fine," I reassured. "I might get hurt, and I won't deny that."

"Then don't go."

"Your mother is who hired me. I have to go."

"Well soon you'll be under my employ. I already talked to her about it, and she was ecstatic about the idea. Apparently you were very highly recommended by a few of your past clientele." I chuckled a bit at the thought. There were a few characters that have hired me throughout my career that I enjoyed working for. "It's hard to believe that you have silently killed rooms full of people."

"Odorless gases are very helpful," I admitted.

"Could you make me a gas chamber for playmates that I don't like?"

"I could be inclined if a super cute girl asked me." Her eye glared back at me as I laughed. "Yes, yes I can. But Jordan, Adrien, and Georgia are never allowed in it." Donna nodded as she kissed my cheek. "However, I can't make anything happen if YOU DON'T LET ME OUT OF BED!" Donna groaned again as her head fell onto my shoulder.

"You know, you keep saying that. It's rather annoying."

"And I'm sure Adrien is annoyed waiting for me downstairs." Donna took a pillow and plowed it against my head.

"Don't talk about other girls in my bed!" Her voice went three octaves higher as I threw the pillow aside and hugged her tight.

"She's a friend, one. Two, you need to let me go! I'll be back by nightfall! It's not that far." She groaned as she rolled off of me.

"You promise you'll be back by midnight?"

"I never break a promise. I'll be back even if I'm dragging myself and Adrien." Donna grunted.

"Well, wait for me at the very least." I nodded as she got up from bed along with me. I checked for extra ammo and made sure that my map and paper with ready. She dressed in her usual black mourning garments. I stared at the clothing as I waited for her. She brushed and pulled her hair in its usual bun.

"Why do you wear that?" I asked as she straightened her dress out in the mirror. Despair flashed across her face for a second before it turned cold and distant. Her hands gripped at the skirt of her dress before she looked away from the mirror and back at me. The cadou pulsated against her face. She took in a deep breath before she stared up at me.

"It's easier to show you."

"What do you-," A powerful scent wafted through my nose. It was not her usual lavender. It was more flowery. Fog clouded up the edges of my vision. Color bled from the world around us into varying shades of grey. Donna stepped up to me. Her eye was a palish, murky blue with green around the edges and skin tinted greyer than normal. She grabbed at my arm gently. The sounds of clashing roared from downstairs. My hand went toward the sniper that disappeared.

"Don't worry. It's a memory, not reality," Donna cooed softly into my ear.

"What?" I asked.

"Its...hard to explain right now. But know that you won't get hurt. I've...relived this reality often." Often? I glanced back at the sad smile that bled onto her face. "It's the only way I can remember my family," she admitted quietly. "Please, follow me." I only followed behind quietly. We trailed down the hallway. The dolls were gone. In fact, this seemed more like an average manor. Donna guided me down the stairs. Old pictures of two small girls littered the walls along with a family portrait where Donna's usually hung.