Strange Shadows

Change of Heart

The morning sunrises were always my favourite part about the country, there were no skyscrapers or buildings of any sorts to block it. I loved how the colours filled the sky the beautiful hues of pink yellow and orange, it was mesmerizing. It was these moments, when I was alone in the woods, staring at the sky did I truly feel human. When I was out here I forgot the sins I had committed, forget the monster I had become, and forget the world. Inhaling deeply I took in the sweet scent of a warm spring breeze. "Hey Monkey!" I heard a familiar voice call from below me. "What is it Jack?" I called back. "I just wanted to know if you were ever coming down from that tree?" He asked. Sighing heavily I began to climb down the tree.

"What' is it Jack?" I asked curiously. Jack scoffed and said "What I can't come over and see my girlfriend?" I raised a weary eyebrow at this, he then walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me. Gently he smoothed down my hair and I wrapped my arms around his neck. "It's getting harder to bear this cross." I mumbled into his chest. "I know. One day we'll be free." He whispered into my ear. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and one more tight squeeze.

"We are being called back to the base." Jack said with a grimace. I shook my head and looked at him. "It's urgent I'm afraid." "Isn't it always?" I said coldly. He shrugged as we both made our way back to the base. "Race you?" He said with a little smile. I nodded and without hesitation took off running. "Hey that's cheating!" He hollered. "Guess you better pick up the pace then!" I yelled over my shoulder laughing.

Everyone was gathering and taking their seats when me and Jack arrived. I scanned the room carefully for my brother, my brother usually wasn't hard to miss. But with everyone dressed in the usual black ensemble it became a challenge. I felt a heavy hand land on my shoulder, I turned swiftly to meet my brothers dark blue eyes. "Looking for me?" He asked. I nodded and then pointed out a couple of seats for us to sit at. We took our seats and waited for everyone else to find theirs.

The meeting began how it usually did, opening remarks, a few other boring things and then the stuff we all sat quietly and waited for. "As few of you know, we have recently had a breach in our security. It seems that an, outside source has managed to locate our base. These people are currently taking up residence on the outer part of the boundary, we are forced to take action against these people to protect our secret organization and everything we stand for." The councilman said as screams and shouts of excitement echoed the room. "Great everyone's even more blood thirsty than usual. This is going to be a bloody mess." My brother said rubbing his temples.

"Who are they Drew? And why do they see them as such a threat?" I asked quizzically. My brother stared at me from the corner of his eyes. "Because they're threats to the organizations "training" and other activities." Drew said. "Free thinkers are a bad influence don't you know?" Jack said coldly. "We should find out who they are, then decide where to go from there. They could be our way out." I said with a faint hopefulness. Jack and Drew looked at each other and nodded to me. "We have to be careful, and keep in contact." Jack said holding an ear piece for me and Drew. "You made these?" I asked. He nodded. "I am a genius after all." Jack said smugly. Rolling my eyes I put mine in as Drew did the same.

"You're all dismissed and are to report to your stations immediately. And always remember we are assassins of God." The councilman said before everyone stood and marched out. We began to leave and almost reached the door when the councilman pulled Jack aside. He looked over his shoulder and mouthed for us to go, my brother and I gave a sharp nod to him and then left. "Looks like we're field mice again sis." He said as he grabbed two hand guns off the wall, handing one to me. I grabbed a small dagger and another hand gun.

"Taking a risk today are we?" My brother said eyeing my weapon choice. "Don't judge my choice, I know well enough what I'm doing. Plus if there's no risk, well what's the fun in that?" I asked shooting him a smirk. "To true sister. You know Eris, I think your name suits you perfectly. You truly are a dark one." He scoffed. We both laughed and then headed out to the field. "This is going to be an interesting day. Do you think they've ever seen powers like ours?" Drew asked seriously. I shrugged as I loaded my hand guns. "Who knows, hell they might be the ones with a surprise for us." I scoffed. We reached the doors and I turned to face my brother. "Drew, remember keep in contact okay?" I asked pointing to my ear piece. He nodded. "Be safe sister." He said before we went through the doors. Once outside my brother and I went our separate ways.