Broad-Spectrum Assassin

Memory 14: Our First Kill

My parents wanted to congratulate me on making it to my final exam. To celebrate we all cooked together. There was a bit of tension at first. After all, the celebration should normally come after the exam, not before. They must know there's a chance I won't pass the test.

I wonder if the exam is the same for everyone or if its individualized. I can't ask them about it, though. Or else I'd fail.

The pasta salad was complete and mom had me sit in her lap.

"Isn't our peach berry too big for that?" Father smiles as he chuckles.

Mother kisses my cheek. "He'll always be our little boy."

"Mom, Dad. I want you to be careful, okay? I can't say anything more than that."

Father pinches my cheeks. "Thinking of us even now."

Mother feeds me a forkful of the yummy veggie pasta. "Thanks for making time to visit us on every weekend. We know you'd much rather be training."

I shake my head. "That's not true. I explained it to VirtueVice. Being around you two renews me. You give me direction and courage." I turn around and hug Mother. "Thanks so much for everything. I'm going to continue to make you proud."

Mother kisses my forehead. "I've never been more proud of anyone."

Father ruffles my hair. "You're getting to that age. Don't get your little bunny pregnant. Doing so could get you excommunicated." He lowers his head. "Or worse."

I smile to relieve him of his worry. "I'm not ready for that anyway. You two had me after you dropped out of school, right?"

Mother nuzzles me. "That's right. To think was over thirty years ago."

"Why did you wait so long to have kids?" I ask.

Father looks to mother solemnly.

Mother hugs me tightly. "How about I get us some dessert?" She sets a plate of agave coated ChocoBerries on the table between us.

Father pauses and then looks at me. "You're our third child, Weechy Peachy."

"I have siblings?" I ask with wide eyes. "Where are they?"

"I failed the other two. That's why they're no longer here." He grabs my hand. "We won't fail you."

I close my eyes. "You shouldn't blame yourself. You taught my siblings everything you knew. You did your best. They...didn't pass the final exam, did they?"

Mother pats my head. "You will pass. You're more incredible than both your siblings combined."

I get up from my chair and embrace Mom with all my love.

She starts weeping against my shoulder.

Father joins in the hug and cries on my other shoulder.

"Thank you both for everything." I send them all my warmth.

When the tears stop, we take turns feeding each other the ChocoBerries.

When I finish, I look up at them with resolve. "Mom, Dad. I'm going to need you to stay in your bedroom tonight. I'm going to set some traps around the house."

They give me one last kiss before I leave to make preparations.

I'm up till way past dark, making the preparations. When everything is done I sit down and write in my journal.

This is so familiar.

I write about how lovely tonight was, and how it's the last night of peace before the assassin legend's final exam.