CHAPTER 2

Sofia left Master Carlos’ office feeling very uneasy. She always welcomed big jobs but lately it seemed like their targets were more prepared when they came to assassinate their targets. She could feel her brain calculating the odds that there was a spy in their mist, and she was ready to find out who is behind all their troubles. Sofia walked down the hallway and came face-to-face the Blade Runner, captain of the killer squad.

“Sofia…” He said dragging her name on his lips.

“Adrian, don’t you look glad to see me.” Sofia said as she stepped back to take a good look at his face because he was taller than her.

“You have been avoiding me these days, everyone can see it.” He said with a disturbed expression on his face, something he always did when he was upset about something.

“When did you start caring about what people say? I didn’t take you for that type.” Sofia said, sounding very annoyed with the conversation.

“We are not children anymore but sometimes it feels like we are playing hide and seek with each other.”

“I have a life to live, and my world nor universe doesn’t revolve around you.” Sofia said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

The Blade Runner sighed and moved closer to Sofia and quickly grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her towards him in a tight hug, “I miss you Sofia, why are you treating me like a stranger?”

Sofia remained in his embrace just for two seconds more before forcefully pushing his body away from hers, “Adrian, you are not a stranger, but I remember telling you years back that there will come a time where this connection would be put to test and I feel that, that time is finally here.”

Adrian brushed his is fingers through his hair and punched the wall on his right, “Why do you have to be so stubborn? Why can’t you act like any average woman, who is tender?”

“Tender? Are you messing with me right now Adrian? I am a female assassin, and you expect me to show tenderness? You are definitely barking up the wrong tree if that what you think I’m ready to give you!” Sofia said as she forced herself to remain calm in this nerve-racking situation.

“Why can’t you do it for me Sofia?” Adrian asked, looking lost and slightly bleeding on the hand he used to punch the wall.

“If we were on a mission, would you fight the battle for me even if you were completely outnumbered and close to death?” Sofia asked him as she stepped closer to him, and Adrian could only remained quiet as hesitated before speaking again.

“Sofia… I”

“That’s enough for me to know how you truly feel and besides get your hand bandaged or something. I need to go because I had prior arrangements before bumping into you here.”

“This conversation isn’t over Sofia.” Adrian said, trying to touch Sofia but she avoids his touch.

“Master Carlos is waiting, since I finished early you can go in early too and ring the other two captains. As for this conversation it is done and dusted, as she said her final words she moved away from Adrian’s view and walked pasted him and continued her journey down the hallway to the training grounds to meet her Squad.

Sofia arrived and saw them lounging around like they were on vacation. She cracked her knuckles and pulled out a bo-shuriken (ninja throwing spikey tool) at Wyatt who had his back against the wall with his eyes closed. The bo-shuriken landed on top of his head, pinning his dreadlocks to the wall.

“What the actual hell.” Wyatt said as she opened his eyes startled by the sound and contact of his hair and the object.

“I didn’t know that the training ground was a place for you to laze around.” Sofia said approaching her crew as their discussion quieted down.

“Captain, you are early.” Ronda said jumping down from the covered barrel filled with water.

“We were waiting for you and plus we didn’t think you would come here so early.” Alex said, instantly standing up from the bench.

“Well, surprise, surprise here I am ready to get punching and sweating.” Sofia said confidently.

“Let’s get started, she could have been here earlier, but it seems like she was preoccupied.” Alexia said as she put on the gloves and walked to the punching bag and starting punching the bag angrily for some unknown reason.

“What do you mean by that Alexia?” Becca said frowning.

“She was in the hallway with Adrian.” Alexia answered.

“Adrian? You are still with that guy captain? O’Brian finally spoke up looking unhappy.

“Arg! I hate that sinky bastard.” Ronda said.

“Why are we discussing my personal life?” Sofia asked, feeling unsettled for the first time in front of her crew, but she especially felt anger towards Alexia.

“It’s not so personal when you stand in a hallway speaking about your feelings for everyone to hear.” Alexia said giving the punching bag one more mean punch before holding it in place and placing her head on it. Sofia sighed from anger and the rest of the crew saw this, but they held their tongue. Sofia held her words and quickly changed the topic. She was not stupid to dive into the topic with Alexia. If Alexia did not play her part excellently on the team, Sofia would have already skinned her alive.

Yet, Sofia could not help but feel her patience was getting thinner each day and for Alexia’s sake that was not good news at all.

“We have more pressing matters to discuss than my personal life.” Sofia said.

“Finally, something more interesting to talk about.” Wyatt said as he unhooked his dreads from the bo-shuriken.

“Hold up captain, are we going to discuss your meeting with Master Carlos?” Mica asked, sounding extremely jolly.

“Yes, but before that do you guys remember the big assignment we were given when we first became a team?” Sofia asked as she waited to see if their memories would come alive.

“Wait, you not talking about the Micco Mafia are you?” Ronda said looking disturbed.

“Oh, somebody please shoot me.” Becca shouted out dramatically.

“Yes, that is what I am referring to.” Sofia said sternly.

“We almost died during that assignment.” O’Brian added.

“What are you all? Sissy’s” Alexia said as she turned to face them.

“All of you just shut the hell up for once and listen.” Sofia said her eyes throwing daggers at Alexia.

“Fine we are listening.” Alex said.

“Master Carlos said that they are going to select one of our squads to take on Don Russo. I don’t know him, but I am sure Becca can help with that.” Sofia said and Becca looked pale as snow her eyes widen at that name.

“What! Hell no, I am not doing this.” Becca said moving back.

“What the hell are you so afraid of?” Alexia asked, smirking.

“I second that.” Mica added.

“You seriously don’t know that tycoon? He controls the entire Cerberus.” Becca said.

“How the hell can one man control our entire planet?” Wyatt said doubtfully.

“I second that.” Ronda added.

“He has his business installed everywhere but he lives in here in Orthus, it is said that he battles with control over another unknown Don.” Becca said, not being able to breath properly.

“Okay, Becca just calm down now we understand you.”  Mica said.

“Well, if that’s the case then we are as good as dead.” O’Brian laughed bitterly.

“Is it me or does it feel like the council wants to kill us off by sending us on dangerous assignments?” Alex said looking very thoughtful.

“If that’s the case then we need to make sure we don’t die. Carlos did mention something about him being notorious anyways continue whatever it was you all were doing I need to go somewhere. I’m not in the mood for training.” Sofia said and turned away from her crew and walked away from the training ground.