-Yeri-

  I've experienced worse things that can shatter one's resolve to live. Far worse than seeing a dead body being beat up to a pulp until there's nothing left but a pile of grinded flesh.

  Worse than seeing innocent people rot in prison cells,

  reaching unjust, and excruciating deaths.

  Far worse than the feeling of being dipped in boiling water as the people around you ugh at your pleas of the sweet taste of death.

  Yes. I've experienced and witnessed them with my own two eyes. Though... this is far worse.

  I was sitting across from the three handlers of the agency.

  One of them was the very person who made me join the agency and work for them when I was 11 years old.

  Other people experienced childhood at that age. Pying with barbies, cooking sets, and toy cars and robots.

  Whereas I experienced being trained from the crack of dawn till deep into the night.

  They learned multiplication and the basics of life.

  I learned how to aim and shoot moving targets, from run away cars... to actual people. No exceptions.

  Becoming the secret weapon of the agency at the lovely age of 16.

  Awesome isn't it?

  Awesome my ass.

  I stared at them dryly as they discussed topics amongst themselves. The handlers: also titled as 'The Fates'

  They are the ones deciding which mission each of the agents take.

  As their name suggests—they decide the fates of the agents.

  They decide what mission they start with, and they decide when to end it.

  They pay no mind to the thought of murder. As long as it gets the job done, they won't hesitate to kill.

  One of them flipped through a stack of papers, pointing occasionally as they murmured to each other. The only sounds were hushed voices and the slow rasp of turning pages.

  I took a sip of the green tea at the table, downing it with one gulp as I feel it's heat wash down my throat. I pced the tea cup down on the table harder than I should have—gaining the attention of the handlers. I cleared my throat.

  "Shall we begin our discussion, Ladies? Or shall I let you continue your useless chats and leave?"

  I said dryly. They turned to me with their usual cold gazes and I stared back at them with mine—One of them cleared their throat and spoke; "As you may know, the agency has been investigating a very suspicious company of the east. A very successful one, as a matter of fact."

  I raised an eyebrow.

  She sipped her tea, taking the cup with elegance and gentle manner. She turned to the other two.

  Her eyes gave a look that said, Tell her. Hit her with it.

  And I already knew—whatever they were about to say was going to hit hard.

  For me.

  The air in the room thickened as they went silent. The sound of the fans of the air conditioner filling the room with it's faded noise. Their gazes turned serious.

  Quietly pcing a bck folder of papers on the table, sliding it towards me. The same papers they were discussing about.

  I cautiously opened it, the sounds of the flipping pages filled the room, its echoes bouncing on the walls.

  I flipped faster, each page heavier than the st. My hands, shaking—flipping through the pages with urgency as I try to confirm it's contents.

  A name of a company...

  My stomach dropped. That name.

  I hadn't seen it in years, but it never left. Not after what they did. Not after what I saw.

  I turned back to them, meeting their still stoic gazes as they stared back at mine. "Is this a joke?" My voice sliced through the silence like a newly sharpened bde.

  They nodded.

  You have got to be fucking kidding me.

  The memories come rushing in. My tenth birthday...

  I was sitting at our dining table, eating cake. The only time mama and papa allow to eat dessert for breakfast .

  My birthday!

  I turned ten today. Got up from bed excitedly as two of my maids greeted me a happy birthday—serving me cake for breakfast.

  Mama and papa were at work, as always. Some kids would get sad if their parents were at work instead of spending time with their children. But I'm fine with our situation right now.

  I'd have the freedom to py all day and be picked up by my driver from school with a fancy bck car. Being treated as one of the popur kids.

  Throwing great birthday parties every year. Last year for my birthday, all the main Disney princesses came and the year before that, we had a big bouncy castle at our backyard. It would be the talk of the pyground before and after every party.

  But this year, my parents told me that there would be no party. Instead they would show me their workpce. Strange...

  "Sweety! Let's go, we're waiting for you!"

  I suddenly heard mama's voice. Her head peeked out through the door of the dining hall. I excitedly got up from my chair and went after her.

  She met me outside with a big, sweet smile. Taking my hand and bringing me to the car, where papa was. They both greeted me a happy birthday. I was happy. Even if there was no big and grand party, things were perfect.

  We stopped infront of a big building—their work pce—Mama and papa guided me out of the car, mama holding my left hand, while papa was holding my right.

  The building was big. It looked sleek, with it's white colored walls and tinted windows. With a grand entrance, having a guard on each side. They looked mysterious and cool with bck suit and ties with sungsses and an ear thingy on each of their right ears.

  I gave them a friendly smile, though they payed it no mind and just bowed to my mama and papa. I pouted.

  Entering inside, that pout vanished. I gazed in awe as I saw inside the building. A wide lobby with marble floors with neat simplistic decor—With people scurrying to pces they need to be.

  The pce was buzzing with workers, all of them looking sleek an professional. With cool bck suits and walking like they owned the world. They all looked mysterious and cool like those people in movies!

  But even if they were in a hurry, everyone Bowed and greeted me and my parents when they walked past us. Some of them shivered a little cause of nervousness in greeting them.

  Woah.. amazing! My parents are so cool!

  I admired mama and papa even more now...

  You can't escape it.

  You can't run away from us.

  We're always with you.

  You're here with us now.

  You are the heir to our legacy.

  Stay with us. Stay with us.

  Stay..stay.. staystaystaystaystay--