REBEL

E

ace with precision. My small, dirt-streaked hands moved in and out of pockets and bags with the specificity of someone far older, plucking wallets and coi

me, but when I turned back, there

CH

atching her for three days now, curiosity growing with each passing hour. Most kids her age had families, or at least a group to c

wasn't quite her

vendor, clutching at his apro

me darting between legs and under carts. The vendor gave chase, joi

calm. It took me seconds to intercept the vendor

oice low and commanding.

dor snapped, but his anger f

ing no room for opposition. The seller flinched b

t pounded against her chest. She was used to running, used to hiding, but something in that man out in the marketplace gave her a sc

I said, calm

as she spotted me at the mouth of the a

ng up. She glanced over her s

nued as if she hadn't spoken

need yo

u think you can keep this up? Stealing scraps, runnin

he snapped, though the crack

to spook her. "Fine isn't living

bed and three meals a day? Is

wn to her level, his piercing eyes meeting hers. "No. I'm of

rust him for a second. There was something in h

h?" she asked, h

ealing. No more running. You train, you learn, and you survive," Michael said simply. "Or you

long time, the cold grip of fear wrapped itself around my heart. I looke

e?" she asked, bar

e potential in you. And because no one helped me when

her to run. But something she couldn't quite

e trembling but firm.

in, standing and extendi

and calloused, but steady. Strong. For the first time in her young li

life with M

lgia, but just indifference. That city is where my boss, Michael, found me when I was six, living under a bridge. I was so good at picking pockets that

ible in our world-it's too dangerous. His wife was killed during one of his missions, and he's been emotionally shut off ever since. We live in the shadows, working for governments, privat

hose seal it was-a blood-red crescent moon, a dagger planted dead at the centre. Only one group uses that symbol

walls of the Crescent's fortress? Harsh training grounds that promised punishment if I failed

am a weapon. They taught me how to kill, to disappear, to wield silence like a blad

rashing over me. Once I had escaped, all the while I knew I couldn't ever be free. If t

worse or for better, they were

a house, gorgeously decorated, of course, but none in it had been chosen by me: neither furniture, nor the arts, and not the house. Moving often, I caught interest or attached myself to nothing. B

ows) welcome

the tub. Two maids enter the room and begin wrapping me with towels. None of us ever q

y colour-bold, striking, and dangerous. I let the stylists do their job with my hair, makeup, and jewellery. By the time they're finish

rings.

el: H

: Hi

s it feel go

ot so mu

. Now remember, no traces, no clues. Get in, make sure you are seen, deal with y

ill keep in touch whe

Stay sa

Daddy (lìne

No problem. I strap a small pistol to my thigh just in case and smile to myself. At twenty-fiv

e trembling figure, smile before the little female can breathe down, I turn around and snap her neck, then use the same knife in h