Nadir: Sense and Sensibility

"Alone?" a voice greeted from behind.

I turned back and saw Adam, smiling. He was holding a tray full of food. This guy must have a good appetite.

"Care if I joined?" he asked, politely.

I nodded. Frankly, I wasn't really in a good mood of chatting. I just wished to finish up my meal and straight away went to my first class.

Adam put down his tray and sat opposed to me. I didn't ever bother to look at him. Somehow he just jolted my memory to my first killed, and I didn't want to be reminded of it.

I knew he noticed that I didn't show any interest in starting a conversation, so he initiated it. "Your first class is history?"

"Huh?" I understood exactly what he meant, but I was kinda shocked that he knew what my first class would be. Was this guy digging me out?

Adam smiled. "You write it on your paper," he said, pointed to my file.

"Oh." Now only I reailzed how he found out. I felt stupid for thinking that he was eyeing me. I gave him a quick smile. I was done with my meal and ready to move when Adam suddenly stopped me.

"Do you know that we have a masquerade party tonight?" he asked.

"Nope," I replied. I didn't care if there was any.

Adam smiled again. "Would you like to go with me?" he threw out the question.

I was startled. Me? Going to a masquerade party? I must be out of my mind. "Thanks, but no thanks. I don't do dancing, nor having a costume to wear."

His expression changed. Perhaps he was never been turned down before. "Well, if you changed your mind..."

"Okay, I'll go," I answered before he could finish off his sentence. I saw Mark at the end of the corner. I didn't know why, but I felt like I have to accept his invitation to prove something to Mark.

Adam seemed confused with my sudden changed of answer. "Err.. I fetch you at 8?"

"8 sounds perfect to me." I didn't have to wait for his response. I just went away, leaving Adam with his confusion.

-to be continued-

Nadir: Whisper From the Past

I woke up early the next morning. Natalie was still having her heavenly sleeping. I didn't intend to wake her up. I didn't even bother actually. With Mark around, getting acquainted with Natalie was the last thing in my to-do list.

I got myself equipped with all the necessary stuff to begin my first class with. Good impression would give great impact. A decent look could always fool people. That was what I made of, gifted with perfect beauty from the outside, but filled with killer instinct in the inside.

It was still early. I sat back on my bed. My eyes caught at the old bracelet I was wearing. It was rusted eaten by time. Suddenly the ancient memory was triggered. I was brought back to my past, to the time when it was all started...

The night was cold. I didn't understand why I was being left there, alone. Both of my arms were crossing my body. There was no light. I could only hear sounds of so many things that I couldn't identify. Once in a while I could feel the itchiness being bitten by the hungry mosquitoes.

My head was screaming. I didn't dare to cry. I could still remember when I had my first tears, I was hardly beaten by The Master. Since then I tried to stay strong, eventhough I fell in the inside.

Few minutes had gone by. I was still standing there, didn't know what to do. Suddenly I saw a light approaching. An old man was holding the torch. He stopped by and brought me home. He gave me food and a place to stay.

For months I accompanied the old man. I learnt to do things I never did before. He had many amazing skills. Without hesitating, he taught me all. I knew how to hunt different kind of animals. I could face many dangerous obstacles without being afraid. I knew how to heal myself. And most importantly, I became a great fighter.

One night, the old man entered my room. He gave me the bracelet, and said he would forgive me for what I were about to do. I didn't understand at first. But everything became clear the very next morning, when the old man lied beside me. His body was covered with blood.

It was my first kill. I killed many animals before, but never a human. That day, I'd completely transformed into an assassin, as The Master would always wanted me to be....

Natalie's yawning surprised me. Without realizing, for the first time after more than 10 years, I cried. I wiped my tears and straightly went out from the room.

-to be continued-