⸻
"You what?"
"I want to retire," I said, for the second time, my voice steady despite the weight pressing on my chest.
The commander's eyes narrowed. "Why on earth would you want that, Li?" he asked, his ridiculous British accent somehow making the question sound even more absurd.
I already knew the truth—no one left the organisation. Ever. You either died in the field or betrayed it and were hunted down. Either way, the end was the same. But I was done playing their game. I was going to be the first to walk away alive.
"Because I'm tired, sir. I'm eighteen—turning nineteen. I want a normal life," I said, each word sharper than the last.
"And you can—with the organisation. You're given breaks. Isn't that enough?"
I slammed my hands on his desk. "Oh, for fuck's sake, I don't want a vacation! I want out of this organisation—and I want it now."
For a moment, silence. He just stared at me, as if I'd spoken in a foreign language. Then he leaned back slowly, adjusting his seat, his gaze unreadable.
"…I'll speak with the council," he said finally, voice low. "See what can be done about your… situation, Li. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm quite busy."
I turned to leave, but the cold knot in my stomach told me this was far from over.
I didn't respond. I simply straightened up, nodded once, and walked out. That was a good enough answer—for now.
All I had to do was wait until they called me in again. When they did, I'd give them whatever reasonable responses they wanted, and I'd be free.
⸻
At the park
I sat at the far end, staring into space. The air was cool, the sunlight spilling in golden streaks through the trees. I listened to the chirps of birds and the distant laughter of children playing with their friends and families.
A small smile tugged at my lips. No screams of terror. No metallic tang of blood in the air. No death. Just peace—sweet, unbroken peace.
"Enjoying the quiet, Sarah?"
I opened my eyes to find him leaning over me, his presence blocking out the sunlight. My smile widened.
"You know nothing completes without your face," he said with a teasing glint in his eyes.
He chuckled and placed a kiss on my forehead.
"I thought you'd be late today," I teased.
"No work today," he replied.
He sat down beside me and took my hand. My chest tightened. This was why I wanted a normal life—because of him. My job was poison to people like us. Too dangerous. He wanted a life free from constant fear, a life where he didn't have to glance over his shoulder every five minutes. Staying with me would destroy him, sooner or later.
"So… when are they giving you a leave?" he asked.
"I… I don't know," I stammered.
He giggled, and the sound sent my heart racing. "Well, they'd better hurry. This will be our what—twenty-third date?"
"Thirty-second," I corrected with a grin.
Before he could respond, my phone rang. I pulled it out and saw my commander's name on the screen.
"You've got to go, I get it. I'll see you tonight?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.
I nodded, rising to my feet. I looked at him one last time—and it was the last time I ever saw him. The last glimpse of my reason for freedom.
⸻
Back at the organisation
Today was the day. I would finally be free. I wore my uniform and stood outside the heavy steel door, waiting patiently. The surveillance camera tracked me, but I didn't care.
"Agent Li, you may enter," a voice called from inside.
I stepped forward without hesitation, my heart pounding like it had the day I made my first kill.
This time, the stakes were even higher.
I waited for them to speak. The atmosphere was so thick you could cut it.
"Agent, your leading commander told us you would like to retire. Is that right?"
"Yes, Elder Jack," I replied.
They exchanged a calm glance before one of them asked, "And your reason?"
"I want a normal life."
Elder Jack shook his head, disappointment flickering across his face. My gut tightened. Something felt wrong.
"I won't say anything about the organisation. I swore an oath, and you can trust me—you know me better than any agent here," I said firmly.
Jack's eyes went cold, and my stomach dropped. "Is that so?" I heard him murmur.
"I don't think you've been entirely truthful with us, Agent Li," Elder Sofia said, her voice razor-sharp.
I stared at her, confused.
"Do you really think we wouldn't keep an eye on you? Our most reliable asset—yet you've been going behind our backs, confiding in an outsider about our plans… and this organisation."
My heart pounded. "What—what are you talking about? I've said nothing!" I snapped.
I hadn't. I didn't know anyone outside the organisation. I wasn't close to anyone… except him. Except Skylar. But he was a normal civilian, with a normal childhood and parents. He couldn't possibly be part of this.
"You're confused, aren't you, Sarah?" Jack said softly, a small, almost gentle smile tugging at his lips. One that carried sympathy… and regret. Regret for betraying me.
"Agent, would you please enter."
The doors behind me opened, and I froze. I didn't want to turn. Didn't want to believe it.
Bootsteps echoed across the room—familiar bootsteps. He came to stand beside me without a glance, reporting his name and status in a voice that sounded suddenly foreign.
I couldn't take it. My knees gave way, and I sank to the ground, tears sliding freely down my face—silent, burning.
"Oh, Agent Li… the world is a cruel and dark place, full of people who worm their way into your life just to make you weak and vulnerable," Elder Sofia said.
And in that moment, the truth hit me. How we met. How he'd saved my life. How he'd filled my head with dreams of freedom—only to hand me over to the people I'd been trying to escape.