“And you are?” The target amuses me by asking, obvious that he doesn’t care.
PX-3. “Darcie.” Giving a fake name was easy; I had this one picked out for my first target, a nickname my mum used to call me. “What’s your name?”
“Cayden.” He offers his hand, and I look down at it like a puzzle. What is he doing? I take his hand nonetheless, and he shakes our joined hands. What the hell?
“What?” He looks down at me, looking as confused as I am. He takes a step back and runs a hand through his hair, messing up the curly strands.
“Nothing, sorry. Just a little dazed.” I smile, trying to recover from almost blowing my cover.
“What brings you to an event like this?” I ask, focusing on his lips as they twitch slightly in amusement, like he’s fighting a smile.
“Obligation.” Cayden takes another puff of the cigarette, blowing it away from me while his eyes never leave mine.
“What about you? A beautiful girl in a terrible place, it’s a tragedy.”
“Terrible place?” My brows knit together. Does he know something I don’t?
I wouldn’t be surprised since I was only allowed three words for this mission. Usually, I’m given the exact reason why they’re a target, but with Cayden, I have nothing.
“Nobody got into this room without sacrifice, none of their own,” he replies, sounding like he would rather be anywhere but talking to me.
Usually, I expect it. When I turn up, it’s not to observe. It’s to kill. So obviously, people aren’t pleased to see me. But I haven’t even done anything to Cayden, yet, so I’m a little offended.
Taking the final puff of the cigarette before dropping it to the floor, Cayden stubs the leftover on the concrete with his dress shoe before standing up straight and looking down at me. “So, what is it you want? My attention? A night to reminisce? My bed? Let’s cut to the point because I’m not interested in any of it, or you.”
Okay, now I’m pissed.
“I don’t know who pissed on you today, but there is such a thing as trying to be nice, and that was all I was trying to do. You’re standing out here alone, looking like you hate life, so I took the time to try and cheer you up. Forgive me for having a heart.”
Every word was a lie, but Cayden doesn’t know that.
I watch as his eyebrows raise slightly, shock filling his features as his eyes widen and lips press together, almost looking impressed.
Holding back the proud smile that wanted to grace my lips, I turn my back to him and walk away. Suddenly, I think I’m going to enjoy playing with my target.
Darlia: 1
Cayden: 0
Chapter 4:
The training sector is quiet this morning. It’s Sunday, which is our off day. Although we don’t have any training or assigned learning, we also aren’t allowed to just sit around and do nothing. Most of the girls spend the morning sleeping in. I never do.
In the back of the training sector, there is a room of machines designed for cardio. I step onto the treadmill, increasing the speed and incline before taking off into a sprint. When I close my eyes, I can almost imagine that I’m running on the beach, the sound of the waves crashing beside me as I run through the sand with the wind in my hair.
Not realising I was running with my eyes closed, smiling, Bella’s voice cut through my imagination. “If you’re going crazy, can you take out the Madam and Major before you go? I would love to watch those two burn.”
I snort, opening my eyes and shaking my head. I turn down the speed on the treadmill and watch as Bella walks into the training sector, dressed the same as everyone else, with black cargo pants and a black shirt.
Everyone knew Sunday was the safe day to talk, if you were careful. Madam doesn’t tend to check the cameras as often because it takes so long to go through each individual camera, as opposed to one room’s worth when we are all on the schedule. Basically, it was luck whether or not you got caught, and we seemed to have enough.
“Only if you promise to keep an eye on Lauren once I’m gone.”
“I already have Kylie. Lauren is your problem,” Bella teases with a smile, shaking her head before getting on the treadmill beside me and starting to run.
“So, what’s your plan for keeping Lauren safe? You know she’s a target.”
I did know, and that was the problem. No matter how many times I tried to give her the ability to prove herself to The Academy, like yesterday on the mat, Lauren never takes it. If she would just listen to me, then I could save her. But how do you save someone who doesn’t want to be saved?
