Mini Story #4- The List

I was handed a list of one hundred names. One hundred names to wipe from existence. I have killed ninty-nine people flawlessly, just like I was trained to do. Why is she different? My training didn’t have a rule for situations like this. I could have killed her in the Taxi car like I was supposed to and avoided all this. I thought back to the Taxi car ride.

I had a baseball cap on so I could tuck my long brown hair under it. I had sunglasses on to hide my brown eyes the off chance she recognized me later. I didn’t mean to make conversation with her it just happened. The sound of her voice made me want to turn off the radio. I’m not typically one to say more than what is necessary, but we filled the silence with chatter and laughter the entire way to the airport. It was only supposed to be a twenty minute ride but it turned into a hour. However, when the conversation was over it felt like it was only seconds. Before she left I even offered to help with her bags, but she only had the carry on and her purse. As she was handing me the cash our hands brushed, and I took the extra moment to notice how good she looked in a bun. I already knew which plane she was going to be on so I drove the car around back so I could shed a layer.

Now here I am trying to save the woman who I am trying to save for some reason I cannot explain. Why would I risk not only my pay out but my life for her?

Diana Ray. She would be my one hundredth kill. I knew I had to make it look like the plane crash killed her so there had to be enough blood to convince my people. They told me to kill everyone on the list and then they would pay me enough money so my grandchildren’s children could retire on top of my traveling expenses and security deposit. They never specified how. I’ll send them a picture of my last kill ‘dead’. Then they would transfer my money directly to my account then I make her a new identity, and she’ll probably never want to see me again. I frowned for a moment as my heart squeezed at the thought. I thought I didn’t have feelings. People like me can’t have feelings because when a person with my skillset develops feelings we create a planecrash in order to save a woman that you were supposed to kill.

I let her body fall naturally so it looked convincing in the picture. There was a mixture of dirt and blood all over her. We had landed in a swamp so luckily I could use the muddy water to hide the fact that the cut I made was not lethal. By the time I was done with sending the picture to my people, she started to stir.

She groaned and propper herself higher up against the tree she was against. “What the fuck? You stabbed me! You’ll need a really good explanation or else I’m going to be pissed.” She exclaimed after a few moments realizing that she was bleeding.

I released a breath I was holding. I paused for a moment trying to think of a good way to explain the situation to her but no matter how you spun ‘You were on my list of people to kill so I have to either fake your death or actually kill you.’ “Okay, it’s going to sound crazy but I promise I am telling you the truth.” I started but was cut off.

“Listen. If you’re going to tell me you were sent to kill me, you’re going to have better luck if you hit a vital organ.” She smirked and crossed her arms then winced.

I stared at her for a moment with a small smile on my face. “Well I’ll skip that part then,” I chuckled, “If the people I work for find out you’re alive we are both dead. I can help you be whoever you want. I just need to get the rest of the money I’m owed.” I finished.

“Did you do your research before deciding to risk your life for a woman you’ve never met?” She replied cocking an eyebrow, she seemed surprisingly calm considering the situation.

“If by research you mean make sure that you are the correct Diana Ray, then yes. It’s not my business what you do in your free time. I’m just in it to get paid.” I shrugged, slowly approaching her, my feet sloshing through the mucky water. “I need to clean up your wounds unless you want them to get infected.”

She did not flinch, she instinctively tried putting her long hair up in a bun”I’m still not clear about why you would risk everything for me, but I appreciate you saving my life.” She revealed a set of straight white teeth showing off the stunning smile I remember from the Taxi. “Is my carry on bag around here or is that with the plane?” She asked, suddenly seeming slightly self conscious in her torn lavender flannel button down shirt and ripped leggings.

“Unfortunately that went down in the plane. Once I’m done cleaning your wound I’ll get us out of this swamp.” I assured her while digging out my first aid kit.

“Sounds good to me. I’m assuming you can just fly us out of here or do whatever you did to save me.” She spoke with a confidence that told me she believed what I was telling her.

Her eyes were like looking at a mossy forest floor. So many different shades of greens and browns which draws you in the more you look. I’ve been around plenty of women before. However, I’ve never felt like this around anyone before. “Don’t you worry. I have a plan.” I gently pressed the cleaning supplies to her wound.

“I’m sure you do.” She replied, slowly. There was a sharp in take of breath as the cleaning solution did its job. “Tell me what is it about me that changed your mind about killing me? They say once you’re a killer you’re always a killer.”

My phone buzzed giving me time to decide whether to be honest or come up with a half truth. I checked my phone there was a screen shot of the money going into my account. Perfect. So far so good. “I’ve been through extensive training for my entire life. I thought every feeling that I could feel was beaten and trained out of me. You were the last name on a list of one hundred people. If I had stuck to my original plan you would’ve been dead before leaving the Taxi. You can make me laugh a genuine laugh and we don’t even know each other. You make me feel good and that’s something that hasn’t ever happened to me. It was enough to make me alter my plan.” I rambled hoping that she could understand what I mean.

“That’s a good enough reason for me. It may make me absolutely crazy but I believe you. You don’t scare me. You should after everything that has happened but somehow I know you are on my side.” She replied, running her hand over my shoulder. “What’s your name?” She added, leaning towards me, her large hazel eyes gazing into my brown eyes..

“Edwin Veras,” the name fell from my lips and felt like I was spilling my darkest secret. I wrapped a few bandages over the cut so it stays clean.

“Edwin,” she spoke my name as if she was trying on a new out fit. She rolled it around in her mouth to see how it fit. The way she spoke my name gave me unexpected chills. “That is a lovely name. Catch me up on the details of this new plan of yours on the way out of here.” She sighed with a smile.

I found myself smiling, “Hang on Diana Ray, this is the start of your new life.” I stated before scooping her up into my arms and leapt into the air.

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