Editing The Writing Workshop 5-18-18 (section)

=== The Silent Assassin ===
by Jie Ling

Gleaming up in the quickly darkening sky, the softly glowing moon shed a dim light onto the rocky paths of Peace Town. All was quiet except for the soft creaks of windows shutters being closed and locks sliding into place. As the moon reached its peak, the town fell deathly silent…but not for long.  

~~    

I slipped silently into my dark, bare room. As I was one of the best assassins in the Shadow Corps, a group which specialized in the discreet disposal of unwanted persons for a high price, I was the proud owner of my own tiny room. It gave me a little privacy and quiet unlike the noisy dormitories two floors below.     


I sat onto my hard, straw filled mattress and stared gloomily at the yellowed-brown tattered sheet of paper in my hand. Looking back to a time six years ago, I remembered my young fourteen-year old self eagerly awaiting a similar letter to fall into my hands. Now, I dreaded receiving them…I wanted to stop and retire, not wanting to kill more people. Unfortunately, the only way out of the Shadow Corps was by death. A few times, I admit, I considered of faking my death but the SC (Shadow Corps) burned every single dead assassin as was their custom. Upon faking my death, I would then suffer through the burning flames before finally reaching the end of my life. 


These letters contained the mission details for fully-trained assassins. Quickly unfolding the document, I read the instructions and orders and felt my chest grow tight with growing excitement. 


Assassin (Sh),     


Your job is to silently rid the world of Senator McWalters. He is scheduled to pass through the mountain ravine along the Qualite River and will arrive at the small village of Peace Town before sundown. Approximately 50 men will accompany him on his journey. Assassin (Cl) will lead a group of 5 people. They will be the diversion team while you focus on removing the Senator permanently as is your primary mission. Obey your orders and do not die. 


Commander     


Folding the letter back into its original shape, I took out my lighter and quickly set the slender sheet of paper alight. Thus, ensuring that no spy or enemy would gain the letter and possibly endanger our mission. Slumping wearily, I stared at the dancing orange flames and wished my current life had not turned out in this way. Before, I had thought it was such an honour and privilege of living this special life until on one of my missions, I had seen an “ordinary” family.     


I met this family – unintentionally – during one of my missions. While spying on the house of a powerful diplomat, a family of four passed by my hiding spot, high up in an oak tree. Studying the approaching family, I noticed that the father, mother, boy and girl were happily laughing and chasing each other across the emerald green grass.     


Assassins in the Shadow Corps never laughed and hardly ever cracked a single smile. Fascinated with this seemingly new relationship these people had with each other, I diverted my concentration to their little group. I watched with great interest as the family continued to play with each other with great joy. Seeing the easiness that they interacted with each other made me wish to live in that happy environment. My thoughts were interrupted by the voice in my ear demanding information on my mission.     


Ever since that day, I continuously compared my life to that of the family I had seen. Approaching the head of the Shadow Corps a few weeks later, I begged and pleaded to be released from my current life and allowed to leave the premises. Unfortunately, all my pleas fell onto deaf ears and I was warned that if such things came out of my mouth again or if I attempted to escape, I would be severely punished.     


Thus, I continued unwillingly receiving different mission orders and secretly killing people. Standing up, I dusted the black remains of the letter from my lap and strode to the door. I quietly slipped out into the corridor and headed towards one of the secret doors leading outside.     


Silently scooting up a tree, I nimbly jumped from branch to branch and made my way towards Peace Town. A brief twenty minutes later, I donned my black mask and noiselessly leaped onto a tiled roof. I swiftly crossed from one roof top to another and soon arrived at my destination.     


Glancing down onto the ground several feet below, I spotted 5 black shapes dash across and disappear into the shadows. Ducking down onto the rough tiles, I awaited my signal to launch my attack. The peacefulness of the night was broken suddenly by loud cries, yells and clanging of metal onto metal.     


Taking my cue, I briskly jumped up towards the roof of the inn where the Senator was residing for the time being. Peering into each window I came across, I searched for the private room of the Senator. Finally finding the largest, most luxurious room in the inn, I dropped through the open window. To my dismay, I realised I had not fallen into the bedroom but into the small but extravagant lounge area.     


Biting my lip in agitation, I dashed towards the door where I assumed the bedroom was. Pressing my ear to the darkened wood, I listened for signs that Senator McWalters was awake. All was quiet in the room.     


I opened the door and stepped into the room, my booted feet making not a single sound. My eyes quickly zoned into the heaving shape on the four-poster bed. I strode towards the man and slapped my hand across his mouth to keep him quiet. His eyes flew open and he stared up into my expressionless face with horror and dawning fear.     


I dragged him onto his feet with my other unoccupied hand and proceeded to drag him out of the room. Besides removing people from the world, we also efficiently disposed of the body, never leaving the corpse lying at the scene. Yanking him with me, I pulled him out of the door and towards the window.     


Suddenly, the main door burst open and guards burst into the room. The armed men were quickly followed by the rest of my team. Briefly pausing to wonder how these guards had gotten by the assassins, I flicked out my short silver blade.     


“Release him!” yelled the head of the guards. “If you do so, you shall not be harmed.”   


“I am sorry but I can’t,” I replied before letting my blade fly. 
----That's all for this month! Hope you enjoyed reading, and don't forget to leave feedback. =D

So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight U_U 

- Carolyn Sie
[[Category:Navigator Articles]]
[[Category:Nav 17-18]]