Prologue

It has been three months since the peculiar incident occurred. I am still very much confused as to what is going on. Is this some kind of retribution? Some kind of set up? Or is this, though nearly impossible, a blessing? With a sigh, I gripped the pistol in my hands tighter than before. This is not the first time I have questioned the purpose of me being here. For the past

90 days, I have never stopped wondering. Why would I be chosen to be trapped in this perplexing situation? The world has already given me more obstacles and surprises than I could ever ask for. If there really is a higher-up, an almighty existence watching over the living, then please explain to me, why am I being played like a foolish puppet in the cruel hands of fate?

My fingers coiled around the trigger in a split second and I fired. The bullet propelled through the mouth of my weapon as it hit the target dummy right in the middle of the red bullseye mark. I could feel my eyebrows furrowing deeper as the loud bang from that shot still resonated through my ears, almost as loud as the million questions I have in my head. Slowly, the dummy toppled over its wooden stand, landing in a pile on the polished mat amongst the other ones I have shot down previously.

Putting my pistol back into its holster by my right hip, I wiped the sweat trickling down over my forehead with the back of my left hand as I surveyed the fruits of my training. Before everything that had happened a year ago, before I came here, I have never held a gun in my life. However, that memory of me seemed so far away now.

"Well done, my child. You have indeed surpassed our expectations."

That voice. It must be them. I spun round quickly on the balls of my feet before dropping onto my left knee, my left arm crossed over my chest and my head bowed down, a customary greeting for the lower ranks when graced with the presence of the ones in authority. After all, respect is really emphasized where I am now, otherwise, the consequences could be dire enough to put your life on the line and I am not planning to die. At least, not yet now that things have happened. I need to find out the reason why I am still alive here.

"I am deeply honoured to bear such compliments, Sir." This voice that I can hardly recognise slipped out of my mouth with much ease from months of practice.

The shortest man amongst the group let out a slight smirk as he assessed the damage done to the training grounds. Satisfaction seem to glisten in those dark pupils of his, before he turned to eye the four other behind him. They all shared a knowing look, whilst my eyes studied them from the peripheral view. Not a second after, a tall slim woman dressed in a black latex bodysuit stepped forward. Her features were sharp, with a pointed nose lifted high into the air, thin brows, slanted eyes that resembled a feline and crimson lips pulled into a firm line. She flipped her shoulder length straight hair back as she stared down at me.

"Get up."

The command was curt yet smooth as the words rolled off her tongue with much authority. Gingerly, I stood back up, keeping in mind to have my feet shoulder-width apart as a defensive stance in precaution. My head levelled slightly to meet the woman's emerald eyes. The cogs in my brain whirring fast trying to decipher what exactly it is that 'they' want.

As expected, the long awaited assault came as swift as the wind.

Lifting a firm right arm next to the side of my head and shifting my body weight slightly to the left, I barely managed to block the strong side kick from the woman's left leg. Her balance remained steady and her posture was perfect, with her body angled to the right and pivoting on her right foot. She seems mildly impressed from the almost unnoticeable raise of her eyebrows on her expressionless face.

Three jarring claps resounded through the room, abruptly breaking the intense staring contest between the woman and I. I pried my eyes away only to find the short stubby man clasping his hands together, eyes gleaming and moustache twitching.

"You are not mistaken, Alexander. She will definitely be useful." The oldest man with glasses turned to the short one as he commented with the same look reflecting in his eyes.

"It is finally time. We've waited too long for this." By the side of Alexander, a blonde woman with dazzling azure eyes and fancy jewellery said with a sly grin on her demure cherry lips.

Alexander dug out a cigar stick from his breast pocket and held it loosely between his lips. He eyed the woman who still kept her stance before surveying my struggling form as I kept up the pressure that was still being exerted from the leg. He held up a hand into the air lazily and the woman with ebony shoulder length hair immediately retreated her leg and reclaimed her position behind him.

With the threat gone, I carefully shuffled back into a full standing position, wary of the conversation that just took place.

I know that they took me in with them and provided for my training all these months for a reason. The trouble of even finding me, accommodating me, let alone teaching me to handle all sort of weapons from fists to explosives, why? They even taught me knowledge of the way their systems work, of the current affairs and relations they have with others and the art of disguise. To go to such far extents, what exactly are they planning?

As if reading my mind, Alexander smiled cunningly at me and in that instant, the group of upper-ranks looked like a pack of rabid wolves, sharpening their fangs. I let out an involuntary shudder.

"My dear," he began with that slippery voice of his. "You will now begin your mission, to serve the Azioni Famiglia and annihilate our sworn enemy."