Chapter 2: Lenalee Lee
Lenalee fiddled with the gun her hand, feeling its smooth cold texture. The gun smelt sharply metallic, reminding her trained senses of blood. She inhaled slowly and mechanically, the trick she always used to make her body devoid of emotion. She didn't feel, she couldn't let herself. If she did she was certain she would break.
A sharp static entered through her ear, it hurt slightly but she didn't flinch. "Butterfly," a dark voice spoke. "It's time." She nodded, though she knew nobody would see, and stepped onto the ledge of the tall office building. She exhaled and jumped.
The wind rushed at her face, cold air slapping at her exposed skin. She was free falling. The ground grew closer and closer. But she wasn't afraid, she trusted she would succeed.
A sudden lurch from the ropes slowed her fall indicated to Lenalee that she was nearing her destination. Turning her hand to adjust her fall, she sped quickly to the left of the building, and turning it once more she rushed towards the glass windows. She shot the glass multiple times in the same spot before bursting through with her strong legs.
Glass shattered and broke, shards cutting through her pale flesh. She ignored the sharp pain and focused her intense gaze on her target. The target-who had been sitting at his desk- panicked at her sudden intrusion. His mouth opened wide threatening a scream as terrified sweat poured rapidly down his chubby cheeks, but she gave him no chance cry. A single bullet, that's all it took.
Her target fell, dead, on top of the papers that littered his desk. Dark blood soaked through the pages and fell sloppily onto the floor.
Mission accomplished.
She looked away from the scene and once more jumped from the building, again feeling the shrill air fill her lungs as she fell to the earth. She drew threateningly close to the hard earth, but the resistance from the ropes quickly slowed her descent. She shifted her position making her feet point to the floor. She landing softly, quickly undoing her harness. She gave the rope a hard tug causing it to fly back up to the machine on the roof. The finders would take care of her abandoned equipment. Right now there was no time to waste. Desperately she shot off.
Her legs were like lightning. They were the reason she had even survived this long in her line of business. No one could see her, much less catch her.
She turned the corner, noticing a black car parked on the curb. A light flashed two times from inside the vehicle, proving himself an ally. She ran up to it opening the door and trusting herself inside. Her driver speed off as soon as she entered, not waiting for her to finish shutting the door.
Lenalee buckled herself, hissing in pain when the flat leather prodded at one of her wounds. "A medical kit," she demanded from the driver. "Do you have one?" He nodded and pulled out a small box from the glove compartment.
"Here," he outstretched his arm.
She silently took it from him, and began to treat her numerous cuts. Her process was fast yet thorough. She was far to used to tending to her own injuries, it wasn't as if she could go to a hospital, it was far too risky.
Her trained hands finished the job before they reached the outskirts of town. Noticing that it wasn't too long before they reached the base, she straightened her dress and put her gun in the holster hidden beneath her short skirt. She exhaled and forced herself to smile. Slowly she let her emotions return, forgetting the crime she had just committed. She couldn't let Komui see just how broken she really was.
Soon the driver pulled up to the the Black Order's main base, The European Branch. She stepped out of the vehicle and made her was to the front doors. The branch was a dark building, resembling a haunted mansion more than a mafia base. It was well hidden and far from the thick of civilization. She grinned bitterly. The only reason this mansion was the main base was because it was where all of the Order's strongest fighters' - the Exorcists -homes, or rooms, resided.
None of the Exorcists spent much time in their 'homes', only returning to sleep, and most of the time not even that often. The Black Order Capos- they called them Generals - had it worse though. They were to busy to return, coming only when they had a meeting to attend to.
She let out a hopeless sigh. Her eyes contradicted the sound, the nearly violet orbs burning with passion. The Order was hell. No matter what rank a person attained they were still but slaves to the Vatican - the Order's leaders-. One day, she swore, opening the large double doors. This place will burn, and Komui and I will be free.
Lenalee's fierce gaze dispersed at the sight of her brother. He sat, expectantly tapping his slippered foot on the marble floor, on the couch at the end of the short hall. His eyes picked up and beamed joyfully as she drew closer to his tall form.
"Lenalee!" He cried, glomping her in a tight embrace. "How are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she smiled. It was the response she always gave.
Just then Komui noticed the scattered bandages on her pale skin. His dark eyes widened in horror, frantic tears rising up. "What happened? My poor Lenalee!" He hugged her tighter, making it difficult to breath.
"If really fine," she squeaked out. "They're just scratches." Her brother ignored her, crying into her shoulder.
She smiled, her brother could be really childish sometimes, but he was genuine. He was pure, truly loving her with everything he had. She couldn't get mad at him.
"Komui, I can't breath," she muttered.
Hesitantly he let her go. "Are you really okay?" He asked again.
She nodded, "they really are just scratches." He didn't look like he believed her, but let it slide. "I need to get changed."
He nodded and smiled poignantly. "Yeah, get into something more comfortable. You've had a long day."
"Thanks Nii-san." She brushed past him, waving to him as she went, making sure to smile back for him to see.
She smirked, realizing how much lighter her damaged heart already felt. Her brother made all her fears disappear as if they never existed. She constantly longed to be with him, and she prayed for their freedom. She smiled sadly, wiping away the tears that suddenly rose in her eyes. She was the reason he was trapped here, yet she couldn't do anything to repay him for his sacrifice.
Lenalee entered her room, taking in its familiar beauty. Decorated with blacks and dark greens, the room was fairly empty. The only furniture was a small twin bed, a tall wardrobe and a single mirror. She liked it this way, wanting to leave as little attachment to the place as possible.
She took of her her dress, throwing it on her bed, and changed into a comfortable shirt and sweatpants.
She looked in her mirror. Her hair was a mess, having been tossed and wiped by rapid winds. And she didn't look good, heavy bags under her eyes reminding her of just how stressed she really was. She bit her chapped lip, knowing that Komui was aware. He just didn't say anything, because he understood the pain all too well.
Komui was the European branch's head scientist and an innovative genius. The Vatican constantly overwhelmed him and the rest of the scientists with projects and demands. The scientists didn't even have time to sleep. She cursed the Black Order. They purposefully made it so that they couldn't think of anything but their responsibilities.
The Vatican - she swore under her breath - were lazy, evil bastards, who did nothing but plot their despicable schemes and order that they be carried out by their soldiers, or should she say weapons. To them no one was human, only tools waiting to be used. Lenalee and her brother were just another pair of plastic utensils made to be used and thrown away without any second thought.
The Black Order wasn't like most mafias. They didn't desire money or land, nor did they care to be notorious. They stayed silent in the shadows as they slowly built up their influence in the world. She shivered, fearing what they might accomplish.
What the Order craved was power and they did anything to achieve it. Anything. Thus they focused most of their attention on the mysteries of science, obtaining strength beyond her imagination. And her knowledge too. They kept their technology secret from even the Generals.
Lenalee quieted the angry thoughts and left the room, hoping to get a snack to calm her mind. Plus, it already was well past 3:00 am, and she haddn't eaten since lunch.
She slipped through the black and gloomy halls of the European Branch. Scattered images of burdened and terrified men were the only decor within them. Cristal lights that would have illuminated the alleys - if they were on- were covered in dust and spiderwebs. The whole place would horrify any visitor. However, Lenalee was used to the haunted appearance, none of it frightening her anymore. What scared her was the energy. Even without the images and uncared for look she was sure the feeling of evil would still remain. Of course, that unpleasant sensation might have been only the result of her own animosity.
The kitchen was nearly pitch black and it was empty. She frowned for no reason and flipped on the lights. The sudden brightness blinded her, damaging her eyes. Slowly yet surely she adjusted though, heading to the fridge to check for anything to eat. She frowned, noting that most of the contents were vegetables and uncooked meats. Hesitantly, she took out a carrot, peeling it before taking a large bite. It was hardly a meal but she found herself feeling satisfied despite, eating two more carrots and a peach before retreating from the room -she cleaned up first, Jerry, the cook, was meticulous- .
Just as she left the room Jerry -speak of the devil- entered with his small crew of chefs. His eyes widened in curious surprise. "Lena-chan?"
She smiled sweetly. "Sorry for intruding your kitchen," she apologized, knowing that the motherly man wouldn't mind.
"Oh, no," a light blush colored his cheeks. "Sweetheart it's fine," She grinned, she knew he'd understand. "Were you hungry?" He asked, looking to the fridge.
She nodded. "Mhm, but I ate some carrots and a peach so I'm good."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure, child? Is that enough? I can make you something else."
She shook her head. "No really, I'm full."
"Alright then." His voice was still filled with concern.
Lenalee thanked the man before starting to return to her room. She stopped suddenly, turning back to face Jerry. "Do you need help with anything?" She asked. She had taken his food, it was the least she could for him.
"Eh, don't worry about it love. You've had a busy day."
"It's fine. I can just sleep in."
"No, darling. You really need to get some rest. Your job is really stressful." His voice softened at the last statement, as if he was pondering something sadly.
She hesitated but nodded. "I guess so... But are you sure? I might not be able to cook like you, but I can clean."
He shook his head, long braids swaying as he did so. "I'm good." He gestured to his chiefs, "we've done this every day before this. We'll be fine even without your help, so go get some sleep."
"Thanks, Jerry. Good luck."
He grinned lovingly. "Sleep well." She left the kitchen, heading back up to her lonely abode.
When she was younger - and even now - she did everything she could to avoid thinking of the Order as home. It was only when she was moved to the European Branch was that ideal shattered. The people there were all like Jerry, they were kind, understanding, and eccentric. They, like Komui, had managed to distract her from the terror of her world, saving her from madness. She was thankful that even though He had still forced her live in this hell, God gave her saviors.
But what would she give to be free.
She slunk into her bedroom, plopping down on her comfortable mattress. She let herself lament for a moment, before reaching down under her bed to grab the small piece of paper she had ripped out of an abandoned magazine. There was no picture or design, only four bold orange words: Back to School Sale.
Tears suddenly filled her eyes and streamed down her face and splattering on her gray sweats. Her hands trembled slightly as she whispered, "I just want to be normal."
I listened to Control by Halsey the whole time I wrote this.
Thanks for reading, remember to review.