Jennifer gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Don't be afraid," she whispers, her breath warm against my ear.
The lights go back on almost immediately to reveal a tall man with long white hair and an odd asymetric suit. Standing at the top of the stairway, he raises his white gloved hands.
"Welcome, my knights!" He bellows, tilting his chin upwards.
Jennifer tugs at my arm and kneels. I follow suit as the man jovially skips down a few stairs. In one fluid movement the crowd rises.
"Hello, Master." I watch my companion's candy pink lips move in time with the others. She glances at me as the man lets out a laugh of content.
"Ah, my knights, I am deeply sorry for summoning you on such short notice, but I have someone I'd like to introduce you to, as well as some important announcements." The man grinned. "Meta, please come and join me."
My breath catches in my throat as Jennifer lets her fingers slip out of mine. Unfamiliar faces turn to stare at me. With a blank expression I make my way through the crowd and ascend the first few steps. As I stand next to "Master", he puts his arm around my shoulders.
"Knights, this is my newest protégé, Meta. He is a second year student at the Eastford University."
I watch with mild fascination as the group of assassins simultaneously places a hand on their heart.
"Welcome, Knight Meta," they speak, bowing their heads. Master smiles.
"He is an excellent assassin and a valuable addition to our team. Now, onto the announcement," he says, suddenly serious. "They have declared war."
The room explodes with voices. People turn to each other and cry out with rage. Master just stands and surveils the formally dressed crowd as it becomes increasingly agitated. He glances at me and gives a small smile.
"Hush now," Master cries, lifting his hands reassuringly. "We will go to war. They will not win. Unfortunately this means I will have to ask those of you who do not live in this town to stay here. I have no problem lending you rooms. Those who do live in this town can continue living where they did before, though I doubt you will have any time to yourself.
"This enemy cannot be handled in the way that we usually handle our targets. Our spirits usually guide us; now they will fight alongside us. They are not to be underestimated. But do not let fear grow in your hearts, for we are stronger than most! We will not go down if the enemy is not dead. We will prepare for the first attack. Tomorrow, they will forever regret choosing to oppose us. S.M.A.S.H. will be victorious!" He paused for a moment.
"The fight begins at dawn!"
"Who are we fighting?"
I tighten my grip around the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white. Jennifer looks at me from the passenger seat.
"The rival assassin group in the area, created by Master's brother. Tension's been high for awhile." Her sentence is punctuated by a yawn.
It is four in the morning, three hours before sunrise. Quietly I direct the small car to an abandoned parking lot and turn the key, effectively stopping the engine. Jen lifts a delicate hand to her ear and presses on her headset.
"Team four check," she confirmed into her microphone. "Awaiting further instruction."
There is a crackling on the other line and a faint command to stay and wait for now.
"This is kind of sudden," I whisper, staring at my hands. I've barely been assassinating for two weeks and already I am thrust in a battle against the organization's biggest enemy, with no warning beforehand.
"For you, maybe. It's actually been building up for a very, very long time." The blonde girl unbuckles her seatbelt and pulls her knees up to her chin. "I'm surprised it didn't start earlier."
"Explain to me," I begin, taking in a deep breath. "Explain what exactly S.M.A.S.H. does. We kill people, but why? I'm not bothered with it- okay, maybe just a little- but honestly I just want to know. I want to know everything."
Jennifer looks at me, her big blue eyes reflecting my gaze.
"I don't know everything. No one but Master does. Most assume we're a hitman company, which is entirely possible; others think we're a subdivision of the mob, or a government agency. As for the rivals, I don't know either. No one but Master and his brother know anything."
I let out a breath and close my eyes.
When I open them again the sun is on the verge of rising. Jennifer yawns and gets off of my chest, where she had fallen asleep. Suddenly she freezes as a faint crackle is heard.
"It's starting," I hear Master say. "Attack."