Chapter Thirteen: Saving

"Yeah, you're right. I can't blame you," I said, still thinking about that night.

"So when do you wanna leave?"

I looked down, shrugging. "I'm not sure. Probably shouldn't leave until it gets dark, no?"

"Yeah, you're right."

Once again, it became quiet. The silence between us was almost tangible. It had come down like a wall between us, our communication coming to a halt. I never liked when we stopped talking…those awkward moments were never pleasant. We could sit for hours, avoiding each other's gaze, never speaking a single word. The only sounds coming from either of us were pained sighs. The desperation to break the silence apparent, trepidation just as obvious.

I desperately wanted to break it.

I decided to speak. "Has Nikki given you… any assignments yet?"

"Yes," he answered quickly. "Only one. I've been tracking him for almost two months now. He's quite a guy," he added, chuckling.

"Oh? Can I see the file?"

"You can…I guess. But I'd have to remove some parts of the file."

"Classified?"

"Yes, it is."

"Oh," I said, slightly disappointed. "Well, how bad is this one?"

Abel sat back in his chair, slouching. He scratched his chin. "Honestly, I can't say that he's bad…I don't see anything wrong with him. I kinda don't even want to kill this one off," he stared at me wide eyed for a moment before continuing. "He…has…potential, I guess."

My eyes widened. "Potential? How?"

He threw his hands up. "I'm not even sure, kid. I just don't think this one deserves to die."

"Why, what makes him so special? I thought they all deserved to die," I said flatly.

"Usually, yes. But he's…different. Maybe if I consulted Nikki, I could Save him."

Ah, Saving…

The Brotherhood has practiced the saving of poisoned souls for many years. It's a very…interesting concept to say the least.

Occasionally, when performing a hit, there are some kills that we have a level of sympathy for. In the assassin's eyes, the target's actions are just. We see them as right minded individuals, performing kills to better the world around them. They take the lives of the sinners, not the innocent. If we feel that their actions are indeed just, we will refrain from carrying out the kill. Instead, the target would be tracked, their every move monitored.

Eventually, the target would then be brought before an Elder.

The Elders are senior members of the Brotherhood, those who have been around the longest and have performed the most kills. Some act as Guides, assigning kills to certain Hit men. Their skills are of an impeccable level. Their stealth, strength and intelligence are admirable, although their abilities could also lead them to be slightly arrogant.

Thankfully, my Guides aren't affected by their position of superiority. But, most Elders for a time serve as mentors to younger brothers, training them, teaching them how to remain nearly invisible to those around us, also making them aware of the rules to abide by…our code, if you will.

Aside from the training and guiding of the Brothers, the Elders are also responsible for deciding which souls are to be saved, and those that must be terminated.

Once brought before the Elder, the actions of that specific target are brought into question. The details of each of their kills are read in detail. They would then be questioned on their motives. If their reasoning was the same as that of the Brotherhood, and the Elder believes their killings are performed with…good intentions, they would be saved.

The killer would then be taken in and trained by the Brothers. They would be placed with a certain Guide, or with the assassin that had chosen them to be saved. Their every move would be watched critically, to make sure no word of the Brotherhood would get out. In time, they could be trusted, and allowed to work on their own.

And if their actions weren't merited….they would be killed.

"What makes you think Nikki would take him in?" I asked curiously.

Abel shook his head. "There's just something about him. I feel he would make an excellent member."

"You're not telling me much," I said, my eyes narrowing. "Do you not trust me or something?"

"I do trust you. It's just that I can't reveal too much about this kill."

"I understand. But, if it's not too much, can I ask how you found him?"

"Well, he wasn't assigned."

I leaned forward, placing my arms on the table. "Oh?"

"I met him myself. I was getting coffee one morning before picking up groceries, I bumped into him when he turned. Neither of us were paying attention. He seemed distracted. He apologized, and stood off to the side, allowing me to place my order. After I had finished, I walked over and started talking to him. While I was…he just seemed so detached. Dead almost. Something was up with him…probably a sociopath. But, after he left, I decided to follow him. Found his apartment, copied the address. Followed him to work, too."

I nodded, waiting for him to continue.

"Anyway, while he was at work, I drove back to his apartment. Broke into it. I searched through everything, and found his tools. Judging from his apartment and the equipment he uses, he seems to be very efficient. Very neat. Organized-"

"Okay, I get the point," I interrupted.

"Just trying to make it clear," he laughed. "I left then, though, and waited outside the complex. He arrived how a few hours later, around seven I think. He went in, changed, and then left again. Followed him from there. He drove around for a while, like he was following someone…looking for something. He stopped by the shipyards, got out. I parked a few yards away, and got out, too. I followed him until he reached an abandoned warehouse near the docks. He was in there for an hour or so, I didn't bother trying to go in. Too risky.

"I walked back to my car, sat there 'til he came back. By the time he got back to his truck, it was close to nine, already dark out. He drove off again, this time wound up picking someone up. Had them unconscious, tossed the body into the trunk. I kinda knew what he was up to. Must be killing, right? Yeah. So, I drove back to his place and checked his mail. I found his name. next day, I reported him to Nikki. I've been tracking him for almost two months now. And the more I look into him, the more I start to…like, even admire, this guy."

"Hmm. Have you talked to him at all since then?"

"No, I haven't. As much as I want to, I'm keeping my distance. If I have to kill him, I don't want to get close."

"I see. Getting close would be a bad thing. Where does he work?"

"At his job," he stated.

"Well, no fucking shit, dumbass," I laughed.

Abel smiled, laughing slightly. "Can't tell you, Lex."

"I know," I frowned, a sulky tone to my voice.

"You'll see who it is eventually," he said, still laughing.

"That's just the problem. I don't want to wait, "I said. "Especially if you're considering Saving this one."

"I know, I'm sorry, Lex. He should be making his rounds again soon enough. When he does, I'll bring you a long."

"Just like old times…" I mumbled. "I'm getting pretty tired, actually. Today completely wore me out for some reason. You think I can knock out for a little while?"

"Sure. You still want to go out later?"

"It'd be nice to know the area. So yeah, I'm going."

"Alright," he said, stretching. "Bed now?"

"Oh, fuck yes," I said, somewhat excited.

We both stood up, staring at each other. Our eye contact was broken when I began to glance around. I looked at him again, questioningly.

"The bedrooms are down that hall," Abel said, seeming to read my mind. He jerked his thumb in the direction of the hall. "Mine's the last room on the right, come on."

I walked behind him, each step becoming more difficult. My body feels completely drained. He seemed to sense this, and grabbed my arm, pulling me down the hall, keeping me close to him. "You okay, kid?"

"Yeah…just…really, really tired."

"Well come on, now, go lay down." He opened his bedroom door and stepped aside, allowing me to walk in. I spotted the bed in the corner of his dark, empty bedroom, and walked toward it. I collapsed face first into the mattress and almost instantly fell into a deep sleep.

I heard him walk over, chuckling softly to himself. "Goodnight, kid," he said, pulling a sheet over my tired body.