Madeline Pierce arrived home defeated. She had tried everything to ensure it wouldn't come down to what it did. She fought, she bartered, she even threatened, but it was a losing battle; Oversight had no problem eating their own. She was forced to choose between the lesser of two evils- lose her daughter to a bullet, or lose her to Division. Either way, Madeline lost Nikita. She wouldn't let her daughter be killed for what she had seen. She hadn't told anyone, even when she had the opportunity that morning. But Oversight needed their liability taken care of. There were no exceptions.
It was sadistic that Percy was the one to suggest the alternative. He so cruelly gave an option for something else. In exchange for a future favor, Nikita would live; she would just be one of his recruits. He saw potential in her silence and ability to sneak around Madeline's office. With training she'd be a stellar agent. Madeline didn't hesitate before accepting. She didn't think anything over or pause to consider the weight of what Percy was doing. She simply had to save her daughter.
Although she wanted to smack that smug expression off of Percy's face, Madeline held onto the offer like a lifeline. She fought to make the other members of Oversight agree to the terms. Hours and promises later, they finally caved. Nikita wouldn't be killed, she'd be hidden away. And Percy would have a favor to collect whenever he wanted. By the time Madeline returned home, the sun was beginning to rise. The rest of her night was spent giving Percy information about Nikita, and aimlessly driving around. She wasn't ready to face reality. Her heart was sinking and her stomach was sick. She and her husband had lost a daughter, and her children had lost a sister. Nikita was gone.
"You just got back?" Nikita's voice startled Madeline. She turned towards the living room where Nikita and Sean were stretching before their run. The two normally went out just as the sun came up, that way it was nice, cool, and bright. It was a routine of Nikita's she shared with her sisters, but with them in college she forced Sean to participate instead. They'd get up, stretch, run, shower, then go to school. Sean complained the entire time, but because Nikita loved it he went along. Madeline wondered if her son would continue to run without his sister. Her heart stopped at the thought of the two separated. They had always been incredibly close, often teaming up against the twins. Despite Nikita constantly picking on him, Sean followed her everywhere. He was going to be lost without her.
"Brokering deals is a lot more difficult than you think," Was all Madeline could say. Nikita was skeptical, but Sean shrugged. Maybe it was his age, but he had begun to not care about anything. Nikita had her moments when she couldn't care less. Unfortunately, then wasn't one of those times. Madeline decided to distract her. She hoped to be in denial over the plan as long as possible. She didn't want to confront the idea of her family falsely believing Nikita was dead, "Have you settled on a university yet?"
"Uh… Washington University in St. Louis. Okay, Sean. Let's go," Remembering the argument between Jill, Sandy, and their mother about their school choice the year before, Nikita grabbed Sean and took off. Madeline sighed. She needed to breathe, focus on the positive. Although she'd be gone and everyone who loved her would think she was dead, she'd be alive. That was all that mattered. Nikita would be alive. If Madeline could hold onto that, she'd be able to face what was about to happen next.
A veggie shake was awaiting Nikita when she had Sean returned from their run. Their mom must've made it after they left. Nikita didn't really question it as she went on with the rest of her morning. She chugged the drink, showered and changed, and dragged her slow moving brother to the car. That boy was the most annoying teenager she had ever met sometimes. And that was coming from her smart mouth, "God, hurry up. We gotta pick up Abby and Olivia."
Her friends had texted her, asking for a ride since their car wouldn't start- again. Nikita didn't mind. They lived on the way to school and were some of her best friends; she'd do anything for them. The teens' mom stopped them before they could climb into their beat up old car, however. Nikita thought she was going to comment on her outfit (her mom hated when she wore her ripped jeans and distressed tees) but she wrapped her up in the tightest hug instead, "I love you so much. Be careful, please."
"Okay? Love you too?" Nikita questioned her mom. She was ignored as Sean received the same embrace. She shrugged it off. It probably had something to do with the meeting that took all night. Their mom would eventually tell them what it was all about, or even their dad. So Nikita didn't worry that much about it. Though, she did turn to her dad as he was leaving for work and snarked devilishly, "What? We don't get the same love from you?"
"I mean, I guess I love you guys. Just give hell to other people for a change," He nudged at his children as he passed them, Nikita nudging back. That had always been their relationship- more playful than serious. Their mom usually rolled her eyes at the antics and smiled softly. Yet that time, she seemed upset. Neither Nikita nor Sean caught the expression, they were busy throwing their backpacks in the car and climbing inside. Their dad saw it however, and turned to question what was going on.
"Fuck yeah we will," But he was distracted by his daughter rolling down the window, flashing the rocker sign, and backing out of the driveway while sticking out her tongue. The teenagers laughed at their parent's reactions, not fearing the punishment that might occur later. There was a chance that their mom and dad could've forgotten it during their long day at work. Or, as Nikita teased Sean, "You're gonna do something stupid at school that'll cover that up."
"Shut up," Sean swatted at his sister; she hit him back. As they neared Abby and Olivia's, the siblings talked loudly over the blasting radio. To them, it was a typical week day. They'd go to school and practice, goofing off with friends. Then they'd head home and ignore their homework with TV. There was no need to change up their routines or do anything special. They didn't even think they had to.
Once they arrived at their friends' house, Nikita indicated for Sean to get in the seat behind her; as her bestest friend, Olivia deserved the passenger seat. Rolling his hazel eyes and sighing, Sean did as she asked. He didn't care if his foot struck her while he climbed back there. Their friends got into their seats, thanking the two vehemently for picking them up. Nikita waved them off and continued the drive. Olivia passed them gifts anyway, "As a token of gratitude and in lieu of gas money. Here's a coffee for the addict. And the free gallon of chocolate milk we got, but no one drinks."
Nikita was handed the to-go cup of coffee, while Sean was passed the milk; both of them were overjoyed with the beverages. Abby brought up that there was no fridge for Sean to store the milk in, but Nikita had a solution to that- he just had to drink it throughout the school day. Her brother accepted the challenge, opening the gallon and starting to chug. The teens all laughed, continuing to giggle and joke around on their way to school. They sang along to songs on the radio, told crazy stories, and teased each other relentlessly. Judging by their morning in the car, they all thought it was going to be a great day- how could it not be after they had so much fun.
"Ulgh. The dregs. Give me a drink of your chocolate milk," Finishing her coffee, Nikita reached back for Sean's milk. He pulled the gallon away from her, pushing her hand away. She braked behind a car at the red light, told Olivia to watch it for her, and turned around to attack her brother. She was getting that milk whether he liked it or not. He managed to fight her off, but mostly because the red light wasn't that long. Nikita rolled her brown eyes and righted herself. She followed the slowly accelerating car, vowing vengeance the second they got to school, "Fuck you, you little bitch."
Whereas Olivia and Abby laughed and Sean kicked at her seat, Nikita was distracted. The car in front of her was barely moving despite the green light, and a van on her left was approaching the intersection way too fast. It didn't look as though it was going to slow down; it was going to run the red light. There was nothing she could've done. She was boxed in by other vehicles, and the van was determined to speed towards her.
Somebody screamed, maybe it was her, maybe it was her friends, or maybe it was her brother. Nevertheless there was a shout, the sharp pain of impact, the scrape of metal against metal, a spinning world, and another impact. Airbags deployed, seat belts held the passengers in place, and backpacks and drinks slid around. The radio continued to play, but there was no one to sing along. The teenagers were losing consciousness.
The last thing Nikita remembered was a tall, lanky man approaching her. For a terrifying moment, she thought it was the same person who had threatened with the gun the week before. However, the world suddenly went completely dark before she could be sure.
