'ALWAYS..'


I instinctively dodged it, rolling down the stairs. My head banged right in the edges a couple of times, blurring my vision some more.

Thrice I had hurt my head in less than an hour.

But survival instincts kicked in and I immediately stood up on my two feet, the target right before me.

I ran up to the roof with an intent to have a face-to-face meet.

My mobility and rigid metal side rail will help me dodge any potential arrows coming my way.

Or so I thought.

An outburst of arrows at a speed I had never felt before caught me off-guard and one of them hit me through my arm. It went straight through and I shrieked in pain.

Blood had covered my arm and my knees would no longer stand. As they crumbled and I tried to crawl, I looked up again. To place him in the darkness.

For I wondered why didn't he take the final blow?

But to my surprise, I could see no one.

"Where did-" I began to trail off.

Probably relieved of the threat, my body gave up as my eyes closed, unable to be opened and my hands couldn't crawl anymore..

"Fuck...wh-" I said in pain, a second before my head started spinning.

Would love some chocolate sundae right about now.

Either way, in the middle of the stairs, with one of my legs hanging freely, I passed out.

"Aahhhhh!" I moaned as a burst of light hit through my eyes.

They shut themselves off aggressively as my face jerked to my right.

"Mom...turn it off..." I said, turning my side.

It was only when my hand hit the metallic rail that I realized my state.

"WHAT THE-" I said, forcing my eyes to focus through the light.

It took time and immense concentration but I was able to actually see things. Still opaque though.

I gathered some strength to sit up as I rubbed my sleepy eyes.

I looked at the watch. "7:49" it said.

"Shit.." I said, holding my head with both hands. It still hurt.

But I was contend to know that the mask was still in place. And so was the hood.

I did activate measures for electrifying anyone who touched my hood. Still, it wasn't exactly foolproof.

I groaned in my place as I finally stood up with the help of my hand which burst into sudden pain.

I looked to my hand in response, shocked that there was a white bandage across my arm under the uniform.

Pushing my sleeve up further and slowly removing the bottom half of the bandage, some proper League of Assassins' potions-cum-medicine was apparent. You could smell it from a mile when freshly applied. Helps in sleeping as well.

There was also a note hanging with an arrow through it to the wall.

"Get a fresh one and don't put much pressure on it, Thia..

Hope you slept well," it stated in proper Arabic. I wasn't proficient in it but I knew enough.

"Who was that guy..!?" I wondered, apart from the wrong spelling of my name. Probably because of the Arabic.

And worse, now he knows my identity as well. Shit.

Putting that thought aside, I looked down the stairs.

"Uh..I can't walk that much.." my mind said to me.

"Huh.." I replied as I pushed myself to the alley it lead to.

Somebody removed the cover from my bike.

And some birds shit onto it.

"This day keeps getting better and better," I remarked at the mess, as I felt a little light-headed.

It was a long ride home. I could have turned for an early morning snack at the Burger place.

After all, she'll be just about making her way there. And maybe explain everything to her..

And I did want to. After all, I almost died. It changes your perspective on decisions. But I finally had clarity as to why I couldn't...and also, because I couldn't face her again. Not after I left her hanging.

But anyway, yesterday was a big day, despite the mishap at the end.

I could have had a lead on Deathstroke. But, I couldn't give him a chance to escape or reveal my identity to the world. I can't stop Wilson if I'm behind the bars or hunted down like public enemy number one.

'At least, this way, I did one thing right today. Rid the world of another monster,' I told myself.

I only had one task left.

Well, after a shower, maybe.

I made my way to the underground entry in the mansion.

"Mom's having breakfast.." I concluded from my secret cameras throughout the house.

Stumbling in the stairs, I made my way to my secret room.

"Home, sweet, home!" I whispered as I finally closed the entrance to my cave and fell to my bed for a minute.

'No time to lose..' I reminded myself and stood up.

I turned on the hot water and headed for my very own version of a trial.

I stood in front of the mirror as I got rid of my top. I do that every time I kill. It keeps me..sane. As doing is one thing and watching yourself do it is another. So, when I don't feel remorse looking into my own eyes, glancing at the hands which just ripped out another life, it brings a sense of peace in me.

That what I'm doing is right. That I'm on the path of righteousness.

As long as I can look into my own eyes and not tremble or flinch, I'm doing pretty good. Doesn't mean that I'm not shaken every time I go outside. It just means I can live with it.

And every time I successfully walk away from the mirror, I know they are proud of me.

Yet, every now and then, some reddish stain appears in the reflection. And it reminds of the brutality involved. Real lives being at stakes and whatnot.

I removed my pants and other underbits and threw them away.

Looking at the big bad claw mark in my flesh embedded deep into the skin, also helped. The mark that marred me.

As I touched the former wound with my fingers, along it's trajectory, it reminded me as to why I killed in the first place.

As to why it was the only way.

Having accepted that once again, I turned slowly to head to the washroom, when a big red file captured my attention.

This is what Laurel was talking about.

I didn't want to open it. For somehow, I knew what was contained in it.

"Of course.." I said in my lips, as I threw the file away, after having my fears confirmed.

This was inevitable. It always was.

Taking in another deep breath, I slowly walked into the washroom.

The hot water was calling for me.

The water steamed off me the second the first droplets touched me. I saw the water in my tub turn red. I felt the dirt of my night life taking a toll on me as the sharp speed of the shower felt like pins to my grazed body.

Every droplet that slid of me made me feel more humane; yet, I couldn't last the waters if I didn't sit down there with my knees joined and my hands swooping over my knee caps as my head rested on them; my sobs being hidden in the water.

I wouldn't unload my eyes blending into the the forgiving waters every time but it was becoming more and more an everyday thing, upon which I had seemingly no control.

Though my hair gets messed up in all that, but, did it matter? And in all that sound rushing in my ears, I only hear the one that mattered. And it wasn't of the strong water current.

"Don't fret kid!..Your brother sealed you fate. CHOOOOOSEE..."

I opened my eyes in terror. As always, before shutting them down again. In despair.

Just one thing left.

I dressed up and walked to the back of the mansion. But it wasn't to see the beautiful gardens Raiza - our housekeeper - had set up when we were children or the playground where Ollie and I would play in for hours when we were small.

It was to sit besides him.

"Loving brother, son and friend. You'll be remembered. Always," the stone said.

"Hey, Ollie.." I gathered the strength to speak up to him, getting all choked up in the very first sentence.

"I killed another man today," I continued as I bent down on one knee to drop the flowers I brought.

"I know that's not the life you asked me to have. The one you made me promise you. I know that, Ollie. But..but..I have to do this. I have to stop him..Them.

How can I enjoy my life when the one who took you away from me is still alive, without anyone to stop him?"

"I know I spit on your grave every time I put on that Hood. But, I hope that when I'm done and I meet you, you'll understand. You'll understand how much this city needs you and since you're not here, how much it needs me.

I wish things could be different. Especially, after..you know, I met someone.

She...and yes, it's a she. She's gorgeous, Ollie. She's fun and whatnot. Even though I've talked to her for like 5 minutes. Still.

I could have had a chocolate sundae with her at her place last night. But, I chose to cut another name off the list, instead. I have to do it.

I know that I don't come to meet you often, but I wanted you to know that I can't do it. I can't fulfill your promise. I can't.

There is no happily ever after for me. And I just wanted to apologize for that. I'm sorry, Ollie. You deserve a better sister than me. You do. But I have to do this my way. I'm sorry."

I closed my eyes remembering the best moments of my life with him and just stood up.

"I love you, Ollie. Always.."

I kept my hand at the necklace, mourning him and just walked away.

For this was no time to mourn.

There's other names on the list. Others who I'll bring down. Others who will never harm another living being like they did him. Else, they would have failed..my..city.

"Who's there?" I picked up the bow which was sitting in there along the glass case.

"Go on. Pick up an arrow, Miss Queen. Let's see who's blood you have more."

I hesitated but the moment he took another step, I quickly picked it up and just shot with whatever strength I could.

He literally caught the shot mid-air and I jumped backwards as he removed his mask and smiled.

"That was actually a decent shot, Thea.."

I mumbled as I swallowed my strength. "Mal..Malcolm Merlyn..?"

"Thea. It's okay. You don't need to be afraid of me."

"You..you get AWAY from me," I ran back to the door and began knocking down on it.

"Help. Someone please..."

He turned me around so that he was almost in my face. "I will not hurt you. Just listen to me."

"Why? Why should I trust you?"

"Because..Thea. I am your father.."


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