Chapter Two

As the white cloaked figure disappears into the crowd I settle onto a nearby bench. Mesmerised and dazed, I recall the conversation again and again.
"Umm... I need to go."
"Khara."
"Pardon?"
"My name is Khara."
I shake my head in despair as the words I'd spoken cloud my thinking and a thousand regrets conjure in my brain. He obviously didn't think anything of me if he wanted to get away, yet I still had to announce my name as if I had a chance. He surely wouldn't have the love struck feelings I had obtained when he faced me. I'm not worthy for anyone. The failed relationships of my past had proved that again and again – every one of them had ended up with my partner cheating on me. There seemed to always be someone better for the people I loved. No one wants me, do they?
I lift my gaze to the haystack where I'd discovered the mysterious man as I attempt to think positive.
Maybe I do have a chance. Maybe he does want me. Maybe this is different. The way he seemed to gaze at me, the way he reacted to my voice. Maybe he is 'the one'.
But a voice at the back of head thinks better. No one would love you, Khara. My mind starts to go in endless circles as I think about what I want and what I probably will get – another person who just doesn't feel the same.
I sigh and get up from the bench just as a soft gust of wind sails merrily past me. My hair dances in the small movement and in the process catches a single white feather between my curls. The feather feels strangely wet on my fingers but I proceed to take it out anyway. Just as I'm about to throw away the plumage I gasp and instantly feel sick. Disgusted, I watch as a small amount of blood drips from the feather onto my fingers. I chuck the tainted feather out of my sight, and begin to walk back home.
Suddenly bells start ringing all around me as an army of guards sprint past. For a moment, all I can hear is their determined voices shouting one word over and over again. The word casts fear across the now alarmed crowd and people start to scatter, running off in seemingly random directions.
"Assassin!"
My pulse rises as I dash through the frightened crowd, now desperate to get home. The bloody feather flashes through my memory as I push people away, determined to not have my own blood on a feather next time. I feel my strides getting shorter and shorter as the panicked shouts disappear into the distance. Sprinting around a corner into a small alleyway, I'm grateful to see that it's mostly abandoned. My breath comes in ragged gasps as I start walking again, pleased to hear that the ringing bells and shouts are now faint and distant. I take my time, knowing that my home isn't too far away.
All of a sudden a shadow flies across my vision and I look up just in time to see a bronze boot land onto the building above me on the right. Curious, I break into a sprint again as I try to follow the shadow that is quicker than I first thought. Unexpectedly, the silhouette without warning disappears and I wander aimlessly through the city, trying to find the mysterious person. Something spurs me on to keep searching but in the intense heat of summer I can already feel the strain to abandon my impromptu task. Just as I'm about the give up, a hand clasps over my mouth and my blood runs cold as I see the man's other hand, fully equipped with a lethal blade.
"Stop following me," a hard voice demands. I recognise the voice but I'm not sure from where. Instead of puzzling over whether I know this murderer I warily decide nod my head, my speech muffled from the hand over my mouth. Pleased with my response, the figure pushes me into the ground. Desperate to get a second glance and report the incident to a guard, I pull myself to my feet and run after the man while shouting.
"Hey!"
Abruptly the figure stops in his tracks and slowly turns around. I let out a small gasp and we gaze at each other like we had moments ago. The man walks towards me, his eyes concealed by his dusty white hood. I watch his lips form into a single word as my heart rises.
"Khara?"