2: One Death at a Time
So, we've already established that Fang was a super-duper bodyguard. I mean, who doesn't want a flying bodyguard? Did I mention he flies? Yeah, I completely forgot about him after I saw the next target.
"Flip to page 67," Dr. Brigid orders.
I'm already staring at it. At the sketch of the girl on the page. Her arms are folded, and her face is defiant. Dylan leans forward, and his eyebrows are furrowed. "Wait. Did you print the wrong picture, or something?"
"There are no mistakes," Dr. Brigid says smoothly. "This is the girl you must kill."
"She looks exactly like Max!" Dylan bursts out. "What's going on?"
"Her name is Maya," Dr. Brigid explains nonchalantly as she twirls her pen in her fingers. "And, no, if you're wondering, she doesn't have wings."
"Why does she look exactly like me?" I demand. "Who is this Maya?"
"Your clone," Dr. Brigid shrugs, in the same way someone might say your cousin. "Don't worry, you two still look different. If you haven't noticed, there are pink streaks in her hair." She flips to the next page. "Now, let's move forward-"
"I'm seriously starting to reconsider this mission," I grumble, folding my arms. "Killing my clone? I didn't even know I had one!"
"No questions. You will be given all you need, so study that packet in preparation," Dr. Brigid nods. "And Max, I need to talk with you. Come with me."
Dylan seems worried, probably hoping that I don't get into trouble. To be honest, I couldn't really care less. I put the packet down, not-too-gently, and stand.
"Fine," I say sarcastically, brushing my clothes off. "I guess you're looking for some feedback on what color we should paint my habitat. I'm going to suggest a light blue."
Dr. Brigid almost takes me seriously, but then her frown shows disapproval. Without another word, she turns on her heel and heads off into the hallway, expecting me to follow her. Dylan swats at me with the packet. "Hey, don't get on her bad side," he says in a hushed tone. "You do want to go on the mission, don't you?"
"I didn't know I'd have to kill my clone!"
"It's still the only chance we have to see the real world. Please?"
"I'll try," I say, unwilling to promise much. "I've got to go."
"See you."
Dr. Brigid turns to face me, her fingernails still tapping a steady rhythm on the clipboard. "Max. It has come to my attention that you aren't acting nearly as nice to Dylan as he is to you."
"Is this what you want to talk about? Don't you want us to just get the job done?" I shift my weight back and forth, glancing down the blank white hallway.
"We have plans for you two," she says quietly. "Great plans. Would you like to know what they are?" That question was just begging for a sarcastic answer. Dr. Brigid must have had the same thought, because she held up her hand and continued. "Wait. Don't answer that. Max, you have been specially designed to be the ultimate assassin."
"I know."
"But only when you work as a team. Dylan balances you. He is, in a way, your other half."
"We're partners. Nothing else," I say flatly.
"You've both been designed that way - to be partners in every sense of the term. We expect you two to eventually cleanse evil from this world so people can live in peace-"
"-one death at a time? That sounds like a fool-proof plan to me," I smirk, "rid the world of evil by killing people. 'Cause that's not evil at all. Yeah, there's no way that could fail."
Her mouth twists unpleasantly. "You might not have been aware, but we are already well on our way ensuring the destruction of evil. The people you target have been carefully chosen. Ah, but never mind, back to the main subject - you and Dylan. Two skilled assassins, each with their own strengths. He can charm his way anywhere, and you...well, you just kill."
She looks at me as if this was supposed to be an insult, but I don't react.
"So remember that you two share a great destiny; you will pave the path for the creation of a dazzlingly bright future for humanity."
One death at a time, I almost add, but somehow manage to stay silent.
Dr. Brigid tilts her head as she studies my face. "Please do try to be more friendly to Dylan. He's so desperately in love with you, and you repeatedly brush him off. We can't have you continue doing that if you two are to lead the beginning of a new world together."
"I don't intend to 'create a new world' with anyone," I say, a trace of contempt edging into my voice. "I don't care about some great destiny we supposedly share. I don't care who's in love with who, although you're most likely making that up to make me feel guilty. And it's not working. I'm not the hero, got it? I'm kill. It's what I do. That's all."
Dr. Brigid sighs, as if she can't believe what I'm saying. "We have so much more in store for you, Max. But, in the least, let's start with being nicer to Dylan, shall we?"
"Maybe if you paint the walls light blue," I muse, looking off into the distance. "And maybe you should tell me why I have to kill my clone."
Her eyes harden. "Maya is physically identical to you except for the wings. That and her whereabouts are all you need to know. You are working to better the human race - that is all that matters in the end."
"I'd rather read that entire packet than listen to you," I reply, not trying to disguise how little I care. And with that, I head back for my 'habitat,' hoping that this mission wouldn't take too long.
I should have known my wish wouldn't even come close to being granted, especially with my rotten luck.
No, instead I nearly got myself killed the next day.