.
.
Chapter Three: The Assassin
I thought I was always kind, always caring, before we came upon them. But, now I that I think about it, was I really? Is it possible to be kind and caring while murdering people, even as children? It's not like I was forced to, anyway. I could have refused, I could have gave my life up.
My life was nothing significant. It caused nothing but harm to the world. So refusing to kill and dying for that would've been a win-win situation. No amount of good deeds will ever repay for my sins, but at least now I can try to purify myself.
I would feel like ridding my life from this world would be the best thing to do, however, I can't do that.
"You know, it's nice to be at a normal restaurant for once," Dawn commented, leaning her chin on her fist as she smiled. "I'm so sick of fancy seafood, I could seriously do with that burger!" She chuckled at her boyfriend's distant expression, knowing she wasn't heard.
I have something –someone– to live for now, though… And that's all I need.
On the opposite side of the table, Paul nodded half-heartedly as he gazed around at the bustling burger-specialist casual restaurant. Having such a peaceful life with no assassinations, murders and pain was something that he was still getting used to, even after three years. His eyes shifted downwards.
Deep inside, he knew that the blood of a heartless assassin would always run through his veins. And someday, it would come back to possess him.
"Hello, earth to Paul?"
"Hm?"
Dawn stared blankly for a moment, before releasing a small giggle. "You know, you've really been out of it lately." She paused, turning her head slightly and narrowing her eyes. "It's unlike you."
Paul looked up, about to reply, when a tall, bulky man appeared by their table. Behind him there were two others, all three of the men smirking with their arms folded.
"What's a smoking pop-star like you 'doin here, girlie?" the man said, the smirk growing. "'Ya man can't take you somewhere better?"
Dawn glared at the men, folding her arms. "That's none of your business. Go away."
The blonde man chuckled, exchanging glances with his mates. "'Ya better off with us, girl-"
"You heard her." Cold, onyx eyes narrowed as Paul spoke, not bothering to make eye contact as he spoke. "Go away."
"Says the fella who takes his rich gal out here," the man shot back, causing everyone around them to start laughing. The argument had caught the attention of most of the customers.
In a split second, he was pinned to the wall by his neck. Paul had a tight grip on the man's collar, pressing him on to the wall dangerously.
"What was that?" Paul replied dangerously as his grip tightened, causing the man to start gasping for breath. His teeth gritted as his hand tightened even more. "Say it again. I dare you."
Dawn winced as she stood up, rushing to her partner. "Paul! Stop, it's okay!"
The entire restaurant was silent, apart from the desperate sounds of the man's chokes and Dawn's pleas.
After a few moments, Paul's eyes widened as his grip loosened. He released the man, and staggered back while staring down at his hands incredulously. His eyes darted around the room, observing everyone's fearful expressions.
Then they glanced at Dawn, who had a disappointed glint in her cobalt eyes. That itself was enough to melt him. Without speaking a single word, he swiftly turned and left the silent restaurant – but not before leaving the car keys for his girlfriend.
"Hey, wait!" Dawn cried out, pursuing the troubled man. She looked around at her surroundings frantically as she got outside, but there was no sight of Paul. He had disappeared into the night without a trace, like an assassin.
Dawn's eyelids lowered as she stared towards the ground, helpless. Unable to do anything, she turned back into the restaurant.
Around the corner, behind a wall, Paul continued staring at his trembling hands in disgust before swiftly disappearing into the darkness.
"Flight HA408 to Rustboro is now boarding."
May stood up, pulling her bag along with her towards the boarding gate and onto the plane. She had her stylist make her a blonde wig and had all kinds of disguising elements on; the airport staff had been notified.
She could've easily taken the private jet, but decided not to as the rest of her ex-bandmates may have needed it. She felt no reason to communicate with them, so she took a commercial flight instead.
The flight attendants smiled brightly at her as she stepped on board, and she returned it before making her way to her first class seat. After collapsing into it, May let out an exasperated sigh and removed her wig and sunglasses. She stretched out in the spacious area, and looked around at her surroundings.
She froze. Sapphire and emerald clashed for a moment, locked into a stare.
"Well, I wasn't expecting you to be here," came a surprised, slightly snide voice from the adjacent seat across the aisle. It was none other than Drew Hayden of Ghost of the Night.
May ignored him, turning away and focusing her attention elsewhere. Drew raised an eyebrow, curiosity taking over him.
"Why're you travelling to Hoenn?"
The brunette's eyes widened for a moment, as a strong wave of déjà vu overcame her. She shook it off, replying, "I could ask you the same question."
A smirk grew on Drew's face. "Ah, but I asked you first. Therefore, you answer first."
May rolled her eyes, but decided to answer anyway. "I just need to get away from everything – and everyone – for a while." She paused, before her eyes glanced sideways at Drew. "And you?"
"Fair enough." He hummed, nodding slowly. "I'm just… visiting some family."
May's eyes widened as she realised those exact words had been told to her, by the exact same person. Not to mention, in a plane also. She gulped, as she felt a sob coming up her throat.
"Oh."
The two had small, genuine chats throughout the flight, and for a while, it seemed nothing ever happened between the two.
A few hours later, the plane descended onto the tropical region of Hoenn and into Rustboro Airport. Both of the stars exited the plane in an exclusive car, each headed to their opposite destinations.
"Well, catch you later, Maple," Drew farewelled, shooting a mild smirk as he entered the car.
May waved back, nodding lamely. "Bye," she replied quietly as she watched him collapse into the seat of the car. After shooting one last glance at him, she entered the back seat of her car.
She stared out of the window as the vehicle headed towards the nearby city of Littleroot. Her royal blue eyes softened, as she smiled at the thought of being back home.
"Hey, Jess. I've landed safely, not in the mood for a lecture about resisting fangirls right now."
The darker, tanned woman on the other end of the phone smiled. She was on her laptop, staring mindlessly at her Pokebook newsfeed, scrolling past useless posts and statuses. She chuckled, before saying, "No, I wasn't going to. I just wanted to–"
Jess paused abruptly, as something that sparked her interest appeared on the screen. She scrolled back up to read the article headline which a news page had posted.
"You wanted to what?"
"Oh, nothing," she replied half-heartedly, smirking whilst raising a perfectly done eyebrow. "You must be tired. I'll talk to you later, Drew."
There was a short silence as Jess waited for her boyfriend's reply, but it arrived a few moments later. "Sure, if you say so. Later, Jess."
"Bye," she replied, before cutting off the call. Her eyes quickly darted back to the slim laptop screen as she clicked on the post.
Paul Shinji viciously attacks a customer at the popular Freddo's Burgerhouse
"My, my," she breathed to herself as she skimmed through the article. "Dead families, suspicious incidents, limited past records and now this?"
She paused, staring blankly for a few moments. Quickly she typed something into a search engine, and a photo of all eight of the Ghost of the Night and Eye of the Liepard members came up. Smiles were plastered on their faces, masking their hidden past. Jess' eyes narrowed.
"You bunch are hiding something, aren't you?"
Her delicate hands closed the screen of the laptop, and put it away on the bedside table. She curled up in the bed, a sly smile making it's way onto her face.
I will find out your secret, one way, or another.
A/N: This chapter was really short, I'm so sorry! D: I was going to put another flashback, but that'll be in the next chapter which (hopefully) won't take as long as this one did. New story coming up, btw.
Those thoughts at the start were Paul's, if you haven't realised. And Jess has decided to try and figure out why our 8 favourite characters are so dodgy. X)
Thank you for all the reviews, let me know if I forgot to reply to yours! Don't forget to leave another one. :P
-ShinyDragonair2