Wednesday watched in the reflection of the Laptop's black screen as Enid lingered in the doorway before she skipped away down the hall, Wednesday could hear the small footfalls as she went down the corridor before the quiet closing of a door could be heard. Wednesday moved over to her door and closed it, knowing she would need privacy for now.
Wednesday let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding in. She typed in her twenty-five letter password, she quickly got to work, bringing up on a hidden program on her desktop she easily tapped into the the network of the manor before tapping into the network of cameras she had seen litter the property. Now she had multiple eyes.
"Thing are you there?" Wednesday asked.
A black, blank text box popped up.
Yes, I am here.
Wednesday smirked "Excellent, I need you to monitor the camera's and inform me of intruders or other visitors to the property"
No problem, I have already gone through the authorised personnel database and I can differentiate with a 97% accuracy.
Wednesday frowned "You're boasting, Thing" Wednesday warned.
There was a moments pause.
Sorry.
Wednesday turned away from the laptop and watched as there was a shuffling in her bag, her eyebrow rose as a Hand emerged from within. Things alternate more mobile form had been developed as a tool of espionage, whilst mechanical in nature, it was shaped and had the same structure as a human hand, right down to the skin that covered the chassis. Inhabited and controlled by the very sentient AI that she had been given, Thing. It was uninspired to most people but Wednesday liked it. So it stuck. Nor did Thing mind either.
Thing scampered across the room to the air vent that just happened to be in the corner of the room, pulling the grate off he climbed inside as Wednesday had to climb on her desk in order to put the grate back onto the vent, her height making it impossible to do so otherwise.
"Remember alert me if anything changes" Wednesday said peering into the vent, Thing gave a two finger salute before slowly skittering away, aware of the noise crawling around in the manor's ventilation system could cause, he crawled away out of sight. Wednesday climbed down off the desk.
Not a mere moment later there was a small beep from her watch and she looked at it, pressing a few of the small knobs used as a mere aesthetic as the hands were digital, they vanished away to show a screen with a live feed. A Live feed from Thing's point of view, she could see Enid on her bed, kicking her feet to what Wednesday could only gather as music as she mindlessly scrolled through her phone. Satisfied that Thing would watch over her along with the seventeen other cameras littered around the property. But her gaze lingered for a moment, taking in the blonde, the way her legs swayed, the way her head bopped to the music, the way her hair fell around her face as she did so, it was incredibly endearing. Wednesday sighed softly before turning off the feed. She sat down at her desk and set the laptop to sweep through all of the manor's private servers, having already been given access. She set down her weapon and began to efficiently strip it bear, checking every nook and cranny of her weapon, every speck of dust and dirt being methodically wiped away by hands that had done it a billion times and would do so a billion more before her eventual demise.
She wasn't dumb, this job was high risk, more so than any other. She had nearly been captured in several countries in the past, China, Russia, North Korea, all countries that would execute western operatives. Russia had been the closest call, several former KGB agents were now working for the FSK. They were experienced. Cold War experiences having hardened them formidably, they knew all her moves before she made them, knew every safe house she had bought, every contact she had had been silently removed and killed. She barely got out of Russia alive.
And now she was here.
There was a knock at the door and Wednesday having finished putting her weapon back together, silently cocked it and moved towards the door, placing her gun in her left hand, she opened it with her right. It was merely a delivery that she had requested from the quartermaster, the nondescript driver walked off the moment she took the package, hurling it inside. It was a elongated briefcase.
She flipped the clips up and on it and opened it.
It was a M1903 Springfield, with two interchangeable optics, one a regular scope, and the other a Night-Vision scope. She immediately fitted the NV scope, she loved this rifle, it was rugged, accurate and reliable. She didn't plan on using it but she would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
But as night came around Wednesday found she could not sleep, she simply stared at the ceiling, her mind was a whirlwind, and Enid, the girl, was at the centre of it. She tossed and turned for another hour before finding it fruitless. And she pushed her way out of bed, dressed in her night fatigues before grabbing her '03 and P320 and creeping out of the room, there was a beep from her watch.
It's one am, where are you going?
Wednesday huffed.
"Can't sleep" She said quietly, moving along the hallway.
So you decided to take a sniper rifle for a walk?
Wednesday wanted to curse whoever made an AI able to be sarcastic, but she ignored him as she moved herself to the veranda that was attached to the entire upper floor of the house.
She stealthily passed the window of Enid's room, she glanced at the darkened room before perching herself at the end of the veranda, rifle in hand, and she leaned on the railing. Overlooking the grounds, despite the lack of light, Wednesday could see just enough that she wasn't blind. Wednesday tensed up as she heard the door to her left open, it creaked slightly as the room's occupant made her way outside.
"Can't sleep either huh?" came the soft voice, like velvet.
Wednesday relaxed as the voice washed over her, she glanced to the side, Enid was dressed in aggressively pink pyjama's, the top button of her collar was undone, showing hints of her collarbone, Wednesday gulped. Despite the frigid cold of the night, heat flushed to her cheeks.
"Yes" Wednesday replied simply.
Enid shuffled up closer.
"So do you sit outside of every girl's window with a gun or am I just that lucky?" Enid chuckled.
"Perhaps the latter"Wednesday commented dryly, Enid smiled shyly. "Why can't you sleep?" Wednesday found herself asking.
Enid gave her a look as she rested her arms on the stone railing.
"Because..." Enid paused, her brow furrowed "I'm scared" Enid said quietly.
"About the death threats?" Wednesday asked, already knowing the answer. Enid merely nodded, bowing her head.
"It is natural, your home no longer feels safe, despite the walls, wire and weapons." Wednesday commented.
"You know you really suck at the whole cheering people up thing" Enid scoffed lightly, her bright blue eyes gazing at Wednesday, their gaze was like the sun on a scorching summer's day.
"Apologies, I don't get a lot of practice at this" Wednesday gestured between the two of them.
Enid frowned "Does it ever get lonely?" She asked softly.
Wednesday hesitated "Sometimes" She admitted. "This life isn't easy, personal relationships is not something I desired but even so... sometimes I do wonder" Wednesday said trailing off.
"Wonder what, Wednesday?" Enid prompted, her eyes never leaving the agent.
"Wonder if one day, it'll be worth letting someone in" Wednesday said, her eyes meeting Enid's.
"Well maybe someday soon you can" Enid said brightly.
Wednesday almost crumbled underneath that gaze, one that was like fire, that was fire. She felt the entire core of her being feel the need to submit to this new feeling coursing through her. This girl wielded a power over her that no one ever had, a power Enid didn't even realise she had. The will to stay professional and obtuse was getting harder by the second.
"Yes, maybe" Wednesday relented, she opened the bolt of her rifle, making sure it was still fully loaded, she closed it satisfied. Letting it rest against her shoulder.
"Can I ask you a question" Enid asked suddenly. Wednesday gave her a look out of the side of her eyes.
"Depends on what it is"
"Have you ever killed anyone?" Enid asked abruptly.
"Of course, it comes with the job" Wednesday replied monotonously. Enid nodded.
"What was it like?" Enid asked, almost consiprationally.
"It feels good, everyone that has died at my hand had it coming." Wednesday said "cleansing the world of monsters is what I do best, even if I am myself one" Wednesday added as an afterthought.
"You think you're a monster?" Enid cocked her head to the side curiously.
"Yes, what sort of person enjoys killing another, if they were not a monster?" Wednesday replied.
"You said you have only killed evil people right? To me that's not a monster, you're saving people, and killing people that deserve it, so what if you enjoy it? You enjoy getting rid of horrible people, that's ultimately good" Enid declared smiling softly.
Wednesday gave her a curious look "You have a very black and white outlook on things, as misguided as it is" Wednesday said.
"Hey! I'm not misguided! I just know right and wrong" Enid said standing up straighter.
"Some of them in their final moments begged me not too and some have died in my place because of the actions I took in the line of duty, I am a monster that enjoys killing other monsters." Wednesday declared with finality
Enid, it seemed, was ready to fight her on this.
"So what? A monster does not think of themselves as a monster, people got hurt right? That wasn't your fault okay?" Enid said softly moving closer "I don't think your as much of a monster as you make yourself out to be you know"
Wednesday fought the urge to scoff "Then you are a fool, Enid Sinclair." Wednesday said coldly.
Enid watched her silently.
"I take pleasure in wiping them out and prolonging their suffering, knowing that they deserve it, knowing that the last thing they feel will be the pain I inflicted upon them and that the last thing they will see is me, so yes, I am as monstrous as they come"
"i think there is a little monster in all of us Wends" Enid replied softly.
Wednesday scoffed lightly "I see no darkness or monster in you" Wednesday said.
"Why do you say that" Enid asked, there was an edge to her voice now.
Wednesday's eyes travelled from top to bottom before back up, Enid felt herself shiver involuntarily at the woman's hardened gaze.
"You will forgive me if I am not trembling at the sight of pink pyjama's with weird white balls with faces on them with the word..." Wednesday almost struggled to say the butchered word, her tongue almost refused to enunciate. "...Boo-tiful!" she said with thinly veiled amusement.
Enid glanced down her her pj's, the word Boo-tiful! Across the left breast. With many Boo ghosts adorning the shirt and bottoms.
"What? have you never played Super Mario Bros?" Enid asked, incredulously.
Wednesday blinked. And Enid's mouth simply opened up in shock.
"Oh em gee, what have you been doing with your life!?"Enig giggled.
That sound, it was like heaven gathered a symphony and harmonized itself into Enid's giggle, no Wednesday thought, it was Heaven that would be jealous at the sound of such music.
"Killing people" Wednesday answered honestly. Enid giggled again, god what she would give to hear that for the rest of her life. She would offer up what ever sorry excuse for a soul she had left to hear it.
"We really need to work on your people skills" Enid said, lightly shaking her head, her smile seemed to light up the darkness.
"My people skills are fine" Wednesday huffed. Enid arched an eyebrow.
"Could of fooled me" Enid teased.
"Oh and hugging complete strangers is good people skills is it?" Wednesday taunted.
Enid's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and Wednesday smirked subtlety at her victory.
"I like being affectionate" Enid said in a small voice, and Wednesday immediately realised she had messed up.
"For what it's worth..." Wednesday's pride raged inside her, and lost. "...the hug was not totally unwelcome" Wednesday muttered. Enid's head rose sharply.
"Really?" She asked hopefully.
"Don't make me repeat myself" Wednesday said.
Enid merely nodded and shuffled a little closer towards Wednesday. Suddenly Wednesday realised something.
"Why did you call me Wends?"
Enid's cheeks flushed again as she dipped her head.
"Easier to say than Wednesday every time?" Enid suggested.
Wednesday scrunched up her nose "Don't"
Enid got a mischievous look in her eyes.
"Okay Willa" She said teasingly.
Wednesday growled softly under her breath.
"You are insufferable" Wednesday declared.
"Unlucky for you then that you gotta suffer with me!" Enid giggled.
"Unlucky is not the word I would choose for it" Wednesday replied. Enid cocked her head, brow furrowed, like she was trying to figure Wednesday out.
"So what is the word?" Enid asked softly.
"Opportune" Wednesday replied
Enid opened her mouth to reply but instead had to stifle a yawn.
"You are tired" Wednesday observed "Go back to bed, Enid"
"I'm not tired!" Enid tried to protest but instead yawned again, longer than the first time and to a degree where her eyes watered a little.
"I beg to differ" Wednesday retorted as Enid's mouth widened with another yawn. Before she looked at the darkened room with trepidation. She looked at Wednesday, almost desperately.
"Can you stay with me?" Enid asked, her voice small, vulnerable.
"I'm not going anywhere Enid, you'll be safe, I promise" Wednesday said sincerely. Her eyes soft as she looked at what was fast becoming a weakness to her. One that she felt like she would welcome with open arms and all.
Enid groaned in frustration.
"No, I mean, stay with me, in my room" Enid suggest quietly.
Wednesday fought to get her heartbeat under control, her head turned slowly to regard the young woman.
"Just until I fall asleep!" Enid clarified quickly, almost too quickly "I don't want to be alone"
Wednesday wondered at what must of happened in recent weeks to make the girl so scared to sleep alone in her room. She wanted to keep things professional and straightforward but this assignment was turning into anything but that. Enid looked at her like she was terrified and Wednesday felt her iron will melt a little bit.
"Very well" She said, somewhat shocked at herself.
Enid nodded and opened the door to her room, Wednesday slung the Springfield over her shoulder before heading through the door, Enid following closely behind, there was a small click as Enid locked the door.
There was a leather armchair that Wednesday sunk herself into, she glared at the vent she knew Thing was currently inside, he would see the glare she was throwing his way, daring him to say something, she placed the rifle beside her, to lean against the chair, she withdrew her P230 and placed it down in her lap, the rifle too big to use effectively in the room if someone did happen to come by.
"Thank you" Enid's voice gently said, floating to her in the darkness.
"Think nothing of it"Wednesday replied, angling herself so she could watch both the door that led to the hallway and the window at the same time.
A comfortable silence fell between them, except for the occasional shuffle coming from the bed that Enid was sleeping in.
"Wednesday?" Enid's voice called to her like that of a siren song and Wednesday found herself unable to resist the lull of its call, not that she wanted to if she had the choice.
"Yes Enid?" Wednesday answered softly.
"I'm really glad that you're here" Enid's voice hinted at something other than gratefulness, it almost sounded like... hope?
"This is one of the less drab assignments I have had" Wednesday said.
"What was your last one?" Enid asked, shuffling in her her bed until she was face Wednesday.
The darker girl's eyes narrowed "That's classified"
Enid let out a low whine and Wednesday never heard anything more adorable, it sent her heart aflutter.
"Come on you can tell me" Enid insisted "Who would I tell?" Enid's reasoning was sound, she could trust her couldn't she?
Her brain behind the cage she had built herself over the years hissed and snarled, telling her no. But her brain was no longer in control here, her heart was the devil that was whispering in her ear this time, the same traitorous heart that once declared vehemently that it would never trust anyone, nor love them. And now that same heart was now whispering to her to reveal every secret, every hidden desire, if only so that Enid bring her in from the cold.
Hypocrite. Her mind hissed dangerously.
"Do you remember that a month ago that the Princess of Denmark was kidnapped?" Wednesday said carefully, still hesitant to reveal such details.
"Yeah?" Enid replied softly.
"I saved her, I found where she had been taken and I killed the scum that was going to sell her" Wednesday said in disgust.
"That was you?!" She exclaimed excitedly, pushing her body up slightly to look at the dark shadow that watched over her.
"Yes"
"How did you kill him?" Enid's voice was quiet, but Wednesday could tell she was rapt with attention and she could not find it in herself to hate it.
"I shot him in the head, he held her at gunpoint, he tried to bargain with me, I feigned interest, his guard lowered just enough for me to put a bullet in his skull"
"Wow..." Enid whispered enraptured, Wednesday felt her chest swell with pride.
"And then I returned her home" Wednesday finished.
"And now you're here, protecting me" Enid said, her voice sounded sad, lacking the light it once did. Wednesday sought to reignite the flame that cast the light.
"A task that I will not falter on" Wednesday promised.
"I know, you save princesses after all" Enid teased.
Wednesday rolled her eyes, letting the statement of "You're more important than any mere Princess, Enid Sinclair. I am the Dragon and you Enid are the gold that I will jealously guard and hoard away from the world, to keep you safe, none deserve to bask in the glow you radiate, nor in the light you cast." Go unspoken.
Wednesday mulled this all over in her head, she needed to get control of herself, she was getting emotionally invested, which would create conflict down the road.
But the feelings she felt right now, were intoxicating, addicting, and had both an iron will and iron grip around her once hardened heart, the light of Enid Sinclair was melting all that away as effortlessly as breathing.
Every wall, every defence, every trench, every facet that Wednesday had layered her heart with, Enid seemed to slip by like she owned every inch of defence. Like she belonged there and always had.
"I saved one Enid, one" Wednesday said.
"Still counts" Enid argued back.
Wednesday pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation. There was a moment of silence.
"Go to sleep Enid" Wednesday finally said.
"Can't" Enid said stubbornly.
"Why not?" Wednesday almost growled out.
"How can I when there is a pretty girl talking to me!" Enid blurted out, Wednesday's eyes widened and Enid suddenly went quiet, realising what she said. Although the monster that was inside her roared proudly, in victory.
"Did you just call me pretty?" Wednesday asked incredulously.
"No...?" Enid said, trying to be coy.
The monster in Wednesday's chest purred loudly.
"You're delusional" Wednesday said. "And sleep deprived" she said pointedly.
"Maybe because SOMEONE won't stop talking" Enid accused.
"Someone? Or someone pretty?" Wednesday couldn't help but taunt.
Enid merely groaned in regret into her pillow. She wanted the earth to swallow her whole right now, her entire face burned with embarrassment.
"Now go to sleep, before I shoot a dart in your neck" Wednesday threatened lightly.
"Wait you have those?" Enid asked, forgetting her previous embarrassment.
Wednesday merely clicked a button and the dart popped out the front of the watch, ready to be fired. Enid heard it from across the room and whimpered.
"Okay, okay I'll go to sleep, jeez" Enid mumbled.
"Good" Wednesday said, retracting the sleep dart.
"Nighty night, Wends" Enid mumbled groggily, as she was seduced to the natural and tempting lull of sleep.
"Sleep well, Enid." Wednesday said softly, as Enid finally fell asleep under the protective and watchful gaze of Wednesday. Who neither moved nor faltered on her promise to stay with her.
And the night marched on silently, the Moon basking the house in a pale warmth. The night pushed on towards the inevitable rise of the dawn.
And then the screaming began.
(A/N) Ahhhh i can feel the gay seep through the screen Lmao
Wonder what the screaming is all about? both are falling and falling fast in their own unique ways. and i can't wait to expand on that means for Wednesday's assignment and for Enid's own character arg. God i love writing Lmao.