HUSH

So Very Special

París, France. 2060.

It was my first solo performance since I was a child. I was going to be the spotlight of all attention. The velvet curtains were pulled back and I was facing a large audience who stared with anticipation. My eyes searched the crowd, trying to find him.

Then, the chords of the piano began; my feet immediately began to tap away to each beat. My hands high above my head, and each spin and turn grew faster with the pace.

I was a maiden falling in love all over again, my coach said. I was dressed in a satin white dress to represent the purity and innocence of love. Yet, I felt as if my dance represented how my love was undying. Loyal.

Then, the mellow part of the song transitioned in. My movements more sullen, staggered, and slow. In the midst of a spin, I saw him. His dark eyes somehow shined through the shadows that fell on him. He softly smiled when our eyes met. I finished my spin, and then melody ended on a joyful beat.

I bowed, and heard the claps and the thumps of flowers falling on the stage floor. As I stared down the glossy, wooden floor; I felt my face turn red and hot.

It was my first solo performance, of course, and Gérard was there to see it all.

"Widow," a harsh, deep voice spoke to me and my mind broke free of the past. "Here are your targets for tomorrow." He handed me a manilla folder with large red lettering that read, CONFIDENTIAL. I looked up to see his menacing, skull-like mask with black hollow slits for his eyes. My eyes reverted back to the folder, and I took the folder into my own hands.

He briskly turned away and strode down to somewhere else in the base. When he finally left completely, I sat down on a metal stool that was in the technical room.

I opened the folder, only to see countless faces from multiple organizations that Talon despised. Yet, as much as I tried to feel guilt inside me, it would never occur. I was stripped of that. I knew sometime later, when I finally killed these people, I would feel alive.

"You were amazingly beautiful tonight, Amélie," He took a brief pause to hand me a bouquet of velvet roses wrapped with white ribbon, "I loved it."

My slender fingers held tightly onto the bottom of the bouquet, "Thank you. I felt very alive this performance and it was all because of you, Gérard."

He let out a hearty chuckle with blush tinting his pale cheeks, "Please, I'm the one whose to compliment you, my love."

I tenderly smiled at him; my eyes softening at his deep gaze. He leaned in to give me a kiss on my cheek, which left me feeling blissful.

"Huh," a familiar voice spoke over my shoulder, "I could've sworn I was in charge of the MacJules guy." I turned around to see Sombra giving a sour look towards to multiple photos of my targets.

I quickly closed the folder, picking it up and turned to Sombra, "Next time, don't peek." Sombra scoffed and crossed her arms, "We have the same targets. What's there to hide?" I shook my head and walked out the room. I could hear her shout, "Ok! Walk away!".

The hallways of the base were quiet and alone. No one in this organization was necessarily social, beside Sombra, our latest recruit. Through the halls, I searched for my cabin.

"Good morning, cherie," I felt his arm wrap around my side. The warmth of the sunlight peering into the cracks of the blinds made me feel at peace. I turned my head slightly to meet him eye to eye, "Good morning." I could see on his dark chocolate eyes that he was tired, probably because of his last mission. So, I completely turned facing him to pull him closer to my embrace. I could feel the vibrations in his chest and the soft tune of his hum.

Us being alone in that one room was like the whole world to me.

I firmly pressed my hand against the scanner recognition that was next to my cabin door. It quickly beeped in satisfaction and the door slid open. I walked into the dark room hearing the door shut automatically behind me.

It was a plain room only sporting a bed, a metal rack, and a desk. I walked toward my bed and sat on the edge. Although I could not feel cold, I'd imagine it, and I'd imagine that this room was very cold. There was a small square window on top of the bed frame, and staring out all I saw was a dark, starry sky.

"Every night on missions, my comrades and I would all share the view of the night skies around a campfire. It was a wonderful bond, so I wanted to share that with you, Amélie."

I sniffed instinctively because of the cold winds, "Did your bond grow stronger through the cold, too?" Gérard laughed and brought me closer under his arm, "That's only with you."

I wrapped my arms around my cursed body, and stared out the window. There was no laughter, no cold, there was nothing.

Yet, I wasn't allowed to hate or despise that. I was just simply left to be like that: nothing.

I let go of my self-embrace and stood up. I walked over the the metal rack and stripped away my clothes and slid into shorts and a camisole.

In the dark light, I saw the blue hue that covered my skin. Dark ink engraved on my wrist in web and lettering. I saw who I was.

"Amélie, I know you better than anyone else. I know that you would never do this," Gérard sat up in our bed, his hands raised up in fear or defeat.

"I know that too, Gérard! I know myself damn well, too!" Tears streamed down my peachy skin as I bit down my bottom lip. The tip of my index finger still on the curve of the trigger.

"It was them, wasn't it?" He asked with a cold tone as he stared down the barrel of he gun.

"Yes, yes, yes..." My sobs were uncontrollable, they said I had lost it all.

"Run away, Amélie," He reached under his pillow, grabbing onto something I had no idea was there all my life.

"I can't! They said, I can't leave until you're dead!" My eyes darkened with surprise and betrayal as he reveal a pistol in his hand.

"Please kill me, Gérard." I pleaded for I believed that was his reason for taking out the gun. I was a monster, and I'm sure he knew and saw that.

"You're a fool Amélie, how could I ever kill you my cherie?" A single tear fell down his cheek, and his deep, velvety voice said out to me,

"I love you."

It was a one shot that he bestowed upon himself. His blood was all over the sheets we use to both sleep in.

His last tear was my last tear.

I pushed away the covers from my bed and lied there uncovered. I had lost the ability to sleep since long ago.

"I'll always been in a nightmare."