Don't Go

Several days had passed, and Kella had continued her mission without hesitation. Though no words were spoken, Cynthia could see the evidence of this detailed in the fresh bruises and scratches on Kella's body. Because of this, Cynthia had been ignoring Kella all night. They sat in the same room, in the same space - but silent.

Kella didn't mind. Silence was always preferable. It was why moving to this Community had been an option to begin with. Words had become relatively meaningless. Actions were the only thing that mattered.

The assassin turned the page of her book - her eyes tracking the movement of the sheet of paper. She focused on the letters of the text before her but was aware of Cynthia getting up from the loveseat. The sound of the freezer door opening. The crunch of frozen vegetables inside a plastic bag. The shuffling sounds of socked feet padding across the wooden floor.

"Here. For your cheek. And your eyebrow. And your jaw." She handed an assortment of frozen veggies to Kella.

Kella was tempted to lay the cold peas across her cheek as she knew she would feel instant soothing, but she chose to deny herself the comfort and let the pain keep her sharp.

"Thank you, but these are much more valuable as food, Cynthia." Kella swung her legs down, and crossed the room. Opening the freezer, she tossed the food back into the freezer nonchalantly.

"I'm afraid, Kella. Susan isn't here, and what if you go too? I think they will take you and then take me."

"They're not going to take you. There's only one left, and he will go away tonight."

Cynthia's open mouth and widening eyes formed three perfect circles of shock.

"Maybe we can go."

"If you still want to go after tonight, then we can leave. But he is not going to hurt anyone else again, Cynthia."

Cynthia ran into the bedroom and slammed the door behind her. The sounds of her sobbing could be heard for several minutes until she quieted down. Kella rolled her neck and sighed in satisfaction as she heard the pops and cracks releasing the tension in her spine. She wouldn't worry about dinner tonight. She was lighter and more agile when her stomach was empty, but a shower was welcome.

The hot streams of water sluiced across her skin, stinging the abrasions and open flesh. She clenched her jaw, mentally negating the pain.

Drying off after a shower like that was always a delicate thing. She could handle pain but she wasn't a masochist. She saw no need for inflicting any more than was absolutely necessary. Tonight, she would dab a little hand cream on each exposed cut. It wasn't the most ideal ointment for healing, but it would make it easier to handle the fabric of her clothes rubbing across her skin later tonight. What the lotion didn't numb, adrenaline would.

Dressed and armed, she stepped into the hallway. She walked past Cynthia's door, listening. Not a peep. She would be sound asleep by now and Kella would lock her into the house until she returned home.

I loved writing this story. But as always, I most enjoy wondering what the reader will speculate as it continues. It was originally meant to be a stand-alone piece, but I decided to write more, spin it, flip it, and gently shove the reader down the rabbit hole. Hope you'll enjoy the fall. 😏 More tomorrow.

Missed previous chapters?

Ch 01	Ch 2	Ch 03
Ch 04	Ch 05	Ch 06
Ch 07	Ch 08	Ch 09
	Ch 10

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