The Assassin
Moonlight glinted against the thin braided fishing line lined across the bottom of her front doorway. Invisible to the naked eye, not my trained one.
I followed the line up the side of the doorway to the bouquet of bells tucked in the dark upper corner of the doorframe. Thumbtacks, points up, lay in neat ranks on the floor like a tiny army.
Simone was getting more creative.
Every night I’ve come, she’s added another layer of challenge for entering her home.
First, there were new locks and bolts on the door and windows.
Then, the trip wire. Now, thumbtacks on the floor at every doorway and beneath every window.
She must’ve thought the extra precautions would deter me from breaking in.
Little did she know, it only made me want to do it more.
Easily, I took a huge step over the trip wire and the thumbtacks. My legs were long enough to make the stride without falling or losing my balance.
I quietly shut the door before heading down the hall into the living room.
The glow of the television lit up the dark room. Her open laptop, an empty glass of wine, and a half-eaten bowl of pasta sat on the coffee table in front of the couch. Simone lay on the cushions with her knees curled into her chest. Her fingers were wrapped tight around a tiny black pistol.
One of these nights, she was probably going to shoot me with it. Not tonight, though.
Her eyes were subtly moving beneath their lids and tiny snores were rumbling in her throat. Somehow she’s been sleeping deeper than she ever has before. Whatever’s been haunting her dreams has gone dormant. For now, at least.
I grabbed the pistol, slowly slid it out of her hands, and set it down on the table. Bending my knees, I carefully tucked my arms beneath Simone’s head and back.
She didn’t stir as I lifted her up into my arms. Her head fell against my chest, and I caught a whiff of the excess coconut oil seeping into her bonnet.
I carried her upstairs and tucked her into bed. I kneeled down at the bedside, watching as the silver light danced over her long lashes and curve of her parted lips. She had no business looking so beautiful, so peaceful, while she slept.
The illusion of serenity and helplessness was making this harder than it needed to be.
One of these nights, I needed to catch her in a weak sleep. One she’d wake up out of and give me a good fight. I needed to see that fire in her eyes one last time before I blew it out.
I reached my finger out towards her cheek, stopping a few centimeters from her skin. Without touching her, I brushed my finger over her cheekbone, silently wishing her goodnight.
I rose to my feet and headed out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind me.
Back downstairs, I turned off the television and scooped up the dishes from her dinner. I scraped the leftover pasta into the trash and washed the little bit of dishes she had in the sink. On my way out, I made sure to plug her laptop into the charger.
Since she wasn’t awake during my visits, I had to make my presence known in other ways. No one likes having their things moved around - good natured or not. And while I wasn’t exactly trying to help her, I wanted her to know how easily I could lay my hands on her world.
I locked her front door before I headed back to the van. I didn’t need an amateur robber trying to follow in my footsteps. God forbid they set off her booby traps and woke her earlier than planned. She deserved a few hours of peace before waking up to the neat mess I’ve made.
The safe house door creaked when I finally arrived back home. I cursed the wood for being so loud. Maria hadn’t known I’d gone out - and I wanted to keep it that way.
I slipped out of my shoes and lightly treaded against the floor. As I passed the living room doorway, the light flicked on.
Stopping in my tracks, I looked over at my partner, sitting in the armchair with her arms crossed and lips pursed like a pissed mother catching her child after they’d snuck out. Where were you? She signed, her fingers quick and firm.
“I went for a walk.”
At three o’ clock in the morning? Do I look stupid to you? She rose from her seat. You went to go see her, didn’t you?
“I’m making some observations, so I can plan-”
“Stop lying!” She said, raising her voice as high as it could go. Her brows twitched, threatening to pinch together from the pain. “No secrets,” she continued. “Remember? We prom…” Her voice trailed off, her hands flying to her throat.
“I know,” I murmured. “I’m sorry. Here, let me get you some water.”
Maria grabbed my arm before I could even take a step. I’m fine, she insisted. But the sneaking around needs to stop. If you need help-
“I don’t. I just… She’s harder to kill than I anticipated.”
Her brow rose. Is she? Or is she just looking less like a target?
My mouth opened and closed, knowing the answer but too ashamed to say it aloud.
Maria shook her head. You need to get it together. Ares won’t be very forgiving if you don’t.
With that, she brushed past me and went down the hall into her room.
Sighing, I headed into my own room. I didn’t want to admit it, but Maria was right. The clock was ticking on Ares dealing out a consequence. He may not have mentioned it yet, but I knew one was coming if I didn’t act soon.
Still, I sat at my desk, opened up the surveillance cameras and watched Simone as she slept, wondering how her cheek would feel underneath my fingertips.