~A Different Call~
Don’t think. Just shoot. First there was black. A cruel, dark shade of hell a nightmare could only dream about. Barney always told me never to think; to never second guess it, and that even the slightest spark of emotion would burn an initiative to ash. A small ripple of movement throws off even the most perfect draw. Always go for the kill, or you’ll be the dead man. This would fuel my fear for awhile, but somehow death didn’t seem so bloodcurdling now. Some moments death would be breathing down my neck—other times it would grab and curse at me. To this day I hadn’t figured out how I could escape it so easily, but one day I knew I wouldn’t be able to, and I wouldn’t fight it, but today was not that day. This mission would be too familiar. S.H.I.E.L.D made it seem so easy to kill—in truth, it was. The moment of release had always held some form of satisfaction, but this was strictly professional. Under cover. The target was like a rabid animal, ruthless enough to meet death or a poison too thick to move. She was deadlier than any spy I’d seen. Most needed strategy, a logical span of movement to anchor themselves to. Not her. She could wipe an entire barricade of agents within minutes without some type of strategist method. She was unpredictable, and that’s what made her lethal. Elevation is your best friend. To this day my brother still haunts my thoughts. I could still hear him shouting brief advice like a first class drill sergeant. That mandate stuck with me, and even altered my ego, but I’d always viewed targets better from above—it was just an instinct of mine. Then there was red. A heated, menacing blaze that kindled hastily over the newer recruits fighting for their lives. She ricocheted, bent like rubber, shoved, and heaved her victims to the cement within blinks. She dodged every bullet, every punch, every kick. It was as if she could guess all six of their movements before they even knew. A part of me wished I could stand and watch the dynamic, but I knew what had to be done. Always go for the kill. The arrow. Always go for the kill. The notch. Always go for the kill. The draw.
It was slow, cautious and lapsed between minutes. All was blurred except for the red that tethered her scalp. This would be quick—might help me sleep better, I supposed. She wouldn’t see it coming. One small ripple of movement would end it all. One arrow. She tangled her legs around the last standing recruit and sent him plummeting to the ground. This was my chance. At her last victory a last breath would escape her red lips. All it took was one shot. Before I could hold my breath and release, she retorted her head above. Her once dangerous glare drenched itself in fear. Don’t think. Just shoot. They were two fiery green coals that burned into mine. Shoot, you moron. Her bee stung lips faltered as she faced the tip. Goddammit shoot. Under the red, something sparked. It was a pale flash of desperation that draped across her eyes. Her file had read abilities of seduction, but this lookwas completely different. It stung me, pricked my chest like a dagger. What is wrong with you? I could hear my brother bark into my ear, Kill this bitch. I expected the woman to aim to me, but she didn’t. Red and black, she just stood there motionlessly as if she were looking death straight in the eye. Only she wasn’t. Not today.