No Escape

No Escape



How could she have let herself get caught like this?  Alone in this quiet, dark neighbourhood.  She wished she'd never got involved in this godforsaken war, never agreed to go undercover.  Now, with that cover blown, she was panicking.  She sensed she was not alone.  Peering left and right down the street, she saw no movement to confirm her fears.



Suddenly, she jerked round.  Was that a person in the shadows over there?  No, just a trick of the light, surely.  She couldn't stay here though, she knew she couldn't, but the prospect of walking through these secluded streets terrified her.  She stood in the doorway, still like a stone statue.  Only her ragged breathing gave her away as being flesh.



Summoning up the courage, she stepped out from the doorway and hurried down the cobbled street, frequently looking over her shoulder as she went.  Her expensive, ruby dress billowed in the wind as she turned left, then right, then left again, weaving her way through the ancient city.  She stopped at an intersection, looking left and right, trying to find a safe haven.



He watched her, enveloped in the darkness.  The moonlight glinted off the tears that streaked down her cheeks.  He pitied her; she had no place in all of this, but he had his orders, nonetheless.  He moved forward.



She picked the left path and broke out into a run, high heels landing precariously on the cobbles.  She rushed towards the light like a moth to a flame, and just as futile.  As she reached the bridge, she thought she was safe; the bright street lights providing false security.  Her pace slowed as she tried to catch her breath.  She didn't notice the assassin slowly approaching behind her.



He reached out, as if to tap her on the shoulder, but his hand closed over her mouth, instead.  His other arm found her neck and his well-trained muscles overpowered her spine, causing the familiar snap.  Her scream was snuffed out in her lungs before it ever got the chance to reach her lips.  His hand cradled the back of her head as her body went limp.  His other arm reached for her legs and he picked her up, cradling her like a parent cradles a child.  As the life ebbed from her body, he gently whispered a prayer in her ear, hoping God would accept his penance.



With one action, he leaned over the side of the bridge and let her fall from his arms.  Her body descended through the air faster and faster before hitting the water with a crash, one hundred feet below.  He watched as her ruby dress faded into the cold water.  It was done.