Pain

Loss, failure, despair, anxiety and grief all have different amounts of pain to tell. Some say it out loud while others writhe silently in pain. There's only one reason behind this, the most talked about affection in town LOVE. Disgusting right? How many times has it brought chaos to the world? The sole reason for war, treachery and vengeance. Well it does have its good points, like you could loathe the person you never thought you could hate in your life. Stand against your weakness and succeed. Feel nothing but motivation towards a clear goal. Perhaps wondering why I spoke of these? They are the very reason why the weak resort to nothing but to become stronger and avenge themselves, because if they don't who would? If killing is a crime, then why hurting others isn't? What's worse is to be forsaken by the person whom you thought you could trust.

These thoughts float in Ace’s head half the timw while facing her adorable students.

"Now kids, can you remind me what are the most important thoughts to live by in this world?" She uttered while tapping a metal ruler against her palm. 

"Trust no one except yourself. " They answered in unison.

"Very well said my darlings, keep that in mind and who knows you might be one assassin worth chasing for." She heard them applaud that roared inside the four corners of that room. "And the other one?" Ace arched her brows and crossed arms while waiting for their reply. 

"Pain is the most dangerous weapon; it can make or break a person."

Well who can blame them to take after her, a product of this charitable institution. Kidding! Why would anyone think that? This orphanage front is a set up. Children are brought up to become spineless killing machines. For parents this place should've been their child's saving grace but in reality...it's a death sentence they have sent upon themselves.

"Well well well, if it's not Ed over there kids?" All of them hovered around him like a hoard of bees buzzing over a beehive. 

Don't get too attached with the comparison though.

"Are we going to practice shooting now Ed?" Six year old Blake pulled the hem of his shirt while tiptoeing to reach him. 

He just wants to be cuddled. So Ed pulled him up, carrying him with his right arm. "We will Blake, but please take a shower first," he sniffed him and messed his hair, "you kinda stink. Ace over there doesn't like stinky boys. Am I right Ace?" He said teasing knowing little Blake’s got a huge crush on Ace---he often tells her so.

He looked at her while wiggling his brows. "Whatever! By the way study your lessons. I'll just have a quick jog and shower, see you afterwards are we clear?"

That's an order not a request.

***

Earphones screaming in her ears as she jog her tenth lap over a nearby stadium. She starts to slow down her pace and eventually went into a complete stop. Taking off her earphones and throw it on top of her grey towel. Uncapping the bottled water she had stashed earlier. She pours it on the top of her head down to her lean body. Mixing beads of sweat and water all over.

An hour later…

Ace can feel the cold water from the shower piercing her pale skin. Well who would've have thought that being alone could feel that empty? Not that she's not used to it, maybe she's too used to it, that's why she's tired of it.

No, please I beg you don't leave me..I can't do this alone? Please I beg you don't let go.

She shook the bitter memory away. Thinking she's too old to be that girl now. In fact she's become stronger and wiser too. That girl should just be locked up in the deepest core of her memories. After a quick shower Ace wore her favorite hoodie, a pair of legwarmers and sneakers. 

Her unkempt auburn hair reached a few inches below her shoulder. She stares at her reflection for a whole minute; contemplating what to do with it. In the end she went with twisting the ends of her damp hair and guided it underneath her beanie. She's good to go.

As she arrive in the area all were busy practicing. She could hear the loud bangs of guns as they hit on their dummy targets. She even took notice of Ed giving instructions to Blake. Must be his favorite. Hardly hearing every word due to the weapons firing all over the place. But she could do lip reading, it's an acquired skill due to that lifestyle.

Next on the line was the obstacle courses and hitting on moving targets. For a more realistic feel they didn't let the kids use air-soft guns though they were mere novices. It's easier to train them with the real thing first hand, so that they'd be serious about it. It makes them aim better and shoot sharper knowing their lives are on the line for each bullet they fire. 

Fear drives people to become better versions of themselves once they overcome it. As much as pain changes a person drastically. They are just using fire to bend and shape them into the form that pleases them. Ace and Ed were not exempted on that too. Even if they have to lose a limb fighting. They would as long as they get the missions given to them completed.

***

She was sprinting with all her might but still seemed too slow compared to her peers. Not even able to make a single friend because everyone thinks everybody is a competition. All surviving only to save their own skin. Even in their teenage years, betrayal will be the death of them. 

"Run they're coming for you!" A little boy shouted as Ace stopped to wipe her tears away due to fear. 

She was stunned to meet him. Not by his striking looks or anything but with him acting chummy all of a sudden. She doesn’t even remember seeing him before.

He took his body to covered her. He was hit by a bullet instead of her. Falling to the ground and for a moment she thought he was dead. She was shedding so much tears for someone she doesn't even know in the first place. Hitting on his motionless body finally he coughed.

"Ugh! are you crazy? I was hit by a bullet then you're smashing my chest so hard I almost died. For. Real." That awkward moment she felt alive again, for the first time after two months that she have been brought to that place.

"It's your fault for taking cover; you should've just let me die. Than to let my conscience eat me up for your stupidity," Ace spouted with conviction.

"Even in this cruel world, some not too cruel people come for help. Can you give me a hand?" He stretched his right arm while the other was pulling something from his back. "See." He showed her a distorted bullet.

From where he took it, she has seen no blood either. He tapped his chest and pulled his shirt up. She looked away, Ace wasn't used to naked boys back in the day you know.

He grabbed her hand and put it on his chest, it was hard. 

"O c'mon it's a bullet proof vest silly." She gave him a confused look and he just smiled. "Sometimes you need pain in your life, it makes this tougher." He pointed at her chest without touching it of course; he'll be totally dead if he did.

"And what makes you say that?" Twelve-year old Ace asked in disbelief.

 "Cause I've been there. Pain is a dangerous weapon; it can make or break a person. Use enough amount of pain for your edge not on your future downfall, " he stated mysteriously and left. 

After that she never saw him again. He disappeared as fast as he came. No clues on who or where he is.

***

"Hey daydreaming again? Stop lusting over my body Ace, you're drooling already.” Ed was snapping his fingers in front of her; it's for a while now. 

Ace must have been consumed by the bitter-sweet memory of that boy. It is inevitable remembering since she is still on the same business---killing people like it’s no big deal. No matter how much she tries to push it down. Her past will always come back haunting her. Stronger and darker than the last. If she is not careful enough, she might never snap out of it forever. That’s what she always avoid to happen.

She just darted him a look of disgust and left to load her gun, time to practice. Before she fired the shot she looked at him intently. "Oh Ed, one more line from you and I'll blow your brains out." Then flashed a cunning smile, put the noise cancellation headphones on and got back to firing session.