Chapter One
You Have Been Chosen
A nappy-haired degenerate shut-in rises from her bed, the time is three a clock in the afternoon. Cali sits up, still drowsy gets on her feet, her pajamas say it all. She is in onesie tiger pajamas; she opens the door to the hallway in her dorm. Everyone is in class as she slept through her alarm again, she shuts her door carefully hoping no one is still there. Cali mosey on down to the bathroom *yawning. Taking a good long look in the mirror she nabs her toothbrush, putting toothpaste on it and scrubbing counter-clock way. After spitting and brushing her teeth again, she brushes her matted black hair, with pain with every stroke of the brush. her hunched-over posture came from days upon days of web surfing on her computer. She shared a dorm with another, she was quite the opposite of Cali in most aspects, Cali hates going out while Jennifer goes all through the city partying and still has great grades.
Cali shuffles to her desk booting up her PC, she lays her head on the desk as it starts up. The quiet hums of the PC fill the room, it finally asks to login in, and Cali types in her password "Jennifer_isTheDevil666." It accepts the password as it loads into the home page. She immediately goes on the web as well as starts up an app, the app is black with big words "Dark Web" that were hidden in the homework folder. The web fades to black and in the middle of the screen is a search bar. She loads up a page on The Gruesome Website where there are constant reports on a contract killer under the name of 17A. Cali scrolls to the comments section loading hundreds of comments. "Does anyone have new information on 17A" comments all ask about the identity of the contract killer, people don't even know their gender or if it is just one person. Everyone in the comment section agrees on one thing, the job is always completed no matter the target. Cali clicked on a photo putting it on fullscreen, the image shows a man in a pool of his own blood and an armed escort around looking for the culprit. Another image has a president and his wife murdered in their own bed, a small note catches Cali's eye, she zooms on the sticky note "17A was here."
The doorknobs start to shake, Cali powers off her PC in a flash rushing to the bathroom closing the door behind her, and starting the shower. Jennifer enters the room tossing her purse onto her bed and collapsing beside it.
Jennifer: "Cali hurry up! I need to use the restroom!"
Cali ignored her, sitting on the toilet seat, scrolling through her phone, a message covered her mobile game.
Cali: "You have two days to say goodbye to your loved ones before I pick you up, signed 17A. Is this some kind of prank?"
She blocks the number not giving it another thought, Cali undresses and steps into the shower soaking in the lukewarm water. Fifteen minutes later, she finally gets out drying herself, she wraps a towel over her voluptuous body. Walking out of the bathroom holding onto the towel.
Jennifer: "Why do you stay cooped up in this tiny room when you can show off your body to the world."
Cali: "No thanks, I don't do that skank business, I rather stay here and be safe and not get ogled by creeps."
Jennifer: "Whatever weirdo, have fun staying cooped up!"
Jennifer slams the bathroom door starting the shower once again. Cail picked an outfit from the closet and dressed quickly before Jennifer gets out. Her top was a dark grey t-shirt with an icon of a YouTuber smack dap in the middle of it. She let her hair flow free, she wore grey sweatpants along with running shoes. Cali grabbed her earbuds that were hanging off from the dresser and slammed the door behind her. Some of the other girls passed by her, they were all groupies, only sticking with a group so they don't look like outcasts. Cali managed to escape the requests or the invitations and made it outside, it was overcast, perfect weather she thought.
Cail: "A light jog never hurts anyone."
A park was next to the dorms, most students jog there but the overcast drove all the joggers away. Cali puts in her earbuds swiping through her playlist on YouTube, finding a heavy metal band she loves (Slipnot), and pressing play.
Cali: "Thank god for premium."
She begins to jog at a slow pace, slowly taking it up a notch every lap. On her third lap, her phone vibrates lowering her music for a second before highering again. She slows down to a walk and checks her phone, a message, "Don't take this lightly, you have only today now before you are taken in, Cali." Message only infuriated her, she put her phone away and started running for her last lap, she stopped on to catch her breath after the sprint pausing her music just to get another message. "We know your parents passed away in a car crash along with your brother."
Cali: "Is this some kind of sick joke!"
She felt so disgusted she got teary-eyed, angry but sad, she tried not to let it get to her but just remembering them made her depressed. She took a walk around the city, taking her time exploring the vibrant colors of the city. Cali heads to a theater to watch any movie that is on, upon reaching the theater only one movie played, "The Power to Take All." An all-out action flick with world risks and assassinations in one. She turned off her phone before entering the crowded theater. Cali missed out on the hype of this movie as the theater's rooms were all playing the same movie, after getting popcorn and a small soda she walked to one of the rooms that already started the movie. It was packed with only two seats left on the far left side in the back. Once seated the movie is revealing that the main character is actually the bad guy and he was going to kill the world because he was wrongly accused of a crime and his wife was executed for it.
Cali: "Wow, I just got here and they getting into the crazy stuff."
The good guy was the antagonist who was assassinating corrupt people, then with another twist, the antagonist was the son of the protagonist right after the antagonist was stabbed by the protagonist.
Cali: "That is a lot to take in all at once."
It showed a flashback to the mother giving birth right before she was sent to a firing squad; one of the corrupt dictators took the boy and raised him as his own. A whole spiral of twists and turns that just confused Cali to the point she fell asleep. The movie ended, snapping her out of her coma-like state, she was the last one in there. Rushing she completely forgets her things and hurries into the main room, it was as quiet as a library. Thinking she was by herself, she strolled to the doors but they were locked. The lights start to flicker, in a flash, five of the six lights explode, leaving one dangling light swaying back and forth lighting her frightened face.
A deep voice in the shadow: "We finally meet, CALI."
Cali's voice breaks: "Who-."
She couldn't finish her question as the fear caught her throat and her stomach was in knots, her legs felt heavy; she looked for something to hold onto. She turned to the door, with fear guiding her decisions she kicked the glass bottom, shattering it. Crouching through the opening she frees herself from the inside of the theater upon realizing she is surrounded by five in military black suites wearing skull facemasks and a van behind them. Cali couldn't stop shaking, her wide dark brown eyes stayed locked on as she backed up cutting her arm on the glass. Her tan skin stained with blood gave a reaction to one of the five but the person in front stopped them with an arm to the chest.
Worried soft-spoken male: "But boss, don't-."
A big man in the back elbowed him in the side, he let out a grunt as he held his side. Cali held back tears but her voice was as weak as her legs, it didn't help that she was losing blood at an alarming rate.
Cali: "Why ar-ar-are you doing this to me!"
They stay silent and watch her movements as if they are waiting for something. She doesn't wait to see, Cali rushes inside the theater, hitting a sturdy body. Stepping back the fit male crouches through the door completely blocking off all exits. She grips her arm tightly stopping the blood to the best of her abilities, her adrenaline was high making it worse as the blood was pumping out profusely.
A woman on the left side of the boss in front spoke in a gentle voice: "Oh poor thing, boss I don't think it is necessary to scare her any further."
The boss: "We are called 17A and we are here to take you in."
Her voice is powerful, demanding respect from every word spoken. Cali's mind raced, it was everywhere except the place it needed most.
Cali: "Why do you want to take me!"
Her voice was stuck on loud, Cali's eyesight blurred from the loss of blood. She tripped over her own feet passing out, the man behind her caught her before hitting the ground.
Boss lady: "6, Take her, 15, go check on her wound while we ride back."
Cali slips in and out of consciousness, her eyes burning as she opens her eyes again. In a drowsing state, she finds herself in a van strapped to a chair. She can't tell but one of the six is sitting in the corner of the van staring at her. The worried man comes to her side checking her arm that was bandaged up. Cali failed to notice the womanly figure on the other side, close to the front of the van.
Woman with a velvet voice: "What a petite thing she is, she is not going to last a day."
The man with a worried voice: "She will make it, she will show you how wrong you are."
Woman: "Whatever."
The boss driving: "SHUT UP back there!"
The two tense up, sitting straight up after being yelled at.
Both: "Sorry Boss."
Cali slips back outta consciousness. She wakes back up in a square concrete room with no windows and one metal door with no doorknob and a swinging light. She sat there sobbing, clueless about where she is and why she was taken. The automated door opened with a creak, she powers through her fear, standing up and walking out the door. It slams behind her making her jolt, darkness is all she could see as she aimlessly walked through the darkness looking for a light. She touched a hard wall, the lights switch on without her doing, blinding her in the process. The wall was the same fit abbs she bumped into before.
A sly voice: "Hey this is merchandise, hands-off."
Cali backs up quickly as he stands there with his hands behind his back, thirteen others stand beside him standing just like him. All looked like they are in the military awaiting inspection, their faces were all covered by the skull headgear. The boss stood behind Cali, towering over her with her big chest. She had her mask off as she stare down at Cali with her fierce dark brown eyes with narrow eyebrows. Her hair is as black as the night sky added by a red streak in her hair. Half up half down hairstyle matched her strict posture. Her sculpted face had scarring on her chin and eyebrow, immediately Cali knew she is not all for show.
Boss: "My name is Boss and only boss, if I hear you call me by any other name, actually, I will leave that to your imagination."
She clears her throat as Cali turns to her and takes a few steps back.
Boss: "These thirteen are my maggots, and they do everything I tell them, Right Maggots!"
Everyone: "Yes Boss!"
Boss: "Hmph, I thought I would catch them slipping today, anyhoo, everyone, take your masks off!"
The first one to take off their mask is the fit man Cali touched twice, he has a messy tapper brown hairstyle that fits his chiseled face.
Ladies man: "I think we met, physically speaking. My name is James B. Bon and yes, the name from the movie but better in every way."
Boss: "Pipe it down pretty boy, before I fix that pretty face."
James: "Sorry Ma- I mean Boss!"
Boss: "I will let that one slide, you have Cali to thank. NEXT!"
A meek young man lifts his mask: "Hi, umm, I am Anthony, the doctor of this wacky family. I am the one that patched up your arm"
Still defensive Cali: "Thanks I guess."
Anthony hastily: "Oh yeah any time."
Boss: "Yeah that is our squirmy little runt, he is good people. Anyway Next!"
A woman with a whole lot of curves in the right places elegantly lifts her mask. Her features have an alluring effect on them, it screamed femme fatale. Her hair is silky red with her bangs side-swept, all she need was a velvet dress and she could seduce any man. Her glossy white skin looked heavenly perfectly matching her look.
Woman: "Hello darling, my name is Veronica, the man-killer, need help with men, I'm your gal."
Boss: "She could take any man, married or not, but she can't keep them for long. NEXT!"
A small girl beside Veronica and a boy next to her take off their mask.
Both quiet: "Good evening, we are the twins.
Boy: "Her name is Ashly."
Ashly: "His name is Ash."
Both: "And we are the sniper specialist."
Ash's hair was mostly black with neon green highlights in his hair. Ashly had the opposite, mostly neon green with some black. Both have baby faces, the difference is in their eyes, Ashly had narrow eyes while Ash had sharp eyes.
Boss with her arms crossed: "Yeah they lack the emotional side but more than make up for it in their skill with snipers, they can take out guards at the same exact time without even counting down, it is like instinct. Well Next!"
Cali: "If you have so many skilled people, why do you need me, Boss."
Boss: "If you haven't noticed, all the people that have taken off their masks, don't fit in with normal people. Yeah some could make it but no one can fade into the background, they stand out is what I am saying."
Cali: "So you wanted to find a really boring person that doesn't stand out at all."
Boss with a ruff voice: "Yup, And you are perfect for the job."
Cali: "No offense but what about Anthony."
Anthony in the background: "None taken!"
Boss: "Shut up."
Anthony: "Okay."
Boss: "Yes he blends in, but people tend to ignore him entirely and when we need to get some information out of people, they don't answer a wimp."
Cali: "Oh, okay."
Boss: "Now that your questions are out of the way, NEXT!"
A motherly figure with well-kept brown hair and a warm smile, she has some lines on her face but is fit as a fiddle no less.
Motherly figure: "Hi, I am Sam but everyone calls me mother or motherboard when we are on a mission. It is nice to meet you, Cali, I hope we can get along."
Boss: "That is Mother for you, the nicest person here, she is our surveillance, our lookout when we are on missions. For the rest, you can talk to the rookie tomorrow!"
Everyone started splitting into every direction, The metal hall everyone was in had three doors one to the left that had labels reading "Cafeteria, Recreation room, Armory, Training facilities, Medbay." On the right, it reads "Sleeping quarters, Bathrooms, Library, Mission control, Debriefing room." It is a long list of labels but that isn't what worried Cali, it is the fact that she knew 17A and she was in their base. Cali didn't feel obligated to anyone in her past life so she had no reason to go back but the scary thought of the Boss and her punishment is what frighten her.
Boss: "Hey, Mother, can you show Cali around the base, I am tired."
Mother: "Sure thing, follow me, you poor little thing must be hungry, come on let's go."
Cali follows her as the toddler follows their mother. The first place is the cafeteria, it is mopped up and sparkling, there are rows of tables and a counter with food on display. Ash and Ashley are behind the glass counters with hairnets.
Mother: "Hey little ones, how is it going."
Both monotony: "Fine, do you want anything."
Mother: "No thank you dears but I think Cali can eat, what do you, do you want something?"
Cali lost her appetite, her stomach was still in knots from the experience she had all in one night.
Cali: "No thanks, Do I have a room, I am pretty tired."
Mother: "Of course dear! This way!"
They walk past the two attention seekers, James and Veronica.
James: "Well if it isn't our new recruit, Being shown around by Mother I see."
Veronica: "She may look all love no fight but be warned, never get on her bad side."
Mother just smiles as Cali gives a nervous smile.
James: "Well got to go, I have to go see the new weapons and tech that just came in."
Veronica: "Same here, catch you later little one."
They both go down the hallway to the left that says, "Armory, Training facilities." Cali and Mother go straight back out to the grand hall and walk to the other side. Upon reaching it, they meet with a new face, She was nerdy with glasses, she recently changed out of her military outfit into a black hoodie and olive shorts, she had blond hair with bangs.
Mother: "Cali meet Hannah, Hannah, Cail."
Hannah: "Hey."
Cali: "Hey."
Hannah kept walking, it was probably for the best, or else it would have been more awkward than that. Upon entering the right side, they took another right. The labels say "Sleeping quarters, Library, Debriefing room." Cali made it to her room, the room number was labeled "17" as it was the last door on the end of the hallway.
Cali: "Thank you for showing me around."
Mother: "No problem, just tell me if you need anything."
Mother walks off leaving Cali to her room, she opens the room to her surprise, her computer and clothes are neatly placed on her bed next to her own desk. Even her little figures were on the dresser where she put them.
Cali: "Know what, I am not even going to question it."
She landed on her bed, feeling exhaustion take over her as she falls to sleep, the first night in 17A.