As the gunshot echoed Ronin knew that will be last time he would never see June again. As they drove out of the parking lot, Grace looked back, some shadows were watching them. The shadows became visible and among them the woman who tried to kill her face smirked at her, her heart skipped the beat.
"They have the girl", Someone behind the woman spoke glaring at the jeep that disappeared from his view,"Why did you let them escape?".
The woman smirk grew darker as she crossed her arms,"I enjoy that girl bravery, it reminds me of someone", She simply said, turning to them,"Just two more to kill then we can celebrate"
"Celebrate?", Someone questioned walking forward,"That girl must not slip away from us, she must die, that is our main mission!. Maybe you forgot about that, 357 must not go that so called Base. Or our mission is worthless".
The man who just spoke was the second in command, the others around agreed immediately. Sighing the woman rolled her eyes, jamming her hands into her hoodie pocket. Before walking away.
"She won't listen to you, Skull"
Skull clenched his fists feeling his blood boil in anger, calling out her name.
"ARIES!!!!".
Aries halted, her expression blank as ever. Can't this man call her quietly than shouting?.
"What?!", She shouted back, turning around to meet the angry hot head, "You know how bad your temper is, right?!"
"Give me that silent treatment and i will rip you apart!!".
Just a few metres away from them, a pair of blue eyes watched them. The eyes wsa not noticeable, it only stayed still.
"What a waste of my time", A voice said,"Dump Slayers. When will you notice me?, i've been following you for a while now. I just need a little bit of attention", The voice sounded disappointed.
"Will you just stand and watch?", Someone asked.
"Yes i will. It's fun",The voice replied.
"To you. If they find us here we're dead. Just kill them already".
"No. Grace is my main priority. Not them, she has a future to uphold".
Grace remained quiet and it bothered Ronin. He was sure that wasn't her first time to hear a gunshot....whae she last saw her parents. Somehow he wished he had some kind of magic to turn the time around. But he couldn't.
"Grace", He called and she hummed, "Areyou okay?".
"I'm fine. Thank you for asking".
He glanced at the rare mirror, seeing her looking out of the window. Her expression was one that she wants to give up. Her mind is ruined. Only death rang in her ears, biting her lips she tried hard not to cry. But it was to late, Ronin noticed it.
" Let it out Grace", He said softly. And the girl cried her eyes out.
The car was filled with her sobs and Ronin didn't say anything as she continued. There are somethings one can't hold especially a nine year old, she's too young to to experience this pain. It will only hurt her more.
'I guess this is the pain you wanted to take away, Kate. Now she's feeling a whole lot of those pain'.
Grace cried until there was no tears left as she wipe the rest off her cheeks. She looked at Roninit didn't go unnoticed.
"Anything you want to say?".
"My mom said something about someone. Maybe you might be able to help me to find him"
Immediately Ronin had the urge to hit the breaks, how will...f**k. He avoided her question.
"Listen kid, there are somethings we have to avoid. And what you just asked is impossible".
"You know who i'm talking about?. Who is he?, how is he going to help me?".
"He won't help, he will only kill you before you make a move to approach him. The mission your mother gave you is life and death".
Grace simply nodded in understanding, not saying anything else. Life and death?, is he that dangerous than the Slayers?. Why is there so much suspense about everything like they are being watched.
"How did they find me?".
"They have eyes, Grace. Over every network and satellite. And because of your appearance they where able to find you and June".
"Why didn't they find you?".
"I escaped before they could give me a code name. Even though i already have one".
"They only know you by your code and appearance?", She asked, it doesn't seem to make sense to her. Appearance?.
"Yes, they are like bounty hunters", He replied suddenly thinking of something.
"Can you change my look?".
He smiled, this girl read his mind, "Are you sure about it?".
Grace nodded in response this might the only way those Slayers won't find her. This might also be an opportunity. A code name doesn't matter it's the appearance.
Ronin drove to a gas station, looking around before coming out,"Come out, and hide your face each of those cctv cameras could be hacked".
Grace did has he said heading to the store. He followed behind. As they entered, a old man watching a channel didn't glanced at them, like he knows who they are.
"Are you alone?", Ronin asked.
"I have always been alone and will remain alone till death. Why are you here?, and you're still alive thank god for that".
Ronin only smiled it didn't reach his eyes before looking at her.
"Wait for me, will you. I need to get somethings", He said looking back at the old man, "Keep your eyes on her", That was the only thing he said before he left.
Grace felt completely lonely as he wasn't with her. Then feeling the man staring at her her heart shook in fright. Why is he staring at her like she's an alien.
"So you're the one making all this chaos, that's why they kept on killing. They are looking for you", He said.
Grace frowned at his words, it's her fault?. She shook her head telling herself that he didn't say anything just now.
"Deny it or not those innocent men and women blood are on your hands kid. Mine too, i'll die soon. Because of you".
Grace looked at him, "Meaning?".
He chuckled, "You act just as your mother, when she should have known better", He clicked his tongue, "How awful. You have to be the one suffering the punishment. If i were you i would have killed myself than run away. Because no matter were you run to they will surely find you".
The words didn't touch her heart she didn't allow it, she's not going to be weak because she now knows what she's up against. She won't let anyone get to her in search of her weakness, she can not allow it.
"I'm sorry to corrected you, but you don't know me and where i'm from", She walked a little bit closer her eyes stood firm, "I did give up, but not again. I want you to remember that, i might be young but i will overcome this situation. Then i'll be the one laughing at your face".
The old man almost shivered he saw the blood tasty eyes of her mother. Kate was known to be a remarkable woman, but staring at the daughter.....it like her spirit merge into Grace's.
"Let me tell you....if everything is my fault....then i will die and if it is not....", She moved closer not breaking the eye contact, "I will hunt you.....to hell".
"You think you are safe?", The man asked and scoffed, "You are just them, your stupid parents. You were a mistake".
The word shook her like lightening, a mistake?. She clenched her fist and something happened.....things were floating in the air, mostly sharp objects pointing at him.
"I am not a mistake", She said firmly, "I was born for a reason".
The objects were ready to kill, only to called back when Ronin screamed her name.
"GRACE!!!!".