Her name was Emily Pierce. Her Agent code name was Nova. And her name as an Assassin was Zara.
It all began twelve years ago.
Little Zara was having breakfast with her parents that morning, when suddenly, her father stood up abruptly, causing the dining chair to screech so loud, it made Zara drop down her cutleries in fear.
"Quick, Eloise. They are here. Take Emily out of here. Now! "
Zara's mother, Eloise, stared at her husband in shock, not understanding the sudden cause of his actions.
Her eyes were wide, as she asked, tentatively, "What are you talking about?"
But before she could finish her sentence, a loud noise was heard. Emily turned her head to the dining room window, pointed toward it, and exclaimed, "Mommy, Daddy. Who are these people?"
Her mother's eyes followed her trail, and on seeing the group of men coming towards the house, she stood up in an instant.
"Emily!" She yelled, grabbing her arms, and pulling her toward the back door. Just then, a loud bang resounded on the front door, and they all jumped, fright evident in their every action.
Her father, Lucas Pierce, was rummaging through the cupboard in the living room. He huffed and said, in a quick tone, "Eloise, what are you doing? Take Emily out of here, this instant!"
Zara looked between her father and mother. And she asked, "Dad? Mom? What is going on? Who are these people?"
Her mother who had been trying to force open the back door, which refused to budge, suddenly exclaimed, "Where are the keys? Oh my God, Lucas!"
At that moment, the door burst open and four men in dark clothing and a mask on their faces sauntered in. But in a split second, before they emerged, Eloise grabbed Zara, pushed her toward the cupboard where her husband stood, and squeezed Zara in.
She reprimanded in a warning tone, "Do not, get out of here, Emily, until it is safe, okay?"
Zara could only nod in agreement, as her mother quickly shut the door, and turned her back on it. Her eyes widening each passing second.
The space was so tiny, that it almost did not contain her little body. But Zara was able to crouch down a little, even if she was hardly comfortable.
From the little tiny holes in the cupboard, she saw two men closing in on her parents.
Her father, Lucas, pleaded with them, "Please. Have mercy. We are innocent. "
There were four men in total, and each of them held long rods, sticks, and clubs. Eloise was already whimpering, as she stood alongside her husband, in fright.
She looked up at them and asked, furtively, "Who are you, and what do you want from us? We are innocent, please spare us, please."
One of the men, who looked like he was the leader, responded in a menacing tone, "You do not deserve to be saved!"
He glanced at the man by his side, and in an instant, a club was swung forward, hitting Zara's father on the head.
Lucas' eyes were wide open in astonishment, as he fell instantly. And for a few seconds, all was quiet, until Eloise screamed so loudly, in pure fright, as she watched a trail of blood seep through him.
She abruptly fell on her knees in shock, muttering a silent prayer whilst sobbing profusely.
Zara, on the other hand, gaped at the scene in bewilderment. Tears ran down her cheeks and she immediately placed a hand on her mouth, to muffle her cries.
"Lucas! Lucas!" Her mother's loud and tearful voice sounded. She cried, crawling toward him, while her hands trembled with each passing second.
In a deep icy voice, the leader of the gang, said, "It is your turn, now, woman. Where is the child?"
Eloise's frightful eyes snapped toward him in an instant, whimpering with wide eyes.
"Have mercy, Please. Please. What crime have we committed? Please spare us."
The man stepped forward, giving her an intimidating look. He said, sinisterly, "Do not worry. I will grant you a favor, and make it quick."
He swiftly brought out a gun from the waistband of his pants and pointed directly at her head. Eloise's eyes widened, and she froze.
Zara, on the other hand, muffled a scream in her hands, as she felt like rushing in there to save her mother.
But what could she possibly do? She was just nine years old, and the men could easily hurt her if she dared make a noise.
Moreover, her mother's instructions kept playing in her head, "Do not get out of here, Zara. Until it is safe."
A loud gunshot was heard, and Zara jerked up suddenly, in a cold sweat, her ears were ringing so loudly.
She glanced round the room sharply, in brief panic. Her eyes scanned through every corner of the room.
Her eyes were misty and her face was wet with tears, which she quickly wiped off with the back of her hands.
She had slept off on her desk which was littered with photos of different people.
Zara let out a heavy sigh, clutching her head as she felt a pounding headache. It didn't help, that her ears were ringing so loudly.
This was her life every night. Always waking up from the same nightmare. Ever since the fateful day it happened.
Days turned into months, and months into years. With each passing moment, Zara always thought back to that fateful day.
Looking for clues.
Hopes.
Reasons, as to why her family was at the brunt of the deed that fateful day. Why no one ever cared.
She was only nine years old then. And Zara was already rendered an orphan. As the only child of her parents, she was hopeless and lonely. The grief was hers to bear alone until she could bear it no more.