The Circle

Slaughtered

“Agent Red, how’s your wound?”

“Back to normal, sir,” I smiled at Agent White and showed him my shoulder, no trace of the wound I had a week ago when I arrived unconscious back to the facility. But now I looked more stressed, with slight bags underneath my eyes from the exhausting research I did over the target. He had gotten so dangerous, the Circle decided to add him to the list of targets. And it wasn’t your regular target that stole some jewels from the Circle, but the most notorious targets to have ever lived, and only twelve of them existed, now dead or in prison. Now, he would be number thirteen. “No trace of him, White?” I addressed White, my voice slightly strained.

“Unfortunately, no. Red, the Heads are displeased with you right now. With that whole ship incident and you letting the target get away, well, they think you’re incompetent,” White gently broke me the news.

“What?” I gasped, aghast. “I’ve practically been raised in this facility my whole life, I’ve been trained for years, and now they think I’m not capable of getting one freaking target?” I yelled. I stood up from the polished oak chair I was sitting in. My long wavy brown hair got in my face, and I brushed it away impatiently.

“Red control yourself please. And he’s not just any target. He’s on the list of the targets. They’re immensely dangerous.” White sighed. Despite all the dying he had been doing to his hair, I could still see the gray and white streaks through his black hair, and it reminded me how much of a father he was to me. I even noticed the deep wrinkles in his face, and the tiredness in his blue eyes. So, for his sake, I sat back down in my chair, my arms and legs crossed. “They’re not demoting you, Red,” White calmly said. “They just think you’re not ready for any more solo missions. Which is why they’re putting you with a partner. Or it’s that you’re going to stop those nonsense missions— “

“WHAT?” I yelled. I leapt up from my chair again, a raging fire lit my eyes. “They can’t put me with a partner. They just can’t. I work solo and only solo,” I defiantly argued.

White leaned in and based on his look; I could tell he was displeased with me. “Listen, Red. It’s either this or you’re never going to go on a mission ever again. Ever. Which also leads to the next part: I’m retiring.”

“Wait. What?” I stopped arguing and sat back down. I scoffed and looked at him, asking, “What now? I don’t think I understand, Agent White.”

“Red, honey, I’ve worked here for more than forty years. I’ve had enough action for a lifetime. I’m going to settle in Malibu with the money I’ve accumulated over the years and just play golf without having to worry about guns, targets, you, suspects, agents, you, and whatever crap I’ve dealt with. I’m ready to relax, Red,” White smiled in a fatherly way and patted my hand.

“I don’t know what to say, that you worry about me, or I’m worried about you— “I choked out.

White laughed and sat back in his chair. “The Heads decided that since I’m the Head Trainer, they said I have to find a replacement. So Red, will you be the Head Trainer?” White asked, his eyes hopeful.

The next thing I knew, I was being herded towards the training Academy, where I would meet my new partner and where I would meet my new students. Agent Sage, an older Hispanic lady who almost worked at the Circle as long as White, gave me a tour of the academy. I spotted students practicing their gunfire, their feet planted in perfection, their stance in immaculate stature and their hands curled around the guns in precision. They all stopped and stared at me, some whispering amongst themselves. I merely acknowledged a few I recognized, Agent Phoenix, Agent Indigo, and Agent Clove, all practicing their aim with ease. Other than that, I held my head high and continued to follow Agent Sage. Another area of the academy was practicing grappling and rock climbing. Most of the students there were older, like me, since this was better practice on missions. But a few younger ones around the age of thirteen or fourteen scaled the climbing wall without breaking a sweat. So, it continued, Agent Sage introduced me to other trainers and trainees, other obstacles and practice areas. It had been years since I stepped foot into the Academy, and everything looked so advanced. Finally, we came to a large, bustling room filled with kids practicing their hand-to-hand combat skills, and in the center of the room, there was a large slab of black stone with a large gold circle embedded on it, water pouring down the sides. The Circle’s symbol. Leaning against the dry parts of the symbol was a handsome young man, looking at other trainees, surveying their form. Dread began to fill my stomach as I recognized the cocky guy, his dark brown hair tousled to perfection, his stunning green eyes sparkling with an air of playfulness and teasing, his perfect mouth curled into an attractive smirk. Agent Black. Also, my ex-boyfriend. What was he doing here? On reflex, I whipped out a small hand mirror and checked my reflection. My soft brown eyes had no makeup other than some light eyeshadow and some mascara. My wavy hair was shiny and soft, and my trademark red lipstick was perfectly applied. Snapping the mirror shut, I turned towards Black and walked confidently towards him.

“Hey Black, did you miss me?” I smirked and batted my eyes coyly. He looked at me and smirked back, making a few butterflies flutter in my stomach, but I quickly ignored them.

“Agent Red. Heard you almost got fired, baby,” Black said, and casually brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face. My cheek reddened at his touch, and I swatted his hand away. “Hmm, Red, you got better at hand-to-hand combat,” Black smirked.

Agent Sage cleared her throat before I could perform some judo moves on Black, and she gave me a bubbly smile. “This is your new partner, Agent Red. Agent Black. He’s also one of the top trainers here at the Academy.” My palms became cold and clammy, and I instinctively reached for my gun.

“WHAT?” I shouted angrily. “No, White wouldn’t have put me with Black. He-he knows what happened between me and Black. I’m already twenty-two. I can go on missions by myself.”

Black laughed, and I felt pretty crappy when I knew I missed that laugh. “Red, babe, I hoped you missed me, because Agent White told me that it’s either this, or that you’ll be stuck with training trainees for the rest of your career. So, what’s it going to be?”

“Fine,” I snarled, hating the idea of being stuck in the Academy forever. “But I swear to God, if you try to pull any more tricks on me, I will kill you,” I warned him.

For once, Black looked serious, and the playful twinkle in his green eyes disappeared. “I won’t let that happen again, Red. I-I didn’t want things to end like that between us. Ever again. And I’m dating someone else. Agent Raven?”

“Yeah, your lover and my sister,” I shot back. I knew Raven. She was gorgeous, with her long black wavy hair, her perfect complexion, and her dark brown eyes. I envied the way her clothes fit her, the way she flawlessly tied her hair up, and the way she did her makeup, her coy way of getting boys. I felt like a little kid compared to her, but our hair was practically the same, just different shades, and our complexions were both rosy. And I wasn’t totally single. I dated a few guys back, but those weren’t relevant. Other than Black. But she sucked at combat, so I got the better genetic deal out of that along with more fame around the facility.

Black looked extremely uncomfortable, and I noted that this was an opportunity to keep him on his toes during missions. “Red--”

“Save it. We need to go see the Heads for the next assignment.” I thanked Agent Sage for the tour, then I walked out of the academy, my sleeveless leather jacket swishing in the wind. It wasn’t bad weather. A little breeze, a couple of agents swimming in the expansive pool, drinking a couple of cocktails while getting their tan in. Black followed me, and he looked at the agents leisurely lounging at the pool. His face brightened as he spotted Raven, my sister, and waved his hand to acknowledge her. But she didn’t spot him, and Black put his hand back down. I scoffed and continued walking towards Headquarters. A large fountain with the Circle symbol was erected in the middle of a circular walkway, behind it were the sleek steps up to the modern building, with tall glass windows and agents bustling in and out. Black and I hurried up the stairs, and I breezily walked into the building. Practically been raised in Headquarters, I nodded a hello towards Agent Wolf, a scarred guy that was the security guard. He was buff on the outside, but he was really sweet on the inside, and he was basically my grandfather growing up.

“Hey, Red Riding Hood!” Wolf grinned at me, using my childhood nickname as he ushered several important looking Heads into the building. “I made red velvet cupcakes for you when you get home, okay? Swing around once you’re done.”

“Thanks Wolf!” I called out to him and walked towards the glass elevators. I punched the floor 5 and we zoomed up. Black gasped in shock as we were whipped up to the level and clutched the railing tightly. Meanwhile, I stood in the corner, checking my holographic watch for any updates from other agents and missions. The headlines of today’s story were the target I failed to catch and kill the other week. Sulking, I powered my watch off and waited for the elevator to reach the level. When the elevator doors opened, I casually stepped off and walked on the immaculate floor, towards the Heads’ offices, or known as the Atrium. Black followed in suit, gasping for breath from his ride up the elevator.

“You never went on the elevator before?” I smirked while fixing my hair outside of the Atrium doors.

“Well, I’ve mostly been a trainer my entire life--” Black began, but I interrupted him.

“And because you never had to work for anything in your entire life, yeah, so you just got missions delivered right to your door,” I snapped. I walked into the Atrium without saying a word, and Black merely sighed and followed me.

“I can see that you’re still hardheaded,” Black muttered.

“Shut up.”

We entered a long hallway, dim with glass tanks on the walls containing sea creatures and clusters of coral. We continued to walk down the hallway and then we reached the Atrium, the shining splendorous room that the Heads worked in. Sunlight streamed through the tall glass ceiling, and rows of bookshelves and high-tech laptops. The pristine tiles gleamed in the light, and we spotted the Heads in their suits hurrying around the room. Then we spotted Agent X, the most prestigious agent. He had a long scar on the side of his face, but his gray eyes were filled with curiosity and amusement. X had a long record of catching targets, and everyone respected him.

“Agent Red, Agent Black, how are you doing?” Agent X asked pleasantly. “Why don’t you come with me?”

Agent Black and I followed X, and we entered a lab, with other agents and Heads clicking on laptops, testing out chemicals and minerals. X sat down at a small table and immediately, an agent gave him a steaming cup of hot coffee along with a small bowl of sugar.

Agent X took a sip of his coffee and turned towards us, his eyes crinkling into a smile, yet the long scar along his face looked gruesome. “Red, that target that you failed to capture and kill the other day was-”

“It won’t happen again, sir,” I quickly butted in, heat rising to my face. Black snorted and I promptly kicked him in the shin. He bit back from crying out loud and grimaced in pain.

“No, it’s alright, Red. What I wanted to say was that we captured the target’s new coordinates. He’s throwing a lavish gala in about three months, and I want you to finish him off there. You and Black will infiltrate the gala, and you will need to set off all alarms. The security system is quite...advanced. Then, finish him there,” Agent X grimly said. His watch dinged and a holographic screen popped open. “I have to go. But do you agents understand the situation?” X asked.

“Yes, sir,” I replied with Black.

“But also, one more thing. Before the gala, there’s been reports of some stolen uranium from the Vault, and resources claim that it’s near here. Do you guys' mind checking downtown?” X asked as he downed the rest of his coffee and wiped his mouth. He ruefully looked at the sugar and muttered, “Should have put some in.”

“No problem, sir,” Black coolly replied and shook hands with Agent X. “We’ll find out the uranium and the target.”

“Wait. Agent White really doesn’t want me to go back to the missions so soon--” I started but Agent X glared at me.

“Listen, Red. This is a mini mission. Valuable stocks of uranium are gone! Don’t you think that could be volatile to the city? Use your head, Red. I don’t care what White thinks, but you are going to this mission, understood?” Agent X snapped at me. I reluctantly nodded like a wounded dog.

“Yes sir, I understand,” I ruefully said.

“Thank you, Red. I’ll make sure to mask your presence downtown tonight. And do make a stop to Agent Whisp, will you? She sent me a message about your outfits for the gala and wanted you to try them on,” Agent X called as he walked out of the room and disappeared. Once he was out of earshot, I glared at Black.

“You’re such a suck up, did you know that?” I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

“Sorry, Red. Did I at least look like a hot suck up?” he winked flirtatiously at me and I almost gagged. But I had to admit, he looked hot twenty-four seven, and even hotter when we were dating. Instead of telling him that though, I punched his arm and stalked off, and walked out of the Atrium and went straight outside. I soaked up the warm gentleness from the sun and slipped on some shades, dimming the world. I would have loved to enjoy the peacefulness of the pleasant atmosphere, but at the moment I calmed down, Black appeared behind me.

“We need to make a stop at the Weaponry,” I coolly said, not looking back at him. “Get some ammo, get some tools, and get the culprit,” I continued. I took off my leather jacket and slung it over my shoulder, revealing my dark red tank top. “Let’s go, Black. Let me show you around the toys big kids use.”

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