An Old Friend

(This story contains violence, blood/gore, and suicide)

It was a seemingly calm night in late August, a warm breeze blowing through the little town of Sugar Hill, New Hampshire. People were sleeping peacefully in their beds, unaware that a few miles from them in the woods, a woman was running at full speed, her path lit by the full moon.

The woman left a trail of blood behind her from a deep gash in her thigh. Ignoring the pain, she kept running, occasionally casting a panicked glance over her shoulder. Sometimes she would catch a glimpse of her pursuer, and her fear would heighten.

She stumbled and almost fell. Cursing, she forced herself to keep going, ignoring the searing pain in her leg. "Come on, Ambrose," she muttered to herself. "You've been running from your past for years, don't stop now."

The words she spoke to herself were of little comfort. Never did Ambrose expect to have to run from a former colleague of hers, especially not the man chasing her. Her breath was coming in short gasps, and the only thought in her mind was to get to her cabin.

For once in her life she didn't have all the weapons she wanted. She had 2 throwing knives tucked into her belt, her prized bone-handled dagger tucked in the sheath strapped to her wrist, and her hand-gun tucked into its holster at her hip. Thinking about it logically, she could use her gun, but she hated to use it. She much preferred her knives, but she couldn't risk missing.

"You can't run forever, Rose!" her pursuer yelled.

Her head whipped around and her breath caught in her throat as she realized how much closer he was now. Close enough for her to see that familiar cocky smirk, those shining green eyes, the dark skin, the inky black hair.

Lucian Akio was someone that Ambrose had known since she was a baby. They had always been together, even after they were taken away and trained to be killers. The only difference is that Ambrose was able to turn against their agency and became their enemy. Lucian never did and that's how he ended up chasing her through the woods.

Lucian was gaining on Ambrose. Heart pounding with the prospect of what she was about to do, she removed her gun from its holster without breaking stride. Willing herself to stop shaking, she turned her head and took aim over her shoulder.

She remembered her training as she put her finger on the trigger. Lucian's eyes went wide as he realized too late what she was doing. Pulling the trigger, she shot him in the leg.

With a grunt, he fell to the ground.

"You will never take me alive, Lucian!" She yelled, returning the gun to its holster and forcing herself to speed up. Almost home.

"We'll see, Ambrose, we'll see," she heard him call behind her.

A feeling of dread settled over her, because she knew him. He wouldn't give up on a chase until he had captured his prey.

~~

A week later, Ambrose was sitting cross legged in front of her fireplace, diligently sharpening her knives. She hadn't let her guard down since that night, and she was now aware of every little sound.

Creak.

Ambrose's head snapped up, going completely still as her heart rate sped. No way, she thought. But there it was again, the creak of the floorboards.

"Miss me, Rosie?" a silky voice purred from behind her.

Her muscles were tense as she turned slowly, discreetly checking to make sure her dagger was still strapped to her wrist, hidden by her sleeve. Lucian was leaning in the doorway to her kitchen.

"Lucian," she murmured, her voice steady. "How did you get in?"

He motioned behind him, replying casually, "You left the window unlocked."

"Ah," she sighed. "I see." Silently, she cursed herself for being so stupid.

"It's been a long time, Rosie," he said softly, taking a step towards her.

She flinched at the nickname but forced herself to meet his eyes. He was studying her closely, like he was drinking her in. She felt a flush creeping to her cheeks from the intensity of his stare.

Lucian noticed her pale face turning red, and it startled him. He knew she could never feel the way he did for her, especially not after all that has happened, after all he has done. And still, his heart yearned for her love, and hers alone. Shaking his head to clear it, he focused on the task at hand. Taking her back to his boss where she would once again be a part of the agency. This time, she would not leave him.

He watched her stand, placing her knives to the side. Her hazel eyes locked on his, a fierce, determined fire blazing in them. "I know what you came for, Lucian," she murmured, her voice holding a dangerous edge. "You will never take me alive."

Lucian tilted his head, considering her words. "Ah, my dear Ambrose, that just won't do," he replied softly. Flicking his wrist, he felt the weight of his dagger slide in his hand.

For just a moment, he tensed, taking in her beautiful features once more before lunging, his blade flashing brightly in the firelight. She leapt neatly to the side, avoiding him, dropping into a crouch to snatch up her throwing knives. With a growl of frustration, he lunged again, swinging the dagger with the aim of cutting her ribs and slowing her down.

She danced backwards, easily avoiding him as she took aim with her throwing knives. The first one missed him by and inch as he swerved to the side, but the second one found its mark, sinking into his arm. He grunted with pain and leaned too much weight on his injured leg. He almost collapsed from the intensity of the pain from both his leg and his arm, and he used that to his advantage.

Ambrose watched Lucian stumble to a stop, gasping with pain. She hated that she was the one who did this to him, but she knew she had no choice. A long time ago she swore never to return to the agency and let them control her again. Even if it meant she would be reunited with Lucian, she would not go back.

He felt her gaze on him. He panted, drawing it out, waiting for her to relax a little. And then he lunged.

Lucian had caught her off guard. He managed to knock the knives out of her hands and pin her to the ground. She yelped with surprise, staring up at him with shock.

"Do you give up, Rosie?" he asked, staring down at her.

Ambrose stared back at him, fully aware of the dagger strapped to her wrist. "Oh, Luci," she sighed, chuckling softly. "You know me better than that."

She saw his frown, and saw the confusion in his gorgeous green eyes. She wished she could explain that she could never go back, but that she could never hurt him. She slid the dagger out of its sheath at her wrist. Lucian's eyes widened. "What are you doing, Ambrose?" he gasped.

Smiling at him, she pressed the tip of the blade right above the major artery in her wrist. This time she found herself thanking the training she had received. She knew how to kill someone quickly and efficiently.

"I'm sorry, Luci," she whispered before driving deep into her wrist, piercing the artery.

"No!" he wailed. It's not supposed to end this way, he thought desperately. She's not supposed to die.

Ambrose released the handle of her dagger and her head hit the floor with a thud. The ghost of a smile traced her lips. "One...last...thing," she whispered, forcing each word to fall from her lips.

Lucian kneeled by her head, staring down at her. "What is it, Rosie?" he murmured quietly.

"I love you..." her reply was soft, but her words were true.

Tears fell from Lucian's eyes as his heart shattered. "I love you too," he told her.

Ambrose's eyes fluttered shut, but she spoke one last time. "I do not fear Death. I welcome him as a friend for he is the one I served faithfully."

Lucian remembered when they had spoken those words together so many years ago. At the time, it had been a statement proving their fearlessness. Now, Ambrose spoke them sincerely.

Lucian could feel the cold settling over Ambrose as her heart stopped and Death took her from this world. "Treat her well, old friend, until it is my time to join her," Lucian whispered quietly.

Standing up, he stared down at the woman he loved, looking peaceful in death. His heart was broken, but he made a promise to himself. He would fulfill her dream to take down their assassin agency, an agency that was responsible for the deaths of thousands.

Lucian Akio walked away that night with a new purpose to fulfill, and fulfill it he shall, for he knew that she would watch over him, and he refused to fail her again.