Once Upon A Kidnapping + 18 Years Later

It was such a foggy night and my ankles felt sore, only because I'd been walking for hours on end still in search of they house marked on my map. I unfolded it once again, facing away from the moonlight so I could see. According to this.... two more miles. I'd left my mother behind to take on my own mission. I'd grown up watching my mother as an assassin and I couldn't help but be fascinated by her determination and skill. Not only that, but she was very beautiful even now. I smiled, I was going to make her so proud.

"You must never let your guard down. Never let your victim see mercy..."

She'd always say that... her face was always so serious. One day out of the year though she would disappear for hours and it wasn't on a mission, it was in town but she wouldn't tell me where she was off to. She always looked a little bit hurt on that day though. But she raised me up and taught me how to fight and show no mercy. And then it was there, I could see the house in the distance and smell smoke. Something was cooking and my mouth watered, I was starving but there was no time to eat. I had a job to do.

Stew. Chicken stew, to be exact. My mouth was watering at I tossed seasonings into the pot. It wasn't finished yet, and it wasn't even for me, unfortunately. It was for the children at the orphanage. Once every week, it was my turn to cook dinner... and dinner cooking I would. I stirred the pot some and then grinned before walking to the counter to make myself some orange juice.

This was going to be tough, he was still awake... but then I could pose as a lost stranger, stay the night and once he was asleep I could do the job. That would work! But my mother wasn't always okay with those circumstances... would she be disappointed in me? I didn't have much of a choice though, after surveying the area I couldn't see a back door.

I knocked loudly, I really... didn't have a choice.

I jumped some, startled at the sudden knock at the door. I hadn't been expecting anyone but, that didn't mean anything. People came to my house a lot. I wiped my juice-covered hands on a towel and opened the door to see a very lovely young lady standing in front of me. This was different. Lovely young ladies typically stayed away from me. "Ah, yes? Ca-Can I help you?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. I had no idea what she was here for, and I had never seen her before.

"Well... I got lost and I can't see my map very well in the dark and fog so I was wondering if I could have some shelter for the night." I felt bold, trying not to look him in the eyes. I didn't want to see what he looked like and based on his voice he sounded friendly. Not very threatening anyway. "I'll leave first thing in the morning once the sun is up."

I smiled and opened the door enough. She seemed friendly enough. "Oh, ah, sure! Come in!" I said with a grin. "I was just making some orange juice!" I closed the door behind her. "Would you like some?"

"That would be lovely, I'm parched." I followed him in and looked around, studying the inside so I'd know how to get around quick enough later. My heart was pounding and it shouldn't have been. This was going to be easy... right?

"Oh okay! Well, have a seat anywhere! Oh, and, there's a room right down the hall that you can sleep in! It's the second room on your right!" I grabbed more oranges out of the cold box and kept squeezing them. I was getting orange juice. Yes, I was. >|

"Thank you so much, I appreciate it." I said softly, I could just see my mother glaring at me, she'd be so upset! I had not only seen his face and heard his voice but I was having a conversation with him and preparing to share orange juice!

"Ah, anytime!" I said quickly. "I like to help people!" Eventually, I finished one glass, but by then, I had to check the stew. I handed her the glass of juice and smiled. "Here you go. My name's Drew, by the way. I promise I don't bite."

I smiled, "Drew... I'm..." I paused a moment... should I have revealed my name? What was in the code? I gulped, "I'm Amber." I finished saying. He was really handsome, he had brown hair and green eyes and a beard, although it seemed that he kept it pretty short but it was still a beard.

"Amber... that's a nice name." I said thoughtfully, turning to check the stew. Sure enough, it was ready. And it smelled wonderful. I carefully pulled the pot off of the fire and sighed. "I uh, have to take this food to the orphan house a few buildings down. Do you want to come with me, or just sit by the fire? It's fine with me either way. I'll get our own food started when I get back."

If I went with him there would be more talking and a bigger chance of getting attached to him. But if I didn't then he might be suspicious, what would I do in his house besides study every room there was? I sighed a little.

"I suppose I can come with you."

I smiled at her. "Oh, well, thanks!" I picked up the pot with a heave. "Will you get the door please?" I asked kindly. "Thank you in advance..."

I walked ahead of him and opened the door. We were going out into this fog again... I shuddered. Ever since I almost got lost the fog just seemed ominous and it unsettled me to think that it had moved me so much. "So you... do charities then?"