My mother places me under a tree, wrapped in my favourite blanket. She rubs my left cheek with her hand. I grab her thumb with my little fingers, and look up at my mom. She smiles, but tears slide from her eyes. I didn't know why she was so sad, but then she spoke to me with her dry throat.

"Paleo, my sweet Paleo. Mommy's going to leave you for a while...and I don't know when I'll be coming back for you. Just remember that your mom loves you very much, and will always be in your heart...as you are in mine."

She takes a few more moments of staring at me, and then leaves me, just as she said she would. I struggled from my blanket to run after her, but didn't manage to escape. I cried. I cried for hours until it became dark and I had to more tears to get rid of. I fell asleep as soon as I could no longer see the tree above my head.

That night I dreamt of sitting on a beach with my mom. I had my back turned to the water and was staring at her as I built a little sand castle. I tilt my head down to continue the castle, but when I look up I could not see my mom! I look to my left and then right, but can't see her anywhere, so I turn to the ocean. She was there with her back turned to me, walking away out to sea...walking on the water. I run and start swimming towards her, but can't seem to catch up. My head goes under the water for a second, and when it comes back up, she's gone. I once again look all around, but no sigh of her, or land. No land anywhere to swim to, so I soon fall under the water, slowly descending into darkness. When I run out of air in my lungs, I close my eyes and suck in some...air. It would appear the water was all gone, only I was surrounded by burning trees. I look up and can see the water surface, but I wasn't drowning...just surrounded by fire.

I wake up in a cold sweat. Hey, I'm not dead! Well now I find myself in a room in a crib, with the light shining on me from a window just above me, on the other side of the room. I start to cry in hopes that my mom will come to my rescue. I cried a lot when I was young. Alas, she doesn't come to me, instead, the door opens and an unfamiliar woman walks in.

The sound of sadness released from my throat stops, and my eyes look at this mysterious stranger. She picks me up from my, the, crib -- and places me in her arms. I felt comfort, but wasn't content just yet...I wanted the warmth from my mom, and her alone. The stranger carries me to another room, and then another. She places me down on her lap as she sits down on a chair near a table. From the table she grabs and gives me a bottle of milk.

I don't know why I trusted this stranger, but there was something about her that made me feel at home...where ever that may be. She gave me comfort, and even happiness. I was content, I was happy, I was glad to be here -- with her.

Over the years I've learnt a lot about my new mother. She works in town as a tailor, with not a huge income of currency, but decent. She has a son, about five years older than me...who looks after me while she's gone. Her name is Beth, and his name is Norrgh.

In my spare time, I usually play hide and seek with my brother. By which I mean I spy on him when he goes outside to feed the animals we own; four pigs, two cows, and about twenty chickens. I guess we own sort of a farm. Oh right, we also own a cat named Chisa; my best friend. Well my only friend, but oh well.

Beth comes home one day a little more deprived than usual. She searched the house for me, and eventually found me outside with my kitty.

"Telia...”  She didn't yet know my original name, "...how was your day?"

I'm directed into the living room where two people were waiting on the couch. My mom sits down on the chair and I stood beside her, still holding her hand.

He goes to shake my hand, but I just looked at it in curiosity. I don't know what they were doing here...but they didn't look like they came here with good intentions. He pulls his hand back, being a little insulted.

They girl beside him continues where he left off; "I'm Carice, and this is Rob. Do you know why we are here?"

"We're here because your mom wants to set you up with a job outside of the house."

It was odd. They were asking an eight-year-old about a job. I ask, "A job? What job?"

My mom turns to me and asks, "How would you like to work for an organization?"

The two smile and laugh while my mom rubs my back. It was a good kind of laugh though, not evil in any way.

She hugs me and the girl stranger holds my hand. It was a bit uncomfortable, but I went along with her. My mom walked beside me as we went to the door. When we arrive, she reassured me to see her ever day. I didn't realize I would be leaving home for good! But hey, I know we're kind of running on low income, so I gotta do whatever, to help us out.

They put me in the back of a car and drive off. Yeah, this is pretty scary for me. The entire way there, they didn't say anything, and neither did I. We arrive, only a few minutes later...it is a small town like I said earlier, and even smaller now.

The car door opens, and I'm greeted by three others -- the youngest was a good ten years older than me. Well they all go to shake my hand, but honestly this is all a bit weird for me, so I had to look the other way.

He starts to walk towards the building door, but I don't move. He turns around confused. The, Carice I believe was her name, holds my hand again. I follow her to the building, indirectly following the other. We enter the building and immediately make a right turn...down the hall...and into another room. Actually the others didn't enter that room; they showed me the door and wished me luck.

The man on the desk talks to me. "Hello…Telia is it? Sit down, please."

I nod. "Ok." I said it in a way that it sounded like ‘oh-kie’, which was a little embarrassing.

He asks me the first question, "Can you define black for me?"

He nods. I think for a moment...what, or better yet, how should I define black? Well, I give my best answer.

"Black—the colour of darkness, shadows, nothingness, evil and the unknown."

Oh shit...I just realized my interviewer was black. Well that's it, no job for me. He doesn't seem to show a strong reaction to my definition however.

And, he asks the second question, "Can you define white for me?"

"White; the colour of light, ghosts, nothingness, and the opposite of black."

He nods... "I see..."

He likes my answer, and actually smiles from it. The next question was shocking though, and frightening to say the least...

"I want you to really think about this next question...really think about it. I hear you have a brother. If your brother had to do something really bad, like steal food from a farm, so he could feed your family...what would you do?"

Just like he asked, I really thought about that question. It was incredibly unusual, and hard to crack the answer for...for in the end I think I said the right thing.

He smiles. "Thank-you, Telia. If it's alright with you, we’d like to hire you. You will sleep here in the organization building. We will wake you up if you aren't already awake at eight in the morning."

He goes to shake my hand, well, how could I resist...I shake his hand with a smile on my face.

"Oh. Nothing too complicated. You'll be playing most of the day."

This all sounded a little unbelievable to me, but it's worth a shot. Anyway, it was late for me. When I walk out the office door, the employer, my boss, tells the girl, Carice, to show me my room. It was on the complete other side of the building, but it was nice! Not very big, but great potential. She waves goodbye and walks down the hall, leaving my in the room. It was my own personal room! Back at home I had to share my room, but...this isn't home. Good night.

Well, as expected, I was greeted at eight -- but could barely sleep at that time. My clothes get dirty though, I had no new clothes to put on. So I was lying in bed under my warm covers. The guy who greeted me apologized.

"Oh! I'm sorry; you have a whole new wardrobe in your closet. I'll wait outside."

The door closes. I get up and walk to my closet that I haven't yet checked. I open it, and wow -- a huge selection. They looked all grown up though, like business type. Well half were business type, the others were camouflaged. I put on camouflage and absolutely loved it!

My hands close the closet and my feet lead me to the, my bedroom door. I open it and once again greeted by my morning greeter! She smiles, hell we both smiled -- and lead me down the hall and out a door to the outside. It looked like the back yard of this place. Amazing, it was huge, and full of trees, bushes, high grass...

Efficiently enough, I was greeted by yet another stranger at the door. My original greeter, the girl, patted my back lightly and went back inside. My new greeter, a guy, shook my hand and introduced himself.

"Hi there! I'm Corrid, and you must be Telia."

"I know...this must be all frightening for you. So let's make this quick... What I want you to do is use this entire property and play your favourite game, hide and seek. There is one catch though. All around here are snipers, armed with paint ball rifles. If they see you, they will shoot you."

What the hell? Now this is just weird.

"One more thing. There will be two people with guns that walk around the yard looking for you. So avoid them. Today, you will have to hide from them for only one hour. Good luck!"

He turns around and sits down on a chair behind a desk, outside by the wall. I stand there confused for a moment, but then a paint ball comes screaming towards me and hits me on my right arm. It hurt!

The guy behind the desk turns towards me. "Oh, sorry Telia, I should have told you to start hiding."

Well, I guess I have to start hiding. I take off to a bush, still holding and rubbing my aching arm. This was the longest day in my life that I can remember. I feared for my life out there...but as promised, one hour later they called for my name, along with two others, and I came with three paint ball stains on my shirt.

The two others who were called for had no paint on their clothes. They were both about one or two years older than me. One of them, the boy, smiles and nods at me. I thought he was laughing at my pain, but then he came over and introduced himself.

"Yeah Leil. I'm here doing the same training as you are. Been doing it for a year now."

"Ok, listen to this. All we have to do is play this easy little game of theirs every day for a year and one week. As you can see I'm wearing a red shirt...and they expect me to hide with this. This is my last week, the week that they choose my clothing. Anyway, they pay me to spy on people."

He nods. "Yes...and so are you. At least, in a year you will be.  And it's great!"

He shrugs. "I don't know, maybe it's because we can hide better."

He laughs. "I make more than my dad...and he's a farmer."

Well he gives me a one handed hug and takes off to the door, and then turns around.

"Hey! I bet you don't know the building yet. Want me to show you it?"

I think about it for a while, but to be honest, I'm in too much pain. "Sorry, but, not today. I'm just going to go to my room."

"Oh...well after each month of training, you have to start ten minutes earlier. So, I'm already hiding in the field two hours before you."

I nod and he takes off. I walk; or rather almost limp to my room. I know I said I didn't get shot in the leg, but one of the pellets landed on the bottom right of my chest, which kind of effected my walking. I was greeted by my mom as soon as I walked into my room.

Well my first day was horrible. I hurt all over, and am completely stressed out from all those fake bullets flying every few minutes at a random target, usually near me. I could not tell her this though, we needed the money...

Her smile fades. "You hated it, did you?"

"...yeah. Well, look!" I showed her the marks of paint on my suit.

"Well. They had me hide in bushes and trees to avoid paint ball fire."

She panics like only a mother could. "I'll talk to them about this. I do not want them hurting my baby."

I wasn't her baby. I knew it, she knew it. In fact after her saying that, there was kind of an awkward pause of silence.

"It's ok, mom. We need this, and it isn't all that bad."

She starts to 'bob' my hands up and down...I never quite understood what the significance of that was, or how it meant anything. Her arms circled me with her right hand grasping the back of my head, and her left on my left shoulder...what I call her trademark hug. It lasted almost twenty seconds...she really must be afraid for me, or proud -- either one. She lets go, but balances her hands on my shoulders.

She kind of shakes my shoulders, but lightly, not trying to cause any damage to me. Then, as quickly as she arrived, she was gone. Oh god...I take off my shirt and look at the newly unwelcome bruises. That boy I met earlier swings around the door, literally.

I quickly put my shirt back on and almost scream at him, "What are you doing?!"

He almost giggles while leaving from my room. I grew up in my house with no real contact with the outside world other then my mom, brother, and cat. I kind of miss them already, even my mom who left just moments ago. So, it was weird having someone other than your family shows a like for you.

He comes back to my room and looks at me curious to see what I had to say.

He smiles, obviously enjoying my company, even though we haven't really talked yet. He doesn't answer, but waves his hand as a 'follow me' gesture. So naturally I follow him, down the hall. At the end of the hall we come to a large room, almost like a games room. There were some tables to my left with a few games like puzzles and checkers on them. To my right, was a long wall continuing from the hallway, it was covered with windows that showed the yard where I had to hide from paint balls. The far left corner was a bar, just right of that was a door to a kitchen, and just right of that was a door to a dining room.

We walk around the room. There are about five others here, all of them looking at the new face. I feel awkward and want to go back to my room.

It wasn't even close to night, but he had a point. Anyway, I head back to my room for the day. There was a television on there, so I wasn't that bored.

Well there aren't very many more significant events after today. Day after day I keep on my training, and get slightly better each day. I talk to Leil almost daily, he's actually interesting. Like he said earlier, his dad is a farmer, and his mom left them at a young age -- two years before he joined this training.

Time is like a river, sometimes the current moves fast, sometimes slow. Sometimes you hit rapids, sometimes whirlpools...to be honest; I don't know where I'm going with this. The point was the last seven years have been really calm at points and scary at others.

I still hang around with Leil; no longer have to do any training... (I am now a successful assassin). I'm not allowed to tell anyone that, not even others inside of the org...But hey, this is different.

"...so he said, with his hand drenched in his own blood, ‘death is just an awakening of your immortal self'."

That was a quote from Asihah, a philosopher killed by a sniper. It was said by the preacher up front -- I'm in the 'chapel' of the organization. By law they have to teach At least three types of religion. From ten to eleven they teach Christianity, eleven to twelve they teach Buddhism, twelve to one it's Hinduism, and one to two it's Tesian. I attend all lessons almost every day...a big fan of religion. People think it's crazy or weird to support more than one religion, but I don't see why not. When death comes, I want to be prepared.

Well that was it for today. Another enlightening lesson of how I better change my ways to avoid punishment in the after-life. I hate the reincarnation thing, which kind of teaches us there is no hell, and you can do whatever you want in life.

It's been a while since I last had a drink, and could really go for one, but have an assignment tonight.

I take off to my room to get ready...even though it's not for another six hours. Oh, I forgot to mention...living here is like a game. I.E. on top of your pay check (that is pretty decent), you get 'points' for ever completed assignment, or anything you do to help the organization. You use your points to buy things like clothing, televisions, game system, and so on. I've accomplished 84 for seven years, 264 for 88 completed assignments (they guarantee one a month), and lately they've been giving me an average of two a month. I also won 31 one lucky day in an archery contest. A total of 379, I think. I have this business suit that cost me 84...it's beautiful! People say I dress too much like a guy, but who cares about them? It's my style -- not my fault they have no taste.

Anyway, I've been rambling on about useless info too much. Today I have a special assignment, like I already said. Apparently there is a law suit against our org for conspiracy; and I have to steal the papers which prove it. I'll arm myself with a standard leaf knife and silent loon pistol, (the knife cost 35, and the pistol cost 51). They work great, but I've never had to use them, never had to kill anyone which is a huge relief for me since I don't want to. 'Can’t wait until that moment where I make my first kill to scar me for life.

I got a weird phone call this morning -- some psychopath called and said he was going to kidnap me. The day before, he said he was going to get revenge for his dead sister. I didn't kill anyone though...Apparently he knew it was me.

I put on some black clothes to suit the time in day of my assignment, (this particular suit cost 25), and head to the games room. Right then and there I was greeted, (I've become quite popular since I arrived).

"Telia! How was church?"

I sit down on opposite of the table, and make the first move. She was incredible at chess -- only eleven years of age, and the best at chess in this org. I’d rather not go through all the moves that were made...bottom line being after about forty moves, she puts me in chess mate. At the end, she had At least ten more pieces then me. I got her queen though, hah, with luck though I'm sure.

My hand waves her goodbye as I walk from the games room, down the hall and into the president's office. He was currently doing some papers, as always...probably legal issues. He signals me with his hand to sit down, and we do the usual procedure. He gives me his business card, I sign it along with the current date and give it back. He quickly checks over it and nods. We shake hands, and I walk off.

The front door is automatic, so I don't have to push it open, isn't that great?! It's not even dark out yet, although the sun is going down. Hey! Let me tell you a poem I wrote...

Don't laugh but it took me weeks to create that. Anyway, through the magic of writing about your history, I am now inside the house looking for the evidence. To be honest, the evidence is a blood-stained pair of glasses, which should be in a plastic bag. I'm wearing gloves of course, and am stumbling through a bunch of drawers. It just hit me...this is crazy. I should be in school or, doing anything normal. Not on covert operations doing illegal things. Well...I think I'm going to head back, without the evidence... Oh, they're going to be mad...so what?! Let them be mad! They shouldn't be doing this to children!

I leave the building...but as unexpected as it was, they sent someone to check up on me.

I turn to him, surprised by the presence. He walks towards me. I quickly look around me to check for anyone else, but no, he's alone...well...except for me.

He smiles and walks away into the darkness. I love saying that...'into the darkness'. Well crap, now as soon as I arrive, they'll question me. Sigh...I'm in deep now.

Well..Soon enough I'm outside the org building. The magic door opens as I walk in, and guess what -- no one was there waiting for me. But there were a bunch of people that I overheard from the games room, they were talking about some missing person.

I walk to the games room and see three guys sitting around a table talking with some drinks in their hands.

They turn and the one on the very right answers, "Meise...she's been kidnapped."

"What? Why would someone kidnap a young girl?"

That sure did break his smile quickly, and thank god for it. To think, the day kidnapping becomes funny. I leave them to my room and lay down on the bed. I wait for the phone call from my boss to yell at me for my 'betrayal'. He's always talking about betrayal.

The phone rings. I take a few breaths, and let it ring a few times, but eventually answer it.

I can hear breathing on the other side. They're directly breathing into the phone to annoy me.

I honestly don't know this person, but he laughs on the other line in a kind of evil way -- like I should know him or something.

"I have Meise here. Do you want to say hello?"

I can't hear her anymore, the guy come back on the phone. "I want you to return the evidence to us."

He laughs. "Don't play dumb, Telia. We saw you in there...we know it was you. Take the evidence, and place it back where it was within two hours. Or, I'll rape the beauty from your friend."

"No please don't! I'll get you the evidence, but don't hurt her!"

He hangs up. I get up and leave my room in heading to the president. Quickly, I barge into his office, catching him smoking a cigar in a non smoking building, but anyway...

He coughs. "What are you talking about?"

"Cut the crap! Who did you send?"

I can feel the rage inside of me build. "Listen. If I don't get that evidence back, my friend dies...my friend and your youngest marketer."

Those made him think... He starts to rub his forehead with his hand.

"Telia, I'm sorry for your friend. But we didn't send anyone...you didn't get the evidence?"

He asks, "Well why couldn't you take the evidence? We pay you for it, quite a substantial amount if I may add..."

We look at each other for a moment, and he soon adds, "...well then I'm sorry Telia, but I can't help you."

This is bullshit! All these years...

"You ass! I don't believe this!"

I run out of the office all the while thinking of how I can do anything to help her -- making sure to spit on the office door as I leave.

When I arrive in my room, I pack my knife and pistol. Before I leave, I check my phone, and true enough, it had the number of the last caller. On my computer I check the number, and find its address. Let's kill the fucker. All the way there I'm thinking of what to do with him, he scarred the life of my friend, and he will pay for it. He will pray to whatever god he worships for his...ah yes, that's what I will make him do.

I ran the entire way from my room to this, his house. The light was still on inside, I don't know if I should read that as a good or bad sign. Whatever the sign, I look through the window. I thought I could get a glimpse if anyone was home, but no, couldn't see anything. I slide the window open and cut the bug screen with my knife. I'll make sure to make good use of this nice little knife...handy, even.

Carefully and quietly I make my way through the window. I slowly make my way around the house, being careful not to ruin my surprise. Around the first corner, in the living room, I could see Meise in a chair with a tight string around her wrists behind the chair. She looks at me in tears, but gets my impression, and doesn't make a word slip out. She wants to see this guy as dead as I do I'm sure.

Soon enough, he comes walking out of a room. I quickly move behind the corner to stay hidden -- where I would also sneak around the kitchen to the other side of the room.

I could hear him talking. "Why the hell won't she put the evidence back? Doesn't she care for you? I thought you said you were her friend! God, you useless piece of shit, I should kill you right now."

I'm right behind him now...At least, a few feet away still hiding behind the corner. He doesn't know I'm here...he has no clue...but screw this sneaking crap.

Step by step I make my way from the corner, and with one swift wrist movement, my knife finds its way into his left thigh. He screams out as I twist the knife inside of him. I yank the knife out, and stab his right thigh. Once again twisting it, and yanking it from him. I walk to my friend, Meise, and cut the rope from her wrists.

The injured freak cries out to me, "How did you find me?"

Meise put her arms around me so tight I thought I was going to break something. I hug her back though, not letting my guard down from our prey. She eventually lets go. I turn around with an evil smile on my face, I want this to last. Hah, there is so much fear in his eyes.