CHARACTER NAME: Elexus Shaw
ALIAS:
Elexus has been called many things in her life, particularly during her service at the Elite Assassins' Organization (E.A.O.). When she was younger, her sister, Sienna, could never quite say her name correctly, which brought about the endearing nickname of "Lesi" or "Ales", which only Sienna used, and continues to use. Other than that, Elexus' aliases are usually linked to her brutality and ruthlessness when out on the field of duty. "Viper" was the most used simply because of her aggression and ferocity, while "Black Widow" became another alias that Elexus lived under, particularly when the hits were men who could only be won over by the sight of a pretty face. She has also gained the repertoire of "Phantom Assassin" due to the lack of evidence that death has been dealt on that day.
PERSONAL CREED:
"No chains can hold me"
"I'm here to blur the line between life and death."
GENDER: Female
AGE: 26
DATE OF BIRTH: 11 May
ORIENTATION: Straight
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single
There is a funny story attached to Elexus' status of her relationships, for while she remains to be single this very day, her life has gone through a tumultuous turn of events that have seen her lose a fiancé she thought might have changed her hard, uncanny life. Yet, through her own personal reservations and hesitations, a life style that could just not be forfeited from her body, Elexus denied his love and turned back toward her single, solitary life as the lone wolf against the world.
FAMILY STATUS:
Alessandra Valentina, as she was known as in her youth, was the daughter of Anthony and Giovanna Valentina and sister to Sienna Valentina. She was the oldest between the two sister, and always shared a strong bond with her sister due to the tumultuous relationship they had with their drunken father. Once Anthony was murdered, Alessandra fled taking her sister with her for she knew that their mother would never understand. When she entered the E.A.O., she considered her and her sister to be orphans with no other place to turn to.
IS THE CHARACTER IN A GANG/LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY/CITIZEN: She is currently a citizen in Hawaii.
STATE YOUR INDUSTRY AND OCCUPATION:
Freshly out of the E.A.O., Elexus posesses little to no experience of the working world and what it is to hold a real, honest-earning job. Thankfully, news of the recent gang activity perked her interest and as always, she figured out a way to blend into this strange new world. In order to make a living, Elexus has adopted the "career path" of a gun-for-hire or assassin. Using her talents learned in the E.A.O., there is very little Elexus can't achieve while under the radar, making her extremely efficient at what she does.
PERSONALITY:
"It is no good depending on others. For they will let you down. Always."
Elexus feels little need to interact with others on a daily basis; instead of joining in a quaint, friendly conversation, she would rather sit brooding, plotting the demise of another. She shows little faith in humanity on a whole, she demonstrates little trust in others and will seemingly die before putting her faith into another human being. If she cannot accomplish the task, then she is not worthy of existence.
"No chains can hold me."
Born into a cursed life, Elexus has always held a hatred in her heart that has always shone through in her brusque words and arrogant nature; with this, comes a rage unlike anything ever experienced before. Often thought to be permanently filled with an irrational anger, it is a common sight to see a scowl taint the porcelain features of this attractive young woman, and while the disdain and apathy for society is evident, it has never looked better than the way she wears it.
Perhaps one of her more famous lines "no chains can hold me" was adopted from a very young age where she was forced into conformity within this religious cult. While, at first, she did not know any different life, yet, as she grew, she came to question the actions of the cult and came to rebel against them, so much so that none could actually control her actions. She was continuously punished, and continuously confined in a holding cell where all "naughty" children were kept, yet, still, her spirit remained strong, and, perhaps unleashed the rage that lingered within her heart. From that day forth, none have been able to control her, whether it be by verbal means or actual physical methods; she is a free spirit that, the moment she feels any restriction, will unleash the tyranny she is so capable of. This need for freedom perhaps triggered the assassin's mental break down and caused the instability that so often sees her snap at the slightest of insults; it might also have been a cause for her need to break the chains that bound her to the E.A.O.
"Behold all these lives for the taking."
Merciless, ruthless, apathetic for the removal of human life, Elexus has become a dangerous individual who has found the ability to emotionally detach herself from most things that create a humane response. This has enabled her to become the professional death dealer she is today; she has little respect for the human life, helping her to deliver the killing blow quite easily without a mere tear shed. The only thing that still nags at the human side of Elexus is the safety of her sister, for while she may be detached and aloof and apathetic to most things in life, her sister is always number one in her books. She will do anything for her, including risking her own; and should anyone put her in danger, then, all hell will likely break loose for she will stop at nothing to reclaim what was taken
"Love is for the weak."
Elexus has only formed a relationship beyond friendship with two individuals; both of which ended in shambles proving to this young maiden that love was not necessarily meant to enter into her heart, and relationships were not what she needed in life. Instead of coming to terms with this, Elexus built up a barrier that would excluded all types of "love" from her life for the simple means of: love is what makes killers weak. Love is always the factor that gets in the way of things, that complicates matter more than they should be. With that, Elexus has become hardened and cold; she looks down on the prospect of "love" and could never see herself falling into that same vulnerable pit ever again.
CHARACTER IMAGES:
ALIAS:
Elexus has been called many things in her life, particularly during her service at the Elite Assassins' Organization (E.A.O.). When she was younger, her sister, Sienna, could never quite say her name correctly, which brought about the endearing nickname of "Lesi" or "Ales", which only Sienna used, and continues to use. Other than that, Elexus' aliases are usually linked to her brutality and ruthlessness when out on the field of duty. "Viper" was the most used simply because of her aggression and ferocity, while "Black Widow" became another alias that Elexus lived under, particularly when the hits were men who could only be won over by the sight of a pretty face. She has also gained the repertoire of "Phantom Assassin" due to the lack of evidence that death has been dealt on that day.
PERSONAL CREED:
"No chains can hold me"
"I'm here to blur the line between life and death."
GENDER: Female
AGE: 26
DATE OF BIRTH: 11 May
ORIENTATION: Straight
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single
There is a funny story attached to Elexus' status of her relationships, for while she remains to be single this very day, her life has gone through a tumultuous turn of events that have seen her lose a fiancé she thought might have changed her hard, uncanny life. Yet, through her own personal reservations and hesitations, a life style that could just not be forfeited from her body, Elexus denied his love and turned back toward her single, solitary life as the lone wolf against the world.
FAMILY STATUS:
Alessandra Valentina, as she was known as in her youth, was the daughter of Anthony and Giovanna Valentina and sister to Sienna Valentina. She was the oldest between the two sister, and always shared a strong bond with her sister due to the tumultuous relationship they had with their drunken father. Once Anthony was murdered, Alessandra fled taking her sister with her for she knew that their mother would never understand. When she entered the E.A.O., she considered her and her sister to be orphans with no other place to turn to.
IS THE CHARACTER IN A GANG/LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY/CITIZEN: She is currently a citizen in Hawaii.
STATE YOUR INDUSTRY AND OCCUPATION:
Freshly out of the E.A.O., Elexus posesses little to no experience of the working world and what it is to hold a real, honest-earning job. Thankfully, news of the recent gang activity perked her interest and as always, she figured out a way to blend into this strange new world. In order to make a living, Elexus has adopted the "career path" of a gun-for-hire or assassin. Using her talents learned in the E.A.O., there is very little Elexus can't achieve while under the radar, making her extremely efficient at what she does.
PERSONALITY:
"It is no good depending on others. For they will let you down. Always."
Elexus feels little need to interact with others on a daily basis; instead of joining in a quaint, friendly conversation, she would rather sit brooding, plotting the demise of another. She shows little faith in humanity on a whole, she demonstrates little trust in others and will seemingly die before putting her faith into another human being. If she cannot accomplish the task, then she is not worthy of existence.
"No chains can hold me."
Born into a cursed life, Elexus has always held a hatred in her heart that has always shone through in her brusque words and arrogant nature; with this, comes a rage unlike anything ever experienced before. Often thought to be permanently filled with an irrational anger, it is a common sight to see a scowl taint the porcelain features of this attractive young woman, and while the disdain and apathy for society is evident, it has never looked better than the way she wears it.
Perhaps one of her more famous lines "no chains can hold me" was adopted from a very young age where she was forced into conformity within this religious cult. While, at first, she did not know any different life, yet, as she grew, she came to question the actions of the cult and came to rebel against them, so much so that none could actually control her actions. She was continuously punished, and continuously confined in a holding cell where all "naughty" children were kept, yet, still, her spirit remained strong, and, perhaps unleashed the rage that lingered within her heart. From that day forth, none have been able to control her, whether it be by verbal means or actual physical methods; she is a free spirit that, the moment she feels any restriction, will unleash the tyranny she is so capable of. This need for freedom perhaps triggered the assassin's mental break down and caused the instability that so often sees her snap at the slightest of insults; it might also have been a cause for her need to break the chains that bound her to the E.A.O.
"Behold all these lives for the taking."
Merciless, ruthless, apathetic for the removal of human life, Elexus has become a dangerous individual who has found the ability to emotionally detach herself from most things that create a humane response. This has enabled her to become the professional death dealer she is today; she has little respect for the human life, helping her to deliver the killing blow quite easily without a mere tear shed. The only thing that still nags at the human side of Elexus is the safety of her sister, for while she may be detached and aloof and apathetic to most things in life, her sister is always number one in her books. She will do anything for her, including risking her own; and should anyone put her in danger, then, all hell will likely break loose for she will stop at nothing to reclaim what was taken
"Love is for the weak."
Elexus has only formed a relationship beyond friendship with two individuals; both of which ended in shambles proving to this young maiden that love was not necessarily meant to enter into her heart, and relationships were not what she needed in life. Instead of coming to terms with this, Elexus built up a barrier that would excluded all types of "love" from her life for the simple means of: love is what makes killers weak. Love is always the factor that gets in the way of things, that complicates matter more than they should be. With that, Elexus has become hardened and cold; she looks down on the prospect of "love" and could never see herself falling into that same vulnerable pit ever again.
CHARACTER IMAGES:
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
height:
Elexus stands a normal height compared to most average women. She is approximately 1.65 m in total.
weight:
This young woman may seem small and petite, but she is not precisely light as a feather with little/no meat on her body. Instead, she possesses a well-trained physique that sports a beautiful definition of muscle. This has pulled her total mass to approximately 65 kg in total.
hair:
Elexus' hair has always remained the same shade of dark brown, lacking any additional streaks of color and tints to change the hue of her hair. If only one thing, her hair has grown darker over the years to turn a deep, beautiful dark brown that sometimes shimmers like dark onyx coal in the night when the moonlight strikes her frame. The actual style of her hair is often set in a loose curl/wave that cascades down her back in a beautiful sweeping manner as if it were silk trailing over her shoulders. When exposed to the sun, it looks as though there are tendrils of copper sneaking through the richness of her color.
eye color:
Elexus possesses mystical eyes, as said by those whom have encountered this mysterious woman, for they never appear to be the same color upon different meetings. True, they are not extraordinary to the degree where they transition to make shift colors of purple, yellow, and pink; yet, they hold their own magic. Naturally, her eyes are of a blue-grey hue where, depending on the light, they can range between a bright, striking sapphire blue to a silvery, eerie grey color. Often people have thought it was her mood that affected her eye color, when, in reality, it is merely the reflections of the skies that lend itself to the glory of the woman's eye color.
skin color:
With a flawless complexion seemingly comprised of the most delicate and fragile porcelain, Elexus possesses a skin tone that complements the rich darkness of her hair. Her skin lacks the warm, healthy, golden glow of a tan and, instead, remains cold and frigid, like the snows fallen fresh upon the earth. She is extremely pale, which often leads to the association that she is one of the night stalkers, the vampires that roam the evening; and yes, while it may be true she is a creature that haunts the night, there seems to be nothing that may turn her skin brown.
piercing:
Elexus lacks piercings other than her ears, which she rarely wears.
tattoos:
Tattoos have always been something Elexus felt defined a person, whether it was intentional or not. From an early age she was subjected to the scars of ink, every since she was adopted into that foreign home that warranted the use of barcode tattoos as a form of identity amongst the ranks. This barcode, along with her serial number, may be found on the back of her neck, usually covered by a thick, plush scarf or the blanket of hair, as well as along the inside of her right wrist. This is what will forever tie her to her past, a past that shaped her into who she is today; it serves as a unforgiving reminder of who she was, who she is, and who she is capable of being.
In conjunction to the markings received by the order of the elite assassins, Elexus' body has become a somewhat canvas for tattoos easily concealed to avoid showing her identity too easily. One of the greatest tattoos, and one seen by only a few, that she possesses is the large tattoo that snakes from her right-side waist down toward her backside, where the end rests just below the point where hip-fitting jeans may sit. Here, the tattoo demonstrates a queer creeping vine of thorns that twists and turns like the body of a snake, looping, twisting and turning. Positioned neatly atop the dimples within her lower back are the twin guns that she was gifted during her service to this elusive organization; one is inked a silver hue while the other black as night. Ebony and Ivory.
scars:
Throughout the years of her life, Elexus has acquired multiple scars that each serve as a reminder of the tragic events of her life, and the misfortunes that should forever follow her. The majority of these were received during her years within the academy of assassins, where she underwent rigorous training without end, putting her body on the line for she knew little of limiting herself. With her dangerous life style came the deadly encounters with targets, victims, whom were craftier than anticipated. Struggles and fights were a main part of her life; whizzing bullets and flying punches, she has been put through the most of this. The years of her past are shown about her skin, forever imprinted upon the fair porcelain, cracking the exterior and disfiguring the smoothness of it.
Some of the greatest scars are present upon her back, where bullets have pierced through flesh and knives have bitten into the meat of her body.
UNIQUE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Based on Elexus' background and the services provided for the organization of assassins, this young woman has learnt to speak multiple languages alongside the much preferred English. She can speak Mandarin, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, and Swedish quite fluently; although she understands snippets of Dutch and a variety of additional languages.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES:
WEAPONS:
BACKGROUND HISTORY:
This story is not for the light hearted nor those whom expect a happy ending. It is a story of blood, and violence. A story that remains unbelievable for the crimes committed could not have by a sane hand. This is the story of a killer, whom was once as innocent as the first blossoming flower in spring, but now feels steel bite into veins. This is her story; this is her past, present, and future. A tale driven by a sickened lust for vengeance. This is the tale of Alessandra Valentina / Elexus Shaw.
A WORLD UNSEEN BY SOCIETIES' EYES
What happens when a young mind is pressured to conform? What happens when emotions flood the mind? What happens when you are but a child lost in a world isolated from civilization? Many do not succumb to the pressure, and carry on with their everyday lives as if there were nothing wrong, nor nothing amiss. However, there are others who do not treat such behaviour with open arms, for some are born with a curious mind and a stubborn spirit. While it may have seemed a curse had fallen upon the Valentina family, Alessandra could not and would not accept the antics that occurred within her neighbourhood. Where she was raised, life was simple, what many may wish it to be. They grew their own food, they cultivated their own lands, they took care of their own livestock, and it seemed that everything the little village had was shared amongst all. Life was peaceful with no great excitement nor activity to spur peoples' interests. Crime was devoid in their parts, for all seemed to have developed some respect for their neighbours, taking the word of the bible "love thy neighbours" as personal goals in life. Outsiders were treated with distrust, even though smiling faces welcomed them into their little niche. Technology was limited, viewed as the devil's devices, and so the village lived without what would be commonly associated with this modern era. For a while, Alessandra moved amongst the village as if she knew nothing better; she walked, talked, and acted like all the little girls at the bright young age of seven. She played with raggedly dolls stitched together, and learnt how to mend torn trousers. She seldom joined the boys whom scrambled about in the mud, but, instead stayed indoors helping her mother prepare the meals for the day. To her, this was what she knew in life, all that she knew. She had learnt that family was the most important thing, and that is why she loved them unconditionally, and it was this child-like innocence shielded her from any forsaken truths that the village attempted to hide. Her sister, Sienna, was a key factor in her conformity. For like the others, she too played with dolls and helped around the house, as they were constantly told, by their mother that the day would come when it would be their responsibility to care for a family, as she did, and make sure life was as comfortable for their husbands as possible. So, the two girls scurried away to do their chores, making delicious little sandwiches for their father and brother whom worked tirelessly in the fields, tending to the cattle and sewing the new seeds into the ground before the rains came to wash away the heat and dust. Yet secrets and untold truths fluttered about the winds that passed through this "holy" village. Secrets, that were slowly unfurling within a fast working mind of the young girl whom was now growing up.
Years flew by in a matter of a few heartbeats; Alessandra aged from a jubilant youth to a teenager going through puberty. She was fourteen when it all happened, when her perfect little world crumbled around her. She had been walking home from the market with her younger sister clinging to her hand, while a brown bag of fresh vegetables and fruit was crumpled in the nook of her arm. The duo sang their merry songs of praise as they skipped down the street heading toward their home. However, there was something that made Alessandra stop, a shiny dime that had fallen upon the pavement. She bent over to pick it up, allowing her hand to slip from her sister's. That is when she heard it. That is when the lies started to unravel and the truth began to wriggle free like a worm trying to avoid the hook.
"The less they're taught, the less questions they'll ask." The Elder had said to those whom had gathered for the sacred meeting between the individuals whom had been chosen by God to lead the village into salvation. Alessandra pushed herself up against the wall of the quaint little house, groceries still clutched within her arm. She stood by the window, pressing herself as close to the cold bricks as possible. It was customary for the girls to receive as little education as possible, only learning how to read and write and do simple math that might help them in their years of service to the village. It had been made clear that they were only good for one thing: breeding. The Elder's voice grew louder, indicating that he had moved closer toward the little window. She felt her heart leap into her throat, drumming a roaring tune that one would expect to hear when charging over the frontlines of war. She took a gulp of air. Nothing would soothe her aching lungs. Nothing would quiet her beating heart. She closed her eyes, praying that he would not be able to hear her drumming heart. She knew all too well that she would be scolded and possibly punished for eaves dropping. "What of the girls? Are there any of age?" He inquired in that gruff voice that made Alessandra' hair stand on end. "The ritual…" His voice trailed off. "Sshhh… listen." He spoke, holding up a hand to gesture to the hooded individuals to remain as still and as silent as they could. A finger teased the lace inner curtains apart. Beady dark brown eyes shifted quickly back and forth, before focusing on a single target…
Alessandra stood dead still, a small prickle of sweat licking at her brow. This is it. It's all over. He's going to find me, and then tell mom and dad, and I'll never get to see Sisi… Sisi? Her eyes shot open quickly. A panicked expression clung to her youthful features. She tossed her head from side to side as she tried to catch sight of the little girl whom had been holding her hand not too long ago. Nothing to her left. Nothing to her right. But wait, what was that? She strained her ears slightly, catching the sounds of humming from behind the other corner. The bag of groceries were no longer a concern for Alessandra; she needed to get her sister before they found her. Crisp apples and stalks of celery, crunchy carrots and oval potatoes were abandoned on the floor, landing with a loud thud. Footsteps scrambled against the ground as Alessandra darted forward. Sienna was there, unharmed, sitting with a bunch of flowers locked tightly in her hand. Her smile was broad, ignorance clear upon her face. She continued humming as she picked a few more flowers from the multicoloured bush before her.
"See Lesi, I picked these for mommy. You think she will like them?" She said happily, as only a child could. Alessandra rushed to her, and knelt by her side.
"We need to get home now." She whispered frantically, trying to pull the little girl away.
"Just one more. I just need one more." Sienna protested. A muffled fumbling sound was heard, following by the moan of a door opening. Am I hearing things? She wondered to herself when she saw no figures to associate the sounds with. She turned back to her sister, tugging at her arm more harshly now.
"Mother will be angry if we don’t bring home the groceries in time." She said sternly, ushering the young girl away from the beautiful bush. She turned to look back over her shoulder. No one there. A sigh of relief escaped the teenage girl's shoulders, before an icy stone plummeted to the pits of her stomach. She stopped dead in her tracks.
"Those are beautiful young lady. Who are they for?" "My mommy. She likes flowers." "That's lovely, and where did you get them from?"
"Over there…" Alessandra' head swivelled slowly around to see her sister talking to one of the hooded men; a finger pointed to the direction where the two had just escaped from.
"And are these yours?" He stepped aside to reveal the fallen bag of fruits and vegetables now tarnished. Sienna gasped. "And what are two lovely young ladies doing in my garden?" The same old, gruff voice from before hissed from the shadows. A wrinkled, gnarled hand slid over Alessandra's shoulder. Her eyes widened with terror and fear, and she quickly took a step forward and turned on her heel, grabbing onto Sienna's wrist in the process.
"I… we…" She couldn't find her words. Her voice stammered and stumbled like one of the children with a speech impediment.
"We were on our way home when Lesi stopped and found the shiny penny. I wanted to bring flowers for mommy, so I got some." Sienna's childish voice broke the awkward silence as she held up the miniature bouquet she had assembled. "Aren't they pretty?"
"Your mother will love them sweetie." He walked closer to her and ruffled her long deep brown hair slightly, before those beady eyes fell upon something else. He knelt down, his bones creaking and cracking as he did so. "And what happened here? My oh my…"
"I accidentally dropped them when I couldn't find my sister." Finally, she had found her voice again. She scuttled forward and started to retrieve them, feeling a sickening feeling sink into her bowels the moment she felt the skeletal fingers sweep through her dark brown curls.
WELCOME TO THE ELITE ASSASSINS' ORGANIZATION
Frightened, scared, and alone, the two sisters wandered the shadowy streets of a rougher side of Las Angeles. Drug addicts sneered at them and hissed, while hookers drugged up on heroin and cocaine simply stared at them with a dazed expression over their make-up plastered faces. On more than one occasion, the duo had been cornered by junkies looking for some nefarious fun, and had been sent scuttling away as fast as their little legs could carry them. The night was cold and filled with nightmarish aspects, ones that had never turned up within the village. This was a whole new side of life that the two sisters were experiencing. A whole new side that proved to be unappetising and lonely.
"I want to go home." Sienna moaned, wrapping her arms around her shoulders, trying to keep the cold at bay for a little while longer. Her face was stained with salty tears that ran through the grime and dust that tainted her youthful skin as remnants of the city atmosphere.
"We can't go home." Alessandra sternly said, her eyes continuously darting from corner to corner as though she half-expected someone to ambush them as part of some demented joke. "The village is not safe."
"It was." Sienna pouted, refusing to move another step forward. "Take me home. NOW! I want to see mommy!" She stamped her little foot on the broken concrete paving.
Alessandra turned around, exasperation clear upon her face. It was hard to make a young girl understand that what she had done was unacceptable in the eyes of society, that what she had done may have protected her sacred gifts and her life, yet, it had been done so at the cost of others. At the cost of the village Elder and their father. Blood had been spilled. Death had been dealt. And the poor fourteen-year old was forced to abandon her childhood to deal with the consequences of her actions. She approached her sister, a sort of compassion buried within a pale complexion. She knelt before Sienna, placing reassuring hands still stained red upon her upper arms, giving them a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "I saved us, Sienna. I saved us from him; he was going to do horrible things. You know that right? We cannot go home because of what I did, and if I take you home now, they may punish you for what I did. I cannot go back, Sienna. You must understand."
"But YOU did it. Not me. Why will the punish me for something you did?" Another fresh spurt of tears leaked from her innocent green eyes. "Everyone else liked Father. Why do you have to be different? I hate you!" Another defiant stamp of her foot rang through the night. A gentle sigh left Alessandra' lips as she rose to her feet, her eyes filled with despondency. There was no way she would be able to get through the young, ignorant mind of her sister; there was no way she could make her understand. In her eyes, the Elder (the father) was a kindly old wise man who gathered the people of the village and shepherded them with an undeniable guidance. To her, the ritualistic 'taking of young women' was something that all were accustomed to, that it was an honour to have her womanhood spiritually obtained and confirmed through the breaking of her 'seal' to the prophet of the Saviour. Her mind had been brainwashed. She did not seem to challenge this twisted view on life, unlike Alessandra who felt that something was not quite right within this idealistic world that they had been brought up within. Regardless of her lack of further education, Alessandra was a bright young girl with an exceptionally high I.Q., which ultimately led her to questioning all that was done and for what reason.
"We are not going home." Alessandra said finally in a hard, firm voice that seemed authoritative and commanding in itself. "We will make it through. Just give me a chance." With that the eldest of the two grabbed the younger one's hand and forced her along the path with her. No words were uttered. Only silence. A dull, eerie silence broken only by the noisiness of the city.
They seemed to walk for hours with no clue as to where they were headed. The wind, by now, had picked up dramatically sending a frigid gust to nip at the exposed flesh of the two sisters as they pressed onward. Sienna shivered uncontrollably. Her lips were pursed together in a childish sulking manner as she refused to utter a squeak more. Alessandra, on the other hand, bit down on her lip and learnt to deal with the harsh conditions. She refused to show any negative emotion in front of her sister; she tried to show her that it was all going to be alright, they just needed to find shelter. That is, until they heard something creep from the shadows.
"Well, well, well... wha do 'e 'ave 'ere?" A slimy voice echoed from the darkness of the unlit alley that branched off of the dimly lit street upon which the two girls were walking.
"I dunno, Dan. Looks like two little girls have lost their way." Another voice jeered.
The two approached, prowling into the flickering weak light of the street lamp overhead; their faces were dirty, covered with a thick layer of oil and grime. Teeth were jagged and uneven, yellowing in colour from copious amounts of nicotine passing through their lips and the obvious lack of personal hygiene. They were the scum of the street.
"An' what might two 'ittle girls be doin' 'ere at night?"
"I dunno, Dan. But they look lost."
"That they do. So tell me, 'ittle girl, are you looking for summin?" He made to grab Alessandra in a swift, lumbering movement. His greasy hand locked around her wrist and she gave a shriek in response, shoving Sienna away in a hurried action before wriggling and struggling within the steadfast grip of the urchin. "I wouldn't struggle if I was you. Otherwise Frank, o'er there will put a blade in the belly of your sista."
The fourteen year old stopped struggling for a moment, her eyes of cold blue-grey wandering to her sister whom was held tightly by the great oaf. A rusted blade gleamed death within the dying light of the street lamp, and, once again, Alessandra felt helpless. An unwanted subservient wave washed over her as she complied with the requests of the two street lads; there was no way she could win this fight without putting her sister in peril's arms. They would simply overpower her.
"I've got no money if that is what you want. Please. Just let us go."
The first one started to laugh as he shoved her against a nearby wall stained with multi-coloured graffiti. He started to unbuckle his pants. "Oh, there be a way that you can pay us." He sneered, allowing his pants to drop to his ankles. His hands groped at her developing breasts, feeling their youthful perkiness mould into his cupped hands; eventually, they slid beneath her shirt, making her skin crawl and the pits of her stomach turn in a nauseating manner. His long fingernails scraped over her skin, fingertips feeling every possible region of her torso as he hardened himself, the lust driving him forward with no more words to be said. Eventually his hand forced its way down her pants where he toyed with the sacred fruit she had killed to protect. She took a deep gulp, shutting her eyes tightly as if it would help to block out what was to follow. She felt his fingers slide through the folds of her womanhood, toy with the little nub that forced a soft gasp from her lips and tears to erupt from her closed eyes. He wrenched down her pants and forced her down. His member was unleashed, pulsating, yearning for the haven of a tight, moist cave. She started to fight once again, the instinct of self-preservation kicking in; yet, it was no use, for she was reminded of how weak she as in comparison to his hold. She felt it jab inside her. She felt the pain as it ripped her open; a sob left her lips, a groan left his. He started to pulse, driving it in and out of her, going faster and faster. She couldn't stop the tears now. She couldn't hide the anguish that flooded her body; she wanted to die. Then and there. She wished for her death so that she would not have to live through this for another second. That is when she saw the light, the light that she thought marked the end of the tunnel for her.
A car door slammed shut and footsteps hurried to where the scene of the rape was commencing. Shouts echoed within the forced blackness of her mind.
"What der ya think ya doin'? The greasy voice said, shocked and caught unaware.
The new silhouette responded with a loud BANG that reverberated through the street; not a word was spoken. Another shot was fired. And then Alessandra felt the relief of the pressure leave her nether regions. She curled herself into a ball before her mind went blank.
When she came to she was no longer on the street left in the path of the cold wind that knew little mercy. She blinked blankly about for a few moments, before she identified a familiar figure huddled pressed against the door of a car; her face was buried in her arms, which helped keep her knees pulled up to her chest.
"Sienna?" Alessandra started as she stretched her form out, feeling a sharp shooting pain pass over her before she curled up once again. Yet, still she was concerned about her sister and their whereabouts. From what she could deduce with mere observations, the duo were now within a car of sorts with a pristine leather interior that shielded them from the onslaught of the merciless wind outside. "Sienna where are we?" Her voice was still weak, hoarse from the sobbing earlier.
"You are safe." An unknown voice slipped through the shadows of the car. It was rich and smooth, painted with a light stroke of sophistication and class. Within the review mirror, Alessandra' eyes could only just make out the shadows that followed the curves of his features and the rings that clung to matured eyes. Almost as if he sensed her curiosity, the strange man returned the young girl's inquisitive gaze with his own; brilliant blue eyes pierced into the mirror, sparkling here and there like bold sapphires within the whizzing lights that sped past.
"Who are you?"
"I am a... friend." He started. "I know what you did."
"Wh-what I did?" Regardless of the stinging tenderness that her body winced beneath, Alessandra made to sit up straight now, folding her hands neatly within her lap. A look of horror dashed her youthful face as her eyes grew wider with each second that he allowed a silence to hang about the air. How could he possibly know what she had done? Sure, it had sent the village in an uproar, yet, people on the outside, foreigners to their community, knew naught of what went on amongst the rolling fields of green. "I haven't done anything."
"Don't fool yourself, kid. You performed the ultimate deed, and so skilfully. I am looking for more like you, you know. You and your sister could be like my own children. We could have a life."
It was at this that Alessandra became sceptical, pushing aside all childish innocence and ignorance to hold a more mature view on the lies that had been uttered from the man's lips. "I don't believe you." She stated simply, knowing all too well that the promise of a family was nothing more than a delusion she had once hoped for yet knew was no longer to come to pass, as well as that no one could have seen what she had done. None, only her deceased father, whom now had taken her secret to his grave. The blood spilled had been done in the confines of the ritualistic chamber. It had been just her. And one other.
"You are not as ignorant as you look then." He sneered, his eyes flicking back to the road. "But I can offer you a new life. I have felt it too, you know, that insatiable rage that takes over and blinds you. I can help you control it. It is like a dam, you know. When the rains are hard and long, the dam fills. Yet, if it carries on raining it fills to capacity and eventually ruptures. That is what you felt on that night, did you not? The dam breaking and your will for self-preservation kicking in."
"But how could you have known?" She whispered faintly, more to herself than to the mysterious man who remained without a name. "Only my dad knew. My dad and Sienna. And my father is dead." She said the last words through gritted teeth, feeling her hands close to form tight fists.
height:
Elexus stands a normal height compared to most average women. She is approximately 1.65 m in total.
weight:
This young woman may seem small and petite, but she is not precisely light as a feather with little/no meat on her body. Instead, she possesses a well-trained physique that sports a beautiful definition of muscle. This has pulled her total mass to approximately 65 kg in total.
hair:
Elexus' hair has always remained the same shade of dark brown, lacking any additional streaks of color and tints to change the hue of her hair. If only one thing, her hair has grown darker over the years to turn a deep, beautiful dark brown that sometimes shimmers like dark onyx coal in the night when the moonlight strikes her frame. The actual style of her hair is often set in a loose curl/wave that cascades down her back in a beautiful sweeping manner as if it were silk trailing over her shoulders. When exposed to the sun, it looks as though there are tendrils of copper sneaking through the richness of her color.
eye color:
Elexus possesses mystical eyes, as said by those whom have encountered this mysterious woman, for they never appear to be the same color upon different meetings. True, they are not extraordinary to the degree where they transition to make shift colors of purple, yellow, and pink; yet, they hold their own magic. Naturally, her eyes are of a blue-grey hue where, depending on the light, they can range between a bright, striking sapphire blue to a silvery, eerie grey color. Often people have thought it was her mood that affected her eye color, when, in reality, it is merely the reflections of the skies that lend itself to the glory of the woman's eye color.
skin color:
With a flawless complexion seemingly comprised of the most delicate and fragile porcelain, Elexus possesses a skin tone that complements the rich darkness of her hair. Her skin lacks the warm, healthy, golden glow of a tan and, instead, remains cold and frigid, like the snows fallen fresh upon the earth. She is extremely pale, which often leads to the association that she is one of the night stalkers, the vampires that roam the evening; and yes, while it may be true she is a creature that haunts the night, there seems to be nothing that may turn her skin brown.
piercing:
Elexus lacks piercings other than her ears, which she rarely wears.
tattoos:
Tattoos have always been something Elexus felt defined a person, whether it was intentional or not. From an early age she was subjected to the scars of ink, every since she was adopted into that foreign home that warranted the use of barcode tattoos as a form of identity amongst the ranks. This barcode, along with her serial number, may be found on the back of her neck, usually covered by a thick, plush scarf or the blanket of hair, as well as along the inside of her right wrist. This is what will forever tie her to her past, a past that shaped her into who she is today; it serves as a unforgiving reminder of who she was, who she is, and who she is capable of being.
In conjunction to the markings received by the order of the elite assassins, Elexus' body has become a somewhat canvas for tattoos easily concealed to avoid showing her identity too easily. One of the greatest tattoos, and one seen by only a few, that she possesses is the large tattoo that snakes from her right-side waist down toward her backside, where the end rests just below the point where hip-fitting jeans may sit. Here, the tattoo demonstrates a queer creeping vine of thorns that twists and turns like the body of a snake, looping, twisting and turning. Positioned neatly atop the dimples within her lower back are the twin guns that she was gifted during her service to this elusive organization; one is inked a silver hue while the other black as night. Ebony and Ivory.
scars:
Throughout the years of her life, Elexus has acquired multiple scars that each serve as a reminder of the tragic events of her life, and the misfortunes that should forever follow her. The majority of these were received during her years within the academy of assassins, where she underwent rigorous training without end, putting her body on the line for she knew little of limiting herself. With her dangerous life style came the deadly encounters with targets, victims, whom were craftier than anticipated. Struggles and fights were a main part of her life; whizzing bullets and flying punches, she has been put through the most of this. The years of her past are shown about her skin, forever imprinted upon the fair porcelain, cracking the exterior and disfiguring the smoothness of it.
Some of the greatest scars are present upon her back, where bullets have pierced through flesh and knives have bitten into the meat of her body.
UNIQUE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Based on Elexus' background and the services provided for the organization of assassins, this young woman has learnt to speak multiple languages alongside the much preferred English. She can speak Mandarin, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, and Swedish quite fluently; although she understands snippets of Dutch and a variety of additional languages.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES:
WEAPONS:
BACKGROUND HISTORY:
This story is not for the light hearted nor those whom expect a happy ending. It is a story of blood, and violence. A story that remains unbelievable for the crimes committed could not have by a sane hand. This is the story of a killer, whom was once as innocent as the first blossoming flower in spring, but now feels steel bite into veins. This is her story; this is her past, present, and future. A tale driven by a sickened lust for vengeance. This is the tale of Alessandra Valentina / Elexus Shaw.
A WORLD UNSEEN BY SOCIETIES' EYES
What happens when a young mind is pressured to conform? What happens when emotions flood the mind? What happens when you are but a child lost in a world isolated from civilization? Many do not succumb to the pressure, and carry on with their everyday lives as if there were nothing wrong, nor nothing amiss. However, there are others who do not treat such behaviour with open arms, for some are born with a curious mind and a stubborn spirit. While it may have seemed a curse had fallen upon the Valentina family, Alessandra could not and would not accept the antics that occurred within her neighbourhood. Where she was raised, life was simple, what many may wish it to be. They grew their own food, they cultivated their own lands, they took care of their own livestock, and it seemed that everything the little village had was shared amongst all. Life was peaceful with no great excitement nor activity to spur peoples' interests. Crime was devoid in their parts, for all seemed to have developed some respect for their neighbours, taking the word of the bible "love thy neighbours" as personal goals in life. Outsiders were treated with distrust, even though smiling faces welcomed them into their little niche. Technology was limited, viewed as the devil's devices, and so the village lived without what would be commonly associated with this modern era. For a while, Alessandra moved amongst the village as if she knew nothing better; she walked, talked, and acted like all the little girls at the bright young age of seven. She played with raggedly dolls stitched together, and learnt how to mend torn trousers. She seldom joined the boys whom scrambled about in the mud, but, instead stayed indoors helping her mother prepare the meals for the day. To her, this was what she knew in life, all that she knew. She had learnt that family was the most important thing, and that is why she loved them unconditionally, and it was this child-like innocence shielded her from any forsaken truths that the village attempted to hide. Her sister, Sienna, was a key factor in her conformity. For like the others, she too played with dolls and helped around the house, as they were constantly told, by their mother that the day would come when it would be their responsibility to care for a family, as she did, and make sure life was as comfortable for their husbands as possible. So, the two girls scurried away to do their chores, making delicious little sandwiches for their father and brother whom worked tirelessly in the fields, tending to the cattle and sewing the new seeds into the ground before the rains came to wash away the heat and dust. Yet secrets and untold truths fluttered about the winds that passed through this "holy" village. Secrets, that were slowly unfurling within a fast working mind of the young girl whom was now growing up.
Years flew by in a matter of a few heartbeats; Alessandra aged from a jubilant youth to a teenager going through puberty. She was fourteen when it all happened, when her perfect little world crumbled around her. She had been walking home from the market with her younger sister clinging to her hand, while a brown bag of fresh vegetables and fruit was crumpled in the nook of her arm. The duo sang their merry songs of praise as they skipped down the street heading toward their home. However, there was something that made Alessandra stop, a shiny dime that had fallen upon the pavement. She bent over to pick it up, allowing her hand to slip from her sister's. That is when she heard it. That is when the lies started to unravel and the truth began to wriggle free like a worm trying to avoid the hook.
"The less they're taught, the less questions they'll ask." The Elder had said to those whom had gathered for the sacred meeting between the individuals whom had been chosen by God to lead the village into salvation. Alessandra pushed herself up against the wall of the quaint little house, groceries still clutched within her arm. She stood by the window, pressing herself as close to the cold bricks as possible. It was customary for the girls to receive as little education as possible, only learning how to read and write and do simple math that might help them in their years of service to the village. It had been made clear that they were only good for one thing: breeding. The Elder's voice grew louder, indicating that he had moved closer toward the little window. She felt her heart leap into her throat, drumming a roaring tune that one would expect to hear when charging over the frontlines of war. She took a gulp of air. Nothing would soothe her aching lungs. Nothing would quiet her beating heart. She closed her eyes, praying that he would not be able to hear her drumming heart. She knew all too well that she would be scolded and possibly punished for eaves dropping. "What of the girls? Are there any of age?" He inquired in that gruff voice that made Alessandra' hair stand on end. "The ritual…" His voice trailed off. "Sshhh… listen." He spoke, holding up a hand to gesture to the hooded individuals to remain as still and as silent as they could. A finger teased the lace inner curtains apart. Beady dark brown eyes shifted quickly back and forth, before focusing on a single target…
Alessandra stood dead still, a small prickle of sweat licking at her brow. This is it. It's all over. He's going to find me, and then tell mom and dad, and I'll never get to see Sisi… Sisi? Her eyes shot open quickly. A panicked expression clung to her youthful features. She tossed her head from side to side as she tried to catch sight of the little girl whom had been holding her hand not too long ago. Nothing to her left. Nothing to her right. But wait, what was that? She strained her ears slightly, catching the sounds of humming from behind the other corner. The bag of groceries were no longer a concern for Alessandra; she needed to get her sister before they found her. Crisp apples and stalks of celery, crunchy carrots and oval potatoes were abandoned on the floor, landing with a loud thud. Footsteps scrambled against the ground as Alessandra darted forward. Sienna was there, unharmed, sitting with a bunch of flowers locked tightly in her hand. Her smile was broad, ignorance clear upon her face. She continued humming as she picked a few more flowers from the multicoloured bush before her.
"See Lesi, I picked these for mommy. You think she will like them?" She said happily, as only a child could. Alessandra rushed to her, and knelt by her side.
"We need to get home now." She whispered frantically, trying to pull the little girl away.
"Just one more. I just need one more." Sienna protested. A muffled fumbling sound was heard, following by the moan of a door opening. Am I hearing things? She wondered to herself when she saw no figures to associate the sounds with. She turned back to her sister, tugging at her arm more harshly now.
"Mother will be angry if we don’t bring home the groceries in time." She said sternly, ushering the young girl away from the beautiful bush. She turned to look back over her shoulder. No one there. A sigh of relief escaped the teenage girl's shoulders, before an icy stone plummeted to the pits of her stomach. She stopped dead in her tracks.
"Those are beautiful young lady. Who are they for?" "My mommy. She likes flowers." "That's lovely, and where did you get them from?"
"Over there…" Alessandra' head swivelled slowly around to see her sister talking to one of the hooded men; a finger pointed to the direction where the two had just escaped from.
"And are these yours?" He stepped aside to reveal the fallen bag of fruits and vegetables now tarnished. Sienna gasped. "And what are two lovely young ladies doing in my garden?" The same old, gruff voice from before hissed from the shadows. A wrinkled, gnarled hand slid over Alessandra's shoulder. Her eyes widened with terror and fear, and she quickly took a step forward and turned on her heel, grabbing onto Sienna's wrist in the process.
"I… we…" She couldn't find her words. Her voice stammered and stumbled like one of the children with a speech impediment.
"We were on our way home when Lesi stopped and found the shiny penny. I wanted to bring flowers for mommy, so I got some." Sienna's childish voice broke the awkward silence as she held up the miniature bouquet she had assembled. "Aren't they pretty?"
"Your mother will love them sweetie." He walked closer to her and ruffled her long deep brown hair slightly, before those beady eyes fell upon something else. He knelt down, his bones creaking and cracking as he did so. "And what happened here? My oh my…"
"I accidentally dropped them when I couldn't find my sister." Finally, she had found her voice again. She scuttled forward and started to retrieve them, feeling a sickening feeling sink into her bowels the moment she felt the skeletal fingers sweep through her dark brown curls.
WELCOME TO THE ELITE ASSASSINS' ORGANIZATION
Frightened, scared, and alone, the two sisters wandered the shadowy streets of a rougher side of Las Angeles. Drug addicts sneered at them and hissed, while hookers drugged up on heroin and cocaine simply stared at them with a dazed expression over their make-up plastered faces. On more than one occasion, the duo had been cornered by junkies looking for some nefarious fun, and had been sent scuttling away as fast as their little legs could carry them. The night was cold and filled with nightmarish aspects, ones that had never turned up within the village. This was a whole new side of life that the two sisters were experiencing. A whole new side that proved to be unappetising and lonely.
"I want to go home." Sienna moaned, wrapping her arms around her shoulders, trying to keep the cold at bay for a little while longer. Her face was stained with salty tears that ran through the grime and dust that tainted her youthful skin as remnants of the city atmosphere.
"We can't go home." Alessandra sternly said, her eyes continuously darting from corner to corner as though she half-expected someone to ambush them as part of some demented joke. "The village is not safe."
"It was." Sienna pouted, refusing to move another step forward. "Take me home. NOW! I want to see mommy!" She stamped her little foot on the broken concrete paving.
Alessandra turned around, exasperation clear upon her face. It was hard to make a young girl understand that what she had done was unacceptable in the eyes of society, that what she had done may have protected her sacred gifts and her life, yet, it had been done so at the cost of others. At the cost of the village Elder and their father. Blood had been spilled. Death had been dealt. And the poor fourteen-year old was forced to abandon her childhood to deal with the consequences of her actions. She approached her sister, a sort of compassion buried within a pale complexion. She knelt before Sienna, placing reassuring hands still stained red upon her upper arms, giving them a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "I saved us, Sienna. I saved us from him; he was going to do horrible things. You know that right? We cannot go home because of what I did, and if I take you home now, they may punish you for what I did. I cannot go back, Sienna. You must understand."
"But YOU did it. Not me. Why will the punish me for something you did?" Another fresh spurt of tears leaked from her innocent green eyes. "Everyone else liked Father. Why do you have to be different? I hate you!" Another defiant stamp of her foot rang through the night. A gentle sigh left Alessandra' lips as she rose to her feet, her eyes filled with despondency. There was no way she would be able to get through the young, ignorant mind of her sister; there was no way she could make her understand. In her eyes, the Elder (the father) was a kindly old wise man who gathered the people of the village and shepherded them with an undeniable guidance. To her, the ritualistic 'taking of young women' was something that all were accustomed to, that it was an honour to have her womanhood spiritually obtained and confirmed through the breaking of her 'seal' to the prophet of the Saviour. Her mind had been brainwashed. She did not seem to challenge this twisted view on life, unlike Alessandra who felt that something was not quite right within this idealistic world that they had been brought up within. Regardless of her lack of further education, Alessandra was a bright young girl with an exceptionally high I.Q., which ultimately led her to questioning all that was done and for what reason.
"We are not going home." Alessandra said finally in a hard, firm voice that seemed authoritative and commanding in itself. "We will make it through. Just give me a chance." With that the eldest of the two grabbed the younger one's hand and forced her along the path with her. No words were uttered. Only silence. A dull, eerie silence broken only by the noisiness of the city.
They seemed to walk for hours with no clue as to where they were headed. The wind, by now, had picked up dramatically sending a frigid gust to nip at the exposed flesh of the two sisters as they pressed onward. Sienna shivered uncontrollably. Her lips were pursed together in a childish sulking manner as she refused to utter a squeak more. Alessandra, on the other hand, bit down on her lip and learnt to deal with the harsh conditions. She refused to show any negative emotion in front of her sister; she tried to show her that it was all going to be alright, they just needed to find shelter. That is, until they heard something creep from the shadows.
"Well, well, well... wha do 'e 'ave 'ere?" A slimy voice echoed from the darkness of the unlit alley that branched off of the dimly lit street upon which the two girls were walking.
"I dunno, Dan. Looks like two little girls have lost their way." Another voice jeered.
The two approached, prowling into the flickering weak light of the street lamp overhead; their faces were dirty, covered with a thick layer of oil and grime. Teeth were jagged and uneven, yellowing in colour from copious amounts of nicotine passing through their lips and the obvious lack of personal hygiene. They were the scum of the street.
"An' what might two 'ittle girls be doin' 'ere at night?"
"I dunno, Dan. But they look lost."
"That they do. So tell me, 'ittle girl, are you looking for summin?" He made to grab Alessandra in a swift, lumbering movement. His greasy hand locked around her wrist and she gave a shriek in response, shoving Sienna away in a hurried action before wriggling and struggling within the steadfast grip of the urchin. "I wouldn't struggle if I was you. Otherwise Frank, o'er there will put a blade in the belly of your sista."
The fourteen year old stopped struggling for a moment, her eyes of cold blue-grey wandering to her sister whom was held tightly by the great oaf. A rusted blade gleamed death within the dying light of the street lamp, and, once again, Alessandra felt helpless. An unwanted subservient wave washed over her as she complied with the requests of the two street lads; there was no way she could win this fight without putting her sister in peril's arms. They would simply overpower her.
"I've got no money if that is what you want. Please. Just let us go."
The first one started to laugh as he shoved her against a nearby wall stained with multi-coloured graffiti. He started to unbuckle his pants. "Oh, there be a way that you can pay us." He sneered, allowing his pants to drop to his ankles. His hands groped at her developing breasts, feeling their youthful perkiness mould into his cupped hands; eventually, they slid beneath her shirt, making her skin crawl and the pits of her stomach turn in a nauseating manner. His long fingernails scraped over her skin, fingertips feeling every possible region of her torso as he hardened himself, the lust driving him forward with no more words to be said. Eventually his hand forced its way down her pants where he toyed with the sacred fruit she had killed to protect. She took a deep gulp, shutting her eyes tightly as if it would help to block out what was to follow. She felt his fingers slide through the folds of her womanhood, toy with the little nub that forced a soft gasp from her lips and tears to erupt from her closed eyes. He wrenched down her pants and forced her down. His member was unleashed, pulsating, yearning for the haven of a tight, moist cave. She started to fight once again, the instinct of self-preservation kicking in; yet, it was no use, for she was reminded of how weak she as in comparison to his hold. She felt it jab inside her. She felt the pain as it ripped her open; a sob left her lips, a groan left his. He started to pulse, driving it in and out of her, going faster and faster. She couldn't stop the tears now. She couldn't hide the anguish that flooded her body; she wanted to die. Then and there. She wished for her death so that she would not have to live through this for another second. That is when she saw the light, the light that she thought marked the end of the tunnel for her.
A car door slammed shut and footsteps hurried to where the scene of the rape was commencing. Shouts echoed within the forced blackness of her mind.
"What der ya think ya doin'? The greasy voice said, shocked and caught unaware.
The new silhouette responded with a loud BANG that reverberated through the street; not a word was spoken. Another shot was fired. And then Alessandra felt the relief of the pressure leave her nether regions. She curled herself into a ball before her mind went blank.
When she came to she was no longer on the street left in the path of the cold wind that knew little mercy. She blinked blankly about for a few moments, before she identified a familiar figure huddled pressed against the door of a car; her face was buried in her arms, which helped keep her knees pulled up to her chest.
"Sienna?" Alessandra started as she stretched her form out, feeling a sharp shooting pain pass over her before she curled up once again. Yet, still she was concerned about her sister and their whereabouts. From what she could deduce with mere observations, the duo were now within a car of sorts with a pristine leather interior that shielded them from the onslaught of the merciless wind outside. "Sienna where are we?" Her voice was still weak, hoarse from the sobbing earlier.
"You are safe." An unknown voice slipped through the shadows of the car. It was rich and smooth, painted with a light stroke of sophistication and class. Within the review mirror, Alessandra' eyes could only just make out the shadows that followed the curves of his features and the rings that clung to matured eyes. Almost as if he sensed her curiosity, the strange man returned the young girl's inquisitive gaze with his own; brilliant blue eyes pierced into the mirror, sparkling here and there like bold sapphires within the whizzing lights that sped past.
"Who are you?"
"I am a... friend." He started. "I know what you did."
"Wh-what I did?" Regardless of the stinging tenderness that her body winced beneath, Alessandra made to sit up straight now, folding her hands neatly within her lap. A look of horror dashed her youthful face as her eyes grew wider with each second that he allowed a silence to hang about the air. How could he possibly know what she had done? Sure, it had sent the village in an uproar, yet, people on the outside, foreigners to their community, knew naught of what went on amongst the rolling fields of green. "I haven't done anything."
"Don't fool yourself, kid. You performed the ultimate deed, and so skilfully. I am looking for more like you, you know. You and your sister could be like my own children. We could have a life."
It was at this that Alessandra became sceptical, pushing aside all childish innocence and ignorance to hold a more mature view on the lies that had been uttered from the man's lips. "I don't believe you." She stated simply, knowing all too well that the promise of a family was nothing more than a delusion she had once hoped for yet knew was no longer to come to pass, as well as that no one could have seen what she had done. None, only her deceased father, whom now had taken her secret to his grave. The blood spilled had been done in the confines of the ritualistic chamber. It had been just her. And one other.
"You are not as ignorant as you look then." He sneered, his eyes flicking back to the road. "But I can offer you a new life. I have felt it too, you know, that insatiable rage that takes over and blinds you. I can help you control it. It is like a dam, you know. When the rains are hard and long, the dam fills. Yet, if it carries on raining it fills to capacity and eventually ruptures. That is what you felt on that night, did you not? The dam breaking and your will for self-preservation kicking in."
"But how could you have known?" She whispered faintly, more to herself than to the mysterious man who remained without a name. "Only my dad knew. My dad and Sienna. And my father is dead." She said the last words through gritted teeth, feeling her hands close to form tight fists.