"Agent Burns?" A gruff voice came through the window.

"Here..." I said unenthusiastically from my desk.

"Your presence is requested by Chief Woods." The voice of my guard, Agent Meek, informed me.

What is this? The 1860's? I thought. Who says "requests your presence"anymore?

"Gotcha." I muttered under my breath as I swung around in my spinning chair and threw on my leather jacket before knocking on the door. A click sounded and I was "free" to be escorted to Chief Woods' office.

Chief Woods runs this place, she- and a bunch of professionals have been training me- and a bunch of others- to become assassins since we were 3 years old. I'm 18 now, which means I've been training for the past 15 years. Pain and agony.

I've only ever had one assignment, and that was a bit of a failure. I did end up assassinating my target, but before he died, he managed to shoot me in my right arm. Fortunately, it wasn't too serious, and the bullet went straight through. But to this day, I've been slightly weaker in my right arm.

I followed my guard/mentor, Agent Meek. He likes to do these random exercises, by coming into my room in the middle of the night and trying to strangle me in my sleep or something... it hasn't worked since my previous job. He also likes to use some of the other orphans and pays them to ambush me anytime of day.

"What does she want?" I asked.

Meek picked up his pace.

To tell the truth, I was nervous. You only ever go to Chief Woods if you're in trouble or if you're getting a job. Judging by my last assignment, and that I haven't done anything bad recently... I have no idea what she may want with me.

So what could it be? I wondered as we walked up to Chief Woods office door. Meek knocked and the door opened. I walked through the doorway with my shoulders back and my head held high, but  I felt like curling up into the fetal position.

"Agent Burns." Said the cool, silky voice of Chief Avery Woods. Head of the the Orphan Percussor Act. (O.P.A.)

"Present, as you requested." I replied shortly.

Chief Woods wasted no time, and dove straight into why I was here.

"You may be wondering why you're here." She asked nonchalantly. "You're here because I have a job for you."

I blinked.

Chief Woods straightened and the coffee mug full of No. 2 pencils.

"You know our purpose, correct?" She asked, folding her hands together and resting her chin on them.

"Yes, Chief."

An awkward pause same after and I quickly realized that it wasn't a rhetorical question.

"Uh..." I said. "The O.P.A. was established in 100 T.P. shortly after World War III by Chief Gideon. He saw what harm WWIII did to the world, and who led the brutal fights and decided that in order to keep all the 'bad-guys' out, he had to make an organization. Hence the name 'Orphan Percussor Act.'" I said this all in one breath, so by the end I was panting for air.

"Very good." Chief Woods said. "Now, the Royal Family has been... getting out of hand recently. I want you and Agent Ross-"

"Agent Ross!" I moaned. "But he's always bragging about how good he is. And he always tends to take things into his own hands, he never liked other peoples ideas-"

"Quiet!" Chief Woods snapped, unfolding her hands from her chin. "I know Agent Ross can be a... pain, but considering your track record and his track record. He has more successful jobs completed than you do." She said, her green eyes flashing with annoyance.

"Yes, Chief..."

Chief Woods continued on like nothing had happened. "Agent Ross will be your partner, you two will attend the masquerade ball being held in seven days. You and Agent Ross will be going to the masquerade together." Chief paused. "The King and Queen must be terminated, but Prince Alexander is to be left alive."

"Yes, Chief." I said.

"You are dismissed to prepare." She said, flicking her hand to the door, telling me to leave.

I hesitated, I don't know why. But I just had to ask... "Chief Woods?"

"Yes, Agent?" She asked with a hint of annoyance in her tone.

"Why me?"

"Never mind that." She said looking up from her desk. "Now go prepare." She flicked her wrist towards the door once again.

My shoulders sagged a little, "Yes, Chief..." And left her office, with a whole lot more unanswered questions.  

This is the first chapter of a novel that is/was a work in progress. Enjoy! 

-Olivia