Everything was quiet save for a few birds rustling the twigs in the tree behind him; his sharp senses trying to tune into anyone or anything with the potential to disturb his plan.

He was tucked away in the bushes about 15 feet away from the house he'd been sneaking around for weeks. Only the muffled snoring of the boy with the light blonde hair echoed across the landing. Swift as the wind and silent as a shadow he came out of his hiding. A few steps and an effortless jump up to the first level was all it took, and he easily pulled himself up onto the window sill.

He had been watching her, learning about her and her habits, trying to find the most efficient way of executing his task. He hated himself for it, but he also took pride in his special mission, and knew that it served the greater good.

For the greater good, he kept telling himself. It was the only way, it had to be done. So he slowly crept towards the bed with the sleeping girl. So peaceful, so lovely she was in her sleep. Perhaps it had been a bad idea to follow her around, to get to know her. This mission would have been so much easier without knowing about her life, the people she loved, and those who loved her. Was he so much better than the ones he despised so much, that he constantly tried to prove wrong? Was he a hypocrite for his willingness to make this sacrifice?

For a fleeting moment he hesitated. He had no purpose there other than to fulfil this mission. Everything had its price, and both he and the sleeping girl would have to pay it in their own way. He took a deep breath and shook off those distracting thoughts. It would be okay. This might be the end, but it would also be a new beginning.

He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small vial containing a bright silver liquid. The substance was swirling and stirring in the bottle, as if it desperately wanted to escape. He knelt before the bed and opened the little vial. Gently, he spread the girl's lips apart, just enough to pour in the liquid. Another deep breath, and he emptied the contents of the bottle. For a brief moment, the only visible part of her body - her face - appeared to gleam, as if something illuminated it from within. She didn't open her eyes, and she stopped breathing instantly.

It was good, he thought, the way it had been arranged. Had she opened her eyes and seen a complete stranger leaning over her, she would surely have screamed. Instead, the essence of the aether would be allowed to do its job and let her pass without memory, without recollection of the things that had happened.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered as he turned around and left the house the way he came.

****

Edited by mabholloway