(I must apologize for any grammatical errors. None of the chapters have been edited and this is my first story so please bare with me on this journey. Thanks for taking your time to read this story. )

The End of the Beginning

It shouldn't of come to no surprise to myself that I should be in this predicament. I should have seen it coming, but in this life, I should have known better. There are things that can become a factor that makes one lose their life. For example, being unprepared for the unexpected and in my case, that thing was love. It can be the sweetest thing, but it can also be the bitterest.

James Monroe, codename: Falcon, confirmed kill count: 167, success rate: 85%. James Monroe, my most trusted friend, partner and on again off again lover. We grew up together, fighting, training, killing. We had one rule between us, trust no one but each other. That's how we survived 10 years in this cut throat industry of contract killing. At age 15 the organization made the trainees kill each other, stuck in a classroom we had to kill those we called friend. In a class of 30 trainees, only 15 passed that bloody night.

James Monroe, always had my back and I always had his. That was our deal, our promise, our vow. I would never have thought he would betray me. Me, Julianna Jewels, code name: Red, confirmed kill count: 189, success rate: 92%. That I, Julianna Jewels, would die at the hands of a back stabbing jealous lover.

- - - - -

The darkness usually comforts me. It wraps me up in security and protection that fits my skin like a second glove. My killing technique of choice, up close and personal. From the shadows I would wait and kill my targets with a slit to the throat. Quick, easy, painless. For me that is. I guess over the years I found comfort in the bloody gasping and gurgling of their last breath. The satisfaction that I get in seeing the light go out of their eyes. This job makes us this way, unfeeling, cold, the living dead. So when we get to enjoy just a little happiness or feel any kind of feeling that makes us feel alive, we hold on to it for that single blissful moment and then kill it right afterwards.

Two weeks before I died, James asked me to help him with a contract. It wasn't an easy kill for a solo mission so I helped him gather information and surveillance. With the two of us working together it should have been an easy kill. Our plan was to approach the target through the woods located in the backyard of the house, silently killing bodyguards and taking down any cameras on the way towards our target. Once inside we approached the target and James had the honor of making his kill, but as we left the targets house, that's when everything all went to hell... for me that is.

Our exit strategy was to leave the way we came, it was the safest path back to our get away car. Once we hit the highway we would split up, and go our own way. James would wipe down and ditch the car. That was the plan, at least that was the plan we agreed upon.

Through the woods we made our way towards the getaway car, 7 miles away from the targets house. I was in front of James, trusting him with my back, as he followed behind, covering our tracks. As we approached the car I felt it. The cold blade jabbing into my kidneys, two quick successions. An arm wrapping around my shoulders, his body quickly pressing against my bloody back.

Before I could react, the silver blade enters my heart. I gasp as James whispers into my ear.

"First rule of this life, is to never trust anyone. First rule of fighting, is never turn your back to your enemy. Have you forgotten the rules of our organization? "

All my strength starts leaving my body, unable to fight back.

"Now I understand why you like killing so up close and personal. The feeling of watching people die is exhilarating."

He lays me down slowly, crawling over me, his legs pinning my useless body down. The only word I could mouth is "Why?" Over and over.
James leans over, smiling his devilish smile, no emotion in his eyes.

"Honey, don't hate me too much. It's just business. The organization made a contract for this hit. It seems the person who hired you for your last target wants you silenced. The organization made a calculated decision and your death would mean more money for them. You should have heeded my warnings, you got too good, too arrogant, too mouthy to your handler. You didn't think those thoughts of yours would get back to the organization?"

Hateful rage fills me. To think this would be the way I die. Not in the field, not during a fight, but with two stabs in the back and a knife to the heart. What a pathetic way to die.

"Besides, you had this coming," James smiled. "I've been waiting for this moment for 15 years. Remember when we were trainees and our ranking system? You were always top 10 and I was always the runt. Last place in everything that we had to do. How could a slip of a girl like you could always come up on top? Always be better than me? That's when I decided to befriend you so you could help train me so I can survive. Now you're going to die by my hand and this feeling is the best feeling I have ever felt. Even better than sex with you."

I didn't feel pain, I felt cold, I felt cold rage. Unable to truly tell him how I feel, I stared at him with all the hate that I felt. I swore that I would have vengeance, silently made a deal to any god or gods that was listening. I swore to have my day of justice against James and the organization. Swore that in the next life I would never be so weak, so trusting, so gullible towards a man. I swore to be the most powerful to kill them all, give them back what they deserve tenfold. Then my eyes closed with a promise on my lips and heavy heart full of rage. I breathe my last breath as James pulls out the dagger, my blood spraying all over him. He smiles, I can feel him smiling. That b@stard.

- - - -

Light, warm white, pure light surrounds me. I hate the light. I shudder away from it, but no mater how far I try to run from it, the light is endless. My body is pulled in all different directions all at once. I feel no pain. I feel no hope. I feel no peace. I feel no hate. I feel nothing. Then all at once, my body is pulled in one direction, a door appears and I feel my body fly through then darkness descends.

Darkness. My only friend. I am comforted and I let go.