"You shot the chicken?!"

His scarlet lips curved into a grin. "What else was I going to shoot? Darling, don't be stupid. If I wanted you dead, my arm would have cracked your neck the moment you woke up." 

I shoved a hard swallow down my throat. My eyes rolled towards the squirming bird. Two bullets were plunged into each pupil, the red marbles replaced by silver circles. Its wings fluttered, the clucks now sputtering out of its beak.

"Casper," Levi spoke with a short nod.

Casper ripped his pistol from his jean pocket and shot the bird in the chest. One last cluck escaped before it went limp. A single white feather gingerly fell to the floor.

My breath hitched. I peeled my eyes away. My breathing was heavy, the image of the bird flashing before my vision. Blood... murder. I sucked in a sharp breath, shut my eyes and focused on ingesting oxygen.

"What the f.uck is wrong with you?" I heard Levi hiss.

"She's under shock," Casper answered dully.

Another curse broke under the leader's lips as he took a step forward. "F.ucking unbelievable..." He reached for my face and demanded my eyes to open.

Obeying, I sucked in another sharp breath before regaining my natural rhythm. "Don't touch me," I icily drawled, beckoning him off.

He studied my cold face, his firm gaze making my body shift. "You're an odd girl, Jessie Daniels, very odd."

"I'm not a girl. Try woman," I sneered, jerking my chin away.

He boomed a deep chuckle. "Well, you're a virgin are you not?" I failed a response, answering his question. "You're nearly seventeen and yet you're nothing like your father. Perhaps you're a mommy's girl?"

A snort escaped. How about I was nothing like my parents. Hell, I didn't even know who I was ever since I stepped into that port-a-potty. I was changing. The automatic jarring of my devil tongue was loosening. My tamed dark soul was surfacing. I was becoming impulsive. Vulgar. Reckless.

I didn't like it.

"I'm gonna take that as a no," he chuckled. He waved his gun again, it a habit of his. "I gather you now have your decision made?"

Thousands of questions crowded my brain, but he didn't have time or the sympathy to answer them all. It would take time. I needed time. And he was making an offer.

I set a confident mask over my face, adding what I hoped to seem easygoing. "I guess I'll give your Sniper recruiting team a go," I shrugged.

His looked darkened in laughter. "You're so nonchalant about this. This isn't a game, darling. This is the real world where not everyone ends up as a winner."

"I know how games work," I growled.

Levi and Casper exchanged mind-link grins that nearly exploded off their cheeks. I did an uncomfortable squirm.  Casper walked around, fidgeting a key for the locked chains.

"You had me worried," chuckled Levi as his friend worked his way. "Your father was a master at games. A great player, a legend your father was. Your mother apparently enjoyed playing his game." He drew a disappointed sigh. "Such a shame how he juggled everything for the game of love your mother expertly won."

I frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?" This was nothing compared to the story my parents told me. My wrists suddenly were able to breath and I rubbed the frozen skin.

The numbing was faint and I massaged it as I covered my perplexed reaction. So many questions triggered whenever he mentioned my father, having me wonder if my parents were really who they said they were.

Levi headed towards the door. "You'll find out in the future," he said, and then stopped. "That is-if you live long enough."

Raw terror surged deep into my flesh. I hurried behind him as Casper snatched the chain that was cuffed to the bird’s legs. He let the chicken dangle lifeless, throwing it over his shoulder.

I clamped my hand on my mouth before the puke crawled up. The chicken's eyes had the bullet remained deep within its red pupils, distinct blood dripping down its white feathers. As the door automatically opened once we reached the end of the room, I was intrigued by his choice of target and asked, "Why the eyes? Wouldn't shooting its heart be faster and easier?"

Levi blew the smoke leaking from the gun barrel, catching my gaze with a devious smirk. "Daniels darling, if you want to be a Sniper you should know our values. The mind gives people knowledge. The heart gives people hope. But the eyes, the eyes are the window of the soul. Besides-we Snipers do what we do best. We take out the eyes."

They take out the soul.

"And we never miss."

‡‡‡‡‡‡

Exiting the white room, we followed the greasy pipes and dim lights underground.  Leading to a large rusty vault, they did a hand scan before it slowly creaked open. Commanding for a potato sack bag over my head, I could only obey as they led me through what I guessed to be a crowd; the sound of clicking high heels, laughter and small talk floating around.

That was when I found myself in the chair again, except this time-I sensed people.

I had an itch; top right corner of my nose. The culprit was the coarse bag over my head which accepted very little oxygen.

Before I complained, the bag was whipped off my head, and I blinked, adjusting my blurry vision. Casper, Levi and another man with a briefcase were talking, not caring the fact I could easily make a quick break.

The idea cranking, the scenario of the situation had my mind think twice. It seemed we were in the middle of the walkway; people dressed in black strolling down the halls with clipboards, or guns, and dangerous looking knives. To my left and right, the walls were large windows, containing different themes in every room.

One had several people doing hand-to-hand combat; another was an indoor shooting range. My eyes drifted past the computer room, along the fitness room and straight to what appeared to be a science lab. Bottles of steaming liquids and needles were being thrown, machinery similar to automotive factories.

My curious gaze wandering deeper into the room, one of the scientists caught my glance and quickly clicked a button.

The windows grew tinted, and eventually black, it impossible to find as it blended right within the walls.

My lips dipped into a frown, the annoyance building up inside. What did they have to hide?  Senses still on high radar, there was one thing confirmable amongst my location.

The people here were beautiful.

Their structures were long and lean. High cheekbones, sculpted noses, chiselled jaws, luscious hair, smooth skin. All sorts of curves and angles in the correct places. It was as if I just stepped in an Abercrombie & Fitch store full of models. The only difference was that I didn't need a flashlight and gasmask to get around.

"So this is the fresh meat you were talking about?"

I loved how I was classified as 'it.' A bunch of attractive young adults approached behind and poked my face and arms. I wiggled in the cold metal chair, their prying eyes clawing at me.

"Enough!" ordered Levi.

They immediately snapped up, some even taking a step back with fear. He glared for a mere second before they scurried away. "Stand," he ordered.

I did. "You'll be under my rule now, understood?" he demanded, firing a hard glare. I nodded, biting back a vulgar reply. "Don't expect us Snipers to welcome you as family. We take things seriously here. Remember"-he leaned in, his honey eyes controlling mine-"you're not one of us until you prove yourself."

Yet.

"You'll go through a variety of tests to discover your certain...skill. If you don't fall into any of our categories, you've failed to meet my expectations and will result into your death." His last word had me shiver. Death. Such a potent word used so freely off his scarlet lips.

"These tests are real. You will be brought onto the field. Your actions will affect our gang if done wrong."

"Sounds good," I spoke, hopefully managing a blasé tone. "Give me all you got."

He cocked a brow. "Just don't make a mistake or you'll be royally f.ucked."

I nodded. "Prove my skills. Meet Sniper expectations. No room for error. Don't get royally f.ucked." A sly grin appeared upon my mouth, the sudden confidence striking out of nowhere. "I get it. But can you meet my expectations of being the most dangerous gang leader you say you are?"

Aggravation was painted across his face, trickling wrinkles of annoyance down his forehead. "Darling, I can meet any expectation you challenge. The question is-can you challenge the expectations I need you to meet?"

My grin stretched so much it hurt. "Am I hearing properly? Does the great and powerful Levi Sniper need me?"

Casper coughed, failing a discreet chuckle. Gunning a nasty glare over his shoulder, Levi turned back, and grabbed my throat.

I gasped the last breath, before the struggle began. My hands clawed at his neck and he only tightened, my finger tips barely grazing his skin. He lowered his mouth, dipping his head so we were mere inches apart. The visible scar on his brow was blurring, my vision slowly biting away from the lack of oxygen.

But I felt something. This wasn't like Romane's grip.

Levi was holding back.

"I assure you, if you say another uncalled profanity or ridiculous comment again, you will have a slow, agonizing death that no one will save you from," he deeply murmured.

I made a meek nod before he let go, having me stumble to regain strength. He didn't have a comeback. He used his threats to get what he wanted, used the culture of fear. Perhaps I could outsmart this man more than he thinks...

The guy Levi was talking to earlier handed him the briefcase which he opened. Levi roughly grabbed my wrist. "Don't scream," he commanded. I was about to wrench away, but he plunged a long needle into my flesh.

Casper slapped his hand across my mouth. My scream muffled in his cupped palm. Barely noticing the release of the needle, Levi handed it to the man before eyeing me carefully.

Pain was reflected off my eyes as I began to seethe. The agony stretched and the scream slowly deflated, my exhausted lungs defeated for the day.

"P.ussy," grumbled Levi as Casper removed his hand.

Through the pain, fury flickered deep within my chest and I wrestled Casper away. "I'm not a p.ussy. I can take anything you give," I shot, pleading my tone wouldn't crack.

He chuckled and started to walk again, remnants of how silly I was slipping from his mouth. Following after him with Casper, I hissed at my swelling arm. A small hole left its mark, a blinking light coming from my skin. "What did you do to me?"

Casper handed a first aid bandage. "We put a tracker inside of you. Everyone in the building has these. The blinking light will wear off soon. "

Wincing, I covered the wound, biting down on my tongue as I tightened the bandage.

Levi came to an abrupt halt, having me bump into him. He narrowed a stern look, and I quickly averted my gaze, doing a breezy whistle. He mumbled another crude comment, and opened the door, allowing himself to enter first.

My attention linked to the centre of the old beat up gym. A large rowdy group of sweaty bodies circled around a platform.  On the raised box were two fighters; a man and a woman. Their fists soared above each other's heads. Their legs were swinging. Their feet were dancing; one, two, one, two. They never missed a beat. Throw, kick, dodge. Punch.

I saw a spray painted target on the platform now that I was closer. The faint white and red target covered nearly the whole platform, the dead centre being the in middle of the square.

Approaching the number, it was as if someone hit the mute button. Silence shunned across the crowd. A path was made for Levi. Hard breathes were audible, sourcing from the battle. A slight grunt. Throw, kick, dodge. Punch.

Levi was stopped at the front. He grazed his chin, watching the man and woman do another number. Throw, kick. She missed a step. No dodge. His foot clipped her in the temple and she flew to the ground. The sound of her head slamming against the metal had me cringe. No mat to save you. He pounced on top, and she raised her arms before he could drill.

"Consegna," she uttered, and he nodded, standing. Turning to face Levi, I noted it was Cray who was fighting. My eyes darted towards his shoulder. Not a single bullet scar on his sleek muscle.  

Gulping, I peeled my direction on Levi who remained an impassive face. Silence widened the air.

I took a discreet glance at Cray, and found him joining the 'Let's-all-creep-Jessie-and-stare' club. His black hair was spiked with sweat, and his grey shirt and shorts were soaked. "It looks like you just pissed your pants," I told him.

The words tumbled off my tongue before I could catch them. An apology crept in, but I was against it as Levi laughed, causing everyone else to slip a smile. Cray even taunted a grin. Though it wasn't that funny.

Suddenly, Levi's words killed the laughter, leaving my blood cold: "Get in."

For a moment I didn't understand who he was talking to until no one moved. Pleading he wasn't talking to me, I felt Casper nudge my shoulder. My eyes darted towards the metal platform. Pushing past the swelling worry, I made a slow pace onto the raised square, nearly stumbling on the steps.

All their perfect eyes held a bitter gaze, my footsteps echoing. Once I reached the top, the woman casually got up, spat on the floor, and wiped her mouth with her arm. Her eyes leered disgust in my direction, the scar slashed on her eyelid bending as she narrowed her gaze.

"Out," Levi hissed to her.

She made a low growl and snaked her way off the platform, harshly elbowing my side as she exited.

I tripped back a step, and she snorted, before swaying her hips down the stairs. Tempted to lash an uncouth remark, she wasn't worth my time.

I turned towards Levi, now worried about what was going through his messed brain. He then crossed his arms, the suit tightening around his biceps and said, "Fight."

I blinked. "E-Excuse me?" I stammered. Panic surged through my body. I waved a dramatic hand over Cray, specifically along the oily six pack and insanely fit biceps. "You want me to fight him?"

Levi did an annoyed eye roll. "Of course. That's what I asked. Now fight."

Cray grew a devilish grin and removed his shirt, revealing his vigorous body. Drilling my hormones to dust, I stared at Levi, astonished. "You're kidding, right?"

"Nope," he said, even steering a small hand gesture to carry on.

I let out a nervous laugh. "Ladies and gentlemen, that was the best joke of the year." I jabbed my thumb to my chest. "I can't fight. I can't even kill a house fly." Here I was, vulnerable and opening my weakness to a room full of killers. Pathetic. But for an odd reason, I didn't give a damn anymore. This was outrageous.

Levi drawled an exasperated groan, rubbing his face. "Mother fucker..." He snatched the gun from the girl beside him and targeted my throat. "Fight or I kill you. Are we clear?"

My face faltered. Again with the threats. "Crystal," I muttered.

Levi handed her the gun, and crossed his arms again. "Just throw a punch, it isn't that hard."

Like a Yankees fan at a Mets game, I lifted my awkward fists to what felt utterly wrong and out of place.  The position was what I hoped to be a... defence stance? Or was it an attack? Counter?

The crowd muffled with giggles. Heat rushed up my cheeks, and I dropped my arms. "Can't we do this another way-"

A harsh smack splashed across my cheek, the fist whipping fast.  I teetered on the edge of the platform, my arms flailing as I stumbled forward. The smack lingered like a wasp sting, and I hissed at Cray who simply shrugged.

"Arms up, Daniels," Levi grinned, his white pearly teeth flashing.

I cracked my jaw back and forth, and raised my arms. Cray flickered a devious smirk. "Sorry. This is gonna hurt."

Before a response left my mouth, his foot nailed me in the ribs. I coughed, and stumbled, grabbing onto the metal bar. "Jesus," I whispered, clutching my stomach. The escaping strands of my ponytail dangled along my face, and I caught my breath before gradually standing. "Nice kick," I gasped.

He shrugged, and started to do that hopping dance number. One, two, one, two. Raising my fists for the third time, I dodged his first kick, but then found myself hitting the ground-head first. A long moan escaped my lips, my eyes fluttering shut. The pain was short before it immediately disappeared, replaced by a sudden aggression.

Climbing back up, I shook my head, and faced him.  I sensed his narrowed eyes calculate my moves. Then he knocked me down again, and again.

I did the dance.

One, two, one, two. I swerved around his flying knuckle, and slammed my fist into his chest, but he caught it. Disbelief won my senses over, and he pushed me back, crowning me with his foot. I collapsed to the ground, my face slamming into the metal floor. A loud hiss was liberated from my mouth. My body begged to remain the on the cold metal, it soothing the burning wounds whipped across my body.

"I think she had enough," Cray said.

I groaned, and propped my elbows to rise. My arms shaking, I almost screamed from the instant pain shot from my abdomen.

"More like I've seen enough," Levi smirked, his arms remained cross. He spun his heel towards Casper, and whispered words I knew I wasn't supposed to hear-but I did. "Are you sure this is Brian's daughter?"

"Yes sir."

He took another glance at me, before bending over Casper's ear. "What a disappointment this has been..." he uttered under his breath, “Casper, tell the council Project09 is a fail." He stole another glimpse of my limp body before quietly speaking, "Commence ending Operation X."

I didn't have the strength to rethink those words and just lowered my head in shame, my elbows barely keeping me up. "That was a boring fight," grumbled one of the men.

"Tell me about it. Pathetic," snorted the woman who elbowed me earlier.

My fists clenched. A tsunami of depression crashed my walls of dignity, having my brows scrunch.  I sensed Levi look back to Cray; a nod being his last notion before the sentence of death.

"Finish her."

I heard his footsteps stroll towards the door.

Pathetic. Boring. That's how my life's always been. That's always how I've been.

My arms wobbled. A breeze could have knocked me. I stood for nothing. I was nothing. I was a nobody who read fictional lives just to make my own interesting.  I always obeyed.  I always listened, even when I didn’t agree.

Pathetic. Boring. I stood for nothing.

I heard Casper follow behind him.

But I am not nothing.

I have something.

I am the something.

The thing inside of me.

I gained the strength to crawl back up, standing in front of Cray who seemed stunned. He shrugged it off however, and started to dance; circling around the spray painted red and white target on the platform.

Licking my bloody lips, I spat a shot of red, and followed his steps. One, two, one, two.

Levi's words plugged its way my mind: Finish her.

But I was just getting started.

Cray threw a swing, and I ducked, catching his leg as it brushed past my side. He did a twirl and nailed his other foot to my chest. The wind knocked out, I drew a quick breath and remained dancing, now circling with him. He wasn't hesitant and struck his elbow hard on my temple. A spark of anger ignited in my chest, and warm tingle flourished through my body. His strike powered my bones, and I dodged his next swinging throw, my speed heightening as he missed the next kick. I flung my arms up as he shot a punch for my nose.

The anger fuelled. I was exploding inside. His fist clubbed my stomach, and a low wince escaped, but I grabbed his arm and twisted it, slamming his spine against my front.

He shot his head back, smacking it against mine. The dizzy feeling melted into fury, and just as he jumped and was ready to nail my temple, a surge of adrenaline burst from my body.

If I wanted to be Sniper.

My hand swatted his leg, and I swooped down to dodge the incoming heel.

I had to take out the eyes.

I drilled two fists straight into his midnight pupils.

The soul.

My foot smashed into his chest.

And never miss.

Spinning, I grabbed his neck with my legs and twirled, twisting him down with my thighs and connecting his head to the floor.

Right in the centre of the target.

"Consegna," he breathed as his head hit the ground. I left my legs straddled between his neck, my own breathing already heavy. Shock registered within my eyes, my body riding the last few waves of adrenaline. Sweat dripped from my brow, and I stared at my hands.  “Your eyes,” I heard Cray whisper, staring at mine.  “Holy shit.” 

Blinking back confusion at his odd comment, I turned to a familiar rough voice, “You have potential." Levi studied my face. I attempted to decipher a look of astonishment yet his emotions were masked. "But you can't fight."

I gapped at him like he hadn't just seen me go all fucking Bruce Lee on this kid. Crawling off Cray, Levi continued. "Yes, you surpass the average human skill. But you have no control over your abilities. You're small, fragile, and confused about what you are and fight frantically just for survival. You need to master your techniques, fighting maybe not even your highest strength."

"I will master them," I harshly countered, determination raw in my voice. "I might be fragile, confusing, but I am not small."

"Really? Because your boob size tells us otherwise," Levi smirked.

I restrained my shaking fists, having them grip my shirt for ease. "I might fall, break apart, and soak in a sea of depression after each putdown I receive, but I told you already, I can handle anything you give me."

He scratched his fine chin. "That's what you say. However, I'm not so sure. Look at you." He flagged his arm. "Bruised, scratched. You are coming with us into the city tomorrow night, and you're not even decent looking."

Tomorrow night?

Confused, I searched his honey eyes. "Coming out with you? I thought you said I had no control."

"I did. You need work. But I said I would give you a taste of our gang, and taste is what you will get. You'll see how we run things as Snipers." People moved aside as he moved closer, coming right up to the platform. An edge of danger glinted across his features. "I'm warning you, darling. We don't do the same, lure, kidnap, beat the crap out, and murder shit you lovely North Americans do. We Snipers do things a little... differently."

I cocked my head to the side. "Like what?"

‡‡‡‡‡‡‡

Bow-Cheeka-Wow-Wow

That was something. I wrote this in exhaustion and suffered a lack of sleep so excuse the crappy-ness.

So... the drug is affecting Jessie significantly, both physically and emotionally. Is that sick (as in awesome) or are you not liking her change?

Curious to how the Sniper gang works and what they do?

*evil cackle* (I know how!)

Meh exams #reasonwhyIhaventupdated are killin meh, but there's still one more on Monday. Meh. Wish me luck!

Goal: 20, 000 reads as a whole book? :D 55 comments & 100 votes this chapter? Shoot'in for the stars!

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Thanks for all those who are reading, voting and comment :) You have no idea how happy I am!

Abercrombie & Fitch and Bieber joke from twitter. ;) 

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