Athena

I continued to play with my knife as I stared at my ceiling, laying limp on my bed. The night had come, and at this point I was just waiting for him to call for me.

"I should probably fix myself up for the mission," I uttered to myself quietly, letting a sigh escape my lips. I got up and walked into my bathroom yet again, grabbing the first aid kit and sitting down on the toilet seat.

I opened it up and grabbed the packet of alcohol wipes and bandage gauze. Setting the kit back on the counter, I opened the packet and pulled out the small wipe. I looked down at the cuts, then back at the wipe, taking a deep breath in.

I don't like this type of pain.

I slowly placed the wipe on the surface of my cuts before sliding it both ways, making sure to thoroughly clean it. The stinging sensation overwhelmed my thoughts as I winced in pain. I wiped faster, making myself think that the faster I wipe, the faster it'll be done and over with. I could stand any type of pain pretty well, but I specifically hated the pain of cleaning my wounds.

I threw the wipe in the trash before rolling the bandage gauze out, placing it on top of my thigh. I rolled it over and over, making sure it would stay in tact and prevent any bleeding. I really didn't want to deal with any sort of problem with these cuts whilst on a mission; it would just cause more of a hassle.

As I finished, I grabbed the tape in the kit and tore a piece off with my teeth, holding the end of the bandage in place before firmly placing the tape on top of it. I stood up and took a few steps, walking around in the bathroom to make sure it wouldn't mess my movement up. I nodded an "okay" to myself before closing the kit and throwing all of the empty packets away. Storing the kit back into the cabinet, I walked out and back into my room.

I jumped on my bed and checked my phone, seeing a text notification plastered on my screen.

Of course it just had to be my damned mother. Who else could it be?

Lyssa Hendrix, the "queen" of the mafia. She was nothing better than my father; if anything, she was worse. She was cold, brutal, and didn't care about anything but herself. It disgusted me.

I opened my phone, reading the text.

"You're coming clubbing with me tomorrow. It's going to be so much fun!"

I gagged at the thought. I knew the only reason she wanted to bring me with her was to show me off to grown men. She wanted to attract them and use them like she uses me. To her, it was as if I was just a sex toy, waiting to be used. She didn't care about me.

She only acted like she did, like everyone else does.

I left her on read, knowing she wouldn't take no for an answer. Putting my phone down, I looked back up at my ceiling in silence. Before long my eye lids were starting to shut, and my body started to relax. My room was cozy and quiet, and it seemed like the perfect time to go to sleep.

"Get out of your damn room and get down here!"

I grunted and put my hands over my face in frustration. "I was just about to sleep," I whined to myself, getting up and grabbing a gun in my inventory. I grabbed a black coat and put it on, checking myself out in the mirror before rushing downstairs and entering his office. I looked at his seat to find it empty, only for a guard to rush over and say, "Living room, miss." I thanked him and turned towards the living room, rolling my eyes. As I reached the room, I went over and stood in front of him, waiting for further instruction.

"Where's the bow?" He asked, glaring at me.

I slightly bit on my tongue as I bowed, looking back up and keeping my eyes directed straight ahead.

"You pathetic moron," I heard him say.

I ignored the comment as he chuckled. I was not in the mood to try and get back at him.

There was a long pause before he started speaking again.

"You and one of the recruits are going to raid one of the bases," he explained.

"Whose?" I asked, looking up at him. He cut me off, spitting on my feet. "I didn't tell you to speak, you useless piece of shit."

I looked down, holding my frustration back and nodding slightly. There was nothing I could do about any of this anyway, so there was no point in getting mad.

"You are raiding the Prophets' drug base tonight. I picked these recruits and told them where the base is, they'll bring you there. Kill anyone who gets in your way. I want as much as you can get, and fast. Be here before dawn, or your mother might scold me for sending you out like that again," he spat and rolled his eyes at the mention of mother. My eyes widened for a split second before I looked back up, nodding.

The Prophets are the highest ranking mafia, and he was expecting me to raid one of their bases.. and make it out alive?

I let the thoughts run though my mind as I kept a straight face. Did my father really think I could make it out alive? Or did he simply not care about whether or not I'd live? I mean, it's not like I thought he actually cared, but I'm one of his most skilled people. Besides, why would he send two of us, if both of us were to just get killed?

"Yes father," was all I said before he held his hand up to shut me up. He pointed to the recruits lined up on the side, indicating for me to choose one.

I scanned all of them thoroughly. As I cleared my throat, I looked at my father. "May I go alone?" I asked quietly. He glared at me, shaking his head. "No, now hurry up and pick someone Athena. You're so damn slow." I turned back to the recruits, sighing.

The only reason my dad sent recruits with me was to get them killed. He chose the ones he felt no need for and lined them up for me, sending them with me on missions too dangerous for such inexperienced rookies. It's not like I know them, but it's kind of disappointing to think that they worked so hard to join the mafia just to be killed on purpose. I could care less, but I don't like getting rid of innocent people.

"Zeke," I called out as I tossed him one of my knives. He caught it, walking over next to me before bowing down. "Let's go, we need to make it quick. Get the truck, I'll go get the ammo." He rushed over to truck as I walked into our inventory, grabbing some ammo and getting into the truck after him. He turned on truck's engine and we sped off.

A few minutes of silence had passed before Zeke finally spoke up.

"Thanks for picking me, I've never really been able to go on a mission like this one before," he said as his eyes stayed glued to the road.

One of the only— actually, the only person in my life I considered decent. We were pretty good friends.

Zeke was one of the recruits who've been in the mafia longer, so I don't know why my dad was trying to kill him. I turned over to him, seeing the small hint of excitement in his eyes. I sighed, knowing his main purpose was nothing but death.

"No problem, you know you're my number one right," I said in a playful tone, chuckling. I might as well make his last memory of me a good one, right? "Oh whatever, Athena Hendrix. I know. I will always be your number one," he said, a smirk crawling up on his face. I cringed as I looked at him. "I take that back," I said, pretending to gag. He laughed and turned to look at me.

"I'm kind of surprised your dad sent someone with you though. I mean, usually you go alone, and honestly I don't really think you need anyone, no matter how dangerous this mission seems to be," he explained. "Sorry for talking so much, but I don't know. It's just weird.."

Gosh, what the hell am I supposed to say to that Zeke?

His eyes shifted back to the road as I turned to look out the window, biting my inner lip. "I know right, it's pointless. He keeps sending random recruits with me. I'm pretty sure it's just because he doesn't trust me. I mean, you know how he is," I lied, making sure not to look his way. "Maybe," was all he said. I looked at him, seeing the confusion on his face.

There's no way I'm telling my best friend his only purpose was to die.

Stepping on the brakes, Zeke parked right behind the base. The base itself wasn't too big; it was dim and seemingly old, as if the building was abandoned. A forest encompassed half of the building, and the other half was covered in the night. I looked at Zeke before hopping out of the car and and silently closing the door. As he did the same, I slowly crept up towards the base.

"We go through the left side back out to the front. There should only be two guards up front, so I'll take both of them down. You save your bullets for when we really need it," I whispered to him as we brushed our bodies against the wall, already creeping up. He nodded, and soon enough we reached the corner of the wall, where we could hear the guards talking.

"Are you still planning on stealing some? He'd kill you if he found out, Kian.." I raised my eyebrows, sort of confused. "Hell yeah. It's not like he'll find out. You really think he'd notice if something that small went  missing in there? It's loaded dude," he said cockily, chuckling. I furrowed my eyebrows. This guard, apparently named Kian, was seriously going to try and steal from his own base? Let alone, the base of the highest ranking mafia? "Sometimes people are just so damn stupid," I spat under my breath as I quickly held my gun up, pulling the trigger and shooting down both of the guards. I swiftly reloaded, turning over to give Zeke a quick glance.

"What the fuck Zeke," I whisper shouted as my palm hit my forehead. "What?" he asked, obviously confused. I pointed to his gun. Did he not realize that we'd die for sure if he didn't have a suppressor? "One shot with that thing is all it takes for the guards to know we're here, and that's all it takes for us to die," I said in a low voice, making sure we were in the clear before passing him the extra suppressor I had kept in my coat.

"Oh- I.. I didn't realize. I'm sorry," he said nervously as he let out an awkward chuckle. He quickly screwed it on, not wasting any time. I rolled my eyes before resuming, my gaze redirected toward the door. Before I could open it, Zeke pulled me back, stepping in front of me.

"Your dad told me to go first, so I think it's only best if-" he said before I cut him off by pushing him to the side.

"Don't you ever try that again," I spat.

"My father wants nothing but for you to die on this mission, so for once, listen to me. I'm not letting you die quite yet you asshole," I said bluntly. His look of confusion quickly turned into a look of surprise. I knew my father wanted him to die, but I didn't. So as long as I was here with him, I wouldn't let it happen. I wasn't going to sit around and watch my dad play with our people's lives as if it was just some silly game. He was coming back home with me for sure.

Before he could say anything, I grabbed the handle of the door and pushed it open.

Luckily, no guards were placed next to the doors inside. We made our way in silently before closing the door behind us, scanning the premises as we kept low. As I looked around, a certain door caught my eye. It was situated in the corner of the room, sealed shut with its metal doors locked tight. "It's that one," I said, pointing my gun in its direction. I made my over to the door, scanning the lock as Zeke stood behind me and watched for any unwanted company. "Stand back," was all I said before he took a step back and looked my way. I pulled my trigger once again, aiming at the lock and successfully breaking it open. I stepped on the lock as it hit the ground, hoping it didn't make too much noise.

I kicked the door open and held my gun up, scanning the room. No one seemed to be in it, so we cautiously slipped into the dim room. "He wasn't kidding when he said it was loaded alright," Zeke said, looking around.

He definitely wasn't.

Shelves of drugs sat on each corner. Countless bags of who-knows-what were piled on top of each other. Containers of different pills were organized wherever they could fit. This place was fucken loaded.

I started collecting random containers at the shelf closest to the exit, just in case we needed to escape. Zeke followed suit as we read through the labels carelessly, stuffing out coats with as much as they could fit. Before I could grab anymore, I picked up a bottle of bath salts and examined it.

Father was for sure going to like this one.

"This is probably enough," I said, carrying a couple of bags in my hands. As I headed towards the door, Zeke nodded, grabbing a couple more bags before doing the same. We started running, trying to keep a tight hold on the bags we were carrying.

This was way easier than I thought it would be, I thought to myself.

Suddenly, the lights were turned on and we were met with guards on both sides of us, guns pointed at our heads.

I take that back.

We froze, keeping our heads down as we slowly dropped the bags in front of us and raised our hands in the air. I took a deep breath, looking at the guards through my peripheral view.

"We should kill them boss," one of the guards said, glaring at us. He slowly put a finger on the trigger, ready to pull at his command.

So this is where I finally die.

"Don't."