Leaving

I sit on a
chair in the back corner of a café. A steaming cup of coffee is in front of me,
the steam blowing into my face. The bitter taste converts in smell, and my
nostrils are invaded by the scent. The bitter seems to leave without notice,
being replaced by the sweet mocha crème.

Leaving…

I crumple up
the paper in my hands, then unfold it.

***Sassilia Abernthy***

***Age: 23***

***Wanted by: You know***
who, Queen.

***Reward: Life***

Have I
overstayed my AWOL? Probably, but like hell am I going back there. Sure, My
gambling expertise and powerful mind abilities are both good reason for them to
want me, but they don’t  want some
twisted demon me. I’ve almost hurt them before in the Clubhouse, how in
goddess’ name would they want me back?

The bell
above the door rings as it opens, signaling people have come in. I wrap my
black silk scarf around my jaw tighter.

Someone
shuffles in then immediately sits across from me.

I grit my
teeth. “I’m not coming back.”

Silence.

“You don’t
need me after what happened with this…this stupid locket.”

I hear
something like someone clearing their throat.

“Just leave
me alone.”

In my
peripheral vision, I see a white gloved hand meet the table. “It’s nice to know
you don’t want to go back there.”

My mind
shouts over and over **FBI CIA S.S. FBI**
CIA S.S. FBI CIA S.S. FBI CIA S.S.

I look up.
The man smiles, his eyes covered by glasses. “Your little gang-"

“Mafia.”

“-didn’t put
that notice up. During one of our raids on the Clubhouse, we were tipped after
a bad fluke in a card game that you were missing.”

“Okay, and?
What do you guys want?”

“What you
want. To be free from a life of crime and constant heart-pounding stress.”

“Tempting,
but I’ll be going back eventually.” My locket shines light blue.

His eyes go
to it. “That's pretty.”

I quickly
cover it with my hand. “Yes, it was a gift from my parents.”

“They are?”

“Dead.”

He sits back
in his chair, crossing his arms. “Gosh, you’ve grown up.”

“What?”

“It was a
long time ago, but,” He takes his gloves and sunglasses off, revealing someone
of old age. “Elohem, Sassy.”

I gasp,
immediately recognizing the word.

“I knew I’d
find you eventually.”

I jump up
from my chair and hug him time. Tears line my eyes. “Oen.”

“That’s
right.”

I laugh a
little through the happy tears going down my face.

The door
slams open. Me and him look up in surprise, and my surprise gets taken forward.

“Sassilia!”
Mello shouts electronically, his screen emoting an exciting smile.

Oh no. Oh no
oh no oh no oh no!

Raf is
carrying the box, a smile on her face, but Burf and Tibbs show no such sympathy
on their faces.

Rev flies
towards me, wrapping her arms around me. “Sassilia! There you are!”

Wh- how did
they find me?

“We were so
worried about you? Where have you been? Did you do things, are you feeli-"

“You know
you’re not supposed to leave without the boss' permission, right?” Tibbs
friendly tone has turned hard.

My hand
tightens around Oen's.

“Oh.” Tibbs
clears his throat. “Grandpa?”

“No, my
caregiver.”

“Caregiver?”
Burf asks harshly inquisitively. “Isn’t that reserved for-"

A swarm of five
or six men come in, each in suits, sunglasses, and a government patch. The one
in front of them looks fancier and official.

My locket
starts to pulse faint red.

“Alright,
Miss Abernthy.” The official says dauntingly. “Time to go.”

“Where?”

“Come with us.
We need to bring you back to headquarters for some…special attention.”

“No, no
thanks. I’m fine.”

“Sassilia!”
Raf calls my attention to her. “Come with us! Come back home!”

My breathing
starts to go jaded the more I’m overwhelmed. Home…Clubhouse, castle, FBI? Oen?
Raf, Burf, Tibbs? Mr. Erar?

I yank Oen
out of his seat, grab my coffee, and bolt out the door.

“Sassy, I
can’t go that fast!”

Good, I
don’t want to be followed.

I speed up
faster and faster through the gloomy evening city. A few minutes later, I hear
revving engines and sirens. In a few more moments, a city-wide manhunt will be
brought up, with all three sides looking for the same convict.

Me.