《The Chronicles of Arthur's Life》


 Chapter 1 - Lovers Death

    I''m alone sitting in my seat gazing through the small window into the cluttered clouds. My face rest against my hand as I''m in deep thought. Currently I''m soaring through the sky in a plane, however this plane isn''t those typical kind of plane but a military type of plane. It can be said that this plane is the size of a small jet.


    Accompanying the seat next to me is a pitch black, silvered-lined case with my standard weapons inside of it, you know the typical type of weapons of choice such as a dual set of pitch-black desert eagles, a hunter''s dagger, and ultra silent sniper rifle custom- made. Yep, pretty typical weapons of choice according to my current profession.


    I stayed gazing out the window in daze as I watch the moon slowly overtake the sun in the sky. It was a beautiful scene, streaks of pink and orange colors painted across the sky but sadly all good things must come to an end. Heaving a sigh of rather disappointment I begin to adjust my outfit trying to make it more comfortable on my body.


    "Mr. Lewis, we''ll be arriving at the location in approximately 4 minutes."


    My thoughts is interrupted by a beautiful female flight attendant that appeared to my side and whispered to my ear, I recognized her voice. Her name is Eve rains, a rather strange name but hey, don''t judge someone by their names. For instance me, my name is Arthur Lewis. Just from the sound of my name many people immediately link it up with someone that like books or something. Which I believe is just too idiotic and prejudice.


    Well, anyways after nodding towards Eve, she left while I quickly got ready for my mission. My current profession is not an assassin, but rather instead a commander of an secret elite force under the direct jurisdiction of the president. Not too many people know about this, however even if they find out they''d immediately be silence. Using this time I polished the guns and knife inside the case in a quick fashion, I shut it close and got up from the seat. Strapping a solid black parachute on me, I open the hinge on the door to the plane.


    Violent wind threaten to sweep me off my feet but I stand firm similar to unmoving mountain that is constantly getting bombarded by fierce wind , a rock solid pillar. I focus my eyes downwards; tall buildings and skyscrapers appeared in my view bathe in different color lights. Shifting my parachute around while I quickly scan building to building trying to find the others of my squad, It didn''t take long before I notice a fleeting flash of light from a huge building and immediately determine that it was the signal from the others.


    "Even after doing this for many years, I still can''t get used to parachuting down from this kind of height." I silently muttered to and quickly drew a session of quick breath calming myself. Yes, I''m afraid of heights but in order to become a man you''ll have to go through unfortunate obstacles and preserve. Sheesh, I must sound like an elderly man giving advice to teenagers which I''m myself, well if you subtract the one from eighteen then I''ll be.


    Gathering courage, I jump off the plane and immediately descended towards the building as wind furiously impacted my body which strangely was rather comfortable. After being at least 20 meters away, I pull the string of the parachute and glided towards the building. Within seconds I landed on the rooftop and see four others dress smiliar to me; standing and saluting to me with unblinking eyes. I couldn''t help but smile, these people are the people who''d went through countless life and death experience with me over the pass years, and also one of them is my lover.


    I saluted back, and laugh "Dustin, Max, Jeanna, Catherine, How have you guys been these past months," for the past half a year also, I''ve been on special solo mission and didn''t had much time talk or see any of them. It was just a day ago I came back from the mission and was immediately was deported to this mission.


    Dustin is the oldest out of all of us, he''s 32 years old, Max is 26 years old, Jeanna, she''s 28 years old, and lastly my lover, Catherine is 22 years old.


    Dustin smiled and spoke "We''ve been doing well, commander. We''re surprise to see you come back from your mission but we''re glad see you live and kicking " he chuckled.


    Standing next to him Catherine nods "Hehe, I happy to so you again, honey bear" I can see stars dancing her eyes as she spoke. Back then I wondered how she became part of the secret force, but after the first mission we''ve completed I didn''t wonder about anymore. Now I truly believe the logic "the more cheerful a person seem to be, the deadlier they are". Shaking my head slightly, I spoke "Nice to see you again, Honey bun."


    Seeing us like this, Max couldn''t take it anymore and turn to Jeanna "I''m so glad we aren''t like them, isn''t that right. Jen."


    Jeanna frowned "Humph! Weren''t a thing and stop calling me Jen or that will be last thing you say!"


    "Sure thing, Jen."


    "Y, you!"


    Unintentional my mouth formed into a cheeky smile, watching the comedy act between these two is really refreshing, but  I should really stop her before he end up dying, "Ok, Ok, let''s focus at the task at hand, Dustin recap what we''ve to do on this mission."


    "Yes commander, The world known gang leader, Brax, should be in the building across from us, our mission is to capture and bring him back alive" he spoke.


    Satisfied, I nod and look towards Max "Give me a sound enhancer, I don''t have mine" Immediately he nods, rummage through his bag and pull out a small ear piece. Taking it from his hand I attach it to my ear and sightly adjust it to make it more comfortable.


    With a smile, I nod towards Max I close my eyes as I inhale a deep breathe and exhale through my nose, opening my eyes I look at the group of people standing in front of me with perplex emotions. Today could be the last I see any of them, I could pretty much die or maybe they would instead of me.. it''s better not to jinx anything.  "OK, Jeanna look over to the building with the scope and tell me how many enemies they are"


    "Yes, sir" she replied and took action. Squatting down, I take out the parts to my sniper and piece them together. After I did that, I got into a comfortable position and look through the scope of my sniper and aim it towards the building.


    "Commander, there are approximately four personnel on the rooftop," Jeanna said in hushed voice.


    " Are they in close proximity? Is there any thing else I need to know" I ask calmly while I calculated many different strategies to infiltrate the building. She shook her head "No, their are not in close proximity to one another other." Nodding, I begin stabilize my breathing so I can aim more accurate, sniping is just like football, it''s a job(game) of inches. One mistake can lead up to that person or squad demise.


    Gazing through the scope, I aim towards one of the black-suited personnel and pull the trigger. Like a low whistle, the bullet flew from sniper and furiously penetrated into the person head. "Targets, down. Three personnel left" Jeanna commented, and once again focus on the building.


    I repeated this course of action until all the personnel was slain by my sniper. "Come on lets go," I whispered to everyone which each of them replied by slightly nodding their head.


    .....


    My back is against the wall to the exit of the roof of the building. Behind me is naturally my teammates who''s quietly following my orders. Hehe, I couldn''t be any happier with the team I''m with now. Slightly opening the door next to me, I put a mirror though the crack of the door to see if there are any incoming enemies and which this case there wasn''t.


    Giving the signal that it was ok, I open the door and quickly rush in side with the dual set desert eagles in both my hands. "Ok, stick together guys. Don''t make any unnecessary movement and stay stealthily as possible," I reminded them which they reply with a slight nod.


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    "Who was the man that enter the office with the boss"


    "I don''t know but I heard he''s influential, so I guess they''re business partners, "


    Hearing voices coming not far from us I abruptly stop and hold my fist into the air indicating them stop. I think it''ll be best if we wait until they either pass or walk in our direction and if they do that we''ll use brute force to silence them but I would rather avoid this because it most likely will blow our cover.


    I look to the side of the wall and saw two personnel chatting with both carry rifles . Suddenly one of the guards covered his ear with his hand and his face instant showed a shock as well as an angry expression. "Come on, it seems like assassins appear to kill our boss"


    "What how do you know that Jerald?"


    "What else could it be!? Four of our strongest guys disappeared into thin air nowhere to be found. Most likely they are dead, lets go we''ve to warn the boss,"


    Damn they find out already, I thought it''ll be at least two or three more minutes until they discover that, I must''ve underestimated them. "Dustin shoot''em  down, be sure to have the silencer on,"


    "Ok."


    No wait that''ll only make this mission even longer, since they''re personally going to Brax then it means they''re high in rankings " Hold on Dustin, I change my mind, we''re going to follow them until they reach Brax office."


    "Commander, what about the personnel all over the buildings" Max suddenly stated which slightly caught me off guard. "Taking a quick glance at him, I replied, " You don''t trust me"


    "N, no thats not what I mean," he replied, flustered.


    "I know, I know. Don''t worry about them, if we''re discovered it''s best to retreat and that''s what we going to do if that happens. Now come on." After saying this I begin following the two personnel.


    After some short turns and long hallways, we made it into a long hallway and about 20 meters in front of us is a single steel door, most likely the Brax door. I''m surprise that there weren''t any personnel in any of the hallways when we pass by them. It''s must because either the news of assassins turn them into idiots or they believe in their boss strength, lets hope it''s the first one.  Well since the two personnel have used up their usefulness, it''ll best to kill them. "Kill them, Dustin," I spoke in a soft voice.


    "Yes. Commander." He replied and shot both of them in a fast session and before they can fall him and Max grab hold onto the bodies and ease them to ground. "Tango down," Dustin commented. Ha, I swear he plays to much call of duty games on his free time, lets not talk about that right now.


    "Come on Catherine, you and I will take down the intended target, Max, Dustin and Jeanna you''ll stay behind and protect our backs" I stated and immediately dash towards the door with light foots steps while Catherine follows. After this mission, I swear I''m going to take a long break with Catherine and maybe settle down. Well, that''ll be for later. Reaching the door, I can faintly her muffed voices. I put my ear slightly on the door which enhance the muffed voices into soft ones that I can distinguish.


    "Brax, why don''t you have your son marry my daughter."


    "That will be good idea, yea that''s a brilliant idea.  With your influence and my people we can be a imposable force. And if we''ve the children marry and have a kid then we''ll be under on under one house whole."


    "Indeed"


    I take my ear off door with a confuse expression my face, ''Brax have a kid? It didn''t say that in his profile. Damn it seem like this mission and isn''t a simple as we thoughts. If the Brax dies then his unidentified kid will take over his position,'' I thought.


    I move away from the door and pointed my guns towards the it. "Catherine change of plans, Don''t kill Brax we must capture him, alive." "Yes commander" after saying this, she lift up her gun and aim it towards the door.


    Inhaling a deep breath, I kick down the door with a boing thump and what appear before was two masked middle-aged man sitting on two couches looking straight at me with shock faces. "Y, you. How did you get in here unharmed," one of the man replied with a gloomy voice. "If you don''t wanna die you better shut up" I said. Sigh it really was the first choice, I feel pity for these two men for having unskilled personnel.


    "What do you want we us" the other one spoke.


    Spinning the gun on my finger, I replied "Nothing much, just tell me which one of you is Brax and then we''ll be on our way," They both went silent, must because they don''t want to tell me. "Hey, now I''m n-" before I finish my sentence I felt a bad premonition. Like a bolt of lightning, I grab Catherine hand and duck on the floor. Immediately right after the sound of window shattering echo throughout the room and a bullet flew by towards me and Catherine original position.


    ''Damn it was a sniper'' I thought. As I was about to get up, I look up and see two guns pointing towards us. "Damn, you really trick us. Huh?"


    "Haha, We knew you was coming all along. You should see your faces, I mean who wear masks in their own office."


    Damn, that''s is true. "So what you doing to do with us." Catherine suddenly spoke, her face still emotionless. A snicker escape both their mouths " Nothing much. We''ll kill that person and have a fun time with you."


    Damn, what the fuck they just say! Calm down, Arthur. Calm down. Think of a way to get pass this, come on think. Damn no matter how much I try I can''t think properly, what''s wrong with me?


    "Disgusting bitches, I''ll never let you touch me with your filthy hands," Catherine shouted in angry voice, no longer showing a emotionless face but instead a extremely angry one.


    "Haha, it doesn''t matter if you''re willing to or not. Alright that''s enough chitchat," Pointing the gun at me, he fires the weapon. Damn so this how it ends huh? I must''ve really run out my luck these past few years. However, before the bullet even reaches me, Catherine jumps in front of the bullet and took it. Her body flops in the floor with a loud thud.


    Huh? Catherine, I stare at Catherine body with wide eyes. She wasn''t moving, her chest wasn''t heaving up and down. I slowly put my hand under her head and felt warm liquid flowing down my palm. It was blood, it was Catherine''s blood. She isn''t moving. Her blood is on my palm. No it can''t be...she''s dead. Catherine is dead.


    No, no, no, no, no! No! No! "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" I scream at the top of my lungs, even when my throat was burninh, I still screamed.


    "Damn, he''s to noisy"


    "Haha, we must''ve kill his lover. Just kill him, Brax"


    "Alright Jason"


    I hear a faint click sound in my ear. He must be trying take my  life, my life that Catherine saved. No, I won''t let them kill me, I won''t, no, I will not let them live. A life for a life, yes! I will revenge Catherine! With this in mind, I quickly grab the gun next to me and like a bolt of lightning I lifted up the gun and fired shots to closest one. A bullet burrowed through his skull out to the back. A sudden stinging sensation envelope in my chest, no paying attention to it, I shot another bullet towards the other in which hit him in the arm. Before I can get another shot in, tiredness envelope my senses. I couldn''t move my arms, my head was fuzzy and the light surroundings me slowly dimmed.


    Using this moment, the other mask man. Open the window and jump out. Why is he committing suicide? Can he just kill me and be over with it. Immediately right after he jump out, the door behind me slam open. But before I can figure who was the one''s who open the door, I drop down on the floor like dead weight as the surrounding turns into a blur then darkness filled my view.

 Chapter 2 - Facing Reality

    "Honey, wake up! Honey if you don''t wake up the kids will be disappointed"


    A familiar charming voice ringed in my ear causing my heart to violently beat. No she can''t be alive, right? This can''t be true.  I shot open my eyes and found Catherine laying on my chest and directly looking at me with her emerald green eyes. It felt as if a struck of lightning shook my soul, she''s alive, she''s really is alive. I instantly wrap my arms around her waist and pull her deeper in to my embrace. "Thank God, you''re alive, I thought you died." I whispered as tears form in the corner of my eyes.


    "What are you talking about Arthur? You must''ve had a nightmare last night, come on the kids waiting on you," she replied with a smile and pull herself out of my embrace. She slowly got off the bed and departed the room leaving me awestruck. "Kids? When did we''d kids?" But strangely it seems that my mind immediately accepted it, really shouldn''t I be worried about this? I mean one of my lifetime goals is  have children but I really don''t remember having kids. Could this be dream or could be all this time that was a really long nightmare? Well, who cares as long Catherine is with me.


    Thinking of this, I quickly got off the bed, got dress and walk down stairs to only see three figures happily chatting and eating. One was a girl the size of a teenager;  she''d long black ink hair and abyss black hair. The second was a little boy with short black hair and emerald green eyes, the boy look similar to the third figure - a girl -which indicate that there were twins. They must''ve heard me coming down the stairs because immediately when I entered the kitchen the three figures all turned around and said in sync "Good morning Dad."


    I stood there speechless without saying a word. What is this feeling? Happiness?  No this feeling couldn''t be describe with mere words. It felt like if a thousand ton weight that was holding me down all my life was finally lifted.  It was at this time I felt a pair of exquisite, soft arms wrapping around me. Shifting my head I saw Catherine smiling. " Why don''t you say good morning, Arthur?"


    " Oh yes of course, Honey bun." Shifting my head towards the kids, a smile blossomed on my face "Good morning my prince and princesses." Immediately after the words left my mouth, the oldest one pouted and frown. "Dad, I already told you not call me princess anymore!" Hehe, she doesn''t want me to call her princess anymore, kids grows up so fast. Wait, but what should I call her? Now that I think about it I don''t know any of their names, this is to strange.


    As if she had read my mind, the oldest one spoke again "Don''t call me princess anymore, just call me by my birth name, Melissa. And because I feel pity for my younger siblings call them by their birth names as well, Donny and Diane."


    Immediately in protest, the twins shouted at Melissa. "No! We like daddy calling us prince and princesses, you''re just embarrassed by the fact daddy call you princess in front of the guy you like at school." Melissa flustered "S-shut up" she stuttered then grab her backpack and as well as the two twins.


    "Bye dad, love you"


    "Bye daddy, love you"


    "Yea, love you daddy"


    They all say their goodbye''s and left the house leaving me and Catherine at the table eating. I should be happy right now but I don''t know why  that isn''t the case, I feel as if something isn''t right.


    "Arthur, are you alright?" Catherine suddenly spoke, which even confirm my worry. I didn''t notice it earlier but instead of calling me "Honey bear" like she always do she called me by my name. Not only that but earlier I didn''t even know my kids name, this is only came to one conclusion: I must be dreaming. Sigh look how pitiful I become. I need to accept the fact that Catherine is dead. She''s.....dead. She sacrifice herself for me, she saved my life.


    "Arthur, wha-"


    The imaginary Catherine couldn''t even finish her sentence before the space surroundings me distorted and twist. And then blackness, everything surrounding me became darkness. All my senses were no more, it felt as if I was in paralyzed from the head down while simultaneously being blind.


    .....


    My eyes shot open and I find myself staring up to a white ceilings, I shift my eyes around to see a lot of hospital equipment, as I try to sit myself up an overwhelming pain spread across the right side of my chest causing me to groan in pain. Enduring the pain I finally sat up and look down at myself and noticed that the upper part of my right arm and chest is wrapped around in clean bandages.


    So after I pass out, Max and them must''ve took me to the hospital. I wonder how long I''ve been out for, a day? Or maybe more? Did Cathe- oh yeah right, she''s... As I was thinking of this, I can feel tears pouring down my face as my heart cringe in unbearable pain. I really couldn''t control these emotions no matter how much I try to console myself.


    "Oh y''all are for Mr. Lewis. Normally we wouldn''t let anyone but family members in here but since I could tell that y''all are very worried about him, I''ll let this pass just once, ok, but be quick."


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    "Ok, we''re very thankful"


    It seems that some people came to visit me. Most likely Max and them since I really don''t know anyone except them. I''m an orphan and because of that I don''t have anyone I can call family, well accept for of course, Dustin, Jeanna, and Max.


    Quickly I wiped the tears from my face and try to look normal in which I felt confident that I pull it off.


    The door open and I see, none other then the three amigos. As their eyes land on me I can see a fleeting glint of sadness and pain but it was only second before it was replaced by the look of happiness and relief. " Are you doing alright Arthur?" Max was the first one to spoke. Wearing a slight smile, I replied "I''m alright, couldn''t be better, Hehe" Of course this was a lie which wasn''t unnoticed by them, am I really not that good in lying?


    After a moment of silence, Jeanna and them all sat around me while Jeanna held my hand and muttered under her breath. Still wearing my smile I spoke again " So how long did I slept?" Jeanna frowned "A month, you was healed a long time ago but the doctor said that you wouldn''t wake due to your mind not wanting to face reality," she spoke with s hint of sadness in her voice. " And for C-Catherine, Dustin, Max, her family and I had already intended to her funeral. Also don''t worry her family believe that she died because of her incidentally being at the wrong place at the wrong time and was shot due to that."


    I slightly nodded my head " Thats good, I don''t want her family knowing why she died. So did the president gave us another mission?" I ask, trying to go to another topic.


    This cause Jeanna to frown, obviously she isn''t happy that glaze over the topic about Catherine but it can''t be help. If I was to talk about Catherine I know I''ll cry which make loose face in front of them which they might not care about, however I do.  "Did he?" I ask again causing Jeanna to get up with angry expression "You know, we''re friends. You could at least tell us about your worries and problems. I know that you''re badly hurt because of Catherine''s death, *sniff* *sniff*" After saying this she left the room and slammed the door behind her.


    I take a glance over towards Max and saw a perplex expression on his face. "Go after her Max, I''ll be alright." I said while smiling.


    He nodded to me and said "I''ll speak with you later." And with that he left to chase Jeanna.


    "Arthur, the president did give us a new mission, not only that he already find a replacement for Catherine." Dustin suddenly spoke. Shifting my head towards him, I frowned and ask " Replacement? "


    "Yea, we didn''t want a replacement but the president said we need a five man team. So we could only swallow our disagreement and work with it."


    "It''s fine, I know what you feeling. So when will I meet this replacement?"


    "After you''re dismissed from the hospital, well I have to go."


    "Leaving so soon?"


    "Of course, I have to go to my daughter''s dance recital and hey, don''t think the death of Catherine is your fault. She wouldn''t want you hurt and neither do we, well until then." After saying this he got up and left leaving me alone in silence  once again.


    ......


    Its been a week since I''ve been in the hospital and now today is the day I''ll be leaving.  Right now I''m standing outside of the hospital in casual clothes and shoes. My hair is very messy but I''ll fix that once I get home.  So now the question is...how should I get home. This hospital and my house is at least 2 hours away by driving and if you count that I''m walking, that should at least take me 6-7 hours to get home or probably even more, sigh I do really feel hopeless.


    It was at this moment God seem to answer my call. Pulling up in front of the hospital was abyss black Audi with tinted black windows. When the car stopped, the passenger window was let down and a familiar face appeared. It was my good pal, Max. "Yo! I thought you would''ve needed a ride, come on hop in." A smile crawled up my face as I enter the car "Thank you." I said.


    The tires screech as we drive off from the hospital. I took the initiative to talk. " So what is the mission about?" I''m rather curious about the mission, with nothing to do in the hospital that was all I can think of. He replied. "Mmmmmm, it''s somewhat related to last mission. We all have to go undercover, for instance, Jeanna and I is going to be disguised as college students while you will be a highschool student. The president didn''t go much in detail about it but we''ll find out the detail during the meeting,"


    "Is the meeting today?" I ask


    "No, it should be tomorrow but before that, we should go and celebrate."


    "Celebrate for what?"


    "Of course your healthy recovery!"


    "The bar?" I ask with sarcasm in my voice.


    "Haha, you know me the best"