Kayla Jocson

Ms. Thumm

Creative Writing B

3 October 2017

The snow was all that surrounded Elena Romero as she wrapped herself in her

thin jacket and trudged through the Pennsylvania forest. She was not only protecting

herself from the cold, but the small bump on her belly. It was in the middle of nowhere

when she finally came across a grand stone building, towering over her.

There were guards in the front of the fence and she waved her arms to get their

attention. Help, she uttered, her voice barely above a whisper as the guards rushed

over to her.

When Elena reopened her eyes, she was in a hospital room. Where am I? She

whispered, her voice hoarse.

Dont worry, honey, A nurse said in a soothing voice, Youll be safe here.

Where is here?

This is the Institute, the nurse said with a sad glimmer in her eye despite the

smile on her lips, A private run institution set in the Pennsylvanian forest. Thats all I

can say for now.

On the wall across from them was a wide double sided mirror. On the other side

stood two men who watched over Elena. One was Doctor Adam Goode and the other

was Xavier Martin.

 I am growing impatient, and there are not enough psychopaths in the world to

supply your failing experiments, Xavier said calmly as he watched through the window,

You know how we could use her.

Adam only stayed silent. There was no arguing with Xavier. The doctor made his

way into the room, dismissing the nurse as he did so, a cruel smirk on his lips as he

stood at the edge of Elenas bed.

Ms. Romero, once you were welcomed to our private research facility, you are

no longer permitted to leave.

I do not understand, Elena peered at him from her spot in the bed, eyebrows

furrowing with confusion. What exactly is going on here?

Doctor Goode was perfectly candid in the way he spoke, The Institute conducts

research and performs experiments to create human weapons, Elena had opened her

mouth to say something, but he cut her off, Dont worry Ms. Romero. We will keep you

safe. Provide for you. You will have access to anything you need. Prenatal vitamins,

internet, books, whatever. All the Institute needs in return is your child.

I dont have a choice, do I?

Adams smirk only grew on his lips as he handed a large book to the woman, I

suggest you read this at night. Out loud so your child will develop skills early.

Elena looked down to the books cover, running her fingers over the embossed

title: The Art of War. When she looked back up, Adam was gone and she was left in her

room all alone.

 She opened the book, resting it on her belly, Chapter One: Laying Plans. The art

of war is of vital importance to the state

***

The Institute tried watched Elenas every move, but they didnt see everything.

It is about time for me to grow as everyone else does. I want to be a real person

rather than a wooden boy, Elena said softly, rubbing her belly. She hid Pinocchio

behind the larger Art of War and spoke in a gentle tone.

Ahh, a soft hiss left Elenas lips as a sharp pain struck her abdomen. Oh, God.

She stared at the clock on the wall, timing the contractions. As they started to get closer

and closer together, she finally pressed the button, alerting the doctors to come in.

***

Wake up! A harsh, cold voice came from the door. Adam Goode stood at the

door frame and swung open the heavy, metal door. It is class time.

Child, an older Japanese man came towards the seven year old girl in the

corner and offered a hand to her, Come now. It is time to train.

Sensei Mura entertained 5X24s attempts to spar, but within moments, the

master flipped the girl over and she landed on her back with a heavy thud.

The sensei hovered over her for a minute with a wise smile. Watashi wa anata

no senseida. Anata wa watashi no gakuseidesu. Wakaru? 1

1
I am your teacher. You are my student. Understand?
 Hai. 2

Yoi. Sai shik suru. 3

In a separate room, Elena, Xavier, and Adam sat at a table, all of them viewing

various training videos of 5X24.

Her intelligence and understanding are astounding. Her training is going well.

Her charts say that shes testing at peak human condition, Elena said, reading over the

report that the research team had handed her.

I think she is ready to move on, Adam said to Xavier eagerly.

Adam, there is no reason to subject her to any more classes. Training is

already going very well and her aim is very particular for a seven year old, Elena said

firmly.

No reason, Elena? Are you sure you just dont want to see your daughter with

another gun tucked under her arm?

Dont be stupid, Adam, She snapped harshly, I dedicated myself to the

Institute a long time ago.

You two, Xavier said from the head of the table, laying an arm on the table,

Enough. 5X24 will move on with its training. If it does not, then we will have been

wasting almost a decade worth of training.

Shes only a little girl, Xavier, Elena said, a serious look growing on her face.

And I thought we were building weapons, not girl scouts, Adam said.

Doctor Goode, that is enough. Elena, youve made your case. Give us some

time to think about it.

2
Yes.
3
Good. Try again.
 Bye now, Adam said smugly, waving at Elena as she left the room without

another word.

Start laying the groundwork for more weapons training and add chemical

warfare and policies to that, Xavier said, he eyes on the large monitor of 5X24, Hows

the progress coming on the trigger words going?

Better than expected. Certain words are already working her into a blind rage

and I believe that we can work it into her with no problem.

Perfect.

Back in the white room, 5X24 and Elena sat on the steel bench in her room.

Elena had a worn out book in her lap as she read.

The expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him, She read

aloud from The Art of War. 5X24 slowly started to sink until she rest her head on

Elenas lap.

Elena eyed the small window in door and pushed 5X24s head up. Sit up, She

said sternly, meeting Adams eyes through the glass before he left the doorframe.

The older woman waited for a moment before pulling out a page from her

pocket.

My dear father, we are saved! Cried the Marionette. All we have to do now is

get to the shore. Courage, father! In a few moments we shall be safe

The next day, 5X24 was back in her training class with Sensei Mura. On this

day, he taught her to wield a katana. The class was filled with sharp clinks as the

swords hit one another in battle.

 Watashi wa anata no kodomo o hij ni hokori ni omoimasu. Anata wa hayaku

manabimasu. 4 The sensei put a gentle hand on her shoulder in congratulations and a

smile peaked out of the corner of his mouth.

5X24 only nodded in return, her own lips curving into a grin, but the istructor

were interrupted by doors of the dojo flying open.

5X24, come! Adam barked as he sauntered near the Japanese master,

Mura, you know the rules. You will not treat 5X24 as a child. You will not touch 5X24

unless you wish to bring her down in combat, Adam shouted at the man harshly, And if

you think your secret conversations in Japanese will block the Institute from listening

in Anata wa machigatte shinde iru. 5

Adam led 5X24 out of the dojo and Sensei Mura was left with a frown on as he

watched 5X24 go.

***

Her first target was chosen with the flip of a coin. No one cared who it was, only

that it was a high profile target. Xavier Martin wanted to make a statement. She was

only handed a file with a name and a watch set to twenty five minutes.

5X24s target was Ryan Sutter, a presidential candidate that was growing in

popularity.

Hello, young lady, a guard smiled down to 5X24, who had walking aids

strapped to her body. The guard allowed her to pass into the arena before making his

way to the next rally attendee.

4
I am very proud of you child. You learn fast.
5
You are dead wrong.
 20:25. 5X24 made her way to the room, guarded by bodyguards with

earpieces.

Excuse me, She said quietly, gaining attention from the security guards, Can

I please meet Mr. Sutter?

Im sorry, sweetie, but

Albert! A posh, upper class woman made her way to the young girl, bending

down to speak to her, Of course you can sweetie! Wed love to take a picture with you.

The lady looked back up at the guard and winked, Thisll be great press. Jim,

Ill need you and your camera. Right now.

14:32. The woman carried 5X24 toward the presidential candidate and his

family. Ive got someone who wants to meet the next president, The woman said in a

sing-songy voice, Now everybody, shut up and smile!

11:56. Cheese! A bright light flashed and 5X24 had swung her leg up to hit

Ryan Sutter in the chest, blocking his airways. The sweet, innocent smile on her face

previously, had turned into a grim, sour one instead. She brought her hand to her thigh

holster where a gun was hidden beneath her skirt.

11:18. The bright light fades away and the room that was filled with people are

turning to notice whats happened. A scream erupts, Daddy?

10:59. 5X24 aimed the gun precisely and fired it without a second thought. Her

tiny legs managed to run off a wall and onto the nearest person who screamed as she

wrapped her legs around their neck and squeezed until a click sent them dropping to

the ground.
 8:24. Shots fired, we need back 5X24 took a knife hidden in the waist of her

skirt and moved with skill and precision, hitting major arteries so that they would bleed

out faster.

5:02. The room was covered in blood and littered with bodies. The backup

security looked around in horror. Everyone in the room was dead. There were no

survivors.

Anyone. Anytime, anywhere. Shes perfect, Adam, Xavier said as he

reviewed the graphic images on his monitor.

Prices are starting at fifty seven million, Doctor Goode said with an impressed

nod, One million for every pound. Its a bargain rate, as you can see.

Elena entered the room, I saw the news. Please dont tell me thats where

5X24 has been all day.

Elena! Your little pet is going to start earning her keep, Adam said with a

proud smile.

Not if I have anything to say about that, Elena snapped, crossing her arms

and avoiding his gaze.

You dont get it, do you? Adam asked as he turned to look at the bids that had

already started to come in, way above the original price, You dont have a say.

***

It is graduation day, gakusei. Are you ready?

 5X24 only nodded, but her emotions ran high. She pulled her weapon of choice

from the wall; a katana. Sensei Mura pulled his own set of blades that came in pairs. He

turned to face the young girl and bowed with her.

Suddenly, the intercom in the dojo made a hard piercing noise before stating

the seemingly random words. Doctor Goodes voice read, Yearbook Dawn

Watery Subsidized Splintering

5X24s manner changed in a manner of moments. Where once stood an

emotionless young girl was now a growling one. Without a second thought, she charged

and though her senseis efforts were great, the first cut she made was quick, but painful.

A sharp cry came from the sensei.

Child? Are you Sensei Mura was cut off by another blow to his arm.

He fought for as long as he could, but 5X24s strength brought him to his knees

and with one final blow, the young girl had added another name to her extensive hit list.

After a couple moments, she had realized what she had done. She had woken

up from the haze and saw the blood on her hands. The blood that stained her clothes.

The blood that was scattered all around the dojo.

She choked back a sob, crawling onto her knees to hold the lifeless sensei.

Sensei?

Elena marched in to where Xavier and Adam stood watching.

What the hell did you just do?

Id like to call that a success, Adam said with a grin, his eyes never leaving

the chaos in the room.

***
 Ive got a secret mission for you, 5X24, Adam said through the door. He sent

her a watch set to twenty-two minutes and a folder holding pictures of a family of three,

You must make their deaths look natural. Now go.

5X24 approached the home. She could clearly see the man and the women

arguing from the side window, a fire raging on next to them in the fireplace. This couldnt

have been easier. 5X24 crashed into the window, taking the couple by surprise. She

took two throwing knives from her thigh holster and hurled one at the man and the other

at the woman. It hit the man right in between the ribcage and the second knife lodged

itself in the womans throat. She threw a rug into the burning fire next to them. She

knew it would spread eventually. Next was their son.

5X24 wandered the house, finally entering a childs room. She looked around

slowly, focusing all of her senses into hearing. With her eyes shut, she could hear the

erratic breathing coming from the closet in the corner of the room. She sauntered

towards it, opening the door to reveal the three year old child with tears down his face.

He clutched a teddy bear in his tiny arms and his wails grew louder when he caught

sight of the daunting 5X24.

For the first time, 5X24 was stuck. Shed never had a victim this young and

never experienced this kind of emotion. Sympathy flooded through her body as she

looked at the boy. She gripped the handle of her knife so tight that her knuckles turned

white. She took the boy in her arms and leaped out of the window. She ran through the

woods, with the child in her arms, escaping the fire and the sirens. She dropped him off

a couple hundred yards away from the burning home and continued towards her

extraction point
 ***

Elena turned from 5X24 to look at the door which had just swung open with

urgency.

Kevin, whats wrong?

Xavier and Anna. Theyre dead, He said, A fire burned their house to the

ground.

Oh my God What about Henry?

They found him in the woods behind the house. Hes in shock, but hes okay.

Alright, Ill be right there, let me

Elena was cut off. 5X24 had grabbed her arm, pulling her back to the seat on

the bench. Something was crumbled up in her mouth and she opened it up willingly.

Blank eyes watch as Elena pulled the paper out of her lips and straighten the

paper out. It was an image of the family she was sent to kill: The Martins.

Oh my God, he used you, a hand came to 5X24s cheek, but she moved

away from the touch, Im going to get you out of here.

A mission? 5X24 asked curiously.

Yes. A mission.

***

As you all know by now, Mr. Xavier Martin and his wife have been killed in a

fire, Adams voice on the speaker sounded, It was Martins last wish that I take over

the Institute. His lifes work will not die with him. The Institute will go on and we will

finish what he started.

 Another envelope had been slipped under her door, but this time, it was a

floorplan of the Institute with the words GET OUT across the top and a watch set to

seventeen minutes. The door was left open and on the handle hung her katana in its

sheath. She understood.

She was out. Finally. For years, she had guards on either side of her, but now,

they were gone. They could not control her movements or what she chose to do. No.

Now, it was 5X24s turn to have a go at the wheel.

5X24! Dont move. Dont even breathe or I swear, I will shoot. A guard

shouted from behind her. A smug grin pulled at her lips as she turned towards the group

of men, katana in hand. In one fluid motion that was faster than the speed of light, she

struck two men with a slash across their bodies. As one fell to the ground, 5X24 lunged

for him, using his body as a shield for the bullets before casting his body off. She reach

for her katana once again, taking it and in one swing, bring the final guard to his knees.

12:01. She ran past the pile of bodies and continued running. Running to the

exit she had been promised. After tonight, she was going to go with Elena. They would

keep moving and never look back. They would start a new life and have a future. They

would be the family that Elena had hoped they would be when she learned she was

pregnant fifteen years ago.

5:19. 5X24 reached the exit, a small smile coming onto her lips as she saw

Elena waiting for her. As she exited the facility, a slow chuckle left Adams lips on the

intercom. Yearbook Dawn Watery he started slowly, watching on the camera

with satisfaction as he saw 5X24s face slowly morph, Subsidized Splintering

3:01. A growl came from her throat and ripped through her lips.
 No, 5X24, stop, Elena had tried. But she couldnt stop 5X24 from pouncing

onto her, knife in hand as she stabbed the woman continuously without end and it was

not until Elena lay in the snow dying that 5X24 could stop herself.

Riley She said softly, her voice not over a whisper, You are Riley. Not

5X24. You are my Riley. And I love you.

5X24 grabbed Elenas hand, squeezing it as if that would do anything to put air

back into her lungs and keep her heart beating.

Please dont leave me, She said softly, lying down next to the dying woman,

Please dont go. What is my next mission?