The Secret

Holly froze, and glanced to th side.
Convinced she had imagined it, she walked on, slowly.

Shadow walked out of the shadows as Holly walked away, havig not seen her friend. She was uwinding a black band that had been wrapped around her face to hide it.

Holly found herself walking in circles, and had just resolved she would have to go back to Natalie and Raven, when she spotted Shadow, and stopped dead, scowling.

Shadow looked up after unwinding the lastpart of the band, and looked up, her eyes locking with Holly's.

"Back already?" Holly asked, voice hollow, "He's dead then? Oh, job well done...."

Shadow seemed to have frozen, but she slowly blinked.
"I'm sorry Hol."

"Why?" Holly asked, "Why are you sorry to me?"

"Because I lied to you." Shadow said. She drew one of the short swords, and handed it to Holly.

Holly stepped backwards, looking confused.
"I'm lost ..." she said slowly.

"I lied to you." Shadow said again, the sword still outstretched "and I could feel your hate."

"You're still an assasin?" Holly asked, eyes looking anywhere but the sword.

Shadow nodded solemnly.

Having been expecting this, Holly remained silent.
"Are you going to quit?" she asked eventually.

"I don't know." Shadow said quietly after a few moments thought.

"Will you quit then ... for me?"
Holly crossed her fingers, waiting.

"I don't know if I can." Shadow murmered.

"Mm..." Holly said, and turned, "Thats what I thought."

Natalie walked to Shadow slowly.
"Do you know who killed my parents?" she asked up front.

Shadow raised a thin finger.
"It wasn't me who did the actual killing, but I was on surveillence."

Natalie nodded, tears sliding down her face.
"Why...?" she choked.

Shadow looked away, her violet hair falling to cover half her face as it normally did.

Holly awkwardly patted Natalie's shoulder.
"You might have mentioned." she muttered to Shadow.

Shadow didn't know what to say.

"At least she didn't do it..." said Natalie slowly.

Shadow decided to keep her mouth shut.