Rowena Tyler

"Your mom was never like this." He started, "She was such an innocent and sweet girl. I still remember answering her curious questions about nature. She always wanted to go beyond the boundaries. She was kind and considerate. She never hurt a soul. She helped and was nice to everyone. I still remember walking after meeting her teacher. All of the teachers loved her. 'My favourite student', that's what they all said. I was so proud of her then."

He smiled at the memory. We both stood in my mom's bedroom. He was deep inside his memory. My mind ran to my mom. My mom, sweet and kind? She is a psychopath. You can't even imagine what is going through her head while she is flashing her sweetest smile. I was always scared of her.

I still remember an incident that took place in our mansion a few weeks before I left. It was shocking because I never expected such a move from her side. She killed. And I saw it.

I was walking from my room to my garden as I normally do. What else is there for me to do? I walked past the dining room when I heard voices. I was confused and scared at the same time. I can't even defend myself if there are some attacks. I walked towards the voice, not making any noise. Someone is sobbing.

It is from the kitchen. I made sure to be as silent as possible. I held my breath as I slowly turned the knob and made enough space to peek. I just saw my mom standing, her back towards me. She is talking to someone. The other person is whimpering, lying on the floor. It is a man. What is she doing? Is that dad? I don't think so.

"Please, I will leave. I won't cross your path ever again, I promise. Let me live." He is sobbing. What is she doing to him? What is the matter?

"You have already lived enough, Mr. Ray. You should leave. And what if you cross my path again? I have to make sure." She leaned down to sit in front of the man, "That's what you would do if you were me, isn't it so, Mr. Ray?"

Then I heard a muffled scream followed by my mom's shushing. I ran as fast as I could to my room and locked the door behind me. I let out a breath that I don't know how long I have been holding. She is killing! She is killing him! She is a killer! I should act normal to avoid her suspicion. She will do anything, now I am sure. She made it clear, so clear…

I was so scared to see someone kill then. But now I am going to kill my own grandfather. Time changes everything, doesn't it? I am more of a killer than her. Unlike her, I kill for money, but she kills for getting her things done. Who is more selfish here? Our whole family is so messed up. Psychopath mom, brainless dad and an assassin son. It's perfect.

"Now she is cruel and obsessed with power." He said. "I won't be surprised if she takes over the world. She craves respect from everyone. She will do anything for it now. But I swear, there was a time when she cried because I shouted at one of our maids. She was so delicate and it is my fault that she changed like this. My fault…" His voice broke.

He regrets whatever he did. But that forgiving and considering Austin is long gone. Now it's Ace, cruel and an assassin. My job is to kill. I received money. I should do work in return. Even if he regrets it, he should be killed. I don't care if he is my grandfather or not. I don't care if it is my mom who gave me the work. What I care about is, I get my money.

"I was always busy with my job. I found time, but not enough for her. Later when the rebellion broke out at the Leaver street of Riverlook, I was working from day to night. I literally shut her out from approaching me. That's when it all started. That loving and caring girl is long gone… forever…" He is in a trance, talking his mind out. Make it fast, old man. I have to leave without getting noticed by anyone. I am not at all interested in his talks. If it is what I can do for my grandfather before killing him, let him talk. I don't mind. "I don't know what made her become so tough. I don't know what made her change herself. I don't know why she is doing all these…"

"Doing what?"

He sighed, "She locked up a girl in the dungeons of the ministry now. Someone made a prophecy saying that this girl is going to be the reason for the doom. She is scared that the prophecy made about her is going to come true as another one was made talking about the same thing. "

"Why does she want to kill you then?"

"I am the only one who knows about the first prophecy. To continue her play smoothly, I should be wiped out. Well, fair game." He smiled.

"I can't go back without killing you. I should do my job."

"Yeah.. right." He was thinking while saying so. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh. I felt bad for him. He didn't do anything. I don't care what he said. It doesn't concern me anymore. I am not a member of this city anymore. I don't care what she does to this city. I am just an outsider. I am here to do my job and I will leave after completing it. I won't return if it is not for my job. Let her continue with her obsession and kill whoever is in her way. Unless it's me.

"Can you do me a favour?" He asked. He looks miserable. I should at least respect his age.

I sighed, "What is it?"

"Can I have a um… a painless death?" He said and I froze, "because you know… I am… I am scared to die." His voice broke.