The woods were quiet and sleepy. Birds and small animals flew or scurried through the thick growth, seeming to follow no path, but with purpose. They were always, watchful for the bears, hawks and big cats that shared their home.
Sam Barnhart listened to the sounds around him, enjoying the familiarity of them. He had come to know the sounds of this mountain, which had been his home for five years, and had learned, sometimes the hard way, to enjoy himself but to stay alert. Especially when he was by the lake, as he was today, fishing.
The lake was the central watering hole for all the animals that lived in the area and those just passing by. Sam loved the peace and quiet, the slow pace, and the hint of danger his home offered. It was isolated, and perfect for what he needed. It was a good place to disappear.
Sam’s line of work had made him a ton of money that allowed him the freedom to choose whether to work or not. Since moving to Colorado he had chosen to ignore the offers for the particular talents he possessed, and just relax.
Hard to find? Yes he was, and he guarded the secret of his whereabouts ferociously. But those who needed his talents could reach him by placing ads in a few obscure publications. Whether he contacted them or not was up to him. His decision, his choice.
On this late May day, Sam stood on the shore of what he thought of as his lake, and lazily cast his line into its glassy surface. He didn’t care if he caught a fish or not. He just liked the solitude and laziness of being outdoors by himself. Besides, when he did happen to snag a fish, he just let it go anyway. Sparing its life felt good to him.
After all, in his chosen line of work taking life was an ordinary event. It’s what he had been trained by the government to do, what they still used him for. He was quiet but effective, and that is why they still called on him. Get in, do the job and get out without causing a ripple, that was his specialty. He worked only for the government, and took only work that he felt was warranted. Only a few high-ranking government agents knew of him, and even they knew him only by his code name The Messenger. All other records of him and his services had been erased years before when he had been recruited to be an assassin. Now all that remained was his reputation and the fear it caused in the circles that used him. Should your name be chosen by The Messenger, your days on this earth were numbered. No matter how hard you ran or how deep underground you went, he found you and with quiet dispatch, put you down.
Sam had long ago made peace with what he did, and had no doubt that when his time came he would not be going up but would be going the other way. So be it. He would do what needed to be done, and deal with the consequences later.
Today Sam had no worries. Life was good and he was at peace, although sometimes lonely. By choice Sam could not bring a woman into his world and worry about her getting hurt because someone was trying to get to him. Likewise, he didn’t want to risk hurting her himself by the lies he would have to tell about what he did for a living when he left for an assignment.
Really, what could he say, “Honey, I’ll be gone for a few days because I’ve been assigned to kill someone who seriously deserves it”. Hell, it was just easier to be alone.
Still, he had needs like every other man and on occasion he found companionship, going far from his home to do so. It was safer not to play in his own backyard, so to speak. So he kept these meetings few and far between.
Sam had resigned himself to the fact that he would never have love, a family, or a normal life. Even friends were a luxury he could not allow himself. So Sam learned to live with his isolation and had even come to enjoy it. On rare occasions, like today, thoughts of what life could be like if he had someone special to share it with crept in unbidden and caused a dull ache near his heart.
Sam let his mind wander and dreamt of a woman who would stand by his side, touch him, and love him. Someone who would be there when he woke up and share his day with him. He let himself feel the ache he usually kept buried deep inside, and just for a moment made believe he could have a normal future. Sam opened up his heart and let his yearnings for a mate and a family wash over him. Just for a moment he wished.
The far away look in Sam’s eyes faded as he pulled himself back to the present. Tucking his dreams and fantasies away in the small corner of his heart where they belonged, Sam reeled in his line and began gathering up the few things he had brought to the lake with him. As he slipped his arms into the old, faded button down shirt, he caught a flash of light out of the corner of his eye.
With reflexes brought about by years of training, he dove behind a nearby tree, at the same time pulling out the small gun strapped to his ankle. Sam remained silent and listened for any sounds out of the ordinary.
Staying low, Sam peered out from his hiding place, sweeping the lake and its surrounding area. What he saw made his eyes go round and his mouth go dry. There at the edge of the forest was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Arms outstretched, face turned up to the sun, she stood perfectly still. The light Sam had seen seemed to be coming from her. From her whole being. Its golden glow bathed her from head to toe, radiating a light so bright it caused the late afternoon shadows to retreat before its intensity.
Sam continued to watch the woman for a full five minutes, making sure all was as it seemed to be. Who was she? Was she sent to find him? Was she alone? What was she doing here? All these questions whipped through Sam’s mind as he continued to observe her from the edge of the trees.
Detecting no other presence, he slowly made his way back to his forgotten gear. Placing the gun in the back of his waistband, he gathered his things and slowly made his way towards the woman, keeping his eyes moving at all times. Slowly and quietly, Sam lowered his gear to the ground and waited for her to notice him. He was curious to see what her reaction to him would be. He figured if she was not surprised or frightened, he had a problem. She would have been sent to find him and then he would have a decision to make, live or die. Time would tell. So he waited and watched.