Curate, connect, and discover
“Alright, fine. I’ll tell her, but you owe me.”
Phoenix’s annoyed mumbling becomes audible to her as Pheoness regains consciousness. Slightly bloody and burned wraps covered her body. “Pheonix…” Her voice was a low groan, mixed with both fatigue and soreness. “Oh, Pheoness..you’re awake.” He hung up the phone that was in his hand. “W…who was that…?” Pheoness muttered, trying to sit up but her torso was entangled in soreness, along with the rest of her body. “Oh, that’s Reginald. We…or you…have another mission.” Pheonix’s comment was met with another weary groan from her “Tell him I’m dead. I’m too tired for this.”
Pheonix laughs softly “I don’t think you wanna miss this mission.” “And why is that?” Pheonix throws her a thin paper slip. The mask logo on it was oddly familiar as she observed it from between her fingers “I’m guessing it has to do with that overrated actor Reggie was gushing about at the theater?” Pheonix nods “He says he has info on the attack, but he’s in Europe right now so you lucky duck gets to fly there on his own private jet tonight to meet him. Reginald wanted to come but the higher ups wouldn’t allow it.” Of course Reginald wanted to come, but it would really be nice to have some more personal time with him. Just to talk about the agency, nothing unprofessional. “Fine…I’ll go…I better get ready.” Pheoness sighs, getting up. Though, she feels a gentle grip on her arm “Wait…Pheoness…we need to talk about…the theater incident.” His voice seemed more gentle and concerned than normal. “Pheonix, it’s really nothing-“ “Don’t lie. Whatever happened in there was way more than nothing.” She questioned on whether to tell him, but..how did he see all of that…? No one has ever seen what she has before. She lets out an exhale, removing Pheonix’s hand from her arm. Her voice was shaky, What she was gonna confess wasn’t something she was used to talking about. They weren’t pretty memories to say the least. “Okay, but you better not tell this to ANYONE. Even Reginald. I’ll tell him when the time is right.” Pheoness nods slowly with a worried look as she began “You know how you voluntarily joined the agency to do some good in the world?” Pheonix nodded
“Well, I didn’t get that choice”
“W…what do you mean…? I thought all members were voluntary…..” Her expression darkens, painful memories coming back to her. “Don’t you ever question why you never see me go home after our missions? Why I’ve never talked about my life outside the agency?” She sighs “I don’t remember much, but I do remember having a family and a regular life…that’s all I know though. Not even my parents faces are familiar to me…” she rubs her temple before continuing “I was a smart kid, top of my class, so when I started to get common headaches, everyone thought it was just from workin hard at school. But..they started to grow longer and more painful. My parents knew something was up so they took me to the hospital. I can’t remember the exact details but something was incredibly wrong with my brain. It was so bad that I was on the verge of death. But, the Agency found me. Only they had the groundbreaking technology to cure me…the only problem was, the process was extremely costly and would use most of the research they’ve been building up to this point. So, they gave my parents a decision. They would save me only if I could work for them the rest of my life. My parents wouldn’t be able to see me due to Agency rules….you could guess what they chose, considering that I’m here…The surgery gave me the telekinetic implant in my head and the agency has owned took care of me ever since. Raised me, trained me to be the best of the best. After, I claimed my new name, Pheoness. I don’t even know if I have another name. Well, you know the rest. How my closed off attitude steered away tens of potential friends and Handlers and all that…”
Pheonix, who was hanging on to every word she was saying, had a small frown on their lips “I’m…. really sorry Pheoness….I guess that explains your personality but what does it have to do with the theater attack..?”
“I guess I forgot to tell you one crucial little detail.” Pheoness added, a weight being lifted off her shoulders. She’s been closed off for so long she forgot what it feels like to be vulnerable. “Zor heard about my little surgery. They thought of me as an imminent threat if that surgery succeeded. So, they sent their best assassins out to kill me. I don’t remember anything regarding what happened on the surgery but Director Morales told me one of the assassins got a bullet through my head, making the telekinetic implant malfunction. Somehow, I survived, but at a price. Rarely, my telekinetic impact glitches and sends me back in time. Usually, it takes me to my worst moments. I’m guessing that’s what we saw at the theater.” Pheonix, taking the information in asks “And….the silhouette that was stopping you..?” Pheoness puts on her suit as the sun sets over the horizon, a reminder that her mission was getting near “That was new. I cannot explain who or what that was. Can we stop talking about this? I’ve already moved on from my past.” Pheonix nods before wrapping his arms around her “Thank you for telling me. I know it’s hard for you.” Pheoness awkwardly hugs back, but his affection made her feel like the sun was shining upon her skin. “Alright, kid I gotta get going. Juniper’s not gonna interview himself.” Pheoness gives him a small squeeze before leaving for her flight.