"You should never regret anything in life. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience."

Kalinda's POV

"Hm, some psychologist died last week," Dad mused as he read the news on his tablet, "They said it was a suicide."

"I heard about that. It's sad," I responded, not feeling so hungry anymore, "Although he was accused of running some pretty unethical experiments back in the 70s."

"Where'd you hear that?" Mom asked as she sat down with her oatmeal.

"In my psych class. He contributed a lot to research into the psychology of interrogation and extracting information, but his methods were questionable," I explained when my phone rang.

I smiled when I saw Syd's name.

"Hey, Syd. What's up?" I greeted.

"Hey, Kal. There's sale at that bookstore we like and I wanted to know if you wanted to meet me there," Syd said but she sounded agitated.

I excused myself and walked up to my room, "Yeah sure...you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied almost convincingly, "But...um...can you take your dad's car instead of your own?" I guess we're meeting up there then.

"Uh...sure I guess. What time do you want to meet?"

"Whatever works for you. I'm here now...and uh, Kal?" uncertainty and nerves crept back into her voice.

"Yeah?"

It sounded like she was shuffling around, "When you drive here, make sure no one follows you and come in the cafe entrance."

"Is everything okay, Syd? You're starting to scare me?" I asked into the phone, my voice dropping to make sure my parents didn't hear.

"Just do it please, I'll explain everything when you get here," she replied sounding earnest.

"Okay, Syd. I'll see you in about twenty minutes."

"Okay, bye."

01101000

My dad had given me a weird look when I asked to use his car, but I mentioned something about the maintenance light. I didn't mention Syd's instructions, but she's been pretty reserved since her return so I was happy that she called to hang out one on one.

The weather had cooled overnight and an overcast sky and chilly breeze painted the perfect fall day. I parked my dad's sedan and walked in the cafe entrance. Scents of freshly brewed coffee and pastries swirled in the warm air like a friendly greeting. A few students from my school were there for breakfast or studying. None paid me any attention, all with headphones in or focused on their friends. I headed through the large doorway into the bookstore and headed back to the classical literature section.

Syd was sat in a plush, mustard yellow chair, flicking through a book with the word "Poisoner's" standing out the most. Her curls had been pulled back into the perfect messy bun and she layered her black leather jacket over a burgundy sweatshirt that I'd given her before she left. I was starting to get used to her drastic change in style, that hoodie was the only old piece of clothing I recognized.

She closed her book as I sat down in the hunter green wingback chair beside her.

"Hey, Kal. Thanks for dealing with me. There's a lot of things I need to tell you. We'll still look at books after if you still want to, but first you need to follow me," she stated, her gaze drilling into me.

I nodded.

She must of seen the look of worry on my face, and assured me everything would be explained. I followed her into the back room as she, nodded to one of the owners. She pulled out a box that was a little bigger than those rectangular portable chargers. Four rod-like pieces stuck out of one side and she turned it on.

"Okay, Kal. I have a lot to tell you. I'm trusting you a lot because you're my best friend, and I hope after all of this you'll still want to be friends with me," she stated in a grave tone that made my stomach churn.

01101110

My mind whirled and my mouth went dry as I tried to absorb everything Sydney just told me. All that time she was gone she was...

They were horrible people and maybe they deserved what they got, but they way she discussed their...deaths so casually. There was almost a gleam of pride in her eye at certain points...it was scary to see this darkness in her. But the contrast in her demeanor when she told me about Switzerland was startling. I didn't know what to think. My best friend in the whole world was thrown into the worst situation imaginable, she did terrible things, but she managed and she's still here.

But the thought of taking another human being's life let alone hundreds. The act of playing God and revelling in their deaths. A body count like that only belongs to the worst criminals and warlords, not my best friend since sixth grade. The girl who cried when she got a B minus her math test. The girl who walked away from the boy she loved so that he could be happy. That girl is a hardened assassin.

"It's a lot to take in, Syd," I manage to choke out.

A breath shudders out of her mouth as her composure slips, "I know. I know, Kal. But you're my best friend and I didn't want to keep any secrets from you. It might slip out and I wanted you to hear it from me. You deserved that much...I can go if you want."

"Syd..."

I saw the look of utter brokenness in her eyes. But she probably also saw the expressions of confusion, horror, sadness, hurt, and shock splashed across my face.

She regained her composure, digging her hands into her jacket pockets, setting her armor back into place.

"It's fine, Kalinda. I'm gonna go, but you know where I am if you ever want to talk."

She returned the contraption to her pocket and zipped up her jacket before walking out of the door. I wanted to stop her and tell it's all fine. That this didn't change anything, but it was so much to take in. A few seconds later when I was able to pull myself together, I jogged out of the room to catch up with Syd, but she was gone. It only took a glance around the small book store to see that she'd disappeared. I just hoped this wouldn't be a repeat of before in which I was Anthony.