[ WP ] As an immortal , you strive to do something new each day . Today that thing is murder !

If eternal life and invincibility were the boons of immortality, boredom was the curse. Or at least one of the curses. Kara had learned that lesson well over the course of a century or two. She was still perfectly healthy, as perfect as she ’ d always been, but the flame of life had begun to sputter. So she ’ d made a promise to herself to try something new every day. And today ’ s agenda was murder. 
 
 Kara stalked through city streets lit by a half moon. The knife sheathed at her waist felt odd and heavy. Of course she had ample experience with weapons thanks to her longevity, but modern society lessened the need to carry personal arms all the time. She ’ d considered using a gun, but then she figured it ’ d be more meaningful to do the deed up close. 
 
 Another woman, tall with fire red hair, was walking alone a few blocks down. A perfect target. As she walked toward the woman, Kara wondered if she could really do this. Really take another life in cold blood. She thought her heart would be racing, but the rhythm in her chest remained as calm as it had been for the past few decades. Her previous daily ventures hadn ’ t affected it much either. All she wanted was to feel a rush. Some excitement. But was she ready to literally kill for it? 
 
 As Kara closed in, the redhead turned to look at her. The lone woman gave Kara a suspicious look and quickened her pace. The immortal kept her eyes locked on her target ’ s back. She rested a hand on her weapon and listened for her heart. No change. Would it ever kick in? 
 
 Another shape strode of out of the darkness. A figure in a heavy jacket. As two more figures joined the newcomer, the redhead stopped in her tracks. Hesitating for a few seconds more, she tried to cross the street. 
 
 “ Hey, where you going, miss? ” said one of the men. The woman broke into a run. One of the men shouted for them to give chase. They complied and quickly caught up to the woman, who had to stop to kick off her heels. Kara sighed. The day was almost over. She should really find a new target if she wanted to get this done. But…something stopped her from leaving. Something spurred Kara to follow. 
 
 The three attackers had the target cornered in an alleyway. “ Don ’ t get the wrong idea, miss, ” one of them growled. “ We ain ’ t gon na rob you or do anything dirty. But some high-paying folks want you dead. Says your work is causing a lot of trouble for them. ” 
 
 “ Please, I ’ ll do anything you want. I-I ’ ll stop! Just let me go! ” 
 
 “ No, no no no. We can ’ t do that. We got ta send a message, you know? Plus, we got orders. ” 
 
 Kara had just stepped into the mouth of the alleyway. None of them had noticed her. With a sick grin, the lead one brandished a knife as the other two held the woman against the wall. Kara saw the look in his eyes. The dark, carnal bloodlust. Was that how she ’ d looked to the woman? Was that who she wanted to be? She felt at the cold steel of the blade that she didn ’ t even remember unsheathing. 
 
 “ No… ” she answered herself aloud. Too loud. The four people in the alleyway turned to look at her. 
 
 “ Mind you own business! ” one of the men spat. 
 
 “ No! ” she repeated. “ Let her go! ” Was she imagining it, or had her heart quickened? 
 
 “ Or what? ” 
 
 Without another word, Kara flipped her knife, caught it by the blade and flung it with deft precision at the lead man. He screamed as it sank into his arm. His own knife clattered to the ground. Kara charged at the attackers. Another man brought out a pistol, leveled it at Kara and fired. She caught the bullet and tossed it aside, earning a stuttered curse from the gunman. The third tried to stand in her way, but she bowled through him without much trouble. As the gunman tried to grab her, she dodged and slammed the back of his head. He dropped, unconscious, onto the third man. Kara turned to the lead attacker. He was still clawing at the knife that she ’ d thrown. She strode up to him, grabbed him, and slammed him against the wall. “ If I ever see you pulling this kind of shit again, ” she said in a calm voice, “ well, I ’ m sure you can imagine. ” Kara gave him the smallest of grins as she threw him to the ground. The man staggered to his feet and fled. 
 
 The red-haired woman eyed the two unconscious men as she sidled up to Kara. “ I…thank you so much! I don ’ t know what I would have done. I ’ d be dead. Thank you! ” She smiled at Kara, tears falling down her cheeks. “ Earlier, I was…scared of you. I thought you were a thief or something. Turns out you ’ re a hero. ” 
 
 “ I…I ’ m no hero. ” But the word sparked in her an unusual warmth. A warmth she hadn ’ t felt in many years. She felt a heavy, thundering beat in her chest. Kara looked at the woman, seeing genuine gratitude in her expression. “ But maybe you ’ re on to something. ” She thanked the woman, who gave her a puzzled look, and escorted her home. 

