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Yelena hadn’t thought anyone would ever say the six words written on the underside of her wrist. Not in the Red Room.
They had all been taught to ignore their soul words and focus only on the current mission, and when that was done, the next mission. Nothing mattered more.
But now she was free. Maybe now she had a chance for a soulmate. She got a black coffee from the barista in front of her and sat down at a small table in the coffee shop. She sipped her drink, savoring the bitter taste.
She scanned the room, automatically assessing threats and finding exits. The large buff man in the corner…she could take him. Same with the large dog who’s leash the man was holding.
There were restrooms in the back, one might have a window, but she wasn’t sure. The main way out was the front door everyone was coming in and out of. In a pinch, she could also use one of the tables or chairs to smash the large window she was sitting in front of. It would be noisy and would call attention to her, but it would be a quick way out.
Something moved in the corner of her eye and she snapped her head around to find a tall black haired girl making her way over to Yelena’s table.
She was holding the thin leash of a golden retriever and had a long black coat on with a purple shirt underneath. Her hair was wavy, with wisps of it slipping into her face as she walked over. The girl walked up to Yelena.
“You know, you’re kind of beautiful,” she said. Yelena’s brain practically short-circuited at both the message and the fact that this girl had just said her soul words.
Her mouth opened and she said the first thing that came to her mind. “You are too.” The girl’s eyes widened in shock as she heard what were clearly her soul words.
“Um…are we soulmates?” the girl asked. Yelena nodded, still partially in shock. The girl shook her head in disbelief and held out her hand for Yelena to shake.
“I can’t believe this is happening to me. I'm Kate, by the way.”
Yelena shook her hand. “Yelena,” she said. Kate smiled. “I never thought I would meet my soulmate.” Kate said. “Me neither,” said Yelena.
Kate sat down at the table Yelena was at. “So, tell me about yourself,” Kate said. “I mean, we’re probably going to be spending a lot of time together, so we should get to know each other.”
Yelena frowned slightly. What should she tell Kate? Her past wasn’t exactly suitable for casual conversation in a coffee shop. She settled for an abridged version.
“I was part of a secret child soldier program from 1995 to 2016. They brainwashed me and I was only able to escape through the help of someone I don’t even know the name of.”
Kate’s mouth dropped open almost comically. She looked shocked. “Well, I didn’t expect that,” she said bluntly.
Yelena laughed. She had expected Kate to take it much worse than that. “I don’t think anyone expects something like that,” Yelena said.
Kate shook her head. “I…don’t really know what to say. I’m sorry that you went through all of that,” she said. Yelena smiled. “Thank you,” she said, touched that someone she just met was being so kind to her.
She hadn’t expected to meet her soulmate, let alone in a coffee shop, but she somehow knew that this would all work out. She and Kate were made for each other.
She had no doubt that they would leave this place together, a newfound relationship between them.