Trained to Kill, Tis all for the Money

[Antonio]

I moved down to one of the empty warehouses, moving like a shadow between the boxes and heavy machinery. My eyes roved over the waist high boxes, depicting the easiest path from all the others. I spotted the right warehouse by the giant number painted on its side. I make a bee line for it, checking my watch as I go. 10 o’clock, right on the dot, which means I’m a little early for our meeting. But knowing this guy, he’s probably here already and prepared to make the exchanged. His live fro quite a nice sum of cash. Of course, my client sends me, ‘cause we both know that, while this should go smoothly, it probably won’t. This target, Renshaw, is a guy who obsesses over every little detail, so I figure he planned on bringing lots of muscle. Which is fine, seeing as how I’m certainly up for a good fight. Sliding over to the door, I peek through the window first. I open the door quickly, and cross over to the table that s set up in the middle of the room. Three men stand on the other side of the table. Two are bodyguards, the type that are all muscle, no brains. Like bears, or rhinos. And the short guy in between them, Renshaw I suppose, is practically a midget compared to both of them. His watery, little beady eyes flick over to me, then to the briefcase on the table, and back to me. I’m probably not what he expected, by the look on his face. He looks surprised, but too pleased for my taste. Maybe I can nock that smug smile off his rat-like face. My reputation might make me sound like some sort of giant, when really I’m more like a 5’11’’ mountain lion. Swift and lithe, but fully loaded and lethal from head to toe. “So you decided to show up after all. I was starting to worry your boss, Macrebe was it, had chickened out on the deal. Changed his mind and all that.” Renshaw squeaks out this sentence, and his voice sounds exactly like a middle school girls when they’re screaming. High pitched and annoying, nearing the range that only dogs can hear. I try to keep the smile off my face, and, thank God, somehow succeed in keeping my calm façade. I merely shrug to his high-pitched statement. I’m already at the table, my back to the door I came in from, knowing that if someone was going to be a peeking Tom, all they’d see is my broad shoulders, the two musclemen and the top of this Renshaw’s obviously fake hair. I glimpse down at the table, and, guess what, there’s a metal suitcase, and I have to wonder if that could be anymore cliché. For once, could someone bring a normal briefcase? Apparently not, but I don’t feel like going into my hate for metallic briefcases, I ask, “Is all the money here?” I’d add on more, but that’d fill up my word quota for today. But my voice easily implies the rest, telling him that Macrebe, my long time friend and favorite client, won’t accept anything less than what he asked for. He didn’t’ like to be cheated, and he’d given me orders to kill Renshaw if he didn’t pay back the dept in whole, up front, tonight.

code by Venny, pic by Maj

[Leena]

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway. Gloom. Overcast clouds lingered in the sky scaring the sun enough to keep its rays of gold from shining through the reaper like fog. Damp, a chill in the air discouraging even the most frivolous children from their play. Not yet night nor was it day, the world hung in a mis matched medium. Darkness would soon engulf the land anyway, as it was nearly four. She glanced over to her elegant wrist, eyeing the clock face. The girl had a strange obsession with knowing the specific time. Most likely it was her problem with being in control of every situation. Having no idea why she was actually here Leena continued to glide over the grimy docks. Today was her day off, (she was a private music tutor) and she had managed to meander through most of Naples. Through the market, over the city bridge, now into the docks for some god forsaken reason. This place to dingy for anything besides rates repulsed Leena to a degree. Not one to squeal at first site of rodent fur, Leena just liked bing clean. This place was not hygiene forward. Different sizes of wooden crates appear here and there. Almost popping up in the most random places. A water droplet hit Leena's arm with a silent plop, looking Leena rolled the sapphires in her head at the horrid weather. Scowling Leena didn't want to get wet...again, so glancing around she noticed a door a few feet from her. Now, of course the door was attached to a building. Gazing up eyes hit a massive metal sign, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS INC. Wow, because thats original. The lack of imagination in cooperate companies these days drained Leena of all hope to say that the human race was actually intelligent. It is advertising, it isn't that difficult. Walking to the slap of metal Leena gripped the door handle and yanked hard. Misjudging that the door would be so light Leena swung back and staggered for a second. The light streamed into the dark interior, no lights besides a top few were on in the building. Interesting, Leena thought. Leena had no idea what was happening only a few 100 yards from where she stood. She had seen forms, but then noticed that they were actually people. Strange apprehension pricked at Leena's brain, it looked like a weird place to have a meeting. Noticing only four silhouettes Leena couldn't see any of their faces. Curiosity itched her forwards and she managed to hide behind a couple of crates to watch with a smug grin what was going on. It was better than just wandering around, waiting for the rain to stop, at least now she would be entertained.

table image and code by Venny

[Antonio]

“Yes, yes, certainly, it’s all business with you. I’ve heard about your skills, you know. You’re infamous for your abilities.” The mouse-man talked while he ran his fingers over the metal case. He looked at me greedily, as if trying to size up the sum of money it would take to buy me off. He’ll have to go to pretty high lengths though; Macrebe pays very well for my services. If he can go higher than Macrebe, then he deserves a chance to hire me. But by the way he’s looking at me, he doesn’t think it’ll be that hard to buy me off. I just nod and shrug, not really caring about what he says. My hand goes out for the briefcase and Renshaw slides it across the table to me. He assures me that all the money’s there, but why would I believe him? He’s probably the dirtiest one in this room, and I’m certainly not talking about hygiene. Flicking open the latches is easy, and the lid is soon open and I’m staring at $25 million in cash. One of the bodyguards stifles a gasp as the other on whistles in amazement. Their boss looks proud, and searches my face for some trace of emotion. But my face is a clean slate, only one eyebrow quirking upward. I’ve seen much more money being transferred to Macrebe before, so really, I’m not impressed. Just after flicking the lid open and fingering through the cash, my cell goes off, its plain ring echoing through the warehouse. I hold up one finger, then retreat a few paces away before actually opening up and answering the phone. “Hello?” My voice sounds bored, and my features mirror that tone. But the voice on the other side is none other than Macrebe. “Change of plans,” he says. His voice is thick with and Italian accent, and he’s speaking quickly. “Renshaw plans to double cross us. Take him out.” I nod my head, then with a sigh reply with a quick yes sir. Macrebe hangs up and I slowly put my phone away. I wasn’t really expecting this, but I still brought back up. Walking over with a slight smile on my face, I start speaking. “Well, there seems to be a change of plans. You see, I was just supposed to pick up the money and take it back to Mr. Macrebe.” My voice echoes in the airy room, deep and soothing with the obvious hint of an Australian accent. “But it seems that someone decided to double cross us. And now it’s my job to clan it up.” I stop at the other side of the table, across from a wide eyed Renshaw. I nod to the two guards on either side of the fretting rat man, and they nod back, then turn to leave the way they came in. “A small piece of advice: don’t hire people who ask for you to hire them. Typically they’ll be working for someone else. In this case, its’ me.” I pull out a gun, and point it straight towards Renshaw’s head. The bullet will land right between his beady rat eyes, and then I’ll be able to go home from this god-awful day. I’ll even do him the courtesy to pray over his dead body before the guards come back to clean up behind me.

code by Venny, pic by Maj

[Leena]

Sneaking had never been one of Leena's strong suits. The small but flamboyant girl was usually anything but quiet and reserved. Large metal closed slowly as the light withdrew letting the shadows take back their reign of terror. Feeling the wood under her soft hands Leena knelt down blending in with the background. Wood, unhanded, cheap, splinters that cut through flesh burrowing under the skin. Leena's brow furrowed, glancing down she saw tiny shavings pricking her skin. Nails poised over the minuscule pieces she yanked out each one as the talking people continued on with their own business. Voices soon distracted Leena from her aid, she was yearning to hear more. Frustration flowed through her like a caged animal, wanting so badly to inch a few feet to be a part of that group. Now, although Leena couldn't hear what was going on her eyesight hadn't failed her yet. Cat like orbs glowed in the darkness squinting to make out each feature of the four males before her. Three facing her, but to ignorant to know that they were being watched. One, the view of him was just the back. Leena didn't mind though, it wasn't a bad side to see. Aside from his well formed ass, muscles were prevalent under his shirt. Strong and sturdy with a thick head of hair. Rugged, troubled, and bad ass. In Leena's book: eye candy. The fact that she had yet to lay eyes on his front made Leena thoroughly prejudiced about his looks on her part. Wanting to be fair she figured to expect the worst once he turned around. Moving along to the other beings in the room, (if you could even call them that) Two of them, thumbs. Having no visible neck what so ever from the amount of muscles they possessed. Now doubt dumb as the floor they were standing on. Unable to think for themselves let alone make split second decisions. Animals that followed each and every master's command, looking greedily for a left over scrap or reward. In the middle of the thumbs was a barely visible man, hidden behind the two looming shadows of his body guards. Short and quivering the Napoleon complex clearly plagued his features. Beady rodent eyes darted in an erratic inscrutable patter. Hands positioned in a way Leena imagined a carrot between his fingers. Nails long and dirty, he was a rat. Leena was getting bored, they were just talking, and she couldn't heard them anyway. The rat stepped forward intriguing Leena's potent curiosity. Unstable hands reached the metal case. Hearing a click the shining sterling lifted revealing its hidden contents. 25 million dollars. Leena thought she was going to die at the sight. Legs weakening, eyes fluttering, heart raced. It was so beautiful, so gorgeous, Leena's salivary glands were in an intense overdrive. Not wanting to drool all over herself Leena shut her gaping mouth. Composure slowly returning she gazed in awe, the fact that all of these men were callous when the case was opened was the strangest thing in the world. A strange, unfamiliar, ringing soon broke the glass of silence Leena had succumb to. Tensing Leena watched carefully reading the scene before her. The man with his back to her had gotten a call. Excusing himself he stepped away from the rodent and the thumbs. Leena shot downward below the crate so as not to be caught. The man was close to her, she could make out his pointed features. Smirking Leena decided that the rest of him was just as good as his ass. Whispered breaths creeped out of the cell. A shiver rand down Leena's back, as the rasping cleared a voice rang through the phone. Focusing on the voice Leena's one track mind wasn't listening to the actual words. Something, distant and evanescent, but something was eerily familiar about the voice. Telling from the untenable deepness it was a male, but other than that Leena had no idea who it was. Thoughts on the mysterious murmuring were gone, now as the words being said sunk into Leena's consciousness. Kill. Double cross. Take him out. Oh my god! The voice just ordered the mystery man to kill someone! Leena figured it was the rat, but how in the world was he gonna get past the thumbs??? Reassurance flowed through her body, yes he wouldn't be able to do anything to him, it was scientifically impossible. Besides if the man used a gun the thumbs looked so stable that the bullets would probably just bounce right off of them. Breathing slowed, eyes narrowed, listening for the faintest race of knowledge. All of a sudden the thumbs stepped back, and in the calmest, urbane fashion left their master to his impending doom. All the hope was gone as the adrenaline returned, all that remained was mystery murderer and the rodent, the rat wouldn't stand a chance. A few moments passed, a flash of metal bounced off the lighting. A gun formed and cocked pointing straight between his beady eyes. Gasping quite audibly Leena whispered an uncontrolled “no” Cursing herself at the sudden lack of mouth control Leena crouched down out of sight praying that she wouldn't be found.

table © Venny

[Antonio]

The gun in my hand was steady, pointing towards an astonished Renshaw. “No, no, please, no. I can offer you money, riches, power, anything! Name it and it’s yours, all yours. Just please, let me live!” A frown crosses over my face, and I feel kinda sorry for him. I mean, the guy’s a rat, no doubt about it, but he didn’t plan on this. I sigh and lower the gun, but making sure it’s still in my hand. I wasn’t about to let him live, but I wasn’t going to be cruel. “I’m sorry. I’ve got my orders. But…. I’ll make sure it will be quick.” I raise my hand again, this time my finger’s on the trigger. I pull the trigger and the bullet comes flying out of the gun in a movement so fast that no one would be able to see it. You wouldn’t even know that it was shot if not for the small recoil of the gun, the pow of the gun, and Renshaw’s dead body collapsing to the ground. I walk around to the other side of the table to where Renshaw’s body is and bend over it. His eyes are still open, the panic fresh in his expression, but his eyes glassed over. For a moment, I let myself mourn. I didn’t know him, but I know that I ended a life that could have done something great. Or brought more suffering. The corner of my mouth quirks downward in a frown, and I start my prayer. “O God, in heaven, bless this soul that I have taken. May he find peace in his existence in his next life. Allow those who knew him find reason with their souls and pray to you for help. In your name I pray, amen.” I form a cross over my body, then mirror it over his. I run my fingertips over his eyes, closing them lightly. But when I stand back up I notice something that I must have missed before. Apparently at some point I got Renshaw’s blood on my pants. My Armani suit pants, to be exact. And this was my favorite suit too. Now I have to go home and try to get blood stains out of a high fashion suit. Which will probably take all night, so I better call the boys back in. “Marcel! David! Come back and start working on Renshaw.” I shout out as I turn to leave the way I came in. Unfortunately, Renshaw will be leaving in a body bag, but that’s just how meetings with me work. I pick up the metal briefcase as I head over to the door when I spot a shadow on the floor. It’s not mine, and the boys behind me are at the wrong angle for it to be theirs. I pull out the gun again, and move more carefully towards the shadow. “Hello?” My voice is soft and deep, alluring with that weird accent I have and that odd way I have with seeming like I’m from some 14th century thing.

code by Venny, pic by Maj

[Leena]

Sneaking around the world with a hidden agenda the beady eyed rodent thought himself as invincible. He would not be harmed, having enough money to pay off even the most vengeful of opponents. Eying the earth through a slitted, beady orb the greed rubbed off casting a black shadow that went rampant to the core. Fake hair gripped his head, glued on tightly as almost being the trap door to the inner workings of his psyche. Although, Leena mused, he must not be incredibly bright to concur that he would be invincible forever. A trait that both he and Leena had in common, she just didn't want to admit it. Pinstriped suit quivering in nervous rodent energy; hands moved up in a fetal like position around his chest. This guy must have studied the way rats acted or something, the similarities were uncanny. Fear grew, building up as a beast in the room, the entrance of the beast was through that cocked gun. The look on his face was quite pathetic really, yes he was going to die, and yes of course the amount of fear one could have for that particular incident would be voluminous. Especially if you lead the path he had been on. Still, does it give him the right to cowering, begging for mercy. Not particularly. Drama swept like a rigorous tide through the space as the intensity of panic grew on the rat's expressions. Nervous twitch set in, growing to more of a seizure like convulsion. Face contorting his back lip disappeared behind his large top teeth, only enhancing his rodent like expression. Holding her breath Leena watched in anxious disbelief as the man raised the gun pointing it squarely between the two black orbs. Thoughts jumbled, confused, and erratic invaded Leena mind, what should she do? Help the poor creature? Or leave it be? If she did in fact make herself more known than she already had, it would mean certain death, two deaths is worse then one. For a fleeting, blissful moment it seemed as though the insane, yet handsome, man had come to his senses. No such luck. Only toying with both hers and his emotions the lowered gun only got repositioned in his hand and then flew back up. This time, the sureness of movement was no mistake, the man wasn't going to stop. Thunder clapped the room, as the inside storm that had been brewing, had been released. The beast sprang out of its ever ready home and like a glutton tore through the space in a blink. Entering the rat's head its fury only started, exploding inside his brains the man literally self destructed with the help of a metal shard. Looking away Leena shuddered, not what you would like to see after eating thats for sure. It had been over before it began, now glancing over at the ending Leena watched, half horrified half intrigued to see the dead body of the rat....who now, looked like nothing more than a pathetic thing called a man. The hit man then exemplified that he was even crazier than Leena had first comprehended. Instead of taking his body and dragging it out to be buried, or stored, or taken care of, the man drew a cross over the corpse saying a prayer. Ew. The man then called for the two thumbs, to dispose of the body. Leena had to get out of here, but how could she make an exit now...she was trapped. Holding her breath Leena watches as the hit man saunters over closer, and closer towards the door and to her. He stops, right next to her. Glancing over in panic she notices her shadow, mocking her. The flash of metal resounds again....the gun was out and now it was pointing at Leena. One word sums up this moment beautifully in Leena's brain. Fuck. What the hell was she going to do!? She couldn't get out without getting shot, but should she try anyway? Or should she stay cool, and hopefully play her way to freedom, and survival. She chose the second, one for her dignity, and two, because it was better than just running and getting shot. Her cover had already been blown, no use in hiding. Standing up straight Leena fixed herself a bit, narrowing her eyes, but not trying to get the hit man mad she raised her brow, “That wasn't quite fair now was it? I mean, the guy didn't stand a chance....”

table © Venny

[Antonio]

I’m still in my post mourning mode, so my features are emerged in sadness. My eyes are soft, and showing an age old sadness that I carry around with me at all times. My lips form a light frown, and my shoulders are slightly hunched. I’m expecting some dock rat, some person who just hangs around here because they have no idea where to go. What I’m not expecting is some full grown beauty to unfold herself from behind the giant box. She pulls herself up quickly and gracefully, and her eyes get really narrow as her eyebrow shot upward. My eyes quickly size her up, and I know that if this comes to a fight of a chase, I should be able to take care of her easily. Her lips start to form words, and my eyes instantly dart back up to them. Fair? Stand a chance? Who the hell did she think she was? She had no idea what was going to happen if he hadn’t done that. The money had a tracer in it, which would be used to find out where Macrebe was. When he was found, they would bomb his house, yet make it look like a pipe leak. Or, if he had taken out the tracer and allowed Renshaw to live when his boss had commanded him to die, he’d have gotten whipped. Literally; Macrebe was into the medieval punishments, so he’d get out this antique whip and use it on those who didn’t obey his orders. There was no chance in hell he’d ever disobey Macrebe when that was waiting for him. “Life is not fair. If I hadn’t shot first, he’d have killed me all the same.” I lower the gun so its at my side and straighten up to my full height. My shoulders square off and my head is slightly to the side so I can get a better look at who this girl is. ”I’m not sure what you saw, but I’m afraid that you’ll have to come with me. Unless, you wish to accompany Mr. Renshaw…” I gesture with my free hand over to where Marcel and David are cleaning up the dead body. My eyes dart over to see what they’re doing, then I drag them back to her face. I sigh, not really sure of what to do now. I should kill her, or bring her to Macrebe. Which means I’ll have to kill her anyway. But I’m tired and ready to turn in for the night, not to mention it’d be a waste to kill her. She’s beautiful and her voice is soothing to hear, and the girl certainly seems to be independent and a handful. Perhaps she’ll come along peacefully and not panic. Then he could convince her to remain silent, pay her off even. At least that way he wouldn’t have to kill her, and waste yet another life.

code by Venny, pic by Maj