Bloodied Heart

Chapter 1

The deserted streets of the east seemed to moan as the wind wandered through the windows of abandoned warehouses. The industrial park had been standing there since the early 1930s, at least according to what Agent Jeff had decided to ramble on about for tonight. Agent Daw didn't mind; it gave the dark, grime-covered concrete buildings some perceived colour despite being devoid of life in the dead of the night. On another note, Agent Cyn was heaven knows where, but that was something out of Agent Daw's concern. It was their usual routine: meet the client, receive the mission and go, no questions asked.

The door swung open without a sound, much to their surprise. They slapped a hand over Agent Jeff's mouth, earning wide eyes and a muffled "mmph!" from him. The agent glared at him as they retracted their hand and beckoned him in.

The warehouse's interior certainly looked much better than its rundown exterior. Agent Daw quickly ran their eyes over the surroundings, a hand poised over their belt holster. Spacious, incredibly clean, and awfully well maintained. The duo was primed to observe, and maintain a constant state of paranoia and awareness. The upkeep of the space was unsurprising considering the economic status of their usual clientele. As ironic as it was, behind pristine exteriors exists a foul, irredeemable black ghost of a soul within.

As Agent Jeff closed the door behind them, they took a few cautious steps forward, right into the centre of the warehouse.

"Welcome, agents."

Their heads snapped towards the origin of the sound. In a second, both their handguns were out, with safety off with much instinct.

The glare of the sudden spotlights was blinding, reflecting off every surface of the warehouse like sun on snow. The looming shadow cast by the wide coat of the tall man seemed to be the only relief the agents could find from said painful glare.

"Now, now, agents. I'm sure your current employer shouldn't be on the other end of your guns, should he?" The man spoke in an authoritative tone, mocking overshadowed by the overwhelming dominance laced into his words. The agents did not waver, eyes angled downwards but guns still tilted upwards. Upon seeing their display of distrust, the man heaved a sigh and threw a thin folder at their feet, taking their silence as acknowledgement.

"Details are all in there. Be done two days from now, twenty three sharp or you won't be getting a single cent." With that the man walked off, guns still following his moving figure until his shadow fully blended with the darkness.

Agent Daw couldn't help but roll their eyes, flipping the safety on and slipping the gun back into their holster. The snobbish manner of those stinkin rich clients who hired them prickled on their nerves so much that Agent Daw would gladly smash their heads into those cleaned, pristine walls. Agent Jeff shadowed their motions, picking the case file off the floor and swiftly tucking it under his arm. Without another word, the two agents left the unfamiliar premises, eyes wide and on the lookout for imminent danger.