Hitman's Tenet

Chapter 3

As I run into the woods, I feel a pinprick of guilt regarding Arthur. He seemed uncomfortable throughout our interaction, and grimaced every time he took a sip of his drink.

He seemed kind.

"I'll go down into the vault, and you can patrol the surrounding area." Annoyed, Iva kicks at a rock. "I still don't know why The Chairman sent us both here- and at this time? Beyond frustrating. And he was so rude about it! Can't we have at least a little time to ourselves?"

Iva takes a deep breath, and exhales loudly.
"Can't stand the guy. Let's get this job over with, and after, I'm not staying a second longer in this place."

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I'm exhausted after the ball. Fatigue has set in, long ago, but nevertheless I make my way towards the woods.

Crow told me that The Chairman's vault would be hidden in the grove of trees, and that there would be guards there.

I've shed my princely attire (about time), and changed into something much more comfortable. I'm dressed in black from head to toe, and nearly-opaque black mesh covers my entire face.

The only color I wear is blue. There's a patch of coloured cloth running down my body, snaking around in spirals across my left arm, torso, and right leg. I wear a ring on my thumb, an old gift from Crow.

I slink around behind the moonlit trees, I catch sight of a figure standing on the edge of a meadow. I can't make out any details, but they're dressed all in black, like me.

Climbing a tall tree, I survey the area. I watch as the figure slips away, back into the shadows. A few minutes pass, as I adjust my supplies and look around some more. I soon decide that the meadow has nothing to offer, and begin to descend from the tree.

"May I ask, what are you doing up there?" Shoot.

It's a female's voice, and I'm momentarily intrigued. Her speech is distorted by the muffle of a mask, and a sound device I use as well. But the fleeting moment of interest passes, and I focus on getting away.

I can't see her below me, and I'm not aiming to find out where she is.

"You're not going to leave me hanging, are you?" I'm not big on talking to people face-to-face, but it really is easier when I can't see them, and they can't see me.

"Who said I was leaving you hanging? I'm just getting started." I laugh a little, amused. "I'd appreciate if you went away though."

"Sorry, not gonna happen anytime soon." I hear a click, the sound of a gun being drawn from its holster. "You really shouldn't be up in that tree."

"Woah there, slow down!" I'm getting ready to run, adjusting myself towards a nearby branch on another tree. "Miss, are you really going to shoot me?"

Click.

As soon as I hear the trigger being pulled, I'm off.

Bang.

Jumping towards the tree on my left, I grab hold of a branch and swing myself down.

Our footsteps are both silent, treading carefully and quickly. I dart through the brush, and weave skillfully through the trees. I'm out of the forest in no time, and quickly scale another tree.

I don't see or hear anyone below me. Catching my breath, I survey the area once more. A metallic glint in the ground catches my eye, and I slowly clamber down the tree.

Upon closer inspection, the metallic shine is a lever, concealed in the crevice of a rock. Dang, I got lucky.

I step back from the rock, and put a good distance between me and the stone. Then I pick up a small pebble, and aim.

It takes me a few shots to get it right, but I hear the lever drop and the sound of gears begin to spin. The ground opens up, to reveal a spiraling staircase. Curiosity gets the best of me.

The contraption opened up completely silently, letting me slip down the stairs unnoticed.

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I arrive in the chamber, and switch shifts with Iva.

"I saw him, out by the meadow. I wasn't able to catch him... the slippery-" I take a deep breath, and ball my hands into fists. "I'm sorry."

"No need to worry," Iva breezes, completely relaxed. "I won't tell The Chairman, if that's what you're thinking. I'll keep an eye out for him out there as well. Don't worry."

I sit with my back against the giant steel doors, and wait. Glancing up at the staircase, my heart stops. Someone's coming down the steps.

My hand goes for my weapon.

"Hey!" A male's voice cheerily calls down towards me. It's the same voice from the meadow.
"Who are you?" I demand.
"Just your friendly neighborhood guy."
"Hands where I can see them." Two hands, in black gloves, wave at me from up top.
"Who says I can't shoot a gun with my feet? Honestly you shouldn't assume anything." I sigh. He's not taking me seriously.

"Feet where I can see them." Two black boots dangle precariously on the edge of the stairs.

"It's nice to meet you, my name is Jay. What's your name?"
"We're not in preschool. And why should tell you-"
"Come on," Jay drawls, "You could at least give me an alias." I frown, and then sigh.

"Call me A."

The silhouette, clad in black and blue (from what I could see), gave another playful wave. Only then did I see a blue ring resting upon his thumb, just barely catching the faint moonlight.

"I'll leave you to it, I suppose." The voice, unhumanly deep, carried a hint of a smile. He must be using the same voice device I'm using.

I only raise an eyebrow, hoping to see the strange figure step out of the shadows. Reluctant to leave my post and risk vulnerability to the vault, I stand rooted to my spot.

But I keep looking upwards.

"Hey, if you're worried about me... well... taking your job, don't worry. I won't. Hitman's Tenet."

Suddenly his hands and feet disappear from the ledge. I grip my gun, double-checking the ammunition, preparing for the worst.

"See you soon!" He calls, and a piece of paper flutters down.

And with that, Jay leaped away into darkness, leaving just as quickly as he came.

Curiosity overcomes me. I dash out from next the vault doors, and look up.

There's a flash of blue, and the top of the doors close. He found the entrance. This could be bad- he could sell the gem vault infomation off, he's compromised the location he could get here anytime... a thousand scenarios fill my head each more upsetting than the last. I take a deep breath, and make sure to tell Iva later.

Adjusting my gloves, I poke at the paper on the ground with my boot. There's writing on it, in large, neat, and loopy cursive script.

It reads: Thanks for the company.

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I come back to the vault a couple more times, trying to find a way into the safe.

But I always end up talking to A.