Just Another Job

Miss Joanna Preston

Here you go! 

Picture is of Ian Graves

Ian and I took turns driving through the night, on our way to Indiana. We should arrive at Joanna Preston's house in the morning. 

I studied the file as we drove. There wasn't much to it; apparently, Joanna had all but disappeared after her thirteenth birthday. Odd, but probably tied to Mr. Harting somehow. I pushed down the guilt rising within me. Seriously, what was wrong with me? I killed people all of the time, for God's sake. A mere kidnapping job should make me feel better about myself, not worse.

I didn't want to explore the reasons too deeply, preferring to push the guilt down into the dungeon where all of my other feelings were locked, waiting to be dealt with. I pinched the bridge of my nose, sighing. I was twenty-one years old. I should be out partying, going to college, hooking up with random girls every night. Instead, I was a hit man. Each to his own, I guessed.

I checked my watch. Four a.m. I pulled over to the side of the road and pushed Ian's shoulder. "Your turn," I muttered, getting into the back seat. Before Ian pulled out from the shoulder, I was asleep.

"Cobalt. Hey man, wake up. We're almost to the girl's house."

Ian's voice pulled me from my sleep. I slowly sat up, aware that my hair must look like a mess. Ian's amused grin in the rearview mirror confirmed my suspicions.

"I'm coming up," I grunted, squeezing through to the passenger seat. Bright sunlight temporarily blinded me. Ian was driving down a narrow, rutted country lane. Fields of grass surrounded us and stretched for as far as I could see. Up ahead, a lone farmhouse stood stark against the sky.

Quickly, I ran my fingers through my messy hair, already dreading this experience.

"How are we even going to do this?" I asked Ian.

"I say we try the nice guy angle first. Make something up that will make her want to come with. Like tell her there's candy in the car."

I rolled my eyes. "You do realize that modern kids have been trained to recognize that trick from a mile away? Besides, she's thirteen or fourteen years old. Candy doesn't have the same allure for her as it does to a five year old. Nice try though. Predator."

"Fine. How do you suggest we do it?" Ian said as he parked the car in front of the house. It wasn't kept in especially great repair, but someone definitely lived in it. Lights were on in the kitchen.

"I don't know," I admitted.

"Then we wing it," Ian announced, getting out of the car.

"Wait, what?" I got out and slammed the door, quickly overtaking Ian, who was ambling towards the front porch.

"You got a better idea?" Ian asked, not stopping.

"What are we going to say?" I protested, staying in step with him.

"We're about to find out," Ian answered before knocking sharply on the door. He turned to my disbelieving face. "Try not to look too scary," he advised. I glared at him but folded my arms and tried to put a pleasant expression on my face. Ian rolled his shoulders to loosen them and warmed up his smile. I made a scoffing noise, but looked away when he glared at me.

"Coming!" a voice called. We heard footsteps run from the kitchen and come to the door. "Who's there?" a girl asked warily. Oh boy. I looked at Ian and motioned for him to take the lead. After all, this was his idea.

"Indiana health inspectors?" he joked. I slugged his arm and quickly subdued his smile.

"Very funny," she snapped. "Now who are you?"