Crimson Nightmares

Chapter Eight

I woke up and stretched. My ribs were still sore, and my face ached. My vision was still blurry. I looked around the room. The walls were a dark gray. There was a bed and a dresser. My bag was thrown on the floor. I sat up and looked around. Where the hell am I? I stood up and grabbed the door handle. I opened the door, and a gust of cold wind blew over me. My hair fluttered behind me. "What the fuck?"

"I'm sorry, but we can't have you running away yet." A man stood in front of me. He wore a sharp suit consisting of a white button-up, a black pinstriped suit jacket, black shoes, and black trousers. He had deep, magenta eyes and seemed tired. Oh, right, the mafia. Did I agree? Uh, my head hurts. Am I in the mafia? Fuck. That's not good.

"Well, that is not good."

"Well, we can't let you leave just yet. You could still be a spy."

"Oh. Ok, uh, where am I?"

"You are at the Crimson Mafia Headquarters."

"Well, this is going to be fun."

"You're telling me, now please go inside." Well, ok. So now I am in a criminal organization. Great. Just what I needed.

"So, do you have any family?"

"No, they're dead. Why are you asking?"

"Because I just realized that we have no information about you."

"Ok, um. I'm 32, I have no friends, and I have been an orphan since birth. I'm a Crimson Nightmare."

"Do you have a job?"

"Well, yeah, I steal. What do you want me to say? I'm a criminal; what else am I supposed to do?"

"We can offer you a job."

"Yeah, yeah. You keep saying that." I don't care what I do. Just as it pays well. Please, I am so hungry. I could go for some tea over rice.

"You could go home. We would have to check it out first. We have a spare house from our last partner, who is dead. I don't think anyone has cleaned it, though."

"I don't have a house. I can live in your spare house."

"Alright, if that's what you want."

"Yes. When can I start training?"

"We can get started right away."

"Ok, great."

"Alright, so you already know how to shoot and fight. But do you know how to use knives, poison, or a sword?"

"I have used all of those. Ok, not so much poison. It's not my thing, but I do know how to apply it to a blade and hide it in a drink. And I can also apply it to a dart, an arrow, or even a needle."

"Interesting, can you also use a dagger or a crossbow?"

"Yes, yes. I am quite good with snipers, though. My aim is perfect, and I never miss it. And I can make my bullets. Also, I can use a bow."

"OK, well. I think you will be perfect. We will train you some more. If you want to be an assassin, then we will have to train you some more."

"Ok, that sounds like fun, but I am broke. Will you pay?"

"We will. You have already proven yourself, so there is no need for further interviewing. You, my friend, are an executive. Now, go get some rest."

"Ok, but how am I getting home?"

"Oh, yes. We will send you home tomorrow."

"Ok, that's fair. Thank you." Well, that went according to plan; I have a house. I don't have to steal from pesty shop owners. I can just kill them instead. And I can go home, finally.

"Well, welcome home."

"This place looks like sh*t."

"Yeah, yeah, we know. But you're a criminal, so I don't think you will care."

"True, very true."

"Ok, go get settled. Your first job will start soon."

"Ok, thanks."