Crimson Nightmares

Chapter Ten

Sniper rifle in hand I waited for my target. The boss wanted me to kill a guy who stole something. I don't know or care.

I could hear the sirens. They were getting closer. They were almost on top of me. I could feel the adrenaline rush through my veins. My heart was pounding, and my breath was quick. I took a deep breath and exhaled. My mind was racing. My body was shaking.

I was on the top of a tall building. It was cold, and I just wanted to kill someone. I popped a pill in my mouth, feeling the smooth gulp as it slid down my throat.

The car stopped at the corner. It was a crimson mafia car. A young woman stepped out of the car. Her long, black hair flowed behind her. She was wearing a short red dress and black high heels. She was stupefied by her charms and wanted to get our target out on the balcony. If she did her job right, this would be an easy job. I spoke into the earpiece, seeing if everyone was in position.

"Isidor, are you on?"

"Affirmative."

"Thaïs, are you good?"

"All is well. Gérald you in position?"

"Hell ya."

"All right, your target, Shinsuke Kichirou. 54-year-old man. Japanese, 5'8, black hair, should be in a navy blue suit. He has a snake tattoo on his neck."

"Copy, thank you, Isidor."

"Gérald, there should be eleven guards near the door and nine around the sides. Be careful; some are hiding. There are two on the balcony."

"Copy."

"Thaïs, are you ready? You'll have five minutes."

"All good. All good, is Shinsuke singale?"

"Yes. From his history, he likes to jump around from woman to woman."

"Copy. Gérald, are you ready?"

"All set."

"Ok, one more thing: there may be Crimson Nightmares there."

"You tell us now?" Isidor, you had one job. Tell us everything. One job. Come on.

"Look, I was just looking at the guest list. Look out for a woman named Praskovia Alevtina. That is not her real name, but it is what is listed."

"Oh, wait, don't tell me, does she have black hair, red eyes, and look sadistic? Please do not tell me she is addicted to blood." I let out a sigh. Why was it her? Why was it always her?

"Yes. She does fit the description. I have read some of her reports. She is an insane woman. She does not have a partner and is solo. She has no ties with anyone. How the fuck did you know that?"

"Let's just say you meet some interesting people on the streets."

"You're telling me. She, your ex?"

"No, an old friend."

"Talk later; now focus."

"Copy."

"Isidor, have you seen her?" Thaïs voice was steady and calm. She was always collected during missions.

"Yes. She is on the third floor, on the east wing. She has two people with her. Focus on the mission, Thaïs. Yes, the woman is a threat, but focus on the assertion."

"Copy. Gérald, are you ready?"

"Affirmative."

"I have him. He's on the roof. Gérald, she's watching you. Lord, why hide your hair? That bright pink mullet can be seen from miles away."

"Fuck. Ok. Let's do this."

I waited for the target to step out. He was exactly as he had described him. Black hair, blue suit. Thaïs was holding on to him; it was working. Just another step.

Thaïs smiled up at the man. He had a sick grin on his face. He put his hand on her arm. She moved in closer and whispered into his ear. The man's eyes widened. He grabbed Thaïs and dragged her out onto the balcony. She stumbled behind him. The guards were looking at her. Their guns pointed toward the ground.

The target pushed her against the railing. His hand was wrapped around her throat. She was struggling to breathe.

I could see the other guards watching them. They were smiling and laughing. They were pointing their guns at her. One of the guards stepped forward. Ok, that's enough of that.

"Thas, don't you dare move."

I shot the bullet straight into the target's head. He fell to the ground. The guards looked toward me. Shit.

"Thaïs run."

Thaïs jumped down from the balcony.

"Isidor, you know what to do."

"You bet!" A drone flew under Thaïs, keeping her from falling.

"Thanks; that was quite an impressive shot, Gérald."

"You weren't too shabby yourself."

"Oh, I hate that man, his hands all over me. It makes me want to puke." She sounded genuinely disgusted at the man. He must have been gross. She never complained before. We had been paired up a lot. Lur out, assassinate, and get out. "Well done, team."

"Hell ya."

"Mission success."