Something About Red | ThirdUnion

CHAPTER 1: First encounter

Soviet sighed as he carried a stack of heavy papers across the office and out of the room. Work was always so boring, it almost made him want to cry.

He grunted as someone rushed into him at a bend in the hall, shuffling his papers. Luckily, only a few slipped free. But unfortunately, the person who hit him fell back with a yelp.

Soviet peeked over the stack of papers, his eyes widening. It was a little red country who'd bumped into him, who was now cringing after landing on his ass.

"Sorry about that," Soviet said.

He helped the man up, who scoffed at the ground and looked nervous.

"Sorry, I'm in a rush!" the other said, before quickly running off.

Soviet watched him go, not taking his eyes off him until he turned another corner and was gone.

He'd never seen such an attractive person before, and he wondered what he possibly could've been so late too? Regardless, Soviet had to collect and re-organize his paperwork. That little red brat was so rude for just running off and not helping him, but he could forgive it for just how cute he'd been.

Soviet brought the paperwork to his desk, finally back at his cubicle, and began sorting it. As he scanned some things and organized others, he thought about that stranger he'd just seen.

I've never seen him before, is he new here?

There was a tapping sound and he looked up, seeing his annoying coworker.

"Hey, uh, can I borrow a pen?" the annoying country asked.

"Sure," Soviet said, rolling his eyes.

He handed a half empty pen over, just knowing that he'd never actually see it again. That idiot always 'borrowed' things and didn't return them, Soviet never bothered asking about it because he didn't want to deal with it.

He went back to work, until he got a phone call from his boss. Sigh. More boring, monotonous paperwork to pick up. He'd just barely started on this stack!

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Reich's breaths were quick and short as he desperately scrubbed the blood off his hands under the cold water. He lathered them up with soap over and over again, even cleaning under his nails to make sure he got absolutely everything.

He shivered, the bathroom was freezing, much like most of the building. Those damn fat men on top really liked to keep the air conditioning going everywhere, he outta kill them too!

Reich hugged himself, glaring at his reflection in the mirror. His crystal blue eyes were crazy and angered, his short red hair was messy and tangled with cold sweat. He was shirtless too, having discarded his white button up after it got too much blood on it.

Luckily, he'd already stashed some clean clothes in the vent in this very bathroom. He had to climb up on the sink counters to get to it, being an awfully short man, but he was always prepared...

Indeed, the murder had been well premeditated, they always were...

Reich huffed, hugging himself.

That big red oaf almost made me miss him! I should kill him next...

He hadn't expected anyone to be in that hall when he'd gone barrelling down it. Lunch had just begun prior and usually everyone was heading in the opposite direction, leaving the building to have their lunch elsewhere or even just heading to the breakroom. Maybe that guy's boss was overworking him too? Maybe...

Reich sighed when he finally pulled on his new work clothes, smiling at the slight warmth they provided.

If I'd been any later, I wouldn't have been able to catch Michael as he took his lunch break. Wouldn't have caught him in that back alley he took as a shortcut to that shitty restaurant, and wouldn't have been able to stab him in his lying throat...

Reich clenched his eyes shut, shaking his head and digging his nails into his arms. He sighed, dusting himself off and adjusting his uniform. There was no point in worrying about it, everything had gone as planned and yet another scumbag was removed from the world.

Lunch is almost over, it's time to get back to work...

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Soviet quirked a brow at the file he'd just pulled from a cabinet.

So, his name is Reich?

He really shouldn't be snooping like this, but he just wanted to know about that little red country. He opened the file and scanned it quickly, his eyes occasionally darting around the room to make sure he was still alone. He could get fired for digging through his boss's office like this! They might even investigate him if it was discovered that he was looking through a specific coworkers file...

It's not creepy, I'm just curious...

He reminded himself. He hummed in delight as he saw the exact area of the building Reich worked at. He'd have to pay that section a visit soon, very soon, yeah. Realizing he was just staring at a photo of Reich, he quickly swiped it from the file and shoved it in his pocket. Then he put the papers back where they were, closed the cabinet, and left the office looking how it was supposed to.

Soviet would have to visit Reich's workstation tomorrow, since the day was almost over. He checked some things on his computer and after collecting his stuff, he was ready to leave and go home. He was marching through the parking lot, heading right to his car, when he caught a glimpse of something red. He quickly stopped and looked over his shoulder, seeing Reich rushing off somewhere again.

Two sightings on one day?

As much as he wanted to confront that man, he really needed to get home. His kids were expecting him, afterall, and Reich looked like he was in a rush anyways.