Resident Redemption: Requiem

Chapter Two: She Strides in Red

Mae made a full time job of staying alive, danger was a given. She'd never been satisfied with average, menial and simple, that was an obvious fact. It didn't take much brain power to see her over achieving tendencies, and it didn't take a lot of will power for her to charm her way into success.

Any kind of challenge was welcomed and expected. The latest fiasco was no different from any other. She never feared her adversary, that wouldn't have done her any good, rather she was afraid of failure. The possibility of having a bad report shook her to her very core. Luckily her profession suited her well, and she hadn't failed yet. That day had been like any other.

Mae was speeding down a dark roadway on the shady side of town, where street sides melted into dark alleyways, the transition covered by shadows. Her sheik black sports car attracted more attention that she wished for in her line of work, but in this neighborhood, a pricey car carried an order of protection. It's wasn't the vehicle, but the mogul one assumed was inside that kept them invincible.

The building her GPS brought her to was little more than she expected. Its filth was only comparable to its smell, which she rushed inside to avoid. Indoors offered little reprieve. The dark room she found herself in was only lit by a small lamp in the corner near the homely secretary, who's eyes widened as Mae entered.

"Oh.. Hello, do you have an appointment to see Sir Walker?"

"I called about an hour ago. Impromptu you could say." Mae retorted.

Hurriedly the secretary checked her log book, skimming her finger along the column where names were kept.

"Ah, yes. You're a miss Marie?"

With a grin Mae nodded. It's been a few years since she's pulled out that name. Not one of her favorites, but it worked.

"Yes, that's me."

The secretary, Helen, her name tag read, returned Mae's smile, gesturing broadly towards a door.

"That way. I believe he's ready."

Mae nodded curtly and made her way inside. Mr. Walker looked up from his work.

"Hmph. Something I should be helping you with miss?"

"I believe so. I was told you could help me take care of a problem." Mae responded.

The hand he's been writing with paused. Suddenly intrigued Walker sat up, ignoring his work.

"Oh? What kind of problem?"

More at home than ever, Mae moved forward, taking a seat across from the banker.

"Money issues really. I'm sure you can understand. Times have been.. Difficult."

"Oh yes.. Yes I understand." With sudden pride Walker sat tall, both hands around his suspenders, which looked ready to pop off of his round belly. "Well dear, I apologize, but I'm afraid I can't help you. As you know, money is tight."

Mae slowly trailed her finger across the pine wooden desk as she made her way around. "Now sir.. I'm sure there's SOME agreement we could come to." She said.

The man adjacent to her had snorted, matching his pig-like stature. Uncomfortably he shifted in his seat, just so that he could see her fully. "Now why on Gods' Green Earth would we be able to do that lil' miss?"

Mae shrugged nonchalantly, still continuing her strut.

 "I wouldn't be sure, but I'm certain you're a very kind man, isn't that right Mr..?"

With and aura of pride he tipped up his chin. "Walker. Sir Walker"

Mae grinned. "Sir Walker hmm? How distinguished. Are you one that lives up to their name?"

He scoffed. "Well of course I do, I earn all I receive, something you might want to consider."

Mae halted mid-strut. "Is that a proposition sir?"

With an oily grin Walker pulled an envelope from his coat pocket. Slowly he slid the envelope in Mae's advancing direction. "Not officially. In the record books you were never here.. Understood?"

Mae chuckled. "Better tell your secretary that, I checked in just before now."

Interest flashed in Walker's eyes. Without hesitation he pressed on the intercom. "Helen, please trash the log book for today."

"A-Are you sure sir?" She questioned.

"Of course I am sure! Otherwise I would not have said so. Now do as you were told." Walker ordered with a rising fury in his voice.

"Okay then." Mae purred. "I was never here. Now why don't you just relax?" With a small smirk she continued her strut, stopping only when she reached the back of his chair. Both hands rested on the moguls shoulders, and Mae leaned in close to whisper.

"Well Mr. Walker, I'm certainly sorry we couldn't reach another agreement. I know this must be an inconvenience, but as you know.." She paused, a sadistic grin slowly forming on her blood red lips. "Money is tight."

Any response he might've had was never heard. Mae hands were on his neck, turning in opposing directions before he could even blink. A satisfying pop' followed. Walker slumped onto his desk, eyes devoid of life.

Mae relinquished a deep sigh, leaning back against the wall. Here she was again, collecting emotions and thoughts.

Her current state was a norm. Mae gasped for air and crouched down as she checked off mission objectives, searching for any inadequacies in her job. It wasn't often she found one and that day was no exception.

After her many years of service it wasn't often Mae found herself in fear's grasp, but once she was in its clutches the abnormality tended to set her back more and more each time.

She tried to be detached, not let herself accept the reality of what she was, but in some cases it was unavoidable. As she watched the conscious, the soul, the life seep out of yet another victim, once more she had to accept the chilling reality.

Mae was a mercenary