The Wicked

TWO

Brendon's eyes were glued to his computer screen as he read up on the Devil's Key. It was some ancient myan artifact that apparently contained great evil. He didn't read too much into the lore or it, he mostly focused on its current wearabouts.

"Australia..." He brought a hand up through his hair. He hadn't stolen from Australia in awhile. It was almost like a vacation.

He laughed to himself, leaning back in his chair. Australia... All for some demon key for a random girl that showed up at his door. Who had he become to accept something on those terms? He didn't even know who she was.

Well, he did, but a first name was hard to do a search on. Even his survalence footage wasn't helpful. The closest he got was some bass player named Nicole, but she looked of from the woman who had been at his door.

Who was she and why did she want something called the Devil's Key? They weren't questions Brendon was paid to ask, but they really lingered with this job. That woman had just been so... The thought faded to the memory her eyes. They were hypnotic, yet Brendon couldn't even recall their color. He just remembered their pull; how those eyes somehow pulled his entire body closer without his consent. It was intriguing to Brendon. Maybe that was why he continued researching the job despite never saying he'd take it.

Millions.

Her voice crossed his mind like a tumbleweed in the wind. Millions of dollars was quite the tempting offer, and she knew it.

How was he even supposed to reach out to her? He had been given no method of communication or drop point. This job felt so unprofessional compared to his others, yet he already had a down payment of fifteen thousand. How had that fit into her jacket?

Brendon sighed. Was he really going to do this? An entire Australia trip just for the possibility of a huge payout?

His gaze drifted back to the computer. On the screen, the artifect stared at him.

It was crafted from some kind of stone or metal. At the top where a black string wrapped around it, the material was shaped like a wreath of golden leaves. Inside the wreath was a small skull, grinning through the screen. Brendon tilted his head at the image. There was something about the image that drew Brendon's attention.

It almost reminded him of Nicole's eyes.

He was only able to look away when his phone buzzed in his pocket, making him jolt in his seat. He shook his head, casting his gaze down to the ground as he slid his phone into his hand. He tapped the screen, finding a text from an unknown number.

Time's wasting.
Are you still in?

Brendon reread the message three times. No one had this number. This number was new, and only meant for people he could actually trust. Not just that, the number texting him was one he had never seen before. A triple six area code? Was this a joke.

Brendon wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. I'll be in touch. How had Nicole gotten his number?

Calm down, Doll.
These things take time

Not for you

Her response was almost instantaneous. Brendon's brow furrowed. How could she possibly know so much about him?

my reputation
precedes me?

Something like
that

Brendon tapped the size of his phone. To flirt, or get down to business?

By the way,
don't call me doll.
Call me baby, baby.

Brendon snorted. Flirt was apparently where this was going. He continued to avoid looking at his computer screen, instead watching his phone to send messages back and forth with this mysterious girl.

If he had an ordinary type, she could have been it. Unfortunately, Brendon's type was usually the available guy or girl at the club.

First class flight
leaves for AU tomorrow

Trying to
Get rid of me
So soon, baby?

Tying to set
the plan into
motion

Brendon looked up from his phone screen. Though he tried to avoid it, the computer screen called his name. His eyes trailed the length of the key. He felt a chill crawl up his spine.

This whole job had a freaky feeling...

I'll book my flight
Talk to you soon,
Baby

There was no response to that message. Brendon tossed his phone on the table. He could feel his eyes shifting towards the computer screen again. Instead of looking at the image, he shut his eyes and slammed the laptop shut.

"Book the ticket on my phone..." He mumbled to himself, keeping his eyes closed.

He was almost afraid to open them.

"You're being paranoid!" He scolded himself, snapping his eyes open. "Just didn't get much of a break between jobs..."

He picked his phone back up, catching his reflection in the screen. He had bed head, for sure. It stuck out at odd angles where it didn't stay flat against his head. He tapped his screen, bringing up his factory set background.

He hadn't asked Nicole how she had gotten his number but he felt that, if he did ask, she wouldn't answer. She had somehow discovered the location of his house when no one, not even his mother, knew where it was. She seemed like someone who wouldn't be nice if you got on her bad side.

He quickly booked his ticket and tossed his phone back on the table. Tomorrow morning. 7am.

It was currently midnight.

"No rest for the wicked." He sighed. He pushed himself up from his chair and stretched. Three or four hours of sleep should be fine. The rest could be done on the long plane journey.

Brendon brought his hand up and shook it through his hair as he turned away from the table. Packing before or after sleep... Which was least disastrous? He groaned, choosing to just do it now and double check it later.

He left the room, missing the vibrating notification of a new message appearing on his phone.

Good luck,
Baby