Blind To Reality

10-Code Name

Jay P.O.V

I was tired after a whole evening of threatening some businessman enough to wet his pants. I didn't know what he did or what was in the envelopes, and I didn't care. My job was simple- follow the guy close enough for him to feel my eyes following and drop off notes with a peony attached. 

The first was a bouquet of peonies with a simple white card sent first-thing to his office. Throughout the day, in accordance to his routine, I placed them just right. I found small amusement in placing one on the back of the bathroom door for his usual mid-morning bowel movement. I watched as he began sweating profusely when I placed one in a small vase atop his desk. He had only left the office for a couple minutes.

The biggest reaction was when he return to the hotel room he had signed into last minute. peony petals were sprawled everywhere with a single rhododendron placed on the white bedspread. Next to the flower was a manila envelope sealed with wax, a signet stamped into the center.

Throughout the harassment, I had been taking pictures and sending them automatically to the one number present in the phone given to me. This time, though, they had me take video of his breakdown, recording it while he tore the manila envelope apart, various pictures and documents filtering out.

Just before I was told to leave, the television in his room turned on, playing the recording of him. I didn't read the words that scrawled across the screen, but I took pictures as he ran over and pulled the plug on the television. To his horror, the television didn't turn off. Rather, the sounds of screaming began to fill the room, continuing even after he smashed the tv. Covering his ears, I watched half-heartedly as he screamed on his knees, passing out soon after.

I sent the last of the pictures, leaving as someone else took my place and walked into the room. The person squatted down and sprayed something onto the guy's face before he lifted up the guy's hand and stuck a needle under his fingernail. I watched as the plunger was pushed in.

They proceeded to place a cellphone in his pocket before standing up and going to the door of the hotel.

My own cell phone told me to come back. I left, easily gliding over the small balcony and performing a measured fall to the ground, grasping onto balconies and juttings to slow my fall to the ground. It wasn't that I could just drop down, but the goal was to be invisible; no more than a shadow passing in the night, and that meant a quiet landing.

The moment I returned, I was sent out to oversee the delivery to my ex-pack's territory. All I could think, each time I was sent out to there, was that he deserved it. I didn't care about him anymore. He dug himself this hole, continuing deeper and deeper, not realizing that it was beginning to fill in on him. 

Since I had been offered up, he had made several 'deals' with my bosses. I wasn't privy to these, but it was obvious when the shipments became more... Diverse. I didn't want to think about what was in these packages. I didn't want to think about what agreements he made and what he thought he had gotten in return that was worth it.

All that I cared about each time I was sent here was being able to see my sister. During those times, she was sedated and I only went close enough for her to sense my presence as only close siblings are able to do. I was no longer Jay, hardly even Jaybriel. No, my name was Mute, Hush, Stille. I was a fellow member of Seneschal.

I got as close as I dared, using the infirmary security camera to look as my sister's sleeping, prone form. She was so small. She was pale, with dark circles under her eyes and sunken cheeks. She was even worse than the last time I checked on her. My phone creaked from the grip I had on it, my fingers automatically loosening. Taking one last look, I pulled out of the security camera and closed out the app I had used.

I thought I had been doing the right thing, keeping her there, but it had become clear that I was wrong. He wasn't keeping up with his promise to take care of my little sister. Just because he thought I didn't check up on her, instead sending me doctored pictures of her, that he was getting away with giving her the bare minimum of care. 

I thought I had loved him. I thought he had loved me. Obviously, I was grossly wrong, and eventually I would be the one standing above him, watching as he drowned in the muck that he allowed enter the pack. His pack. The pack that had been standing for centuries, and it was now rotting from the inside.

I went back to the small hideout where other members lounged around. It wasn't even really a hideout, but a hangout spot- a place they could go to lounge in between missions and nap. I found out not long ago that I was the only one actually living there, and they were only stationed there for now until my probationary period ended, whenever that was.

Entering the main room, I stood waiting for one of them to unlock the mask, but no one paid any attention to me. They'd been doing this one and off. I could only guess it was to show that I was still an underling that was still being held on a tight leash; that I was below everyone else in the room.

Eventually, Sniper took pity on me, removing the key from Lacher, or Laugher- because of his frightening laugh, I suppose. The moment the mask was unlocked, a tenseness I had no idea was present, loosened in my shoulders. 

I walked into the bathroom, removing the horrible mask and donning the more freeing one- we weren't to show our faces unless given permission to by someone higher up. It sucked in general to have to always be covered, but those were the rules, and I had to follow them. It was best to follow them.

"Is there any way to get an appointment with-"

My cellphone rang right then. The moment I pulled it out, a familiar voice spoke from it, "Lacher, bring him here."

Ah, I suppose for those of you too lazy to look up the meaning of flowers, I'll let you know what to two above mean.

The peony is a sign of anger. 

The Rhododendron means that you are out to get them.