In Her Dark Eyes

Introduction

He stood in front of the dilapidated, rotting door, cold hands clenched into fists. The night was pitch black, lacking the usual stars that graced the sky. A cold breeze hit at his face as he drew a deep breath in. This is what he had been waiting for. Now was his time.

Quietly he opened the ancient door, flinching at the barely audible screech, and walked into the tavern. A warm, musty scent greeted him along with the dim glow of the lights, trying and failing to cover up the wastage of the room. The sound of drunks jovially shouting followed him as he moved through the crowd, a cheerful sound for a time so somber. He walked with urgency, he was not here for recreation. He had a job to do.

Finally he reached the far end of the tavern, the dark, dusty corner, far more fitting of the mood. It was quiet here and the bouyant sounds of the bar seemed a world away. He almost wished he could return there. Feel the drunk carelessness that washed over you as your worries dissipated and alcohol entered your veins. Unfortunately he was not that privileged.

He took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for what was to come. He could do this. He would not let them down.

To a random onlooker he probably appeared composed, calm, however, an observant onlooker would notice his nervous tick as he scratched absentmindedly at his neck. What if it all went wrong? What would happen to him? What would happen to everyone here? There was only one option– it had to go right.

Finally, having gathered up enough courage, he walked into the shadows. A rugged man greeted him, appearing more giant than man. Bald with a scar carved across his his face, he was rather a threatening sight to be greeted with.

"You're late." The man growled.

"I know." He replied. He wasn't late he had been outside for over an hour. He just hadn't obtained the courage to open the door until he had realised that being late would make it far worse.

"Well, don't make them wait any longer. They hate that." The man snarled, steel grey eyes glaring down at him. He held the man's gaze, his bright green eyes a stark contrast against the man's stormy grey.

The man's eyes were emotionless and so callous they hurt to be looked at. After a few more moments, he tore his gaze away from the man's, unable to stare into that grey any longer. The man smiled his unnaturally sharp teeth glinting. Then he turned to open the door.

"You were always weak." The man spat, slowly opening the door.

He squeezed his fists shut, glaring at the man, as anger spread through his body, nearly managing to rid him of his nerves. Nearly. He couldn't get into a fight- not yet anyway. He hd a job to do. He started to walk forward when the man stopped him. He looked up expecting to see mockery or scorn but instead he was met with anguish.

"Look... Don't mess this up. We need this."

For the first time since he had known the man, his dull eyes held feeling. They were full of need, a desperate need that only the worst suffering could cause. A need he could understand.

"I won't." He replied, before walking through the door to the moment that changed his life forever