Elementa Naturae - A Cold Day in Hell

William II

11:49am EDT

The engine emitted a deep rumble as the car took off from the intersection, its expert driver weaving skilfully through the traffic. Now nearly noon, the sun had reached its peak, and shone brightly on the grid of streets below. Rows of skyscrapers painted a palette of greys and creams, replaced briefly by flashing neon blue and red, before inevitably returning. Despite the constant traffic jams and construction work, the two lawyers were set to arrive at their meeting on time.

"I can't believe you actually let me come. This is a really big step in our relationship. I'm so grateful that you felt comfortable entrusting me with this." Connor's eyes watered, a single tear running down his cheek as he held William's hands in his own.

"Trust me, I'm starting to regret it."

"Aww, don't be like that" Connor replied, waving his arm in the air.

Disengaging his hands from Connor's, William held his shoulder firmly.

"Connor, its time to be serious."

Wiping the faux tears from his eyes, Connor smiled. "Yep, nothing but focus and commitment from me." Sitting upright, he refused to disengage from the withering stare that William laid upon him, choosing to simply straighten his tie and beam in reply.

As the vehicle slowed, and the wheels grinded to a halt, a call from the driver's seat told them that they had reached their destination.

"You ready?" Connor asked mockingly.

"Just get out of the damn car."

"OK, OK."

William thanked the driver as Connor grabbed his satchel. Stepping out of the vehicle, they stood side by side on the grungy pavement, taking in the climate around them. To one side, a man sold an assortment of foods from his van, releasing mouth-watering smells into the air, and receiving a roaring trade in return. Beneath the asphalt below them, the subway rumbled, a train squealing to a stop as it reached the next station. And far above, the midday sun lingered, sending waves of heat that beat down on their pristine black suits. Ahead of the pair lay the perfect picture of nature, a gem found deep within the centre of the city. Putting the bustling, honking and yelling behind them, they stepped into Central Park.

Strolling casually along the path, they breathed the fresh air in, letting it fill their lungs, before exhaling contently.

"OK William, I know what we're doing here, but I have no clue why. Care to fill me in?"

"Well, as you know, at about 12 a.m. this morning, I became name partner."

"So you did."

"What you don't know, is how." They continued ambling in silence for a few moments.

"OK, I'll bite. How?"

"Let's just say, there's a lot of people who aren't particularly impressed with me at the moment."

"Trevor Sullivan?"

"Come on, he's never impressed with me, the damn killjoy."

Connor chuckled before responding. "OK, then Samantha Scott?"

"Surprisingly, no. She actually seemed quite impressed with the whole thing. Basically, I pulled some pretty dodgy stuff with Trelawny Wheeler." As he proclaimed the competitor firm's name, he rose his arm dramatically, as if presenting its name on a building.

"Dodgy stuff?"

"Nothing illegal Connor. Just a bit... unfair."

"'There's no such thing as unfair. Only life, and the ups and downs that come with it.'" Connor spoke in a dodgy imitation of an English accent. "You know who told me that?"