STRANGULATE | Markicest

10 | CIBIL

Mark huffed as he snapped the man's neck with all the force he could muster, falling against the wall as the man's body thudded to the floor. He ran a hand through his hair, fingers burning and sore, and gave a small, breathless chuckle.

The image of the Tear Stealer faded from his mind as he stared at the dead body, bringing him back to reality. Three weeks had passed since his last sighting of the Evolved, and ever since, he'd been trying to catch sight of him in other places. No one out-of-the-ordinary had showed; only civilians going about their days.

The bloodlust in Mark's veins pumped harder by the day, his mind and hands eager to kill. He'd resorted to random people—nobodies on the street. The desire to kill the Tear Stealer—someone so powerful, so known—send thrills of anticipation down his spine.

Mark panted, pulling his knees up to his chest and staring at the body with half-lidded eyes. Scum. He'd resorted to killing scum.

He collected himself, standing and brushing himself off.

"Soon," he huffed to himself, stepping over the body and leaving it there. "Soon."

———

Three weeks before, the Tear Stealer returned to X Amani, listening to Antinstine's orders concerning the deal. He rode in a carriage, the driver a different man, and soaked in the cacophony of the city. A weight beared down on his chest.

The carriage slowed to a halt in the decimated street, five minutes before nine o'clock. Dark thanked the driver and headed into the barricade of music and people, heading straight for the stone door. As he approached, the door swung open, and Anti exited, scorn in his eyes at the sudden pound of electricity assaulting his person. The bodyguard joined his side, and Anti made eye contact with the Tear Stealer.

They exchanged a look, and the three of them left the club, Anti a few steps ahead of them. Dark made sure to watch every single one of Antinstine's movements.

Once they exited the pounding club, Anti took a deep breath of the cold, fresh air, sighing aloud.

"The electricity in there is terrible," he groaned, running a hand through his hair. "I don't see how anyone deals with it."

"You could go somewhere else," muttered Dark, and Anti sent him a glare.

"Don't even start," he snapped. "You've no idea of the pain you put in me."

The Tear Stealer bristled, and the three of them stood on the edge of the curb, waiting. Anti's foot tapped on the floor in both irritation and impatience, his surroundings irking him. Minutes later, a black limousine pull up, and the doors opened from the inside, displaying a rich, leather interior.

Anti clambered in first, eager to get away from the noise, and Dark followed suit, the bodyguard behind him. Anti and the bodyguard sat at the front of the limo, backs turned towards the driver, while Dark sat at the very end, facing them from afar. The door shut on its own, the vehicle thrumming with life, and began to drive. Dark and Anti maintained fierce eye contact the entire way, no word or sound getting in between them. Only the vague noise from the bustling city passed through.

Twenty minutes later, still uninterrupted, the limousine pulled to a halt, and Anti was the first to break the eye contact. Shuffling sounded in the driver's area, and the doors slid open.

Antinstine exited, then the guard, and Dark reluctantly pulled himself from his seat to follow. The mansion instantly greeted them, looming over with golden arches and buttresses. Its size boasted that of a small town, grandiose and ornate.