The Shadow Executioner

CHAPTER 1 Aren't you a ray of Sunshine?

BEEP BEEP BEEP. The high-pitched squeal repeated to my right, normally it would scare me into a jolting state of awareness, but not today. I hardly slept as I kept having the same dream over and over, a dream, if that's what you want to call it. I thought to myself as I dragged my legs over the side of the bed and onto the cold hard chestnut wood floors. I raised my arms above my head stretching as far as I could hearing the audible crack that released itself in my lower back. I sighed in satisfaction as I walked to my bathroom to get ready for work.

The same routine that I have always done for the past ten years, get up, brush my teeth, comb my hair point out all my flaws in the mirror, get dressed, drive to work, eat, sleep repeat. The monotony of my life was driving me slowly into a void of emptiness, but I am content. Content, I am content with my life. I repeat to myself, who was I trying to convince? Was I trying to convince myself or was I trying to convince someone who is no longer here? I took my flat green paddle brush and began my routine. I ran the bristles through my dark brown hair that cascaded down over my shoulders into natural ringlets. Ow. I whine as the bristle caught a rather tight knot at the base of my neck. I cursed my hair as you could hear the painful whine as it begged me to stop. I winced and held my tresses down to ease the pain as I finished combing.

One step down, I finished the rest of my routine and threw my hair until a high ponytail at the crown of my head. I could hear my friends voice screaming at me to let my auburn highlights shine against my. . . what did she compare it to again? Dark mahogany I believe is what she said. I heard my second alarm go off signaling me to leave for work. I quickly put on my work clothes, tight straight leg black trousers and a white sleeveless blouse. Followed by some black 5" stilettos. I walked down the hall to the garage grabbing my keys off the key ring and locking the door behind me.

I smile as I look at my clean neon green charger, oh how I loved my little monster, best impulse buy I ever made. Instantly getting in my car brightens my mood as I plug in my phone as it connects to the infotainment system and plays the next song on my playlist. I back out of the driveway clicking the garage door closed as I head to work. I sing along to every song that comes on and drum my fingers against the steering wheel, occasionally yelling at dumbasses that are to slow or too stupid to drive.

I pulled into the underground parking garage of my building and into spot 66, my own spot. I pull into it quickly and start walking toward the front. I could take the elevator but a little fresh air couldn't hurt right?

The company building was always breathtaking to see, it was the largest and most unique building in the city due to the complexity of the architecture. I always called my job the jewel of the city, due to the windows of the building catching the light in various ways causing an array of colors to reflect back to the rest of the stone buildings. Like a beacon of Modern defiance in this old-world city. Once you looked past the windows of the building you can step closer to see that even though it's a modern establishment it still has natural beauty that surrounds it with an assortment of large trees and flowers to adapt to the climate as the seasons change.

I pulled my phone out of my purse and went to take a picture of one particular flower: the bleeding-heart. It always captivated me as it grew in the shade and had the most stunning ruby red that tear dropped into a burgundy at the end. It became a ritual and easily became my favorite flower beside lilies.

"Don't you have enough photos of that flower?" I heard a masculine voice laced with annoyance say behind me. I took my picture and put my phone away turning around crossing my arms at the tall and lanky man standing before me.

"Don't you have an ass to kiss this morning, Jesse?" I say rolling my hazel eyes walking toward the glass doors of the building.

"Well, aren't you a ray of sunshine" Jesse chortled, quickly walking in step with me as we entered the building. The bright white walls contrasted against the black tiled floors that were freshly waxed last night. The elegant sheen left behind was so clean you could see your own reflection as you walked.