Characters: Iris Ash, Sashique, Theresa, teenage boy

Iris is crouching on a rooftop. She is shrouded in darkness, the moon shining above her. She pulls out a shadowy shape that is clearly a knife. The sound of metal scraping against metal as she unsheathes the weapon rings through the quiet night air. In one fluid motion, Iris slips into the window located directly underneath her. The room still has its light on, and there is a scream that is quickly cut off.

The scene changes to show the inside of the room. Its inhabitant is clearly a teenage boy, and the implication is confirmed when Iris is shown twisting the boy's arm behind his back as her other hand covers his mouth.

IRIS: [low and quiet] Is one of your parents going to come up here because of that scream?

The boy is obviously terrified, and tries to say something past her hand.

IRIS: [fiercely, articulately] It is a yes or no question. Answer me.

The boy hesitates before nodding.

IRIS: [exasperatedly] You failed the first test. God, I hate liars! Your parents are out for the night. You're alone and about to die.

The boy starts to cry, shaking and desperately trying to say things past Iris's hand.

IRIS: [thoughtfully] We don't get very many hired jobs. The Night Plague, that is. That's my little murder cult. Someone must really want you dead for what I got paid. [Thinking] Let's see, what were your offenses again? You make racist and sexist comments every day, and how many girls did you grope at your last party? Five at one place alone? Five too many. Got any last words?

Iris removes her hand from his mouth but keeps him firmly pinned against her chest.

BOY: [sobbing] Please - I'm sorry - I don't wanna die -

The boy begins to cry anew as Iris looks down at him coldly.

IRIS: [snarling] Say hey to my father when you get down there, you son of a bitch.

She throws him onto his bed in one quick motion. The scene changes to show the outside of the house, looking in the window. The silhouette of the boy is seen holding up his hands pleadingly. Then, Iris rears back, knife above her head, and drives it into his chest, cutting off his sobs and pleas.

The scene changes. Iris is leaving the house, texting someone on her phone. Looking over her shoulder, the contact is revealed to be "Client 45." Iris's text reads, "Job's done. Your payment was made up front, so you're good to go. Block this number and practice acting surprised." She soon receives a text back that reads, "Thank you." "Glad to help," she types back. A call comes in from Sashique and she answers it, smiling coldly.

IRIS: [brightly] Gotta admit, that one felt good. That was the kind of kid who'll put roofies in your drink, believe me.

SASHIQUE: [panicked, over the phone] Iris - it's Sara.

Iris's face goes slack with horror.

IRIS: [tightly] I'll be right there.

The scene changes. Iris slams her way into Sashique's office without knocking. She slams her palms down on Sashique's desk.

IRIS: [demanding, fury mixing with anger] Where's Sara?!

SASHIQUE: We don't know. She - she was kidnapped, Iris. From the scene of one of her missions.

IRIS: [dragging her hands through her hair and turning away] When I find those bastards, I will flay them -

Sashique's face crumples for a second before she regains her composure.

SASHIQUE: I'll give you the mission information. They - they left a note, Iris.

IRIS: [shouting] Then stop standing there and give me the goddamned note!

Sashique pulls a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket and hands it over, taking a deep breath. Iris unfolds it and reads it slowly, rereading it and scanning the paper as if it could hold more information. It reads, "Come and get us, Iris. - Dad :)"

IRIS: [shellshocked] Is this implying...?

SASHIQUE: [quietly] I think your father has finally returned for you, Iris. He must have been spying on you for some time to know that Sara is your - your weakness.

Iris's face slowly morphs from shock to fury.

IRIS: [coldly] Time for one hell of a family reunion.

The scene becomes a montage. Although she'll be fighting, Iris still ops for civilian clothing, although she hides weapons all over her body. She slips a few fake IDs for various corporations into her wallet and finally pops in blue-colored contacts for a disguise.

As she walks hurriedly down the hallway, she is stopped by Sashique.

SASHIQUE: Listen. Sara means a lot to me, too, and she doesn't deserve this. She doesn't deserve any of this. [takes a deep breath] Give those sons of bitches what's coming to them.

Iris nods coldly. She rests a hand on her superior's shoulder.

IRIS: I will, Sashique.

With that, she turns and hurries down the hallway. Theresa just looks after her worriedly.

The scene changes. Iris is sitting in the back of a taxi, drumming her fingers against her knee impatiently. She slips into her memories, scenes of her and Sara laughing together flashing over her mind. Resting her head against the back of her seat, Iris closes her eyes and sighs, biting her lip.