Reaper. It was my street name as a thief, inspired by the scythe-like mark below my neck. For years, I had retrieved and stolen things for shady-as-fuck individuals and had been paid handsomely for it. Until last year, when the law finally caught up with me with the help of my very, very lovable Master Shao. It had only been one year since my last heist, but it felt like a lifetime ago.

"Hugo has a proposition for you, Reaper," the man stated. He leaned his back against the over-sized mahogany desk, folded his hands, and crossed his ankles, a small grin forming on his face. A posture of self-confidence, figure basked in dancing shadows cast by the balcony curtains as they sway with the night winds.

I barely paid attention to him as my mind raced, however. How did they anticipate my arrival? Did Inspector Eugene betray me? I had only known the Inspector for a year, but from what I gathered, he would rather castrate himself than align himself with the criminals. But then again, one of his subordinates might have spilled information about my visit tonight.

With one swift glance across the dim space illuminated only by the reflected light of the moon, I surveyed the room I was in, noting the possible exits and escape routes. As per the blueprint, I should be inside Hugo's study, and other than the balcony door behind me, there was only one more door to my far left, which would lead me to the hallway. No windows whatsoever.

I was considering bashing the man's head onto the Mahogany desk when he strode and snapped his fingers in front of my face. "Hello, anyone there? Geez, you are some overrated fuck."

He did not just say that, did he? Overrated? The motherfucker.

I flicked my fingers, and my needle embedded itself in his groin. Within the next heartbeat, I reached out to muffle his screams, which dissolved and mixed with the heavy pulsating bass downstairs.

"Yhmmmm...damhmmh...bashtaddddmmmm." I sort of understood what he was saying.

"I...hmmmm..mmmmkeeel...yhmmmm." I was pretty sure I understood that one too.

"Shhh, quiet down. I'm not in the mood to kill right now. If you promise to let me tie you up, be calm and not scream bloody murder, I will remove that needle in your crotch. God knows, one minute more with that in your thingy, and you will be celibate as a nun on a deserted island," I whispered, my voice low and husky. His eyes widened in shock, and he nodded his assent vigorously.

"On the count of three, okay? If you shout or scream or make any noise at all except to answer my questions, I will make sure you kiss your sex life goodbye." He nodded again, more vigorously this time. His one minute was almost up.

He whimpered when I pulled the needle from his crotch, his blood tainting his pants. I threw the needle into a nearby garbage can and clamped down on the urge to use my alcogel again.

I shoved him on a swivel chair and, using a masking tape sitting atop Hugo's desk, plastered his body against the backrest of the chair. I then taped his hands together behind the chair and swiveled it so that he was facing the desk.

I pushed my palm against the table, and with a tiny jump, sat on it, crossing my legs in the process with my hands propped on the sides and leaning slightly backward. Keeping half of my face hidden through my cap, I smirked at him. He glared.

"Now, what is this business with Hugo?" I was not interested in it whatsoever. God knew that having Inspector Eugene breathing down my neck 24/7 was terrible enough. Not to mention, Hugo was bad business. Always. I had been part of his organization as a child--as one of its street urchins--and it was a mercy that I got out before it was too late. I had no intention of going back if I could help it. But I had to keep the man talking if I wanted to know how they anticipated my arrival.

"He wants you to work for him," he replied dryly.

"How did you know I was coming?" I took out another needle from my pocket and twirled it around my fingers, a playful smile on my lips. He gulped as his eyes darted from the needle to my face and back again.

"W-we expect you every time the boss is away."

My brow raised from beneath my cap. "And why is that?" I said with a snarl, baring my teeth at him. My body tensed. He started sweating.

"H-he is the only wealthy person here you have not robbed yet."

Those palettes under the balcony suddenly made sense. They herded me into this particular room. I clicked my tongue grimly.

"W-we draw lots as to who will stand as the look-out for the Reaper each time. We have ongoing bets whether you'll show up or not!"

He was chatty when nervous; I noticed with amusement as my ears perked up.

"Betting, you say. Did you win?"

"Yes," he nervously stated. I nodded my head approvingly, humming as I did so.

"I want seventy-five percent of your winnings." I twirled the needle around my fingers again. He gulped and sweated some more.

"Take it all! You can have it all!"

I purred my approval. Ms. Yin crooned hers. Jumping down from the table, I approached him. His eyes widened in fear, and I relished in it, if I was honest to myself. It had been so long since the Reaper got the respect he deserved. "Tell your boss I'm not interested. And prepare my winnings. I'll find you to collect them."

I swagged my way towards the shelves behind the desk, looking for suspicious-looking indentations in the walls and panels.

Now that I got my answer, I had no plans to dilly-dally. If he was suspecting me, the others were too. I had to finish this operation and get out as soon as possible.

"He will pay you handsomely!" he said, voice high and panicking. "Whatever you want--money, cars, government connection, girls."

I winced at his last statement. Other than illegal weapons and drug trade, Hugo was also known for his human trafficking chains. He ran a massive prostitution ring that Inspector Eugene was trying his damnest best to dismantle. In case it wasn't that clear yet: Hugo. Is. Bad. News. So--

"Thanks, but no thanks." With that, I whacked the spot below his ear, and he slumped over.

Ms. Yin noted that I should steal something from Hugo since they were expecting it anyway. It would be a pleasant diversion, she said. It was Mr. Yang's turn to roll the metaphorical eyes.

Since Ms. Yin was pretty convincing, and Mr. Yang was a prude, as always, I rummaged through Hugo's work safe and emptied it of cash. There wasn't much, to Ms. Yin's dismay.

I was about to turn back when a faint glow from inside of the safe caught my attention. At first, I thought that there were internal lights installed, but I realized the glow was coming from a sphere no bigger than a tennis ball.

Naturally, I got curious.

Naturally, I got in trouble.

As soon as my fingers touched the sphere, a buzz frizzled. Something electric coursed through my body and exploded within. My scythe birthmark burned and throbbed, and I gritted my teeth. At the same moment, I felt my strength leave my body through my fingertips in a rush. My knees buckled and crashed onto the floor. It took all of my self-control not to pass out right then and there. 

The darned sphere hummed and glowed brighter as if mocking me.

Motherfucking glowing sphere of the devil. What sorcery is this?

I clutched my chest as I heaved, again and again, battling a drowsiness that settled unto me like a blanket, turning my limbs leaden and heavy. I huffed in agitation as I stood up on weakened knees and leaned against the wall. I rubbed my face, willing strength to return to my body. It was a good long while before I could breathe normally again. The burning pain on my mark ligered. Suffice it to say, this wasn't my night.

Given the state I was in--jelly arms and legs and all--I wanted to call it a night. But the thought of reporting to Inspector Eugene of a busted operation forced me to stand on my wobbly feet and continue my search for the smuggled weapons. Only Inspector Eugene could rival Master Shao's grumpiness.

Panting like a work-horse on a hot summer day in the Sahara, I searched every room praying to the powers that be, in this case, the Jack Daniels being consumed in large quantities downstairs, that Hugo's men were wasted enough not to care about this little intruder.

I was getting impatient as my continued search of the second floor proved futile. I was hoping that the items were stored here, so I didn't have to search elsewhere that would require me to pass the ground floor where more trouble awaited, but there was nothing.

Another crackling curse left my lips. A 'fuck this shit' so crisp, Captain Jack Sparrow would be proud.

I decided to search the upper rooms first and then the ground floor and the basement.

I was halfway up the third floor when I noticed something odd about the wall beside me--a very slight change in the pattern of the wallpaper and a tiny gap underneath.

Exhaustion notwithstanding, the thumping of my heart told me that I was on to something here.

I promptly went to the wall and looked for levers to open it. Since I was already tired, impatient, and itching for the night to be over, I took out my UV light device that can detect prints and bodily fluids, and let it do its job.

The hallway glowed in dim blue light once I turned the device on. Spots in the hallway touched by the light came alive, and I convinced myself that those were just sweat, or blood, at most.

But for good measure, and considering my hands touched things in this god-forsaken place, I drowned my hands in alcogel for the second time tonight.

I inspected the wall and noticed a lot of fingerprints at a corner. True enough, a hidden button was there. I pushed it, and the door burst open.

Inside the room were stacks and stacks of military-grade firearm. Some were in the box, and some were just lying around.

Tadaaaa! I found it.

It would have been the perfect way to end the night, except that I felt the unmistakable cold barrel of a gun pressed tightly against the back of my head. 

Not again!

Did you know that in the Urban Dictionary, Reianne means "very friendly, sensual people who will be your best friend in bed and get easily pissed off if you rub them the wrong way. Very stubborn, aggressive. Loves being in long relationships. Likes to give a good fight for what they want. Extremely outgoing. Loves to help people in a time of need. Good kisser. Good personality. Stubborn. A caring person. One of a kind. Not one to mess with. Are the most attractive people on earth! May come ass bitchy or rude but is only this way to people she dislikes."

That's totally like her. If you omit all the positive ones like being friendly and caring--at least according to Ms. Yin.

I may or may not have made a double update just to post this author's note.

Your friendly and caring, definitely not bluffing, author,

RF

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