So after a long(?) hiatus and after I finished 'Complusion', I have decided to rewrite 'No Humans Involved' as I clearly forgotten where I was going with it and decided that I needed to reread and rewrite.
Just like 'In A Manner'.
So be patient as I try to redo this so when I finally start 'The Unusual Suspect', it'll make sense and tie all the segments in the Puzzle Pieces story and I'll get going. I just need to keep this train up and I'll manage it all and don't, worry not a lot of the story will be altered as I plan to keep it all the same, I'm just gonna work with to make not too detailed but at the same time detail.
Thank you for reading these stories and for understanding.
-HeathNils
He was late.
Really really late.
He didn't mean to be this late either but it seemed that his job across the poorly designed country roads took a little longer then absolutely necessary and expected but all he could do was hope that the person he set out to meet tonight would not only might have possibly waited him out by somehow not leaving but would also understand the situation. It was a cold and rainy November night, the rain pouring down in heavy torrents as he drove slowly and cautiously down a pitch black road that looked as though it hadn't been used in a rather long time toward his destination. There were no streetlights to help mark a visible path, making it rather hard to see the road in front of him and it really didn't help him that he seldom drove his 'normal' car as he passed by numerous half-built abandoned houses that stood around the area he was passing through as a reminder that there once had been plans for another suburb, a city expansion so to speak but the deal didn't go through and the construction site was abandoned, left to rot.
It was rather eerie to say the least, with no life that could be seen within yards with the only exception being that of the various uncontrollable plant and wildlife that had made their homes in and around the decrepit looking buildings that nature was trying to reclaim for itself for it own with a large foreboding warehouse that stood above the forgotten suburb and a rather foreboding and rapidly growing forest that was behind it, trying to devour it. It stood barely seen by the nearby port city of Hargeon next door, even in during the daylight as the city itself stood several miles away and could barely be seen either way even if the town was brightly lite or how bright the day was. Thankfully for him, Hargeon was currently turning in for the night.
He didn't need distractions.
He blinked before leaning forward in his seat, eyes narrowing trying to see through the thick darkness as he slowed his vehicle to a complete stop just outside the large building. He quickly removed his phone from his pocket, turning it on and checking its contents, eyebrows furrowed in confusion before he looked back up to the warehouse before he then looked back at the phone in his hands.
Was this the place?
He shut off the engine and getting out of his car, quickly and quietly so as not to draw too much attention to himself. Who he was trying to keep quiet from was beyond even him as there wasn't anyone within an almost 15 to 20 mile radius of the building and it's surrounding little houses. He took a deep breath, his doubts and anxieties bouncing around in his head but he nonetheless swallowed them all down and quickly made his way to a rather rusty steel bolted door that almost hid invisible behind the side the building under a cloak made thick of ivy. He stood before the large door as his anxieties tried to take hold only for him to take another deep breath, steeling his nerves before lifting his arm up, hand extended before turning it into a fist and began knocking as hard as he could on the heavy door.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
And he waited.
Nothing.
He raised his arm up in order to knock once more, to make sure that it was indeed empty before he left only to halt when the soft sounds of something shuffling around inside followed by a loud clicking and an equally loud clunk sounded before the heavy door slowly, ever so slowly, creaked opened by a mere crack barely revealing a rather tired looking middle aged man with dark drown eyes that looked as though the man hadn't had a decent night's sleep in what must've been a while with dark brown hair that had a faint dusting of silver that had a dark brown beard. He stared at the man, looking the man up and down before he locked eyes with him and stared back.
"Who the hell are you?"
"You're appointment," Came the rather emotionless reply as he held out a small piece of paper toward the man inside, "Sorry if I'm a bit late-"
The other man didn't respond but rather reached a hand out from the small sliver the door had created for him to snatch the paper out the man's outstretched hand, silencing him. He carefully looked it over before poking his head out, checking to see if the coast was clear and that the man in front of him was indeed the only person there before finally nodding and opening the door a little wider to allow him through. He didn't move, unsure if he should at all.
"Looks like everything checks out." He motioned for the man to enter. "Come in."
He jumped a little before nodding and entering the dark building that seemed to be barely illuminated by a singular gas lantern deep within its heart, stopping so as to allow the man behind him close the door with a quick but heavy snap. He moved past him and began to lead him to the only source of light, revealing it to be a makeshift office of sorts with two chairs. He looked to the other who simply motioned a hand toward one chair before he took the behind the table and sat himself down before him.
"I apologize for being so late," He started, feeling his anxieties trying to take control as he pulled out the chair out opposite the man and sat down, "The job that was signed to me ran a bit longer then I expected. The god damned idiot couldn't seem to accept that the freight was his-"
"Ah- It's all good," The man smiled with a wave of the hand before he leaning forward and placing his chin on top of his hands. "Things happen- But never mind that now... To business- The reason you are here-"
"I'm in need of your services." He blurted out without so much as a thought. "And I heard you were just the man for the job."
He paused, cold sweat starting to form on his face as his anxieties finally gained control. He didn't know why he just did that, why he said that out loud since the man in front of him was already well aware of what he came here for. He hung his head in embarrassment.
He must appear very desperate to this man.
Twin Dragons above, he was pathetic.
He looked up, confusion evident in his face the minute he heard the tired man before him let out a airy chuckle.
"So I heard." He smiled understandingly, waving a hand tiredly in the air before he reached down to the backpack that sat at his feet, pulling out a thick binder, a large notepad and pen. "So tell me a little about the target- Who am I to pick up, wrap up and deliver like a little Christmas present?"
"Him. I want him."
He quickly thrust his hand into his pocket and quickly retrieved a small folded up piece of paper that looked rather worn and held it out to the man before him. He blinked before he removed the paper from the man's fingertips carefully and just as carefully opened the folded paper finding himself staring into the picture of a young boy wearing a checkered pattern muffler that looked to be to large for him wrapped around his neck with wild bright pink hair and most innocent looking large golden doe eyes. He had to be no older then 10. He studied the paper in front of him a bit longer before he lifted his tired eyes back up to meet his own, making the other look away from the man, a dark blush painting his face.
"He's quite the cutie." He smirked. "So- What's the little cutie's name?"
"Natsu." Came the breathless reply, hands twisting in his lap. "His name is Natsu Dragneel."
"A rather odd name for a boy-"
"It doesn't matter!" He declared his hands fisted tight in his lap, eyes blazing with heat. "I've got to have him! I can't take it anymore!"
"How old is the boy? He looks to be 10 in this photo." His gaze lifted to meet his dead on. "As you know, my 'business' may be capable of trapping, preparing, handling and the shipping of 'pets' and 'slaves' but I'm only willing to go as young as 12. I do have my honor and pride."
"He's 15 now."
"15 huh?" He raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at his lips as he looked back to the photo in his hand. "A little older then I first thought I'll admit. Do you not have a picture of the boy today?"
"N-Not currently."
He flushed a darker red, looking away a move that had the man into front of him smirked and let out another chuckle as he leaned back into his chair. His body trembled, fists clenched tighter and tighter to the point he was pretty sure his hands would burst from the growing pressure.
"Seems understandable." He said, letting out a soft sigh and nodded. "Now you understand that my fee-"
"I'll pay it! I'll pay anything and everything! Hell! I'll pay twice your usual fee! Whatever you want just name it!"
"Anything and Everything? Twice?" He echoed as if he never heard of such words before but he was quick to catch himself and regain his original composer. "You must really want this boy."
"I do," he breathed, eyes becoming glazed over and pupils blown wide, "He's just so beautiful- He's gorgeous- An untouchable, untamed vision of beauty. I've wanted him- To hold him, to keep him, to love him-"
His smile and face grew wider more darker, sinister even.
"To own him- To break him- To control him-"
"I see," he smirked, his own face becoming dark, "Now- as I'm sure you are well aware- The fee is going to be 560,000 jewel-"
"Ah-!" He blinked snapping out of his daydream. He quickly reached into his pocket. For his wallet. "Right right your pay-"
"Now hold on just a minute," He held a hand up, halting his actions just as he managed to pull out the item in question, "Hold your horses there. Now the fee is indeed 560,000 jewel and that will be payed once I have this boy ready for you and once you have come to collect him from an agreed location."
"Just 560,000?" He asked in disbelief, his wallet lowering back toward his lap. "Are you sure you won't accept my offer of double? Or triple? And right now?"
"Indeed I'm sure," he smiled, "But I'll do one favor for ya'- I'll gladly help you escape the Fiore country once I have the boy and once you feel that you're ready. Now that would have costed you an additional 2,000,000 jewel but if we can find something else we can agree upon- It'll be free of charge."
"Really?"
"Really." He smiled. " But we'll discuss it once I begin my work- How soon do want the boy?"
"August."
"August?"
"August. He will be 16 by then." His breathing becoming a bit shallow. "I want him to be brought to me before his sixteenth birthday if it's possible. I must have him on his sixteenth birthday. I've waited long enough- 16 is old enough."
"So instead of 'Happy Birthday' to him it's more of 'Happy Birthday' to you?"
"Happy Birthday to me." He agreed.
He smiled before lifting himself up and out of his seat, a motion that was quickly noticed and mimicked by his guest. He held a hand out to him which he took into a firm handshake before leading him back to the heavy bolted door. Toward his car.
"I will keep updated and give you a call once we get him and establish a new life for the both of you."
"Are you sure you can keep this dealing and our tracks well covered?" He breathed, nervousness now taking the helm and making itself evident. "Neither Saber Tooth and Phantom Lord won't know about this? Right?"
"Oh most indeed," he smirked, patting his shoulder in assurance, "Don't you worry about a thing. Your business with me is well covered and well hidden. I've been at this for quite a long time. I'm capable of many things- Capturing, faking deaths, documents while marketing and selling our- uh- 'Products' right from under their noses. Those fools and even the Council can't even seem to put two and two together for over 30 years. HAH!"
He smiled, feeling a bit more assured and confident.
"I can't wait."
"Neither can I."