'Tis the season

Half an Inch

Dedicated to natassia chus

Royal and General Bank

Basement

December 24, 10:47 P.M

~You have twelve new messages. To listen to messages, press one. To access set-up options press nine~

~Beep~

"Hey, Smithers. It's Alex. I was wondering if you could do me a favor if you aren't busy. Call me when you get this message."

~To replay message, press one. To save message, press two. To delete message, press three~

~Beep~

~message deleted~

Rider Household

December 24, 10:51 P.M

"Hello?"

"Alex, ol' chap! How are you?"

"I take it you got my message?"

"Certainly! Now what was it you needed, ol' bean?"

"Oh, I was just wondering if you could leave headquarters for a bit."

"..."

"Hello?"

"You have my approval."

"Excuse me?"

"I know what you're thinkin', ol' chap. Is two hours enough for you?"

"Uh, yeah. Two would be great."

"Excellent! See you around. Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas... I guess."

~Beep~

Daniel Household

December 24, 10:53 P.M

"It's set."

"Great. Meet you there."

~Beep~

Royal and General Bank

December 24, 11:38

Snow fell gently from the sky, carpeting the empty street. Christmas lights twinkled amongst the stars. The area was silent, bar the faint sound of traffic.

Two figures stood outside the Royal and General Bank. The shorter, blonde haired one was tampering with the control panel, twisting a red cord with a plier.

"Smithers left, right?" The dark haired man began, nervously looking down the deserted streets.

The other man didn't answer. "Alex?"

Alex signed and put down his tool. "Yeah. About an hour ago. Now be quiet and let me concentrate before I blow London off the map."

Silence ensued once more.

Royal and General Bank

December 24, 11:54

"Done."

Ben was snapped from his bored state by his companions sudden exclamation.

He watched Alex as the teen quickly gathered his instruments, threw them in a bag, and slung the back over his shoulder.

"Come on."

The two of them got into a car that had been parked about quarter a block away. They were already miles away from the scene when the building burst into flames. Red flames merged with the sky in a grotesque parody of an ombré.

The faint sounds of an ambulance reverberated the empty streets. Alex looked behind him one more time before turning his gaze back to the road, a bitter smile carved into his features.

"Merry Christmas, son of a bitch."