Chapter Two: Obluda
(AN: Yes, I realize chapter two has the same title as chapter one. No, not all of the chapters will have the same name. Yes, there is a reason for this. Special Prize for anyone who can figure out what it is.)
The sun rose on a partially cloudy morning, casting a deep salmon hue all across town square. The buildings and cobblestones were a vivid pink, and the water fountain a deep red. As the morning passed, and the streets faded to stone, the water fountain never changed. At first people thought it was a prank, even the police were only expecting to file a vandalism charge. When they tested the "water" to see what kind of dye was used, they discovered that the fountain was in fact, flowing with real blood.
A mile north, one week later, a newly seeded farm field met the edge of a forest. Schulte watched the road from up in a tree. At 11:59 am a Black SUV pulled of onto the side of the road. At 12:00 a young man stepped out. Something about him was off. The way he carried himself was too precise, too intentional and manufactured. As he drew near to the meeting site, his face became visible. His dead expression, with its empty eyes and plastic smile, was all too familiar. Schulte had seen such a face in the mirror. With the exception of the smile, of course. Schulte had never bothered learning how to charm people; it was much easier to just stab them. Schulte jumped down from the tree.
"Please tell me you're as interesting as that blood-fountain made you out to be," Schulte bayed.
"Ah, you must be Schulte. I must admit, Fischer had described you as larger... and male," replied Johan.
"That's because Fischer is a complete fucking moron. My name is Claudia Schulte. CLAUDIA. Such a fucking moron; only reason he's alive is because he still owes me those custom rifles," Schulte griped.
"My name is Johan Liebert, nice to meet you," he said, followed by an archetypal closed-mouth smile.
"Like hell that's your actual name, and ...interesting to meet you."
"Oh? Because Claudia is your real name?"
"Closest thing I've got?" Claudia supposed.
"So not at all."
"At least my facial expressions are real. I've got two: empty stare, and laughing because I just stabbed someone."
"Hmm. I suppose I enjoy the idiotic things people do out of fear just before their death," Johan mused.
"Uh huh. So is this a singular contract or more of an indefinite employment?"
"The latter I expect."
"...Right, well first and foremost I work for myself, so I have final say on what I do or don't do, period. Also, if I do something you asked and I don't get paid enough, well, I suppose you've heard. Even Fischer can't fuck up that story."
"Should I ever need to cross any of those bridges, I will tell you beforehand."
"Sooo, you got anything for upfront costs? I take payment in the form of non-counterfeit cash and spa days."
Johan tossed a bag of 130,000 Austrian schillings at Claudia's feet. She quickly snatched it up and began counting it obsessively while nodding and walking towards the SUV.