The phone rang unceremoniously loud. Ringing its irritating tune, it vibrated on the bedside table and sent a glass shattering on the floor.
With a groan, Grin woke up and groggily sat on his bed. After Stretching himself and yawned as the phone continued ringing, he looked at the lack of light that protruded from the window. By the looks of it, it was still morning. Hardly. The clock in the corner stated that it was 6 in the morning.
Grabbing the cellphone from the bedside table, Grin flicked it open and answered the call.
"Yes?" Grin growled.
"Nice to see that you are already awake Reaper." A familiar woman's voice spoke from the other end of the phone. "Hope that you aren't too unsteady for an assignment this early in the morning?"
"What will it be?" Grin coughed. "Balalaika?"
"I knew that you'd be up for it." Balalaika said. "This is an urgent matter and there is little time to waste as it is."
"Understood."
"I'll make this as brief as possible." Balalaika said coldly. "There's a man in the name of Gregory Mablilong under witness protection and will be testifying in court at 11:15am today. I want you to shut him up before he comes through. Alive. No questions asked. Does this approve to your requirements?"
"Matter a fact. Yes." Grin replied coolly.
"Good," Balalaika sounded relieved. "I'll assure you that you will be handsomely rewarded. But only if you succeed. You only have one shot at this. Mr. Mablilong is in the Mankanto Palace Hotel in Mankanto Street on the 5th floor. He has 3 bodyguards posted with him so keep an eye out. He's also easy to recognize. He has a visible burn scar on the right side of his head. Good luck."
Balalaika hung up and ended the conversation. Grin was left sitting in the room with an empty buzzing phone and thought about the situation. He noticed a pang of fear in Balalaika's voice and to ask him for help at this hour only garnered his curiosity even more.
A groan and shuffled movements came from under the covers on the opposite side of the bed. Grin's train of thought disappeared as he attended to it.
"Just a job." Grin said. "Nothing to fret. Fred-Fred."
Sawyer replied with a mute yawn and propped herself up at the head of the bed. She looked even more like a ghost without her usual dark make up. Her pale skin that glowed in the dawning light conflicted by her hair's case of a messy bedhead.
Grin stood from the bed and reached for his clothes on the ground. As he stood, he felt Sawyer's finger etching out letters on his back.
You going out?
"Yes." Grin said as he turned to face her. "Go back to sleep."
Nah. Sawyer gave a smirk. Might as well get up too. Got a lot to carve in the shop.
She got out from the bed and made her way to the shower with a towel at hand. Grin would have wanted to join her but time would not permit it. Time was vital and he still needed to attach his arm (which took an effort), organize his tools and plan for the assignment.
Things were going good for him these past few weeks. The most surprising one was the one with Sawyer. Whether they were a couple, lovers or fuck-friends they didn't – or couldn't – care less. They were simply in a relationship now.
Neither of them would have expected that they'd be in a relationship. It happened quickly and unexpectedly for them. One minute they were talking with a few drinks, next thing they know they were kissing and fondling till they reached the nearest bed.
"Same time…tomorrow?" Sawyer asked with a small smile as they made for the door.
"We'll see." Grin replied as he slipped off his mask on the side and gave her a long kiss.
It was close to noon when Grin saw Rock from Lagoon Company just a few feet away from him in the busy streets. Rock was talking with a hippy-looking manager of the den. The discussion between the two was impossible to overhear due to the noise. It posed no setback for Grin however. He could easily read their lips instead with ease. He prided himself with the ability as it made his jobs easier.
As best as Grin could decipher, Rock's business was about the delayed payment the den owner owed the Cartel. The owner wanted to reschedule the payment till the next day. He asked if Rock would like to discuss it with him in the shop but was declined. The Jap mentioned something about a sniper nearby or something.
A Wise choice, Mr. Rock.Grin knew that the den owner was a slick bastard. He would always weasel his way out of every agreement when it came to the day of pay. The man would have dumped the lanky Jap in an alley the moment he steps foot inside.
"Hello." Grin said as Rock approached. "Been a while."
"Hey there, Grin." Rock said in surprise. "It sure has. You look well. What's in the bag"
"Finished a Job. For Hotel Moscow." Grin motioned to the large bag he was carrying on his shoulder. "You've been scarce. Been anywhere?"
"Yeah." Rock gave a nervous smile. "I was actually with Hotel Moscow with Revy in Japan these past few weeks. Balalaika had me as her interpreter. We did some business deals, saw some sights and met…some people."
"Why come back?" Grin asked. He noticed when Rock turned away for a split second and looked a tad lethargic when he mentioned some people. He did not mention it since Grin thought that the former was a more reasonable question.
"It just didn't…feel like home anymore." Rock answered anxiously "That's all."
"Is that right?" Grin noticed something different about Rock. He looked a little down for some reason. Something important must have happened in Japan. "Anything interesting?"
"Well-"
Rock's trail of thought was cut short when Revy came walking into view. She carried with her his wallet and waved it about. Some pickpocket must have nicked it from him when he wasn't looking.
"I wouldn't have minded giving that much for the children on the streets." Rock said impassively to Revy. "There's not much in that old thing anyway."
"And by then, the kid would have found a bigger purse and your compassion will end up in a ditch somewhere." Revy replied sarcastically. "Seriously, you never think of the consequences of what you do."
"Forgot how you're. Inseparable" Grin interrupted. "Clingy now. Aren't you, Revy?"
"Heh. Didn't see you there, Vader. How's it going?" Revy said with a mock salute.
"Usual shit."
"Wanna join us for lunch? Cuz I know I can't handle this moody guy on my own." Revy suggested.
"Sure."
The 3 made their way to a nearby plaza a few blocks away. Colorful gazebos litter the court, street vendors and small shops line up on the side. The smell of grease, steam and fried food filled the air as the tropical sun beating down added to the heat.
Helping himself with just a drink, Grin kept to himself while Revy and Rock ate and talked about their own businesses. Revy returned Rock's wallet where he kept a certain picture of importance to Rock.
Revy always had a tendency to insult anyone she would come across to. Grin would have motioned to have her tune down her attitude with Rock since he already looked lower than usual. He stopped halfway when he realized that there was a hint of sympathy with the words Revy said to Rock. It almost sounded like she was concerned.
Revy chastised Rock for all his efforts of making good out of a bad situation and how all of those inevitably failed. She made hints of their past adventures together and how Rock tried making good out of those bad situations and ended up hurting himself more in the end.
Grin listened in astonishment at all the obstacles the lowly salary man had gone through. He sympathized with Rock but he also agreed with what Revy had to say about the town. It was anarchy incarnate that starts with nothing and ends in nothing.
"What do you say about all this, Grin?" Revy asked.
"The same." Grin replied. He paused for a second as he lit himself a smoke. "This city has nothing to do with it. It's nature. And it will remain like that. The same can be said for its people. Born in the slums. Eating off shit. Fighting for life. Molded by that society. Its who we are. And what we became to be."
"The problem. Is you, Rock. From another world. You. A better world. Liked that you share that illusion. Am flattered. But you force it on us. Too hard in fact. Without realizing the facts. It's a pipe dream. All of it. I admire you. Rock. For what you've done for them. I really do. But you can't change nature. The natural order. This is what we are."
"Right." Rock replied with uncertainty and emotion. It was like swallowing a bitter pill.
"You're a cold bastard to the core, Reaper." Revy sardonically said.
"Do me a favor Rock." Grin ignored Revy's comment.
"Yea? What is it?" Rock asked, hesitantly.
"Don't give up." Grin said.
"What?" Rock looked at the Reaper skeptically. "What do you mean by that? What about all you said?"
"I'm with him on this one." Revy added looking like something between incredulous and confused. "You bi-polar or something?"
"No." Grin replied. "Meant every word. But it doesn't mean. There's no hope. In what you do. Just be careful. Careful you wont get. Corrupted yourself."
A muffling sound broke the silence between the three from under the table.
"Uhhh. Grin, your bag is moving." Revy pointed out. "Something in it?"
"This?." Grin nonchalantly replied. He kicked it hard before turning his attention to the two. "A nobody. Forgot that I had him. Got to go. See you guys later."
"Sure thing." Revy motioned to Grin as he walked away. "We'll be in the Flag later if you want to tag along."
"I'll see." Grin waved without looking back.
Retracing his steps, Grin found where he left his motorcycle. He injected his prisoner with a sedative before leaving as to avoid any roughhousing while driving off. Upon arriving in the Bougainvillea Trading Company, he was sent to the back area to the garage where he was met with usual coldness from members of the mafia.
"Here's the guy. Still alive. Won't wake up for an hour or so." Grin said to the mobsters.
"You did well. We'll make sure he wakes up nice and comfortable for the Kapitan." The enforcer named Konig said. "How did you find him so fast?"
Just like Konig, one would immediately think of some horrific and bloody scenario. With a reputation like the Reaper's one would expect him to go on a warpath and accomplish the mission through wanton destruction on its wake.
Instead, Konig saw not a scratch nor blood on the man and on Grin. Konig wondered what trick the Reaper was playing. He wondered as how the Reaper managed to capture a man they tried to vainly capture for months in less than a day.
Grin chuckled under the confines of his mask. It didn't take much skill or effort in Grin's part to capture the elusive fugitive. Luck was simply on his side.
The entire morning was spent waiting for the man from across the street with a rifle in tow. Grin waited for the exact moment when the target would be out in the open before he would make his move to the waiting vehicle.
The bodyguards were easily cut down but by Mablilong was a slippery bastard. True to his name, the Rat was quick on his feet and was a step ahead of the rifle. Grin almost lost him in the crowd before the Rat stupidly stepped in front of a moving vehicle and was sent rolling in the pavement a few feet away.
Grin was as dumbfounded as the rest of the crowds and took him a while to realize that all that DID happen. Shrugging it off like a daydream, Grin calmly went downstairs and picked up the unconscious road kill of the street. A simple look into the crowd sent them scurrying back to their own businesses.
"Trade secret." Grin answered with a blink.
"So be it." Konig shrugged. He took out his phone and dialed. "I'll let her know that you are here for your payment. Make your way up the usual course."
Grin gave the ex-soldier a nod and was responded with a salute before being allowed back to the building. He always considered Konig as the most approachable man in Hotel Moscow and made rapport after being a usual client for the Mafia. He just needs to hold back on the Vodka but apart from that, he is a swell guy.
Being in good relations with various mobs gave Grin some bonuses that were appreciated. One of it was having the right to keep his arms – metaphorically and literally – in the premises of Hotel Moscow's building.
The right hand man, Boris opened the door for Grin when he arrived. He motioned for silence as Balalaika was in the phone in the other room and asked to be seated. Boris returned to his post, on the corner outside Balalaika's spare room.
There had always been heavy tension emitting between the two men whenever they meet and left alone together. The blank stares released a slight strain on both men akin to a Mexican standoff. Their eyes never paused to blink and their hands ever so clenching. Within their mind they saw each other as enemies in the middle of the ring. Ever so creative were the thoughts and the ways to battle each other with no unclear winner.
It was a game for the two men and hoped that it would come soon. It was soon cut short when Balalaika entered the premises. Grin and Boris gave each other a curt nod as though they could read each other's minds. Balalaika also seemed to have noticed the rivalry.
"I would like to thank you for your services Reaper. That is the first good news I've had since arriving." Balalaika said without looking at Grin. She was shuffling through various documents that were in Russian, much to Grin's chagrin. "You have saved us a lot of trouble with that man. You're reward and more will be transferred to your account as usual. You have us in your debt."
"By all means. I aim to serve." Grin replied. "Who is he? The man you were so. Anxious to have me seize?"
"You seemed to have been busy lately." Balalaika ignored the question with her usual serious tone. "I've heard that you had a part in the recent rise of some upstart gangs that had been taking territory. Mine included."
"They were good challenges." Grin growled. "I liked a little fun. If you'd like. I could make them disappear again."
"There will be no need for that." Balalaika responded. Her eyes still glued to the documents in her hand. "Some could actually be of use for us. So it wouldn't concern you."
"Anything Else?" Grin asked with an annoyed tone. She gave up nothing based on what she said. Bluffing or not, Grin wouldn't challenge this woman to a poker game.
"Yes." Balalaika raised her head. For the first time in their meeting, she looked at Grin eye to eye. "It has come to my attention that you were with the Lagoon Company this afternoon. Is that correct?"
"Yes." Wonder where is this going?
"Did they mention anything about clients they might be harboring?"
"Clients?" Grin said with a hint of curiosity. "No. Why?"
"My contacts say that there is a certain character that just recently arrived in this town that might cause some trouble for our organization. The one they call the Maid."
"This person. Affiliated with the Lagoon?"
"No. Believe me, they are anything but affiliated." Balalaika said with a smirk. "They are however familiar due to an escapade a few months back. Surely you have heard about that during your time here, Grin?"
"Some. Recently" Grin scoffed. "Didn't interest me. Roanapur's already a dump. Don't need a maid to clean it up."
"Ah, but you misunderstand us Reaper." Balalaika chuckled. "This is no ordinary person that we're talking about. This is NOT just any maid, but the Maid. None other than the Bloodhound of Florencia herself and she's here on our doorstep."
This just got interesting. "Is that right?" Grin said with interest glistening in his eye. "Why?"
"We don't know. But whatever it is, it isn't going to benefit any of us. Right now, we're going through all this trouble just to find her and stop whatever trouble she may cook up."
"She's bad news?"
"That is all up to her now. But the chances of nothing happening are as slim as a druggie on crack. So we prepare for the worst."
"There a reward?"
"So it would seem." Balalaika leaned back on her chair and lit herself a cigar. "The Cartels are giving a reward for any information anyone would cook up. But as for her head, there is a grand prize. It would be about $400,000. Dead or Alive."
"Hide what you want with that mask of yours Reaper but I can see what you want." Balalaika said amidst the mist of smoke. "I've seen how you operate and how you act in your assignments. But I warn you though she's no pushover. It's possible that she could be out of your league."
"We shall see about that." Grin passively said.
"Good luck to that then. You may take your leave." Balalaika blew out some smoke. "Thank you for your time."
Well, lets go and do some digging. Disappearing amidst the unsuspecting crowds, Grin went out hunting. The rest of the afternoon was spent on finding what he could about the so-called "Maid" in the sidelines of every conversation. Sadly, he found nothing of importance and failed to find a lead as to where she was. People treated the situation as an Elvis sighting and most were dead ends.
Many of the rumors he pried on from people sounded like tall tales that parents would say to their children's bedtime stories. The citizens of Roanapur perceived her as a cross between a boogieman and the terminator. The stories repeated themselves with different turns but apart from that, he found nothing else.
Exhausted and with patience wearing thin, Grin decided that he needed a deserving break. He found a diner nearby and decided to retire there for the time being. Maybe even get a nice drink to freshen up his mind. But upon entering the diner, he came across the scene that gave new light to his lethargic being.
"Excuse me Mr. bartender, but would you know anything about where I could find a Signore Rock?" A little girl said with a polite tone.
Grin guessed that she was of South American origin perhaps, based on her accent alone. She had green hair and a brown complexion. Looking like a kid in her early teens, she stood no more than an inch above Grin's waist. What made her stand out most was her outfit. Apart from a kiddy lunchbox on her side, she was dressed up completely in a maid's attire.
Grin couldn't believe his eyes and stood in awe at how lucky he could get. At last, his search was over in a flash. He had to admit that this had to be one of the easiest jobs he's ever done.
As easy as it is however, she's said to be one hell of a fighter. Grin thought as he kept his gaze on the girl. But if this is her then she must pack some serious skills.
Grin remained in his indifferent attitude but never left the girl out of his sight. His hand reached to his pockets and was about to hold his gun when he noticed something amiss. He caught a glimpse of her eye as she turned about and asked one of the other patrons regarding her previous question.
This odd girl did not have the eyes of a killer. This was entirely a different person. Most people however failed to realize this. As one would have it, one of the patrons rose from his seat and pulled out his gun. His sights were aimed at the girl.
"Finally found you!" The thug bellowed. Raising his gun out as he did. "Ya little bi-"
An unseen hand stopped the man's loud mouth short. A shot was fired but it only damaged the ceiling. The inaudible murmur ceased as the patrons of the bar had all eyes on the middle of the commotion.
Grin held the thug's mouth tight and dropped him back to his chair. The thug cursed as he fell on his ass. He was about to retaliate for the upset, but a stern glare from the Reaper made him sink back to his seat.
Turning back to the girl, Grin saw that her eyes were now fixated on him. She looked at him with curiosity but with extreme caution. He could see her fingers flinching on her sides.
A brief silence ensued with neither party making a move. With time running short and patience wearing thin, Grin decided to break the ice and get it over with.
"Let's talk outside." Grin growled before leaving for the door. He waited for her outside and lit himself a smoke.
The girl took her time inside before coming out. She looked at him warily and with contempt. Grin saw through her and made the good guess that the girl was not just an ordinary girl. How else would she be going about the city alone, unattended?
Nothing gets past Grin's eye. Not even the illusion of an innocent little maid. A killer the little girl may not be but she had a look of a fighter, a nimble one too if he had to guess. She carried herself up with pride and walked towards him meekly but with a trained grace.
"Name?" The Reaper asked.
"Fabiola Igesias." The girl replied. "Might I ask for yours, sir?"
"Grin."
"Well Signore Grin, I thank you for saving me earlier though it was not needed. I could very well take care of myself." Fabiola curtsied. Talking to scum or not, Fabiola could never ignore her lessons of politeness and grace.
"Don't mention it." Grin replied. He paused as he took a whiff. "Thought you could help me."
"And why would I help you?" Fabiola looked at him darkly. "Don't think as though I am indebted to you for anything."
"We got something we need." Grin flicked away his cigarette. "Tell me what I need to know. I'll tell you where to find Rock."
"And how are you associate with Signore Rock?" Fabiola asked austerely.
"He's a…friend of mine." Grin replied awkwardly. He wasn't quite sure of that fact himself. It was the best to describe his relationship with him and the Lagoon Company.
"You hesitated." Fabiola said. Her eyes narrowed and glared at him. Her foot took a step back as to prepare for a coming fight. "Is it that you are lying? I should have known better than to trust a denizen of this wretched city. I could already smell the musk of filth that comes from you. If you will not tell me a better story than that pathetic excuse, then forgive me to say that my time would be better spent elsewhere."
Fabiola raised her chin high and walked away from the Reaper. Barely taking a few steps, Fabiola felt her feet rise from the ground. She was brusquely turned about and came once again face to face with the Reaper. A pang of fear crawled up her spine as she noticed the beady red eye looking at her.
"Heh." Grin said, amused. "A lot of words. From a little girl. Wouldn't pause to kill you. If I didn't need you. Don't misunderstand. He is a friend. Just not so keen with calling people that. If you get my gist."
Grin gestured to his mask and gave it a quick tap.
"Got something heavy?" Grin said. "Don't look fat."
"A maid of my caliber requires me to be prepared for ANY situation." Fabiola said. "This city and people like you simply obliges me to take special precautions. Now it is my turn to ask, why should I trust you?"
"You don't. Just have to." Grin growled. "Believe it or not. I am the only one who can help you. No one else will. If you wont take it. You'll end up on the street corner. Or in a ditch. If you cross the wrong folk. You with me or not?"
"Alright then, agreed." Fabiola said after much thought. "What do you want to know?"
"The Maid? Where is she?" Grin asked bluntly.
"Forgive me for the trouble Signore, but I do not know." Fabiola's eyes turned away for a moment. She thought of her words carefully. "Truth be told, I am search for the Head Maid myself. My information brought me to this despicable city in my search. I took it upon myself to search for Signore Rock to assist me."
"What's he got to do with this?"
"The young master, Senior Garcia Lovelace of whom I serve said that he could help us with our search since he was the most trustworthy character with a good lay of the land. But so far, I have no success with my own search. Forgive me again sir for not being of more help." Fabiola bowed in apology.
"Don't worry about it." Another fucking dead end. "Rock's at the Yellow Flag. Near the Docks." Grin said.
Fabiola wanted to thank him for his assistance since she spent countless hours searching in vain. Before she could do so however, Grin turned around and left. She tried following him but he disappeared into the crowds like a ghost. Fabiola was thus left alone in a sea of faceless people and was left to wonder who the person named Grin was.
Grin called it a day and went back to the hospital. Empty handed once again. The rest of the day was spent silently brooding in the corner of the dim lit basement. The walls echoed with wet scraping steel and running water as he cleaned and sharpened his tools from his latest victim.
His latest experiment involved reattaching artificial organs onto living subjects. Grin used parts of the organs and stitched it together with crude machinery and protruding wires. He hoped that it would improve the workload of the organs and in a way, the life of the person. However, the theory was still far from perfect. None of the test subject however survived and the organs were not functioning.
Grin paid no heed to the failed experiments. The hunt for the Bloodhound was still fresh in his mind. He must admit that it distracted him a little as most of his thoughts were on the hunt than on the operating table.
The Bloodhound covered her tracks well and no one had seen her since. The trail was getting cold. Plans to root her out fell to disfavor since Grin had no link to what she wanted in the town. The best he could do now was to simply wait patiently and allow the Maid to make the first mood. The plan however was flawed.
If the Maid would go out to the open, then the whole city will be out for blood. Even Grin would not get the opportunity to take her out due to the mass of rivals on her tail. He could not allow that to come to pass. Apart for the reward for her head, Grin wanted the thrill of getting the chance to fight her. Her reputation alone proved herself to be a worthy opponent and he itched to experience that.
Without warning, a shudder came crawling up Grin's spine. It was an odd and peculiar feeling that Grin felt was only trouble. A part of him could somehow feel that she was close and was coming his way. The aroma of blood and gunpowder was ominously getting close. So close that it started to make his hands tingle. The Bloodhound was close and what's more was, she was coming this way.
As though on cue, a red light glared above Grin. It was the silent alarm that Dr. Miura set up in case of emergencies. Namely taking care of hooligans that try to rob or vandalize the hospital. But there was something different was going on right then. Grin knew that it was no ordinary situation. Once again, luck was at his side. The Bloodhound was on his doorstep.
