AN: Here's another one, guys. Hope its alright... -CakeLegends
The Ghost of Vale - Chapter 21
The acrobat's squinting eyes slowly adjusted to the bright white tiles of the shower interior. Her teeth chattered. The running water struck cold against the nerves of her body. The briskness was appreciated; she still needed to wake up.
She turned off the shower. Her wet feet stepped out of the shower and onto the cold bathroom tile. She let her mind go into autopilot as she changed into her regular clothes.
Neo stared at the floor to ceiling windows as she exited the bathroom, taking in the details. It was still dark out.
She moved towards the duffel bag resting on the couch. She walked towards the filled bag, slinging it around her shoulder.
Neo took a glance towards the silent darkness of the apartment.
Should she tell them?
The acrobat sighed. Without a second glance behind her, she walked out of the door.
Neo gazed up at the peak of the skyscraper. The building was a monolith against the darkened sky.
The acrobat approached with heavy feet. Her hands gripped at the strap of her duffel bag with concealed discomfort.
Neo approached the glass doors. She shifted as she walked, pushing the large door open with her shoulder. She felt the building's strong air-conditioning chill her to the bone.
The main lobby was mostly empty. The rows of chairs seemed as though they'd been abandoned for years. A disgruntled-looking worker sat at the front desk. A slight hint of surprise crossed his face at the sight of the acrobat.
"I didn't think I'd be seeing you again." The acrobat greeted with a smirk, walking calmly to the front desk. "How was prison? Did you find yourself a lover?"
"Very funny, kid." The criminal acknowledged, frowning with disdain. "You should have more respect, given our history."
"One night two years ago isn't history." The acrobat stated. "Are you going to take me to him or what?"
"That's the idea." The criminal informed, rising from his seat. "He's got us all by the balls."
Neo followed the criminal into the elevator with sheepish movements. She watched as his finger pressed the top floor.
"Why do I have to do this in person...?" The psychopath mumbled.
"He wants to speak with you personally." The worker reminded.
The elevator dinged. The two walked down the dark hall in silence. Neo stopped as she approached the last door.
This was the moment of truth.
The acrobat took a slow breath. She coiled her fist until the knuckles cracked. The sound relaxed her slightly.
"Look..." The criminal began with a sigh. "Just try to relax, kid. As long as you've got what he wants, you're not on his bad side."
The acrobat nodded. Her hand wrapped around the doorknob.
Her hand froze for a moment. She felt her quick pulse against the cold metal. Neo took a breath, turning the knob slowly.
Neo entered the room.
Blake's yellow eyes stared into the surrounding darkness. A sickening feeling of guilt coated her stomach.
In the darkness, her eyes met Yang's purples. "You can't sleep either?"
The Blonde nodded. "We shouldn't have done that..."
The bedroom was silent for a moment.
"We're pushing the date back, but Ruby has to find out about this at some point." The Faunus commented in a whispered tone. "Why not now?"
"...I don't know." Yang admitted. "Every day we keep this a secret is just another pound to the problem."
"Ruby and Weiss took their time to come clean with you, and things have turned out fine." The Faunus reminded. "How is this any different?"
"Weiss isn't a suicidal serial killer."
Blake paused for a moment. "...That's a good point."
"But we shouldn't be shrugging her off like this. It's not fair to her." Yang stated definitively. "We're fixing this tomorrow."
Neo approached the kingpin's desk with cautious steps. Her eyes drifted towards the guards around the spacious room.
The acrobat came to a halt in front of his desk. Disgust built at the pleasant smile he showed.
"It's been a year since we last met, hasn't it?" The boss reminded in a warm tone. "You've changed quite a bit."
"This whole thing's given me a few grey hairs." The acrobat admitted, slipping the bag from her shoulder. "Let's get this over with."
Neo placed the bag on the desk's surface. She watched as the man took the bag, confirming its contents.
"I'm sorry about the fingers, truly. It wasn't my call." The boss apologized. "Some of my employees need to learn that taking initiative isn't always smiled upon."
"I'd like to have a word with them, then." The acrobat muttered, unable to conceal a hint of rage.
"After our business is concluded." Asher agreed. "I trust you paid up to your end of the bargain?"
"Ten Million Lien." Neo nodded. "Shit, I'll count it with you, if you'd like."
"No need." The boss declined politely, waving for a guard to pick up the bag. Neo watched as the guard carried away a year's worth of hell.
A year's worth of blood and mayhem. A year's worth of violent rage and frustrated tears. This was the year she found out life was worth struggling for.
The acrobat blew a puff of air out of her nostrils. The lifted weight felt odd. The duffle bag was a part of her. It was strange to part with it. She felt exposed.
"Are you alright, Ms. Neopolitan?" The boss asked, his brow rising with concern.
A hot flash of rage shot through the psychopath. "Of course I'm not."
"You've made quite the name for yourself." Asher acknowledged, his voice showing a hint of approval. "What's the next chapter for The Great Neopolitan?"
"I hadn't thought about it." The acrobat mumbled.
"I don't think you're quitting after you walk out that door." The boss commented. "I think you will continue your profession."
Neo's gloved fist clenched slightly at her side. The man's friendly appearance was aggregating. This was her biggest enemy, wasn't it? She wanted something to hate. Anything.
"I've paid my debts." The acrobat stated quietly, crossing her arms across her chest. "You can't stop me."
"And I don't plan on it." The boss reassured, leaning back in his chair. "I want to make a deal."
The acrobat's heart skipped a beat. This was unexpected. "Why would I ever work for you?"
"You're afraid of my organization. You're afraid we might come after you." The boss summarized. "But why would we go after one of our own?"
Neo's stone expression remained.
"I'll provide you with a place to do your work, and you'll be paid regularly." Asher informed. "All I need you to do is make your talents available to this organization."
Neo's brow rose. "So I'd be hired on retainer."
"Precisely." Asher commented. "Sometimes I need someone important taken care of, and I want to hire the best possible."
The acrobat stared at the floor.
"I had you gather ten million in a year. It was difficult on your own, wasn't it?" The boss recounted. "How would you like to make that per month?"
Neo's gaze rose. She attempted to mask her surprise.
"I don't work like I used to anymore." The killer summarized. "I have boundaries. I won't harm an innocent if you tell me to do so."
"The assassin with a heart of gold." Asher declared in amusement. "That is very sweet."
The acrobat nodded. "If that's a deal breaker for you..."
"This is a criminal organization." The boss explained. "In my opinion, I don't think you'll have an issue with your targets."
Neo thought over the sudden offer. It was tempting to say the least.
"I think we got off on the wrong foot." Asher explained. "We don't have to be enemies."
Neo watched as the man's hand extended outwards. She stared at it for a moment. She felt her hand raise in almost unconscious agreement.
Neo shook her boss' hand.
The acrobat smirked. 'Just show me my office.'
Neo glanced once more at the address on the note in her hand. She frowned, glancing up towards the building to which it pertained.
The acrobat stared intently at the bright, incandescent light across the street. A neon sign shone from the buildings front.
"A storage unit?"
Neo looked to her sides. The road extended on, turning out of sight in either direction. Trees and dense forest covered the surrounding area.
This place was secluded enough.
The acrobat walked into the building, squinting slightly as her eyes adjusted to the bright interior. Her surprised eyes locked with the girl at the front desk.
"Nora?" The killer stated in disbelief.
"Neo?" The Redhead realized, putting down her magazine. "Hey, it's good to see you again!"
"What are you doing here?" Neo muttered in confusion. "How did you get involved with this..."
"Costco wasn't working out." The redhead admitted, shrugging innocently. "So I applied for this place, and here I am!"
"But how- wait, is that a porno mag?" Neo mused, her eyes locked on the scantily clad figures on the cover. "You can get away with that?"
"Yeah, this place doesn't get much business." Nora explained, kicking her feet up on her desk. "I don't even know how it stays open, but hey, I'm not paid to ask questions. Or check inventory. Or inspect units. Actually, I just sit here and keep the wanderers out."
"I think I have a unit in my name, could you check for me?" The acrobat asked.
"Sure thing." The Redhead confirmed, checking the computer at her side. "Yours is unit A-113. Here's the key."
"Thanks." The acrobat nodded. "I'll let you go back to your...reading."
The acrobat walked out of the back doors and into the yard, returning to the brisk night air. She walked down the rows of identical orange shutter doors.
Her feet stopped in front of a rather large unit. The shutter was twice as long as the others.
A-113
Neo leaned down, unlocking the storage unit door. With a slight grunt, she lifted the shutter just enough for her to crouch through, closing it behind her.
The acrobat gazed around the unit. She was home. The work-space was perfect.
A lamp filled the place with dark, comfortable lighting. Acoustic foam covered the walls to muffle any sounds. Strong air vents filtered out any suspicious smells. Rows of tools were displayed by a carpenter's table.
And the surrounding woods would be perfect for waste disposal.
Her eyes locked on her gift in the corner. He laid slumped on his side, bruised and beaten. Panic filled his eyes as the acrobat approached.
"Remember me?" The acrobat muttered, holding up her stump fingers. "You took these from me."
The man whimpered through the tape over his mouth. His body thrashed as Neo grew closer, desperately attempting to escape his binds.
The captive watched as the psychopath walked past him, towards the objects in the back. She searched around the shelves.
"You know how waterboarding is like a 2-dollar hooker?" Neo began, picking up a rag and water jug. "It's cheap, and I can do it all night."
The captive watched in fear as the acrobat approached him. She kneeled down, ripping the tape from his mouth.
The captive drew a rough breath through his quivering lips. Anger rushed through him as the acrobat placed her gloved hand over his. "Just kill me, you fucking-"
Neo took hold of the man's ring finger, snapping it back at the joint. She smirked as he let out a pained cry, muffled by the unit's walls.
"I'm going to make you hurt." The psychopath explained, taking a grip of the water jug. "And then you may die with my blessing."
Neo smirked. It's going to be a long time till dawn.