ANGEL
She flipped her long blonde hair behind her slim shoulders and tied it in place. Looking into the mirror, she observed the small circles under her eyes that she had earned the night before. Other than that she looked positively angelic. She had been called Angel from as far back as she could remember. The only way she could think that she even resembled her pet name was in looks. If appearances had anything to do with what your inside thoughts and feelings looked like…
She was trained hard for a hard line of work. To any one else, but her, it would have seemed impossible. From the time she started out she had been bombarded with 'Social Suicides', "Media Metaphors', and the all too persisting 'What if? Situations.' Her guardian, Dr. Pain, had always been conscientious to her thoughts, feelings, and actions, so it was no surprise when she had asked him if she could have the night off, to clear her head and it was no surprise to her when he said no.
Angel walked over to the corner of the small hotel room and picked up her carrier case. She opened it up briefly, moving the contents around to see if she still had all of her supplies. Before she left, she placed down her bag, walked over to the pile of towels and sheets she had used, and folded them neatly. These were the pains of being Obsessive-Compulsive. She knew the maids could (and most likely would) take care of them right after she had gone. She would have just left it if it hadn't given her that empty feeling in the pit of her stomach. Just thinking that the linens were going to be left there, for any amount of time, unfolded and strewn about, made her cringe.
She shook off the repulsive feeling she was getting and laughed at the thought of the maid walking in and seeing the scene before her. She would probably have a shocked look on her face and stare for a minute or so. Then, she would make as to clean up and then rethink the situation. After a lot of reasoning, she would probably call straight to the operator of the Motel and ask him about it. Boy, they had a long day ahead of them.
Angel surveyed her room again, to make sure nothing was left behind or misplaced, then headed out the door. She was going to be getting home later than usual and most likely would get blessed out for it, but she didn't mind. Dr. Pain, nor anyone for that matter, had ever made her feel sorry for anything she had ever done, so why let it bother her now? She got on the elevator and pressed the first floor button. As it headed downstairs, she put tucked her hair up in a scarf and put on sunglasses and a long coat. This would have probably been rather inconspicuous if it hadn't been so hot outside. It was the middle of June and she was going outside dressed like it was 30 degrees. *Well, let's make them think a little…* She got off the elevator and headed out the entrance, tipping the doorman. *That should keep him quiet for now…*
The ride home was long and tiring but Angel didn't mind. She had always liked to drive and decided to make the best out of any chance she was given. When she finally made it to her destination she stopped, and putting the car in neutral, looked up at the sky. Birds twitted around chasing after each other and whatever prey they could spot. *Disgusting. Even birds have that uncanny craving for freedom. I would go crazy without any boundaries or inhibitions.* She shut off the car and walked inside the large building. Looking up at the nearest security camera, she stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes. When she wanted attention, she was going to get it.
"Did I teach you that or is that what you learn in your weekly sessions with Sydney?" Angel found herself looking into the eyes of her guardian and he didn't seem too happy.
"Actually, that's the newest look I learned from my last 'learning experience.' That was the exact look on his face when I left him this morning." She had an impassive grin on her face that was driving him to distraction.
"All right that explains that, now why are you so late. Did you do the job this morning or were you just procrastinating." Heck, if she didn't stop smiling like that he would never be able to discipline her, for her tardiness.
"You know, to tell the truth, I did the job last night. I just felt rather fatigued and decided to sleep there. Oh, don't look at me that way, Dr. Pain. If it had been you, I wouldn't have minded if you took a few hours of shuteye to yourself." She gave him a dazzling smile and he remembered why he was supposed to be mad at her about.
"What if you had been caught?" By this time they were traveling down a dim hallway, that led to his office.
"Lesson one for the day: Nobody bothers a Motel room with a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. Not even for a fire. I'm serious! They skip you right over and you die! Which that would pretty much defeat the whole purpose of me being there now wouldn't it?" She gave him the most earnest look she could muster and he did all he could to act like he wasn't amused. Then, she ran up to his door and opened it motioned for him to enter first. Why had he raised her so enchanting?
He walked through the door and smiled once he was out of her eyesight. "I would have still sent you to make sure he was dead." He dragged his oxygen canister behind him and sat down at his desk. Leaning forward he motioned for her to sit in the chair in front of him. "So he is dead, right?"
She gave him a knowing look and sat down. "Well, if he's not he's going to have some headache when he wakes up."
He looked at her almost shocked. "A gunshot to the head? That's not quite your style is it? I thought raised you to be a little more creative than that."
"Who said it was a gunshot? I pretended I was his acupuncturist. I was going to relieve his headache when he accidentally moved and well… Hehe." She gave him a winning smile and he returned it.
"Sometimes you manage to amaze, even, me." Turning in his chair he gaze out his large office window. "Anybody see you come or go?"
"Me or the lady in black? Don't you worry; I was veiled and robed like a good little girl. The doorman saw something that resembled a heifer in a smock I believe, but nobody would believe it. He takes his coffee black with two sugars, by the way. How do you want yours?" She got up and went around his desk to the intercom. "I could use a drink." She said matter-of-factly.
He quirked an eyebrow and looked at her narrowly. "I want mine without a hallucinogen. I need to keep a clear head for today's activities."
This caught her interest but she decided to order their drinks first. "Pearl? Please send a coffee, one cream, one sugar, and a strawberry daiquiri to Mr. Raines office." She covered the intercom and turned towards the doctor. "Do you want anything?" He shook his head and she smiled. "Okay, Pearl, that will be all."
"Already drinking coffee? Aren't you too young for that?" She pushed the top of his seat back and leaned in inches from his face.
"I've grown up doctor. You didn't forget did you? I mean, you must admit, I am not a little girl anymore." She leaned up and let go of his seat, the sauntered back to her chair and sat down.
He nodded in agreement. "That you are not. To tell the honest truth, sometimes it alarms me how quickly you've grown and matured."
"Ha! And it doesn't alarm you that I'm a skilled assassin? Really Doctor! Sometimes you truly do amaze me. You are a walking contradiction. You know that, don't you?" The door creaked open slowly. She started and pulled her gun at the sound.
A young auburn haired woman stood in the doorway, mouth agape. "Your drink… you are the one who wanted… maybe I should come back later." The woman was blanched and obviously flustered at the sight of Angel pulling a gun on her.
"I apologize Pearl. That was very rude of me and I am deeply sorry for actions." Angel flashed a pearly white grin that looked like something out of a toothpaste commercial. "You will forgive my impoliteness, won't you?"
Pearl gave Angel a halfhearted smile and placed the tray down on Mr. Raines desk. "Yes, err… I hafta' go. Yah see my dogs with thah sitter and the windah pane needs replacin'… I gotta go." With that she hurried out the door and down the hallway.
"Lovely girl. Doubt we will be seeing much of her around this office anymore." Mr. Raines gave a slight smile at the disgruntled expression on Angel's face.
"Where is she from? Kentucky? Georgia? Ugh… southerners. I can't stand that fake politeness and the way they wallow at your mercy… disgusting." She scrunched up her nose at the thought and slumped in her chair. "I'd take that beautiful northern hospitality any day of the week to that… ugh."
Mr. Raines laughed, and almost choked, at his own little private joke. Angel peaked at the sound. What was he up to? "Angel, there is something you should know."
Angel grimaced. Here it came. She knew his little mind games and figured she might as well take the bait. "Why, whatever do you mean doctor?"
"Now don't be snide, Angel. All you need to know is that I have a present for you." She quirked an eyebrow and leaned in toward his desk. "You do remember when you asked if you could have some time off, don't you?" She nodded and half-grinned. "Well, I need you to do me this one favor and you can have your much needed vacation."
"Well, what is it? The sooner you tell me, the sooner both of our wishes can come true." A slight flicker of a smile touched her lips at the thought of some vacationing time.
"I need you to find me a certain man. He has been unattainable for a long while now and The Center is in need of his abilities." He looked her over and tried to decide whether she would be able to get their man.
"Why didn't you say so? You won't even need him. Just tell me what you need him to do and I can do it instead. You know that I am capable of doing just about anything that man is able to do…" She thought a moment. "Next to getting someone pregnant. If that's what it is then I guess I'm out." He couldn't tell whether she was joking or serious.
"It's nothing like that. He is just really important to the success of The Center. Can you get him for The Cen… for me?" He looked up at her showing no emotion in particular.
"Yes, of course, I can. What is his synopsis? Brief me." She leaned back in her chair and waited for this seemingly simple assignment to start.
"Late thirties to early forties, 6' tall, about 170- 180 pounds give or take, brown hair, brown eyes, goes by the name Jarod. He has no last name in particular, just Jarod and then whatever last name he comes up with. He is a pretender; therefore he can be whomever and whatever he wants to be. This will not be one of your easier assignments. Do you think you can handle it?"
She gave him a wicked grin. "Of course I can. Do you have any idea where he is located?"
It was his turn to return the look. "Well, the last we heard, he was somewhere in Tennessee."
She flipped her long blonde hair behind her slim shoulders and tied it in place. Looking into the mirror, she observed the small circles under her eyes that she had earned the night before. Other than that she looked positively angelic. She had been called Angel from as far back as she could remember. The only way she could think that she even resembled her pet name was in looks. If appearances had anything to do with what your inside thoughts and feelings looked like…
She was trained hard for a hard line of work. To any one else, but her, it would have seemed impossible. From the time she started out she had been bombarded with 'Social Suicides', "Media Metaphors', and the all too persisting 'What if? Situations.' Her guardian, Dr. Pain, had always been conscientious to her thoughts, feelings, and actions, so it was no surprise when she had asked him if she could have the night off, to clear her head and it was no surprise to her when he said no.
Angel walked over to the corner of the small hotel room and picked up her carrier case. She opened it up briefly, moving the contents around to see if she still had all of her supplies. Before she left, she placed down her bag, walked over to the pile of towels and sheets she had used, and folded them neatly. These were the pains of being Obsessive-Compulsive. She knew the maids could (and most likely would) take care of them right after she had gone. She would have just left it if it hadn't given her that empty feeling in the pit of her stomach. Just thinking that the linens were going to be left there, for any amount of time, unfolded and strewn about, made her cringe.
She shook off the repulsive feeling she was getting and laughed at the thought of the maid walking in and seeing the scene before her. She would probably have a shocked look on her face and stare for a minute or so. Then, she would make as to clean up and then rethink the situation. After a lot of reasoning, she would probably call straight to the operator of the Motel and ask him about it. Boy, they had a long day ahead of them.
Angel surveyed her room again, to make sure nothing was left behind or misplaced, then headed out the door. She was going to be getting home later than usual and most likely would get blessed out for it, but she didn't mind. Dr. Pain, nor anyone for that matter, had ever made her feel sorry for anything she had ever done, so why let it bother her now? She got on the elevator and pressed the first floor button. As it headed downstairs, she put tucked her hair up in a scarf and put on sunglasses and a long coat. This would have probably been rather inconspicuous if it hadn't been so hot outside. It was the middle of June and she was going outside dressed like it was 30 degrees. *Well, let's make them think a little…* She got off the elevator and headed out the entrance, tipping the doorman. *That should keep him quiet for now…*
The ride home was long and tiring but Angel didn't mind. She had always liked to drive and decided to make the best out of any chance she was given. When she finally made it to her destination she stopped, and putting the car in neutral, looked up at the sky. Birds twitted around chasing after each other and whatever prey they could spot. *Disgusting. Even birds have that uncanny craving for freedom. I would go crazy without any boundaries or inhibitions.* She shut off the car and walked inside the large building. Looking up at the nearest security camera, she stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes. When she wanted attention, she was going to get it.
"Did I teach you that or is that what you learn in your weekly sessions with Sydney?" Angel found herself looking into the eyes of her guardian and he didn't seem too happy.
"Actually, that's the newest look I learned from my last 'learning experience.' That was the exact look on his face when I left him this morning." She had an impassive grin on her face that was driving him to distraction.
"All right that explains that, now why are you so late. Did you do the job this morning or were you just procrastinating." Heck, if she didn't stop smiling like that he would never be able to discipline her, for her tardiness.
"You know, to tell the truth, I did the job last night. I just felt rather fatigued and decided to sleep there. Oh, don't look at me that way, Dr. Pain. If it had been you, I wouldn't have minded if you took a few hours of shuteye to yourself." She gave him a dazzling smile and he remembered why he was supposed to be mad at her about.
"What if you had been caught?" By this time they were traveling down a dim hallway, that led to his office.
"Lesson one for the day: Nobody bothers a Motel room with a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. Not even for a fire. I'm serious! They skip you right over and you die! Which that would pretty much defeat the whole purpose of me being there now wouldn't it?" She gave him the most earnest look she could muster and he did all he could to act like he wasn't amused. Then, she ran up to his door and opened it motioned for him to enter first. Why had he raised her so enchanting?
He walked through the door and smiled once he was out of her eyesight. "I would have still sent you to make sure he was dead." He dragged his oxygen canister behind him and sat down at his desk. Leaning forward he motioned for her to sit in the chair in front of him. "So he is dead, right?"
She gave him a knowing look and sat down. "Well, if he's not he's going to have some headache when he wakes up."
He looked at her almost shocked. "A gunshot to the head? That's not quite your style is it? I thought raised you to be a little more creative than that."
"Who said it was a gunshot? I pretended I was his acupuncturist. I was going to relieve his headache when he accidentally moved and well… Hehe." She gave him a winning smile and he returned it.
"Sometimes you manage to amaze, even, me." Turning in his chair he gaze out his large office window. "Anybody see you come or go?"
"Me or the lady in black? Don't you worry; I was veiled and robed like a good little girl. The doorman saw something that resembled a heifer in a smock I believe, but nobody would believe it. He takes his coffee black with two sugars, by the way. How do you want yours?" She got up and went around his desk to the intercom. "I could use a drink." She said matter-of-factly.
He quirked an eyebrow and looked at her narrowly. "I want mine without a hallucinogen. I need to keep a clear head for today's activities."
This caught her interest but she decided to order their drinks first. "Pearl? Please send a coffee, one cream, one sugar, and a strawberry daiquiri to Mr. Raines office." She covered the intercom and turned towards the doctor. "Do you want anything?" He shook his head and she smiled. "Okay, Pearl, that will be all."
"Already drinking coffee? Aren't you too young for that?" She pushed the top of his seat back and leaned in inches from his face.
"I've grown up doctor. You didn't forget did you? I mean, you must admit, I am not a little girl anymore." She leaned up and let go of his seat, the sauntered back to her chair and sat down.
He nodded in agreement. "That you are not. To tell the honest truth, sometimes it alarms me how quickly you've grown and matured."
"Ha! And it doesn't alarm you that I'm a skilled assassin? Really Doctor! Sometimes you truly do amaze me. You are a walking contradiction. You know that, don't you?" The door creaked open slowly. She started and pulled her gun at the sound.
A young auburn haired woman stood in the doorway, mouth agape. "Your drink… you are the one who wanted… maybe I should come back later." The woman was blanched and obviously flustered at the sight of Angel pulling a gun on her.
"I apologize Pearl. That was very rude of me and I am deeply sorry for actions." Angel flashed a pearly white grin that looked like something out of a toothpaste commercial. "You will forgive my impoliteness, won't you?"
Pearl gave Angel a halfhearted smile and placed the tray down on Mr. Raines desk. "Yes, err… I hafta' go. Yah see my dogs with thah sitter and the windah pane needs replacin'… I gotta go." With that she hurried out the door and down the hallway.
"Lovely girl. Doubt we will be seeing much of her around this office anymore." Mr. Raines gave a slight smile at the disgruntled expression on Angel's face.
"Where is she from? Kentucky? Georgia? Ugh… southerners. I can't stand that fake politeness and the way they wallow at your mercy… disgusting." She scrunched up her nose at the thought and slumped in her chair. "I'd take that beautiful northern hospitality any day of the week to that… ugh."
Mr. Raines laughed, and almost choked, at his own little private joke. Angel peaked at the sound. What was he up to? "Angel, there is something you should know."
Angel grimaced. Here it came. She knew his little mind games and figured she might as well take the bait. "Why, whatever do you mean doctor?"
"Now don't be snide, Angel. All you need to know is that I have a present for you." She quirked an eyebrow and leaned in toward his desk. "You do remember when you asked if you could have some time off, don't you?" She nodded and half-grinned. "Well, I need you to do me this one favor and you can have your much needed vacation."
"Well, what is it? The sooner you tell me, the sooner both of our wishes can come true." A slight flicker of a smile touched her lips at the thought of some vacationing time.
"I need you to find me a certain man. He has been unattainable for a long while now and The Center is in need of his abilities." He looked her over and tried to decide whether she would be able to get their man.
"Why didn't you say so? You won't even need him. Just tell me what you need him to do and I can do it instead. You know that I am capable of doing just about anything that man is able to do…" She thought a moment. "Next to getting someone pregnant. If that's what it is then I guess I'm out." He couldn't tell whether she was joking or serious.
"It's nothing like that. He is just really important to the success of The Center. Can you get him for The Cen… for me?" He looked up at her showing no emotion in particular.
"Yes, of course, I can. What is his synopsis? Brief me." She leaned back in her chair and waited for this seemingly simple assignment to start.
"Late thirties to early forties, 6' tall, about 170- 180 pounds give or take, brown hair, brown eyes, goes by the name Jarod. He has no last name in particular, just Jarod and then whatever last name he comes up with. He is a pretender; therefore he can be whomever and whatever he wants to be. This will not be one of your easier assignments. Do you think you can handle it?"
She gave him a wicked grin. "Of course I can. Do you have any idea where he is located?"
It was his turn to return the look. "Well, the last we heard, he was somewhere in Tennessee."