Prologue: Part 2
Big Boss and a New Job
With a nervous look in his eyes, he pressed the button, waiting for the elevator to come down and carry him up. His eyes darted around frequently, making sure that no one else was there. If they knew what floor he was going to, they would definitely start a farewell party. The ding told him the elevator had come. He stepped on quickly, pressing the close button. Just as he door were about to close shut, they opened again.
"Phew. Though I wouldn't make it for a second there." came the relieved female voice. "Could you press forty nine for me please?"
"No problem." he said as the door shut and he pressed the button. "Working late?"
The woman nodded her head. "I don't really like it though. Ever since Arthur was killed a few days ago, it creeps me out. I just going to get some things and then I'm out of here. You?"
"Meeting with the boss. Even if it is at eleven at night." he said flashing her a smile. "You were the one working with Arthur?"
"Yup. I heard that he was on that project...you the one about twenty years ago?"
"Oh, he was on that project?" he asked with a glib voice. 'Unfortunately I know all about that project. It's the damn reason why I'm in this shit.'
"Apparently so." the woman said. "They say it came back to get revenge for its mate."
"You don't say." he said as he glanced at the numbers; it was only at twenty-nine. "It had a mate?"
"I probably shouldn't be talking about this so freely," the woman looked around furtively. "But Arthur told me that they planned to-"
The woman stopped as the elevator gave a jerk and the lights flickered wildly. He looked around carefully, noticing that the number stopped on thirty. "Are you OK?"
"Yeah I'm fine; wasn't expecting that though. Do you think that we're stuck?"
"Probably." he looked around. "Maybe if I went up and checked the wires; one may have come loose."
"I'll go. I used to be an electrician. If that is the problem than I'll have it fixed in no time."
"No, really, I think I should go up and-"
"Nonsense. Give me a boost up." she said as she placed a foot on one of the handrail.
Reluctantly he gave her the boost and watched as her coat disappeared through the hole. A few seconds later, the elevator started back up, speeding straight to the top. He closed his eyes as the numbers shot from thirty to one hundred and ten, the woman's lengthy scream cut off suddenly as the car screeched to an abrupt stop.
He stepped back in revulsion as blood started to drip in from the top of the elevator, thick and slow. The door opened with a cheery ding, the hallway stretching to the end, covered in a black carpet. Hesitantly he started forward, the smooth black and steel doors at the end in plain view.
"This is it," he muttered as he paused before the doors. "Don't be surprised if you don't ever come out of this office."
Taking the steel handle, he turned it and pushed the door open. The whole room was a pitch black, the desk in front of the window enveloped in a puddle of shadow. The chair in front of the desk bathed in a small area of light, the only light in the room.
"Have a seat."
He shivered involuntarily at the cold voice as he dutifully took his seat. He didn't say anything as silence reigned, his eyes barely able to pick out the back of the chair behind the desk. The stars glimmered faintly through the glass as he watched them in an effort to distract his mind from the crushing silence. Then the chair turned around, the elfin figure in it resting her chin on interlaced fingers.
"Do you know why you are here Sebastian?"
"I have a vague idea." he admitted.
"Your tutor, Ed, do you know what happened to him?"
"He confronted it at one point and never came back." Sebastian replied in an even voice.
"Very good; you've been doing your homework." the woman's voice sounded pleased. "And you know the role you have to fulfil now in his place."
"Yes." the word felt like dead weight that dragged him down to his death. "I have to capture it and bring it back in to complete the project."
"As well as..."
"As well as its mate." he said in a dry voice. "My sole job is to bring them back in, no matter what the cost, even if it means my life."
The woman didn't say anything for a few moments before she reached in a drawer for something and threw it down on the desk. The rectangle slid along the smooth surface, coming to a halt at the edge. Reaching forward, Sebastian took the photo and looked at it. His breath caught in his throat as he gazed down at the familiar face.
"What does she have to do with this?" he asked in a hoarse voice. "Leave her alone."
"You know things don't work that way here Sebastian." a cruel smirk came to the woman's lips as she leaned forward. "We do need some guarantee that you will do your utmost to see this done."
"How dare you-"
"Ah ah, that is not the tone you should be using with your new boss, now is it?"
Sebastian felt his face blanch. "Very well then, I'll say it nicely. If you hurt her in any way, I'll see you dead."
"I highly doubt that will happen Sebastian. You have full and complete clearance to do whatever necessary. If you find you have a problem obtaining resources, tell them that Kali sent you."
"Kali. You're the one who..."
"Yes I am." the woman rose, her brilliant green eyes, gleaming in the light as she stepped forward slightly. "I suggest that you start working now. I am not one for people sitting down on the job."
Sebastian rose stiffly and walked out the door, the picture clutched tightly in his hand. Once he closed the door behind him, he relaxed his hand and looked at the picture in it again as he uncrumpled it. A sad look crossed his face as he saw her young face once more. 'Forgive me; I'm so sorry Melfina.'
Please don't think this is pointless, I am heading somewhere with it (and I know that is a change for me) and am doing my best to get things going. Doomo arigatou minna-san. ^^