Jade, August 2018 – Intro

The dream job. Everyone, or at least most of the people I heard about, have their definition of "Dream Job", that specific one that will bring joy, personal gratification and not less important, money! Well, I am not one of those persons, I don't have a nine to five job, far from that actually, and I never dreamed, or even had any desire for any specific job. I just wanted something to bring a few bucks to the table, that didn't require too much effort. I wanted time to live, to enjoy life, and to discover love, well I think that in the end, I only wanted to be happy. But sometimes life takes a different turn, and mine took that turn a long time ago. Right now, all that, seems like a dream, from a past life.

It's three fifteen in the afternoon. I woke up forty minutes ago, and I am still in bed, my body is sweating, I feel heavy, numb *the visions of my last job are fading, but still…*. It occurred to me, staying like this for the rest of the afternoon, and after, maybe, have dinner in a nice fancy place, then get home early, alone, I need time to rest, *sigh, that boy's face, his sister eyes begging me to end her misery, the screams, the darkness, why … WHY?* Damn, snap out of it Jade, this last job ripped all of my energies, Annie that bitch. Next time I see her …sigh… Fuck today it's hot, too much, even for August *I need some fresh air, I need to see normal people, and forget, until the next job…*, so I got up and went for a shower. I took my time, it was refreshing, the cold water gave some ease to my mind, cleared the numbness away from my body, *I almost felt cured, ah-ah*. Now, here I am, in front of the mirror, trying to decide what to dress and what makeup to use, *sigh, I have no skills for this, too much time spent training a completely different skill set*, it would be easier if I was dressing up for a job, maybe it would take me some time to choose the weapons, but definitely, not the makeup. I searched for something on the closet, it's one of those walk-through closets, but besides the jeans, shirts and comfy clothes, there isn't much that I would dress today, *today I want to impress … at least myself*, there are only two dresses, one blue the other, green *yes, definitely the green one*, that I saw once in some fancy magazines, they looked very pretty *did they? Can't remember if I thought that, or if, it was something written in the article* and were advertised strictly for the modern women, so I went to the store and bought them. I would have more clothes back at my house, this particular apartment, is not really where I live, instead, is my private safe place, where I bring no one, never, no customers, no targets, not even friends. The job I do demands it, I am an independent contractor, and as a contractor, I have "missions" or tasks as I prefer to call it that I always perform under my own steam. I work alone, it is better that way *the only way*! I have two cell numbers, two addresses, two lives, only one job. I am a hunter *sometimes mistaken as a killer but that's too much of a label*! My email is my communication method of choice, my job board, its more low profile than some sites out there, and offers me the opportunity to know more details, as I always want to know about who wants what, why they want it, how they want it, who is the target and why. It is important to think about all these details, they can make me accept or refuse a job. Often I get messages with the subject "Your skills are needed" and then on the body of the message, whoever is sending me the request, should only put instructions of how or where we should meet, to discuss further details. If they fail this rule, I immediately delete the message *It's the only rule, and a very simple one actually, so…*. When nothing interesting is available, I just take some time off, or else if I am getting too bored, there are some places to hang out where something "hot" can happen, and believe me, there is always something going on out there, you only need to know where to look.

Therefore I never gave this address to know one, to be honest, it's not even under my name, the landlord keeps everything under his name, and I pay the rent every three months in cash, that's the agreement we did *Him paying back me saving his life … more than once*. All my work-related stuff is in a small house bought a couple of years ago. That house *my office, the way I see it*, is where I live, where I go every day, receive the post, have neighbours, welcome friends, normal day to day stuff *yes! Normal…tsk*.

I am finally ready! *Whew, damn woman, you look good* wearing this supermini glitter green, see-through dress, that completely hugs to my body, featuring cape sleeves and ruching, showing all my assets, I am ready for the kill! Now, what am I missing? Yes, my black pointed pumps with stiletto heels, my long summer leather-like coat and my purse with space enough for my phone, some money and of course my .35 S&W M&P Bodyguard. I feel powerful today *hmm, I wonder if … it's been a long time I don't do it with someone else…*, time to request a taxi, and premium, please! I don't use any apps since they always leave a trace, I know a "professional driver", he gave me his card once when he still was a normal taxi driver. I call him, no names needed only a pickup location.

- Hello!

- Hi there! Can you please pick me up on the warehouse *what's with this codename, it's kind of funny really but…needed*?

- I will be there in sixteen minutes.

- OK, at the usual spot. He doesn't reply back, there's no need for that.

Sixteen minutes *humpf*. Well, that's enough time for getting directly from my apartment, by lift, non-stop, to the basement, using a "black key card" *also part of the agreement*, that allows me to walk across the parking lot and get out using the service back door. Thus, the chance of seeing someone that knows me is very small this way. The lift, besides the "very posh!" lady that informs you of the floor, plays no music, doesn't do a sound, it's just a cold, full mirrored box *it's awful to look anywhere but the ground*, with bright lights concealed behind the top of the walls. The parking lot is empty, only a handful of cars rest here at this time of the day. Parallel to the lift, all the lights down here are extremely soft and dim *but that's a good thing*. This parking lot is shared with the twin building next to this one, so it takes me around two, maybe four on these shoes, minutes to cross it. The black key card, also gives me access to the back service door that barely anyone uses *apart from me only the landlord himself have access to it*. It's only a quick swipe, followed by a four-digit code and, I am out.

Nothing and no one on this "cul de sac" surrounded by very high walls, besides the driver on his black, full shaded windows car that awaits me *perfect*. When he notices me, hastens to open the door, smiling, nodding his head. He is actually very professional and maintains high discretion at all times, I use his services regularly so he already knows that I don't speak much and I never, never share a ride. I get in, he closes the door, gets into the driver seat and starts the car.

- Where to?

- To the usual hotel. *I wonder what does he thinks about me, about what I do* He starts driving.

Among all the places I know, there are some standard or casual, some very interesting, others less, and there is this one, in particular, this one I am heading now "Jewel of the Nile", that makes me want to return, not really sure why yet… maybe due to the circumstances, I got there the first time. And I am not talking about the casino itself, but one of the private rooms. This particular private room, it's like a different place by itself, if you don't know about the door that connects both you wouldn't guess that this "bar" is one of the many in the casino. I got to know about it, as a return gift, for a "good deed", someone I helped. *If I only knew…* She told me what a lovely venue this social place was, instigating my curiosity, and insisted to buy me a drink there *actually she wouldn't stop talking if I hadn't said yes*, I had nothing better to do, and since I wanted to get away from those following me at the time, *not to mention that, as soon as they saw me helping her, they stopped following me, and remain hiding in the shadows*, I accepted the invite, and… *I couldn't believe my eyes*. We arrived there on her car, I was driving since as she told me, her driver got "sick at the last moment – her words" and she had no skills at all to drive. During the entire journey she maintained a jovial and very friendly expression, she thanked again for my help "more than ten times…" she told me about some friends that we were going to find at the club, general stuff only and she laughed a lot. I had to interrupt her several times for directions, she just wouldn't stop talking, those were really the only questions I did. At that time I couldn't see the reason for so much excitement.

- Jade, just park near those ugly guys there! *I assumed she was referring to two dress security guys near the door*, don't tell them I just called them ugly, ah ah ah.

- Are you sure? *Is she showing off?*

- Yes, don't you worry! I know the owner. *As I thought….*

As soon as I stopped the car, both guys rushed to the car opening both our doors:

- Miss Annie, is everything ok? What happened to your usual driver? *What?*

- Don't you be rude, Jade is not my driver, she is my friend, show some respect.

That said, the guy that opened my door, changed his serious expression to a friendly-neutral one, slightly bowing and extended his arm pointing me the way to the door. Above the not so shabby door a neon sign with the words "Jewel of the Nile" in red and blue, a red carpet extending inside just before the second door. One more "black suit" inside, smiled and opened the door for "Miss Annie" and myself to go through. The inside décor looked like it was taken out from an Egyptian pyramid. Lights inside were neon fluorescent, in blue, red and yellow tones, all hidden inside semi-transparent walls or objects, in the ground floor two main counters, set apart by the gambling tables each with lights on top. Around the tables people *at least some…* were gambling, chatting or just drinking, observing the games with deep knowledge. While I was seeing all this and Annie was smiling and complimenting everyone one particular guy approached us. *I could see his dark aura, red eyes, his chin dripping blood… it made me sick, almost vomiting*.

- Jade, are you alright dear? Jade?

- Annie I … *these visions …fuck… this guy is …* I just felt a bit overwhelmed. Not used to these places (trying the best I could to control me)

- Joe, prepare a table in the private pub for us. And do it fast.

- It will be done. He barely stopped, turning is way around vanishing behind a door near the counter on our left.

- Walk with me, Jade. Do you want to drink something? Water or maybe something stronger? You look like you need it.

- Whiskey! And double, please. No ice. *I needed something strong, it helps … easing the mind*.

She directed me to the counter, grabbing one of my hands while holding my back with the other hand. She must have done a sign to the girl behind the counter since she immediately started to prepare the drinks for us. Curiously she kept quiet for a moment. *She must have no idea of what's happening, sigh, let's keep it like that… I will have this drink and leave…* after the first sip or two, she told me to follow her not giving me the chance to refuse. On the way I saw some private rooms, then a small corridor with only a door at the end and that guy again, Joe *I won't easily forget you*. He opened the door for us and show us the table.

- Please Jade seat with me, I have something to ask of you.

- Did we teleport through that door? (I knew we didn't but … a pub by itself inside a casino? What is this?)

- You see Jade, I don't really know the owner of this casino. I am the owner!

So, she explained all about the casino being a place for vampires and humans, the balance between both worlds that she and all those that think like her, strive to maintain, the darkness that consumes theirs and our worlds, their needs, our needs and at the end she did spoke about our common enemies. It was too much information to deal with so I decided to keep listening to the end. Annie when telling me about our enemies showed me one file about a couple. They lived up the Wicklow mountains. Usually once per month they would kidnap a boy (or girl, but they preferred boys), not too young, more around old teenage, tall and well built. After kidnaping them, they took them home to a basement and they would chop them one limb at a time, while keeping them alive (so the meat would always be fresh) and eat it. Sometimes they would even feed them with their own … arm or leg. When out of limbs they would kill them, open them, take out the skin, the bones, the organs (only some of them, some others like the heart or tongue would go well on a stew) the meat and freeze it for times of need. She didn't ask me to kill them, just to think about what they deserved and gave me forty-eight hours to think about it, promising to explain, why me, as part of the payment. That same night I did my first paid job. And then…

The drive takes roughly forty-five minutes to the city centre, halfway along the journey, I switch sim cards, *holidays are official terminated*, but not to check social media or the news or anything, it only means that I am online and back to work. My privacy is extremely important to me, and my private life, it's only mine, I don't share it! *I would like to, but who would ever accept what I do, or even…*. This thought usually doesn't bring me tears but this time *loneliness is a bitch* … glad I never take out my big sunglasses. I much more prefer to gaze the sea, or the extensive green carpet that covers the naked land, *before a tear, now a subtle smile on my face*, like my dress today, and when getting closer to the city, streets, people, colours, the dynamic of it all.

He stops the car, not on the right street *he doesn't really know…*, instead, one nearby, close to a hotel, I can walk the rest. Sometimes I go to the hotel bar for a glass of wine, but not today *I feel compelled to get to the pub… why? A girl with red hair, her eyes… bare deep sadness… My body slightly trembles, vision blurred, not a vision now, come on, focus Jade, focus…. *. He glances the rear-view mirror, maybe he noticed something, I try not to show him much, closing my eyes, slowing down my breathing. He doesn't immediately get out, *he definitely noticed something*, holding for a few seconds, he checks all the mirrors, waiting for an empty street. I move in my seat, leaning my body slightly forward, showing intention to leave, and he, noticing, gets out, opens my door but instead of keeping holding the door, he places himself on the opposite side, creating a corridor and extending his hand *He is more than what he shows, a professional driver… right* I accept his help stepping out, take a deep breath and this time, I nod to him first. He nods back *instead, he looks hank-eyed*. I move away for the car in direction of the hotel door. No words exchanged. He drives off, while I check my phone just to regain my breath and gain time. I left a yellow one in the rear centre console. A green pays the ride, yellow adds up total discretion, standard fee.

This "shady back door" pub where I'm heading as a private club, bears no signs at the door, apart for a small graphited cocktail icon near the doorbell. They don't accept just anyone unless they are invited, and even after being invited the first time, they can't just come in again and bring friends, they have to "book it" first. I and a handful of others like me *I guess*, are a special case, we are VIP! But there are strict rules about who VIPs can bring or to who or what can we tell about this place. The bouncer that opens me the door after I press the doorbell is Collins, he is a nice guy, for a casual chat, but that's it. He haves a solid expression that combines pretty well with his hefty structure, but inside, I bet he's a softy *I wonder why he falling so deep into the darkness*.

- Hi Jade! Welcome back, long time no see, holidays?

- Hi Collins (arranging my sunglasses as they were a hair band), miss you too (and putting my other hand on his shoulder, letting out an elegant smile). Tell me, is anyone here or am I the first to arrive?

- You are second today, Joe arrived 5m earlier, he's downstairs. Today is going to be slow, Wednesdays are not usually busy.

- I hope so, you look tired (looking directly to his eyes). And Collins, let me see a smile (sweetly grabbing his chin with both my fingers). There you go awesome!

- He-he, thanks, Jade! You are always nice. Have a good one.

Slowly, I started walking down the stairs.