"Whoever loves becomes humble. Those who love have, so to speak, pawned a part of their narcissism."- Sigmund Freud
I looked up, blinking profusely as the rain started falling harder.
"Oh..." I let out a sigh. "Hello Fang."
Fang had been a friend of mine for some time now. We had met at a bar a couple of years back. To be honest, I really didn't think much of her at first. She was simply my ride home after a night of self-indulgence. Little did I know at the time that she would turn out to be one of my greatest allies, both during my difficult personal moments and out on the hunting grounds. After I'd unprofessionally divulged information about my career choice, she began to request my aid in helping her find a job at my agency. With my guidance and blessing, she made a name for herself in next to no time. Ever since then, I've been unable to get rid of her.
"What'cha doing out here at a time like this ?"
She kneeled beside me on the sand and began looking up at the looming clouds overhead.
"I'm on a job."
Suffice to say, she understood. She chuckled amicably before stretching her arms out towards the sea.
"I guess it's not going to well, huh." She observed, mocking me.
I tilted my head slightly and stared at her.
"And, what makes you say that ?"
To be honest, I was starting to get angry. My day had not gone to plan and I really didn't take well to any sort of criticism, be it light-hearted or not. Any other person would have known by my stern expression to tread lightly. Of course, Fang wasn't, much to my dismay, just any other person.
"Exhibit 'A'," She taped softly on my forehead. "Frown lines. I've told you about them before. You've got such a pretty face, darlin', don't go messing it up." She cleared her throat before continuing. "Exhibit 'B', your sitting down. Quietly, I might add. The only time you ever to that is when you're tired, or pissed, or both."
"That means nothing." I neither had the energy nor the tolerance to say more than that.
"Maybe. But your favorite gun is also missing." She smirked, before tugging on my pocket playfully.
She kept looking at me, surely hoping to get a response of some sort. Once she backed down, mumbling to herself, I threw Villiers' photo at her.
"Oh, I see. You've got yourself some boy troubles ! Well look at you, soldier ! "
I honestly couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic or not. I hoped for her sake she was.
"That's the job." I said, before closing my eyes. " For the life of me, I can't find him anywhere. I'm starting to think he died or something. My one and only lead just feel through and I-"
"Hang on a sec' ! Is that..."
Before Fang continued, she burst out laughing.
"What on Pulse is wrong with you ?!" I shouted, trying to get her to stop.
"Well." She snorted." He sure is lively for a dead guy, let me put it that way."
My mouth hung open. I started frantically searching around for him, my eyes crossing over every inch of the beach. I stood up, hoping to get a better view. The only people left on the sand were some old drunk guys and a few rowdy teenagers. Fang then hit me on the leg.
"Sit back down ya' pleb. He 's not here."
I did as she asked. I suddenly felt at lot more willing to talk.
According to what she said next, she'd met my target a couple of nights before I was handed my assignment. He'd tried to sweet talk her into, and I quote, 'taking a ride' with him, whatever that meant . Unfortunately for him, Fang doesn't exactly turn that way. They parted, feeling awkward. Only now does she realize how lucky of an escape she had.
"So that's it. I haven't seen him since." She clarified, her lips still slightly curved in amusement.
"And, aside from the clean insight into what you get up to on a Friday night, how do you think that helps me ?" Needless to say, it wasn't the information I'd been hoping for.
"Well, if you're going to be like that I might just not tell you." She smiled and turned her head away.
I was close to punching her.
"Pl-please, Fang. I'll do anything." I looked at the ground blushing slightly. It wasn't in my nature to plead... or to bargain.
"Aw, that's sweet. But you're not my type. Too dominant." She stuck out her tongue. "I was going to say, before you opened your big hole, that I'd overheard some young girls talking about him, saying he hunts down his pray at the same place every Friday, down by the bay. It's cheap, I know, but I'm guessing very effective. He uses a fake name so they won't be able to track him down. He told me he was called 'Rain'. He must be one hell'a creative guy to come up with that !" She rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"Thank you so much, Fang !" I rested a hand on her shoulder. "Well it's getting dark. I'll see you on Monday, yeah ?" I stood up enthusiastically and smiled at her once more before heading off.
"Hey Light ?" I heard from behind me. "What day is it my dear ?"
"It's Fri- Shit..."
She winked at me. "I guess it's time to go put your little black dress on..."