Quote:
While the Holiday is all about giving, you've just witnessed someone taking. In the middle of a crowded shopping mall, you just saw someone blatantly pickpocket someone else--or maybe, they tried to pickpocket you? You've got a few options--turn a blind eye, inform the victim, chase the thief--anything you feel is right. But still, you've got to do something.
His heart was racing in his chest. Hell, it was like a high. Near euphoria as he fought down the sudden rush of what he'd done. There was stealing a starseed but then there was what he'd just done. What he knew he was not supposed to do but could do if he really wanted. Kill. Snap a neck and hide a body. Heck, he was trained for it, like any other negaverse office. But this time he'd done it as a human. No power needed. It was thrilling. ********, he was shaking at the party, a creeping vine that clung to the wall, shaking, trembling in the cold. Swaying back and forth as alcohol warmed him and gave him darker and darker thoughts. His breath came in short bursts and people looked his way but no one asked. He just smiled and nodded. They didn't need to know, they didn't have to know after all.
It would be days before he'd get over it. Paranoia had started in a few hours later. It took all his self control to not go and look. To check. He'd watched shows. Killers returned. It gave them away. He'd be suspect. It wasn't like the b***h had told him off when alone? No, she'd been open about her callous remark. But god that thrill, that feeling- he craved a part of it again. His next opportunity he told himself. He'd do it if it was safe. Just go for it. No Modius Operandi. That old MO bullshit. Kill quick and clean and- risk it all. Gamble with his life. The negaverse had opened a door in him, he knew it. Before them he'd been fine, well adjusted even. Now he was distant and detached and ******** weeks later he went back. Same day he did it again. He'd been minding his own business at the mall. Shopping for pants. Thats when he watched it play out. Some low key pick pocket tried a fast one on him. They failed. So Louis started to low key follow them. It had been kind of fun. Watching them get more and more nervous. They started to panic. Made hasty changes in pace. Looked back over their shoulder. Thats when they stopped. Louis had followed them around the mall for four loops. No longer coincidence. It had been direct. The man hesitated and when he got near, he asked what Louis wanted.
Louis smiled, asking if he could buy the man coffee.
He was curious. Maybe the guy would make a good agent. But no- he was just a petty thief. Needed things to sell or cash. drug habit. Hardly good fodder. But it made things easy for Louis. It was so simple. Casual walking in the parking garage. Top floor. Fifth. The lower railing by the stairs. A shove just a hair too rough. An accident. The cement had a crack, a dip. The man would be found so soon so Louis left as Lime.
It had been simple then too.
