I feel the gun's pressure loosen until there's no longer a barrel threatening to end my life. I contemplated turning around and knocking Vincent off his feet, but I knew it was better to move to his side. I immediately jump around to the other side of the desk, where Jean is. Jean lowers his gun. He ever-so-slightly relaxes his posture.
"Alright. No guns. Shall we talk?"
I lower my gun slowly, still not breaking eye contact with Vincent as I stuff the weapon into my belt. Anubis returns to my side as we wait for Vincent's next move. If he calls security I'll pull my gun out again. He made a deal to talk, so I can only hope he retains his honor by negotiating.
Judging from the silence, Vincent continues his deal. He approaches us only to wave us away from his desk. "Sit down, boys."
I cautiously take a seat, eyes flickering over Vincent's every move. The man clasps his hands together and rests them on the desk. "These documents… do you know what they mean?"
"No," I said.
"They didn't tell you the reason they need them?"
"No, sir."
Vincent leans back in his chair and sighs. "No matter. What else were you instructed to do?"
I held down the memory of Michelle talking about some kind of secret weapon to avoid it showing on my face. "That's all. We were supposed to retrieve the documents, and then lay low for a couple months and live here."
"Alright, how about this. Tell them you have the documents, but I will give you what you will give them. Give me the original documents back. Do this for me and you get your lives and guaranteed security for the time you live here. And if you'd like better housing I can provide that as well. But you must obey every official here."
I cross my arms against my chest, listening intently to Vincent. Guaranteed security, better housing? That's already better than the American government promised to do in the 1700's. I purse my lips, tempted to take him on the offer. What am I to lose if we did? If the American government didn't like me anymore, I could just move back here with ensured safety. I turn my head to gaze at Anubis, indifference filling my face as I hold back saying anything in case Anubis would rather answer. Does he want my opinion? Does he want to discuss this? What benefit do we get from following through with the original plan?
Fuck, that's right, a million dollars each.
"Match our pay for this job."
I utter, my eyes now fixated on Vincent.
"Done. All you need to do is sign up for this entitlement program to make sure the transaction doesn't seem suspicious on my part. What was your pay?"
"Two million split," I muttered.
"Easy." Vincent grinned - the smile of a politician and a businessman.
Jean and I exchanged glances. "We have to discuss this first," I said. We got up and stood outside the office. "Well?"
I nodded at Vincent's agreement, but grew confused when Anubis shoved me outside the office.
"Well, what? This is just another job as far as I'm concerned."
I cross my arms at Anubis, furrowing a brow at him. I get this was sudden, but it's not like we haven't killed former clients before. We can turn against anyone as long as we're getting paid.
"No, no, I am fully aware we're saying yes. Something feels… I don't know, I don't even remember why I pulled you out here. I swear I have no self-control. Let's take the offer. Maybe he'll give us a chance to check out that alleged secret weapon," I said, scratching my head.
We head back in and agree to each other's terms. Vincent informed us that we would have the fake documents shortly and let us go back to our jobs.
b u m p
OH GOD I THOUGHT I RESPONDED TO THIS
I nod at Anubis as we return to the office, but as we exit yet again to return to our jobs, I stop him.
"What are you suspicious about?" I utter, his paranoia growing contagious as we walk. With each agent that passed by, I felt I had to watch him closely, thinking he'd turn around and attack us at any moment.
I started to work through my thoughts, only to realize I wasn't suspicious at all. The fear that strangled my brain stemmed from the fact that I had to work harder to hide this from Jean.
"Everything. I'm always like this with bigger jobs. It helps me make sure they're not planning to stab me in the back. Or, us, in this case." I shrugged at Jean and continued walking. That wasn't really a lie, I did keep my walls especially up when I worked with bigger and more powerful people. A headache began to grow and I felt the need to throw up. Not this time, Anubis.
"Whatever," I utter, reaching the elevator as we step in. "Next time, if you're going to get so worked up about this, either give me a good reason or keep it to yourself."
I snap, angry at Anubis for inflicting me with paranoia for no reason. Of course we can't trust anyone, but did he really have to make it seem like such a big deal?
"Get so worked up about it?" I furrowed my brow. "I barely said a thing. You didn't have to listen to me at all, you know. You don't have to trust me for fuck's sake, no one told you to." I pressed my floor and Jean pressed his, but we stood on opposite sides of the elevator. Why is he always so angry at me for no reason? I didn't do a single thing.
Barely said a- "You pulled me out of the office!" I exclaim, feeling my heartrate rise. I needed to smoke before I exploded at Anubis again. I knew I was getting worked up about this too, but we just failed the mission and were given an opportunity for compensation. Then he wants to play Over Paranoid and then try to underplay it when I play along? I'm tired of this bullshit.
"Yeah? That was the worst paranoia-induced outcome? I could've fucking killed both you and Vincent or I could've dropped this job a long fucking time ago. After all these fucking years and you still can't even begin to understand how my mind works. I can't just turn it off for you."
The elevator brought us down to his floor. I could stay here and argue with him, but that would be fruitless. This whole thing is fruitless. I should've just taken this job alone. I glared at Jean, waiting for him to leave the elevator.
I glare at Anubis for a moment, clenching my fists as the doors open.
"We'll talk later." I mutter as I step out of the elevator, trying to calm down to avoid questions from coworkers. Obviously I'm more angry than I should be, but I'm not the only one at fault here. Anubis inflicted this paranoia onto me and now I can't stop looking over my shoulder. I sighed heavily, taking a detour to find a place to smoke.
The doors close on the fuming man who walked out. I rolled my eyes and shoved my hands in my pockets. The elevator brought me to my floor. I made my way back to my office and notice a security guard facing the door. "Excuse me, is there an issue?" I said.
The guard turned his head at me unsmoothly. He didn't say a single word - it was as if he didn't even see me. His eyes flickered all around. Blind? "Sir?" I raised my voice a notch, but the guard didn't change his posture. Then, as if nothing had happened he straightened up and walked past me, nearly hitting me. What the fuck?
I wasn't really paying attention to what my team was saying; but they seemed to be talking about something serious. It didn't matter to me, I don't plan on concerning myself with British crime for very long. I leaned my head on my fist as I gaze at the floor, falling into a daze.
The curtains started to burn, the fire consuming them easily. I stood there for a bit. Anubis walked past me, averting his gaze to avoid looking at me. My eyes fell to them. My head was fuzzy, my eyes puffy. I waited there. I waited for some sort of emotion to come over me. I waited, maybe for my eyes to start watering, for me to fall to my knees and cry for my family. I waited for the heaviness to overcome me as I grow wracked with grief.
Nothing happened.
Maybe he did do me a favor.
"Daniel?"
I blink, my heart skipping a beat as I lift my head. It must have fallen noticeably down into my hand.
"You sure you're alright?"
How was I going to brush this off?
"Had a rough night, I'll be fine by the end of the day."
After hours of nothing, Jean and I finally got released. We didn't go home at the same time, though. He had to wait for me.
I fiddled with the car handle until Jean unlocked it. Ducking my head in, I said carefully, "I think I know how we can pass the time here a little."
I shut the car door and inhale the fumes of the foreign vehicle. It was still taking me a while to get used to the left side passenger seats and the car being on the left lane.
Once I got out I decided to have another smoke, hoping to clear my mind. Luckily I remained uninterrupted and managed to alleviate a lot of pressure in my head. I thought about the deal, and I thought about our decision. I wasn't bothered morally, but Anubis's paranoia is contagious. Then again, nothing is stopping us from taking the money and using it to leave both countries, starting over again and going back to square one.
I head back to the car, with a few hours left until Anubis gets out. At first, I got in the passenger side, but when I realized my mistake, I moved to the driver's side. I sighed heavily, crossing my arms and lowering the seat back a little, reclining it to a more comfortable position.
My eyes closed without warning and consciousness escaped. I didn't really dream this time. My thoughts started to mix a little bit until I fell asleep, but once I was asleep, everything was silent. In all honesty, I actually preferred it. With the dreams, I was barely getting any good sleep, but this time I finally feel like I'm getting re-
The sound of the car door handle jerks me awake. A very tired Anubis aggressively pulled the handle back and forth until I begrudgingly unlocked it.
"I think I know how we can pass the time here a little."
He began, shutting the door and sighing.
"Enlighten me." I utter, rubbing my eyes as I try to see only one Anubis, as opposed to two.
bro that was a long post haha
"Think we should take on a British job," I said, mocking a heavier British accent. I pull on my seatbelt, continuing. "There's no point in sitting around and doing nothing until we find the secret weapon. What do you say?"
I turn to Jean, who couldn't look more awful.
I start the car and sigh, shrugging my shoulders.
"We have to find one that's willing to work around our schedule."
I exhale one last breath before exiting the parking garage, hopefully, the last of the nicotine leaving my lungs for the time.
"Plus, what would we even do with the extra money?"
I shook my head, watching the now-familiar building pass behind us. "They don't always pay in money, first of all, and it's not for the money anyways. It's just for passage of time, Jean. Live a little. Besides, most of the jobs are night jobs and our hours are never at night, at least nnot for me. You might have a call in, but that's not hard to work around."
I rub my face a bit, mostly from stress, as I make a few turns on the road.
"Whatever. Won't they be watching our every move, though? It's not like the government can trust themselves."
I turn into the parking lot of the hotel, sighing heavily.
"I wouldn't mind a job as much as I wouldn't like getting caught."
I glared at Jean, like the idiot he was. "Sometimes, GG, I wonder if you've ever really done this kind of business at all." Shaking my head, I pushed open the car door. "First of all, their technology would never bypass mine, I can hide us. Very easily. If they're out there watching us right now-" I breathed in with a sudden realization that the car would have a hidden mic. "Then it won't matter. We'll do something they can't say we can't do."
I nod nonchalantly and follow Anubis into the building, tossing the keys onto the nearby table and sighing heavily. It was evening, but the sun was still barely up. I took off my jacket and draped it on the chair.
"Sounds good, then. You can find us one. I'm gonna go smoke."