The Shadow...part 1
Arriving
I awoke. The early sun had risen high and its golden rays
shone brightly through the gap in the heavy curtains that
were covering a some what stained glass window, not like
any churches but stained with what seemed like an eternity of grime.
It illuminated the room, the single bedside cabinate, scratched
deep through years of use and probably abuse, covered in a layer
of dust so deep that you could write in three d, the carpet, a paisley
style pattern stained almost beyond recognition, boards peering through
thread bare patches, my crisp clean jeans and shirt, foldy neatly over the single
chair, its legs held together with ducktape. Things I hadn't noticed last night,
or should I say early morning after my fourteen hour drive to get here.
What a life I thought to myself, cheap, nasty motels, surrounded by John Doe
and Jane Doe, junk food, no wonder I felt overweight, I swung my legs over
the side of my bed, it creaked, another thing unnoticed last night, tiredness
had caught up with me. I went over to the sink in the corner of the room,
the yellow stained sink with a long crack in it, turned on the tap to release
icy cold water which I threw meaningfully over my face. Again what a life I thought
as my senses started to awake once more. Still I suppose I have to make a living.
Although I often wondered why the captain always chose me for these missions, yes
the captain there was a man, shrewd very shrewd, a short man, sharp features,
round glasses and slightly balding, a man you wouldn't give a second glance at and
yet a man with so much knowledge and ability, I suppose he had to be being so powerful
within the organization, a man you could trust with your life and many had but
still I often wondered why he chose me, was I good at what I do or was it because
I had no family ties, or both? or neither?
I quickly got dressed, my stomach was growling it needed nourishement, I
always felt better after a good breakfast.
I left my room, home for however long it would take me to accomplish my mission,
pulling the flimsy, creaking door tightly behind me. Fresh air hit my nostrils,
the morning sun warm as I stood and gazed around me, the town wasn't too large,
population of eight hundred but still easy to get lost if you had too. I walked
over to my car, a 1982 oldsmobile, brown and with its fair share of dents but
it got me from a to b and usually c. I turned the key she kicked over first
time, beautiful was her purr, lady Jane I had called her. I drove down the street
taking in landmarks, a red house here, a white picket fence there, some industrial units
and warehouses, I took a left turn, the town didn't look too bad, people were going
about their business quite obvlivious to anything. I continued to drive down the street,
Apple Blossom Avenue it was named, I don't know why there wasn't a tree in sight.
I took a right into the parking lot of a cafe, Dionnes cafe, there were a few rigs
and about fourteen cars parked. I parked lady Jane and picked up the large brown
envelope on the passenger seat, it was just marked private. I walked into the cafe,
a bright airy place, people reading papers, sharing news or just talking
whatever to each other, who knows. I sat in a booth placing the envelope
on the formica table top, the waitress came over, smiling, quite pretty,
perk little breasts,her name badge said Milly, I ordered the works, eggs sunny side up and a coffee,
I opened the envelope and took out the file. The first page just said
Bob I know you can do it signed the captain. Milly appeared with my breakfast,
cute I thought as she walked away, quaintly wiggling. I started eating, my stomach
starting to relax its growling, took a sip of my coffee and turned the page.
WANTED Ricardo Bellarom known as the shadow for the murder of seven people.
....to be continued