BEEEP! BEEEP! BEEEP!, I gently started probing my counter trying to find the source of the end of sleep. After a couple seconds I smack the source of the noise as I think I smacked it a bit too hard as I heard a thud one more glitchy beep and the silence returned. I sat up feeling like a corpse as I turned to see my alarm clock broken on the ground. “Great, there goes my alarm clock, I don’t think I’ll get another deal anytime soon so I guess I'll have to pray I wake on time”.

I sighed as I rubbed my tired eyes as I yawned and I then started stretching my arms out as I quickly twisted my arms and neck trying to get every knot out. After a minute of stretching I felt as good as I could be, especially with the horrible living conditions I was in and the shitty food I had to live off, if you could call it that.

I gave a glance at my living spaces and yep it’s still very shitty. There were cracks in the concrete floor and old stains from the previous inhabitants of this apartment and no matter what I did I couldn't wash it out. The walls were covered in a puke yellow wallpaper, well parts of it as large parts of it seemed scraped off and well the landlords were too lazy to repair anything.

I was lucky enough to at least get an apartment with a bathroom even if I have to constantly keep getting rid of cockroaches. I even had a couch and kitchen that's something most people in this part of the city don’t have, so I guess I’m kinda lucky. “Well enough sitting around I got shit too so lets do some shit”.

I jumped out of my bed and rushed to the bathroom ignoring the cockroaches in the bathroom. I stripped out all of my clothes which at the moment consisted of a woolen sweater and underwear. I turned on the shower and got in as once again I was met with freezing cold water.

I didn’t choose the hot waters it’s just the fucking Landlord uses it all so I have to make do with getting dumped with cold water every morning at least it wakes me up fully. I grabbed a large chunk of soap I use to wash myself and make sure I least don’t smell like shit.

After I get done with the shower I quickly clean myself and try to dry my hair with a towel normally, it's usually straight but I cut recently so it became more curly. I walked over to a dresser and grabbed what I’m forced to wear everyday. A pair of gray baggy cargo pants and a white long sleeved shirt.

I do wash these but I usually spend the money I get on food repairs or save it so I don’t really have time to buy new pairs of clothes. I walked out the bathroom not feeling really refreshed but I’m dirty at least so that’s something. I then lifted my bed and grabbed a box and briefcase. I open up the box and pull out a large gray jacket, gloves and boots.

I put on the boots and gloves, I have another pair of gloves but those ones can’t really be used in public. “I hate wearing this thing” I mutter as I put on the large gray jacket that goes past my waist and zip it up as part of the jacket covers my mouth. I grabbed the briefcase and I sighed once more as I went outside into this hellhole of a city.

The air was cold so cold it could freeze your lungs. The sky was dark and cloudy, hiding the beautiful night sky. Dozens of people walked the street. Each person looked like they had their own story to tell and that story seemed pretty shitty. I pull up my hood as I hope no one looks at me because even in a crowd of diverse people my face still stands out and If I stand out I’m done for.

I walked into the crowd of people as the dozens of steps and vices around me were nearly deafening. It nearly made me forget to check my pockets as I pulled out the note I got for the job. I read through a couple more times making sure I knew where I needed to be and who was who.

“Hey watch where you're going!” I felt myself get nearly shoved to the ground as I turned to see some fat balding Asian man in a dusty old suit. God it’s one of those salesmen aka people who are smart enough to rip people off and get out of dodge before anyone gets wise.

I hate those types of people but I can’t get too angry, my job is just as bad but I can trip him and I did. I shot my foot out just as he was walking away as the pig in a fancy blanket fell onto someone else probably crushing them as before he could get up I was already weaving the crowd.

I looked at the note one more time making sure to be aware if anyones about to bump into me. I memorized every detail in the note as I finally put it away and as I moved out of the crowd of people and onto a less populated street. The buildings in this area were a bit nicer but still ether old decrepit, not fully finished or made from pieces of scrap.

As I walked down the street the only people I really spotted were some people near a campfire eating some odd looking lizard, another man in a fancy suit but with a watch this time and some curvaceous woman in clothing that showed their assets, they were kinda meh. I ignored all of them as I looked up and spotted a tower in the distance. It was actually pretty nice looking but pieces of it were covered in scrap and there was a painted scorpion on it, “bingo”.

It was gonna be a pretty long walk and I couldn’t get on top of any of the buildings but I had all night to do this job so I can take my time. As I walked through the street everyone was either staring at me or giving quick glances. Each person had a different emotion in their eyes when they looked at me, some worry like the people near the campfire, others opportunities like the man in the suit or some shady people near a bar.

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I made sure to pull up my hood further to hide my distinct appearance. I don't want those looks of worry and opportunity to turn to anger. The tower got closer in sight as I was pretty relaxed. This job was nothing compared to the stuff I used to do so something easier was a nice change of pace.

I entered into a more populated area not as crowded as the area I lived in so not that bad. The people wore much nicer clothing and just seemed to have much better lives. This city can be really inconsistent with how nice some areas are but there is a reason for that. Some people in the area seemed like just any random civilian but it was the minor details that made them stick out to me.

They wore what seemed to be normal clothing, had average builds and seemed to be relaxing. The things that made them stick out were the scars they had specifically around the hands and face and from the shapes and sizes of the scars they were definitely earned from multiple fights. Their hands were also pretty callused too specifically around the knuckle and fingers signs of punching something hazard or holding say a metal pipe too hard. The final nail in the coffin is each one had a scorpion tattoo each was one different, some placed on different parts of the body, others were different sizes hell some were different species of scorpions but each one was a scorpion.

There were over a dozen just in this area, each one looking through the crowd for anything suspicious. These people were part of a group known as the venom born or the more common name and less cringy the scorpions. One of the many forms of criminal activity in this city, specifically drugs.

They have a habit of pretending to be civilians to hear any local news or rumor specialty if any of the other syndicates have moved into their territory. So as long as I stay silent I don’t have to worry about a single thing as I look at the top of the tower. I could see the colored lights and hear the music and I have to say that whoever chose the songs never listened to anything good.

I turned my attention to any nearby buildings or areas that would give me a good view of the top of the tower. “Come on please let there be an abandoned power or something, oh there it is” I found exactly what I was looking for as I quickly rushed over to the abandoned tower. It wasn't fully constructed so it wouldn’t take me that long to reach the top.

After five minutes of running up stares I may not be physically tired but oh boy mentally it was a whole nother story. I was half tempted to just sneak into the building where the party was going on but I didn’t feel like putting that much effort into this job. As I got to the top it was a hell of a lot colder as the wind pushed a bit more onto me.

I could see the icy clouds being formed with each breath I took as I looked around the area for a good vantage point. I was actually feeling in a good mood as I was getting closer to getting this job finished and getting all that wonderful money. All I could think of was what I could get with that money. Maybe I could get some better clothes or a tv to watch some of those tv shows I keep hearing about or even actually good food god I already felt myself drooling.

But sadly something had to ruin my happy thots and turn my smile into a frown as I saw a group of ugh intoxicated rich kids, my favorite. They were all wearing real nice clothes well for this area at least so not covered in dirt or ripped and I could smell the booze off them. I then realized something that made my frown double in size. I was going to have to convince them to leave so I can do my job, yay.

I walked over as I calmed myself as I walked over and cleared my throat “excuse me I’m here on official business and I require you to vacate the premises” they all stopped their conversation as they just stared at me and quickly burst into laughter. I sighed as what did I expect? I still haven’t figured out how to get the equipment to make fake ids and badges or the money. Well guess that's just another thing to add to the ever growing list of things I need money for.

“Hey what's with the weird bitch” a girl with long red hair and obvious signs of beauty enhancement spoke up. “I don’t know, maybe there's some homeless girl who wants to join in on the fun,” a guy with blond hair and a light tan said as he snickered a bit clearly having drinkin the most. “You sure that's a girl they kinda look like a guy” a skinny kid with beanie and curly brown hair said as he looked me up and down.

I was already feeling a vein bulging on my head as I felt my patience slowly being evaporated by these people. I tried to take a deep breath and count to ten that usually helps people calm down right? Well I tried to but I couldn't get to six before I felt a hand on my shoulder. “You're kinda cute looking and we got plenty of booze so the party is just getting started so how about you come sit down and relax with us” I opened my eyes to see blondie was giving me his best smile as I pushed down the thoughts of making him eat from a straw soon.

“Sir I have refused as I’m on important business right now and I really do need you and your friend to leave” I slowly grabbed his wrist. “Oh come stop with the police officer act you haven’t pulled out a badge yet so just sit down and relax with us” I could see the dirty thoughts already forming in his head as I felt like I was gonna barth.

I felt grip tighten a bit as he started to pull over to his friends, yeah no I’m fucking done with situation. I quickly wrapped my hand around his wrist as I tightened my grip as I pressed down hard enough to not break anything but make him crumble to the ground and crumble he did. He yelled in pain as he gritted his teeth and nearly fell to the ground.

After a second he stood up and with a yell went for a punch and I have to say it was just sad. It was sloppy, his footwork was all wrong, he didn't turn his shoulder and body and he didn’t put that much weight into, yeah this was his first time throwing a punch. Could see he punched a mile away so I turned my head to the right as the punch obviously issued. I was kinda bored and very annoyed so I decided to have a bit of fun so I hit his rib with a light jab.

Crunch, yeah that's satisfying to hear as the rich boy fell to the ground screaming in pain and even crying? “Jeez it’s only a fracture you’ll be fine now can you please Leave?”. He was sniffing as he nodded and he and his friends finally got the hell out of there.

“Finally peace at last now time for work” I kneeled down as I placed the briefcase in front of me and with a click I opened it up. The first thing I pulled out was a set of thick pitch black gloves covered in metal studs. I quickly switched them out with my normal gloves as I pulled out a belt and had to lift up my jacket a bit to wrap it around my waist. After that I pulled out a knife and lifted up my pants leg as I grabbed a knife holster wrap around my calf and placed the knife into it.

Then I pulled out a pistol with a silencer and holster it into my belt and finally I pulled out a rifle. I quickly attached a stock and an extended barrel as sadly I don’t have enough money for a scope so I guess I have to eye it. Well I won’t have to worry about that as long as I grab one last thing from the briefcase as I place a solid black mask on my face.

I then place the sniper rifle on the briefcase in front of me as I close one eye. I got a good look at one hell of a party, people were dancing to that shitty music while jumping into a large pool. People were drinking, getting high and throwing their bodies around in an attempt to dance. I was bit confused on why the guy running this decided to have pool party during fall but I guess drugs and alcohol help with the cold.

After a bit of looking I eventually found the person I’m looking for as he was sitting in a hot tub filled with a bunch of lovely ladies. He was a middle aged Hispanic man with a pretty muscular build, dark black hair with a bit of stubble on his strong jawline and his most defying feature being a large blue scorpion on his chest. He was wearing a green Hawaiian shirt and shorts as he seemed to be enjoying the party, welp time to ruin that as I took aim, held my breath and gently placed my finger around the trigger and pulled, BANG.