Life Or Death
Story by Cederwyn Whitefurr on SoFurry
Since when did business truly become so cut-throat?
Life or Death
© Cederwyn Whitefurr
16th March, 2020
All Rights Reserved.
This Week's Writing Challenge: are business deals supposed to be this life-or-death?
At least 1000 words, don't worry if you go over.
Tag all prompts with: WritingGroupChallenge.
Add all prompts to a separate folder.
Put the prompt description at the beginning of your story.
Looking like she owned the building, a young, woman stepped through the doors of the office building and approached the security officer who sat behind the desk. He looked up, unable to hide his quick, lustful gaze as he took in the lithe, suited form of the woman, then his professionalism kicked in.
“How may I help you today Ma'am?" He inquired politely.
“Security cameras are on loop, we're good..." Come a voice through the small earpiece hidden in her left ear. “Proceed..."
Cassie hadn't missed the glance, but her face was calm and collected as she set down the slender briefcase and smoothed down the skirt that clung to he thighs like a second skin.
“I'm here to see Mr. Blackwood, I believe my staff rang and made an appointment?"
He blinked, then typed away at the computer for a few moments, before he frowned.
“Ms..." His eyes widened, as he saw her raise an eyebrow, the silenced glock inches from his forehead. “Wait...what are you..."
He was propelled backwards by the pistol round, his lifeless corpse slumping in the chair as it hit the wall behind the desk.
“Such an inelegant weapon..." Cassie muttered, as she tucked the pistol back in behind her skirt and hid it under her blouse. “So uncivilised..."
Wheeling the dead security guard to the side, Cassie quickly found the information she was looking for – then her face adopted a calm, quiet composure again.
“Threat neutralised - “ She spoke quietly, knowing the hidden microphone would easily pick up her voice and relay it to her companions.
“Copy -" Come the voice.
Cassie smoothed down her blouse and skirt again, before moving towards the bank of elevators. Patiently, she waited as the numbers counted down, but internally, she was filled with hatred and a violence that sought to break free of the iron-clad control she exerted over it.
Idly, she noticed the replacement 'guard' that would take the slain one's place at the desk – he was one of her own, immaculately groomed and even the uniform he wore was an identical match to the security guard, whom others quietly wheeled away. By the time the elevator arrived, there was no evidence of what had happened – it was going precisely as planned.
*
Stopping at the thirteenth floor, Cassie sighed and stepped out of the elevator. Here, on this floor, due to the building plans they had obtained, they knew the firm kept its plant room, security station and its less critical data centre. That wasn't what she was after, oh, sure, there were things hidden away in data packets – but Cassie knew a lot of it would be backed up off site somewhere. She wasn't a fool, so knew it was pointless to get some of the group she had paid handsomely for – to try and remove said information.
Slipping her expensive shoes off, Cassie stretched languidly and padded on stocking clad feet across the floor to the security station. Using the back of her hand, Cassie rapped with her knuckles on the door twice, then paused for two heartbeats and then a third time.
Her sensitive hearing heard the sound of muted footsteps, then the door sensor lock changed from red to green. As the door opened, she smiled sweetly at the young female security guard who confronted her.
“Who are..." Was as far as the suspicious guard got.
Cassie's hands snapped out and gripped the woman's shoulders, violently pushing her backwards until they slammed against the console. With desperation, the young woman clawed and choked, trying to get the iron-like hands off her throat as her eyes bulged and her face went white.
“I know who you work for..." Cassie growled quietly, her eyes narrowing as her grip tightened.
Horrified, the woman could only stare – helpless and choking, before the person that held her grunted and twisted her wrists just so – the young officers neck snapping like a twig.
“That was unnecessary - “ Come the voice in her ear piece.
Cassie ignored it, as she took the ID card from the security officers breast pocket and left the room. Outside, she slipped her shoes back on and waited patiently for the elevator again.
*
At last, the panel lit up and Cassie stepped inside, smoothing down her blouse and skirt again, the mask of complete confidence and self-assured swept over her effortlessly. Sliding the card through the reader, Cassie pocketed it and pressed the button for the top floor.
“Proceed with caution - “ Come the unnecessary warning over her earpiece.
Cassie snorted, then shook her head. Sure, she was far from home, in a place she knew little about, surrounded by thousands of others...it almost broke her, the sheer weight of it all. Noise, people, vehicles of all makes, models and colours! Yet she had planned this for over a decade now – now – she was certain she would get the answers she so desperately sought...
*
As she stepped from the elevator again, Cassie shed her shoes and kicked them away. For what she had in mind, she didn't need them anymore – and they'd just be an inconvenience anyway...
Stopping at the doorway, she looked at the engraved plaque on the fine timber door. Reaffirming it was exactly where she wanted, no, needed to be, Cassie shuddered and took a moment to calm herself. Her body shivered, the anger, the hatred...it made her want to lose control...behind that closed, and presumably locked door – was a man who had the answers she needed....
*
He turned around in his leather chair, before his eyes widened and he went as white as a bleached sheet.
“I'll have to call you back – something come up..." he muttered into the Bluetooth headset, then nervously touched it to turn it off.
Standing before his desk, stood a feral Whitetail, its lips curled back and eyes narrowed to mere slits, its body quivering and tail frizzled out to twice its usual size.
“You...you can't be here - “ He moaned, hand sliding across his desk towards a hidden button.
Without warning,t he Whitetail leapt and its front hooves slashed forwards then down, breaking his arm and pushing him back against the wall. With a strangled cry, he tried to fend it off, but its weight pinned him to the chair, its strong back legs splayed out on the floor, forelegs pressed his shoulders to the chair back.
“Hello..." Come the low, menacing voice, as the whitetail's lips curled back, revealing its razor like fangs. “I want to play a game..."
“No, you're...you're not real – this has to..."
Cassie's patience wore out, and she sank her teeth into his shoulder, easily slicing through the expensive suit and her fangs cutting effortlessly into the skin and flesh beneath. It wasn't a fatal bite, but the blood that rushed from it was almost as fine as expensive wine.
His cry was like music to her ears, as she lifted her head up and pressed her nose against his, her muzzle dripping blood on the white shirt he wore, staining it with spots.
“How's that for realism?" Cassie snorted. “Oh, believe me – getting past your security? Pathetic, absolutely pathetic..."
“What...do you want?" He blubbered, sobbing like a child who lost his puppy.
Cassie frowned, then a chuckle come from deep within her chest. “What do I want? Oh, my dear, tasty, foolish human... I want one thing most of all – I think your liver on a plate would be a wonderful start... No, not yet, I have questions, and you my dear, tasty snack – have answers...."
“You can't...don't you know who I am..." He wailed. “I can give you power, wealth, even...even humans...for you to feed upon..."
Cassie flicked an ear and frowned, deep in thought – or so it appeared. As he moved his other hand, she snorted and her head snapped down and sideways – before he realised it, he felt her powerful jaws and sharp teeth pressed against his jugular – just pricking the flesh warningly.
He made a wise decision, and ceased his struggles and attempts to summon help.
“Now - “ Cassie sneered at him. “I know you're not the organisation who hunt my kind – but my inquiries of a few who – survived – our last encounter, was quite – illuminating. Its amazing to me, how quickly your kind break.."
“I don't have any idea - “ He began, but a low, threatening growl from Cassie silenced him.
“Do not try to lie to me human – my sense of smell is far beyond your pitiful capabilities. Now, I will ask you one more time..."
“I'll do anything...please – I don't want...want too -" He wept, his mind reeling.
“I fear you've misunderstood - “ Cassie smiled, then slowly ran her tongue from his cheek up over his forehead and down the other side, then across his throat. “You know how they say in your line of work...business deals are life or death? Well, I'm here – to show you just how right you are..."
END