{"sf1_id":291935,"sf2_id":"Vm2N6DWm","title":"Venom: Beautiful Killers. Part 16","author":"Homo Habilis","words":6995,"posted_at":"2011-10-02T05:11:00.000Z","tags":["Cat","Dream","German Shepherd","Greyhound","Human","Jaguar","M/F","Maltese","Ocelot","Scottish Terrier","Wolf","dialogue","story progession"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/291935-venom-beautiful-killers-part-16","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/Vm2N6DWm","image_url":"https://www.sofurryfiles.com/std/thumb?page=291935\u0026ext=.jpg","description":"#16 of Venom: Beautiful Killers","content":"[Author's Note:\u0026nbsp; Here it is for your reading pleasure.\u0026nbsp; Part 16 was longer, but I decided to divide it in half.\u0026nbsp; The other half is part 17, available next week.\u0026nbsp; The reason is that the original part 17, now part 18, has lots of characters in it.\u0026nbsp; Summer vacation is over, so almost all the workers will be there.\u0026nbsp; That is a lot of characters to depict.\u0026nbsp; It will take some time.\u0026nbsp; Meanwhile, Part 16 properly introduces Mariana, the Maltese, whose departure was briefly mentioned in part 2 and who herself was mentioned in Part 11.\u0026nbsp; If this chapter is your first time reading Venom, I suggest reading Part 11 first to get a small glimpse of Mariana and Zesty in action.\n\nNext week, Mariana says goodbye, and has a few words that could spell doom for the girls in the group.\u0026nbsp; Enjoy.]\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nVenom:\u0026nbsp; Beautiful Killers.\u0026nbsp; Part 16.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n_\"You all are just one big boys club, aren't you?\"_\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n[I have just awakened from my latest sleep.\u0026nbsp; I still feel very tired, my mouth is dry, and my hands are numb.\u0026nbsp; It has not been the good sleep that I have had before. \u0026nbsp;For the last five or six hours, I have been dozing off and waking up in quick succession.\u0026nbsp; Every time I wake up, I keep trying to stay awake.\u0026nbsp; Minutes later, I realize that I've been asleep again.\u0026nbsp; Meanwhile the time has just flown by.]\n\n[It's just after six in the evening.\u0026nbsp; There is food in front of me.\u0026nbsp; Now I have a reason to stay up.\u0026nbsp; As I start eating, I reflect on my situation.\u0026nbsp; It has been thirty-six hours since the kidney transplant.\u0026nbsp; It seems to be working well.\u0026nbsp; There is a catheter attached to my penis.\u0026nbsp; On the other side of it is a bag where the urine goes.\u0026nbsp; The bag is full, so the kidney is doing what it should.\u0026nbsp; That is a good thing, but I'm going to be here until the end of the week, so my hopes are not really as high as they should be.]\n\n[I have been dozing off constantly.\u0026nbsp; More often than not, the dreams have been coming with them.\u0026nbsp; The dreams still had those familiar faces.\u0026nbsp; Most of them were short, but it was still sequential, as if as a story was being told. Nothing eventful really happened. \u0026nbsp;Winter spent the night at the apartment buildings where she tried to catch Matthew Ambrose.\u0026nbsp; She spent the night with a nice couple of vacationers.\u0026nbsp; When last I saw her, she was leaving for the nearest bus stop.\u0026nbsp; She went even though it was still raining.\u0026nbsp; Camille and Pamila were trying to keep Damien under control.\u0026nbsp; Tivoli was having a little argument with her housemate.\u0026nbsp; It seems the ocelot is starting to overstay her welcome.\u0026nbsp; That was the last dream I had.\u0026nbsp; I have not had a dream with the red panda in it since yesterday evening.\u0026nbsp; I'm wondering if she'll show up again.]\n\n[It is Tuesday evening here, but in my last dream, it was Thursday.\u0026nbsp; From what I've been able to figure, I believe the year is 2014.\u0026nbsp; I don't know what month it is; it's either July or August.\u0026nbsp; Keeping the dates straight is going to be tricky.\u0026nbsp; At least I can remember faces.\u0026nbsp; I've written down the names of the girls in my dreams; I have them all covered.\u0026nbsp; To avoid confusion, I think I will write down the names of the boys as well.\u0026nbsp; They are starting to appear more frequently and are starting to influence what the girls do.\u0026nbsp; I already know Shiloh (all too well), St. Croix, and Hoeness.\u0026nbsp; They appear the most.\u0026nbsp; I'm trying to get a handle on the others.]\n\n[I'm still really groggy, but after I finish eating, I have to try to walk and strengthen my legs.\u0026nbsp; I at least should walk further than the door....]\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\*\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe atmosphere is hot and muggy.\u0026nbsp; The sun is high up in the sky, indicating that the time is somewhere around noon.\u0026nbsp; It shines brightly on the ground, on the restaurants, on the stores, and on the people.\u0026nbsp; It shines and heats everything it can find, without any clouds getting in the way.\u0026nbsp; It shines on an exuberant ocelot.\u0026nbsp; Tivoli is nodding her head and tapping her left foot as she watches a couple of well-muscled men playing their guitars by the road.\u0026nbsp; When they stop, she lightly applauds.\u0026nbsp; Her spirits are as lively as the clothes she is wearing--a white blouse and a white sundress.\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe puts her hands behind her back, fully taking in the sun and the song.\u0026nbsp; From out of nowhere, Paraná appears from behind her.\u0026nbsp; He watches her for a few seconds before playfully tapping the top of her head.\u0026nbsp; She turns quickly and chuckles as he hands her a graham cracker waffle cone with pink-colored ice cream in it.\u0026nbsp; Tivoli accepts it gladly.\n\n\"What the lady wants, the lady gets,\" he says.\u0026nbsp; \"Strawberry ice cream with sprinkles.\"\n\n\"Thanks.\"\n\n\"I do not understand sprinkles.\u0026nbsp; Why would you want them on your ice cream?\u0026nbsp; They don't add anything.\u0026nbsp; They don't taste like anything.\u0026nbsp; Paper, maybe.\"\n\n\"No.\u0026nbsp; I love sprinkles.\u0026nbsp; They're fun little decorations that brighten up your treats.\"\n\n\"So they are just there to make things look good?\"\n\n\"Pretty much.\u0026nbsp; Plus they're edible, so they're harmless.\"\n\n\"Ah.\u0026nbsp; So if I want to brighten my coffee, I just add sprinkles.\u0026nbsp; It would be repulsive, but it would look better, yes?\"\n\nTivoli laughs and follows him as he walks away from the guitarists.\u0026nbsp; \"I like you.\u0026nbsp; You're funny.\"\n\nThe jaguar clears his throat.\u0026nbsp; \"Remember, this is not a date.\u0026nbsp; This is business.\"\n\n\"I know, but this is my first time ever on the 3rd Street Promenade.\u0026nbsp; It doesn't feel like business.\"\n\n\"The mark I have chosen for us is on the way from here.\u0026nbsp; It's a bit far from the office, but I didn't think you would mind.\u0026nbsp; I can see that I am right.\"\n\n\"Nope.\u0026nbsp; I don't mind it at all.\"\u0026nbsp; She starts to devour the ice cream, taking most of the sprinkles with one bite.\u0026nbsp; \"So when's the hunt begin?\"\n\nParaná clears his throat.\u0026nbsp; \"My plan is at the beginning stages.\u0026nbsp; I have not planned for the exact time yet.\u0026nbsp; But I was thinking that we should do this...sometime in the next two or three days.\"\n\nTivoli stops smiling.\u0026nbsp; \"Are you kidding?\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"That soon?\"\n\n\"Well, we don't take chances.\u0026nbsp; When we go after someone, we try to get him as quickly as possible.\u0026nbsp; We find out where he lives and try to learn as much about his living situation.\u0026nbsp; The client...that is, the person who wants us to kill him, provides us with most of the information we need, and we investigate the rest of the...relevant information.\u0026nbsp; His neighborhood, for instance.\u0026nbsp; We try to find a good time to get ourselves in there to do the job, or we try to find another place to do the job.\"\n\nShe nods with understanding.\u0026nbsp; \"Do you, the killers, ever meet those clients?\"\n\n\"I haven't yet.\u0026nbsp; I don't know if the other workers do.\u0026nbsp; As far as I know, only the executives meet them.\u0026nbsp; We just follow orders.\u0026nbsp; Now I have to follow mine.\u0026nbsp; Once I take you to the mark's house, I will tell you how I have planned to finish him off.\"\n\n\"Do we really have to do it now?\u0026nbsp; I'm _really_ enjoying myself.\"\n\nParaná shrugs.\u0026nbsp; \"If you like, we will come back here in a couple of hours.\"\n\n\"Really?\"\n\n\"_Absolutamente.\u0026nbsp;_ We will go anywhere on the Promenade you want to go.\"\n\nTivoli's patented giggle resurfaces and she sidles close to her handler once again.\u0026nbsp; \"I _really_ like this 'business.'\u0026nbsp; I can't wait for the next one.\"\n\n\"You know we're about to kill someone, right?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\*\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n[I wake up with a start.\u0026nbsp; A couple of nurses have entered the room.\u0026nbsp; It is time to measure my vital signs--my heartbeat, my blood pressure, and my temperature.\u0026nbsp; They have brought the electronic scale with them, so I'm going to be weighed too.\u0026nbsp; I've been told that my weight would grow soon after surgery, then start to decrease as the kidney starts to work.\u0026nbsp; I'm not looking forward to getting weighed.]\n\n[I'm starting to feel for some of the anthros in my dreams.\u0026nbsp; For the first time ever, I am actively, though quietly, cheering for Tivoli and Winter.\u0026nbsp; Not only am I hoping for each of them to be successful, but I'm hoping that they somehow become better friends than they are now.\u0026nbsp; It is the complete opposite of the feeling I get whenever Shiloh appears.\u0026nbsp; His nightmare-inducing presence has been tempered a bit.]\n\n[I have what is left of my dinner taken away so I can focus on regaining the strength in my legs.\u0026nbsp; I have been sleeping too much, and not walking enough.\u0026nbsp; My head is swimming with thoughts of furries instead of my health and my family.\u0026nbsp; I have to start focusing on what is the most important to me.]\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\* \\*\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe wind is blowing softly across the landscape, stirring the trees and sending leaves of paper hurtling across the Rapid Recovery parking lot.\u0026nbsp; The lot is empty and lifeless, a rarity considering the number of people who work there.\u0026nbsp; It is always one of the busiest, liveliest places in the community, so seeing it empty is almost scary.\u0026nbsp;\n\nThere is daylight, so the empty lot means that it is early in the morning.\u0026nbsp; The office is not yet open for business, and there is an eerie calm settling into the atmosphere.\u0026nbsp; The street across from the building is not even that active.\u0026nbsp; A couple of cars pass by, adding noise to the surroundings, but the place remains strangely quiet.\n\nSuddenly, a sign of life appears, turning the corner from the back of the building to the front parking lot.\u0026nbsp; The bipedal figure walks into view, with its hands in its pockets and its head looking at the sky.\u0026nbsp; It almost trips on a fallen twig, but steadies itself and clears its throat.\u0026nbsp; It lowers its head, revealing itself to be a white dog.\u0026nbsp; The light, guttural sound of the throat reveals a feminine presence.\n\nShe strolls to the front door of the building and slowly takes her hands out of the pockets of her black jeans.\u0026nbsp; She clears her throat again as she inches closer to the door to look through it.\u0026nbsp; The lobby is dark and miserable, just begging for the lights inside to be ignited.\u0026nbsp; There is a small, brown moth hanging on the other side of the glass door.\u0026nbsp; The dog chuckles and taps on the glass, trying to get the moth to move.\n\nAfter a couple of minutes, she backs away from the front door and walks to the back of the building.\u0026nbsp; She looks around the much bigger back lot and heaves a heavy sigh.\u0026nbsp; It looks like she knows the area, if not the building itself.\u0026nbsp; At least the back door looks familiar to her.\u0026nbsp; She walks right to it and presses her hands on the glass.\u0026nbsp; Another short chuckle escapes from her mouth; it seems she recognizes something and nods happily.\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe dog looks up at the VENOM sign hanging above her.\u0026nbsp; She laughs again and hits the small, wooden board, causing it to spin vigorously.\u0026nbsp; It squeals as it comes to a stop.\u0026nbsp; She hits it again and shakes her head.\u0026nbsp; \"Pathetic.\"\u0026nbsp; Putting her hands in her back pockets, she walks back to the front of the building.\n\nHer familiarity with the place seems to show that she works here.\u0026nbsp; It does not look like she is dressed for the morning meeting, however.\u0026nbsp; Her bangs are messy as is the rest of her white hair.\u0026nbsp; Besides the black jeans, she is wearing a long-sleeved motorcycle jersey.\u0026nbsp; It has a loud and colorful pattern on it that looks like it was hurriedly thrown on the fabric.\u0026nbsp; It would definitely give her a lot of attention.\n\nShe makes her way back to the front door and looks through it once again.\u0026nbsp; The moth is still there, now crawling to the top of the door.\u0026nbsp; Behind her, a blue car slowly crawls into the lot.\u0026nbsp; She pays no attention as it stops right behind her.\u0026nbsp; After settling in a parking space, the occupant slowly exits.\n\nColin Besser, fresh from a long sabbatical that has left him thin and weary, looks around him with his eyes wide open.\u0026nbsp; The scars from his battle with Pamila are clear to see.\u0026nbsp; The most prominent of those are the small stitches on the left side of his face.\u0026nbsp; He barely has a grip on the suitcase he is carrying.\u0026nbsp; He closes the car door, startling the intruder.\u0026nbsp; She turns around quickly, as if caught doing something bad, then puts her hands on her chest in relief.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes?\"\u0026nbsp; Colin tries to smile as he approaches her.\u0026nbsp; He is shuffling his feet, fighting a sudden gust of wind.\u0026nbsp; \"I thought I'd never see you again.\"\n\nShe walks over to him and gives him a hug, laughing loudly.\u0026nbsp; \"Good morning, Colin!\"\u0026nbsp; She puts her head on his shoulder as she envelopes him.\u0026nbsp; \"You can't get rid of me so easily.\"\n\nHe barely responds to the hug, merely patting her back.\u0026nbsp; \"It's been a month.\"\n\n\"Yeah, it has.\"\u0026nbsp; She releases him and sighs with contentment.\u0026nbsp; \"What's this?\"\u0026nbsp; She points at him and snickers.\u0026nbsp; \"You cut your hair?\u0026nbsp; Why would you....?\"\u0026nbsp; She gasps and leans closer.\u0026nbsp; \"You've got a black eye.\u0026nbsp; Were you in a fight?\"\n\n\"I wasn't in a fight.\u0026nbsp; The fight found me and ripped me a new one.\u0026nbsp; I was lucky to get out mostly intact.\"\u0026nbsp; He slowly walks to the front door.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm just fine, though it's hell waiting for the drugs to wear off.\"\n\n\"Did you just get back from the hospital?\u0026nbsp; You shouldn't have come then.\u0026nbsp; You should be resting.\"\n\nColin holds up his suitcase.\u0026nbsp; \"I've brought marks.\"\n\n\"What's that?\"\n\n\"I had the photos of ten marks in my house.\u0026nbsp; I was supposed to bring them here last week.\u0026nbsp; Thanks to Pamila, I was out of commission, so there hasn't been much work for the hitmen, or so I've been told.\"\n\n\"Wait, Pam did this to you?!\"\u0026nbsp; She steps in front of him and looks at his face again.\u0026nbsp; Her eyes widen, as if she is just now seeing the full effect of the attack.\u0026nbsp; \"How many stitches?\"\n\n\"I don't remember.\u0026nbsp; Fifteen, I think.\"\n\n\"My God.\u0026nbsp; She really worked you over. \"\n\n\"More or less.\"\u0026nbsp; He passes her and continues to the door.\n\n\"What happened?\u0026nbsp; Why'd she do that?\u0026nbsp; Was she drunk again?\"\n\n\"Come on, stop it.\u0026nbsp; I don't talk about the employees behind their backs.\"\n\nThe dog scoffs and steps in front of him yet again.\u0026nbsp; \"Forget that!\u0026nbsp; She attacked you.\u0026nbsp; After this, you can say anything about her that you want.\u0026nbsp; She should no longer be an employee.\"\n\n\"But _you're_ no longer an employee.\"\u0026nbsp; He stands there, looking at her.\u0026nbsp; It looks like he feels bad for what he has just said.\u0026nbsp; He watches as her eyes widen once again.\u0026nbsp; She gasps, as if she's just been given bad news.\u0026nbsp; Something is clearly sinking in because her smile disappears, her head hangs, and her tail droops.\u0026nbsp; Colin holds her right hand with his free one.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm sorry, Mariana.\"\n\nShe lifts her head and tries to smile.\u0026nbsp; She swallows instead.\u0026nbsp; \"That's all right.\"\n\n\"Open the door for me, would you?\"\n\nShe tries harder to smile.\u0026nbsp; Her tail wags as she is given the keys to the door.\u0026nbsp; Colin smirks as she turns and inserts the key.\u0026nbsp; \"You know, I had aspirations.\u0026nbsp; I had thoughts of owning this place one day.\"\n\n\"You did, huh?\"\n\nShe turns the keys and opens the way into the dark lobby.\u0026nbsp; She takes a deep breath.\u0026nbsp; \"The carpet smells different somehow, but there's no hiding the vulcanized rubber.\"\n\nColin laughs weakly.\u0026nbsp; \"Your sense of smell is as sharp as ever.\u0026nbsp; Hit the lights.\"\n\nMariana flips a switch, causing the fluorescent glow to flood the room.\u0026nbsp; They both squint as they examine their surroundings.\u0026nbsp; It has been a while since either of them had been here, but the newness quickly wears off.\u0026nbsp; The chairs in front of them are back in their familiar positions, facing the flat screen television.\u0026nbsp; The front desk is there, complete with papers, the laptop, and a small stack of laminated pictures ready for the next meeting.\u0026nbsp; The familiar painting hanging above the desk is still in good shape.\u0026nbsp; From the glass windows with the venetian blinds to the dark hallway, everything is just as it was when they left.\n\nMariana looks down.\u0026nbsp; \"You guys got a new carpet?\"\n\nColin looks at the carpet and shrugs.\u0026nbsp; \"I didn't know.\"\n\n\"I like it.\u0026nbsp; It doesn't look much different from the last one, but it's plush.\"\u0026nbsp; She takes off her sneakers.\u0026nbsp; \"Would you mind if I sit at the front desk before the meeting begins?\"\n\n\"Not at all.\"\n\nCarrying her shoes, she walks to the front desk, savoring each step as her naked feet dig into the rug.\u0026nbsp; A small bit of subdued laughter escapes her mouth.\u0026nbsp; She seems to be having fun.\n\n\"Have a seat, boss,\" Colin jokes.\u0026nbsp; \"I'll be in the conference room if you need me.\"\n\n\"Why don't you just drop the marks at the front desk and go on back home?\u0026nbsp; I'll handle things from here.\"\n\n\"I may just do that.\"\u0026nbsp; He slowly moves through the hallway.\n\nThe canine sits on the chair usually occupied by St. Croix and spins, slowly looking at every bit of space in the lobby.\u0026nbsp; She again inhales deeply.\u0026nbsp; \"Vulcanized rubber.\"\u0026nbsp; She spins herself again, quicker this time, and looks at the ceiling.\u0026nbsp; Her happy face shows some signs of resignation.\u0026nbsp; She is not totally glad to be here.\u0026nbsp; In fact, her drooping tail suggests that something is wrong.\u0026nbsp; It had been hanging like that since she stepped inside.\n\nShe sighs heavily and spins herself until she is facing the front door.\u0026nbsp; Through it can be seen a couple of cars arriving at the lot.\u0026nbsp; Anticipating meeting some of the other workers, she straightens herself, arranges her collar, and clears her throat.\u0026nbsp; The stack of laminated photos is staring at her.\u0026nbsp; She picks the one on top and looks at hit, releasing another sigh.\u0026nbsp; Grabbing the entire stack, she separates each picture until each individual mark has its own place on the desk.\n\nThe front door opens, letting in Inverness, the black Scottish terrier.\u0026nbsp; He holds the door open and waits for the other workers in the lot to enter.\u0026nbsp; He stands there for a couple of minutes, looking at them impatiently.\u0026nbsp; \"Well, are you coming in?\"\u0026nbsp; Getting no answer, he steps into the room, letting the door close behind him.\u0026nbsp; As he starts to remove his tie, he gasps and leers at the smiling female at the desk.\u0026nbsp; \"Oh my goodness.\"\n\n\"Top of the morning to ya.\"\n\n\"That's Irish, girl, not Scottish.\"\u0026nbsp; He laughs and practically runs to the desk.\u0026nbsp; She leaves the chair and waits for him.\u0026nbsp; The canines embrace like long lost friends.\u0026nbsp; As she rubs his back, the life returns to her tail.\n\n\"How have you been?\"\u0026nbsp; He releases his grip and stares into her eyes.\u0026nbsp; \"I kinda missed ya.\"\n\n\"I know.\u0026nbsp; I remember we were supposed to see the Fourth of July fireworks by the pier.\u0026nbsp; I was _so_ looking forward to it.\u0026nbsp; It would have been my first date in years.\u0026nbsp; I psyched myself out for it and everything.\"\u0026nbsp; She releases him and shrugs. \u0026nbsp;\"I'm sorry.\u0026nbsp; Things just didn't work out.\"\n\n\"But what happened to ya?\u0026nbsp; I mean, I've heard rumors about your actions, but I stay away from workplace gossip.\u0026nbsp; I've also called your number a couple of times after the Fourth.\u0026nbsp; You never answered.\"\n\n\"You weren't here when it happened.\u0026nbsp; I....\"\u0026nbsp; Mariana hesitates, searching for the right word to use.\u0026nbsp; Her shoulders droop and she kicks the floor.\u0026nbsp; \"I quit.\"\n\n\"You what?\"\u0026nbsp; Inverness backs away.\u0026nbsp; \"Are you serious?\"\n\n\"Just like that.\"\n\n\"But why?\"\n\nShe chuckles nervously.\u0026nbsp; \"That's personal.\u0026nbsp; I'm sorry.\u0026nbsp; You weren't here to see it and it's better that you don't know.\u0026nbsp; She wouldn't want me to tell you anyway.\u0026nbsp; Just forget it.\u0026nbsp; Who's outside?\"\n\n\"Oh, it's just the Italian greyhound and a couple of others.\u0026nbsp; They seem to be reminiscing.\"\n\n\"How _is_ Baua?\u0026nbsp; How are the hunts in general?\"\n\nInverness clears his throat and looks for a chair to sit in.\u0026nbsp; \"He's fine.\u0026nbsp; He's doing his job, bringing in pictures of our marks.\u0026nbsp; The job lately has been really slow.\u0026nbsp; Most of the marks are so far out of town, no one wants to do them.\u0026nbsp; I just finished one though.\"\n\n\"Really?\u0026nbsp; How far did you go?\"\n\nBefore he can answer, the Italian greyhound and two red foxes enter.\u0026nbsp; They are chatting in Italian and laughing boisterously.\u0026nbsp; They make their way through the rows of chairs and start to arrange them for the morning meeting.\u0026nbsp; Once Baua spots Mariana though, he stops what he is doing and approaches her with delight.\u0026nbsp; \"Well, look who it is!\"\n\n\"Yeah!\u0026nbsp; Look who it is.\"\u0026nbsp; There is a bit of sadness to her chuckles now.\u0026nbsp; Still, she hugs Baua just as tightly as she did Inverness.\u0026nbsp; She really is glad to see the workers.\u0026nbsp; The red foxes greet her as well.\n\n\"Glad you're back.\u0026nbsp; You _are_ back, aren't you?\"\n\n\"We'll see.\"\n\nWhile most of the boys talk happily with the white dog, Inverness looks at them confusedly.\u0026nbsp; When Mariana is given room to return to the front desk, he quickly returns to her side.\u0026nbsp; \"So wait a second.\u0026nbsp; If you have quit, why did you come back?\"\n\nEveryone in the room looks at her, intrigued by the question.\u0026nbsp; Baua nods in anticipation.\u0026nbsp; Feeling the pressure, Mariana puts her hands in her pockets and looks at the floor.\u0026nbsp; \"I got a message from Ted telling me to come.\u0026nbsp; It's something he says I have to do.\u0026nbsp; Please, guys, don't make a big deal out of it.\"\n\nThe front door opens, revealing two more of the executives.\u0026nbsp; Robert Crevecoeur and Joseph Luisi enter the room, wearing matching suits, ties, and shoes.\u0026nbsp; They greet the boys without really looking at them.\u0026nbsp; But once they see Mariana at the desk, their eyes really open.\n\n\"Hello, boys,\" she heaves, trying to sound seductive.\u0026nbsp; She walks over to the surprised men and greets them with hugs.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"It's been a while,\" Joseph says.\u0026nbsp; He drops his suitcase to hug her properly.\n\n\"Damn right.\"\u0026nbsp; Robert steps around her to look her over.\u0026nbsp; He snickers at her jersey.\u0026nbsp; \"Where've you been all this time?\"\n\n\"I heard you quit.\u0026nbsp; I couldn't believe it.\u0026nbsp; What was that about?\"\n\nMariana releases the hug and returns her hands to the pockets of her jeans.\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry, Joe.\u0026nbsp; That's need-to-know.\u0026nbsp; I promised her I wouldn't tell.\u0026nbsp; But Simon knows.\u0026nbsp; Ted knows too.\u0026nbsp; They'll tell you when I leave for good.\"\n\nBaua stands.\u0026nbsp; \"So you _are_ leaving.\"\n\n\"I don't _want_ to, but--\"\n\nThe front door opens again, turning everyone around.\u0026nbsp; They watch as Hoeness leads Ted inside.\u0026nbsp; The German Shepherd has his left hand wrapped in a dressing.\u0026nbsp; His fingers are still loose and mobile.\u0026nbsp; He must have just returned from a hunt.\u0026nbsp; He winces as he closes the door.\u0026nbsp; Despite the injury, he has a very serious look about him.\u0026nbsp; He does not flinch as he takes off his overcoat.\n\nTed is his usual self.\u0026nbsp; He always enters, waves hi at anyone who will acknowledge him, and makes his way to the conference room.\u0026nbsp; This time, however, the sight of Mariana stops him in his tracks.\u0026nbsp; \"Well, well.\"\u0026nbsp; He laughs.\u0026nbsp; \"It won't be business as usual today.\"\n\nHoeness looks up to see who Ted is talking to.\u0026nbsp; He frowns immediately.\n\n\"Good to see you too, Ted.\u0026nbsp; You as well, Hoeness.\"\u0026nbsp; Mariana approaches the executive without hesitation or fear.\u0026nbsp; She has a stoic, almost angry look on her face.\u0026nbsp; Her appearance is rigid and passionless.\u0026nbsp; She goes to Ted with purpose and stops when they are face-to-face.\u0026nbsp; \"Well, I'm here, just like you wanted.\"\n\nTed nods.\u0026nbsp; \"Just like I wanted.\"\n\nCrevecoeur and Luisi slowly leave the room; the day's meeting begins in about fifteen minutes and preparations need to be made.\u0026nbsp; Baua and the rest of the anthros hurriedly face the chairs toward the front desk, but keep their attention focused on Mariana and Ted.\u0026nbsp;\n\nHoeness senses trouble and moves next to his superior.\u0026nbsp; Now both of them are staring angrily at the white dog.\u0026nbsp; It looks like a confrontation is about to happen.\u0026nbsp; Suddenly, Ted smiles.\u0026nbsp; \"Good to see you.\u0026nbsp; I trust that your...month off went well.\"\n\n\"Surprisingly calm and healthful, considering present circumstances.\"\u0026nbsp; She scoffs at him.\n\n\"Very nice.\u0026nbsp; I would like to talk to you in the conference room as soon as possible.\u0026nbsp; That is to say immediately.\"\n\nSurprised, Mariana watches as Ted passes her.\u0026nbsp; She looks at Hoeness, who growls and backs away.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She runs up to her boss, blocking his way.\u0026nbsp; \"I know we have to talk, but I wanted to stay here.\u0026nbsp; I'd like to say hi to the other guys coming in.\u0026nbsp; I haven't seen them in a while.\u0026nbsp; I'd like to be here for the meeting too.\"\n\n\"Don't be silly.\u0026nbsp; You can't attend the meeting if you're not one of us anymore.\u0026nbsp; You know that.\"\u0026nbsp; He passes her again and goes through the hall.\n\nInverness had been standing by the desk, watching everything.\u0026nbsp; He feels sorry for the girl and tries to comfort her.\u0026nbsp; He gently puts his hands on her shoulders and leads her away from the hallway and back to the lobby.\u0026nbsp; \"Come here and have a seat.\u0026nbsp; Don't worry about anything.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;More anthros are starting to pop in.\u0026nbsp; Hoeness leaves his seat to open the front door.\u0026nbsp; Three enter at once.\u0026nbsp; Then Shiloh enters.\u0026nbsp; Wearing a pinstripe suit and a pair of designer dress shoes, he looks taller than he ever has.\u0026nbsp; He and Hoeness greet each other with slight nods.\u0026nbsp; The German Shepherd then closes the door, not noticing Camille running to the building.\n\nShiloh sees Mariana and walks briskly to her.\u0026nbsp; She is talking with Inverness and does not notice him until he taps her shoulder.\u0026nbsp; She gasps as she looks at him, then stands like she wants to get away.\u0026nbsp; The wolf grabs her, literally picking her off the floor, and gives her a big hug.\u0026nbsp; \"There you are!\"\n\nShe grits her teeth as she is picked up, but then chuckles, trying to match his hearty laugh.\u0026nbsp; \"Hi, big guy.\"\n\n\"You had us worried there for a moment.\" He puts her down.\u0026nbsp; \"Where've you been, huh?\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, here and there.\u0026nbsp; Nowhere really important.\"\n\n\"I was there when you left abruptly.\u0026nbsp; I didn't get a chance to talk to you.\u0026nbsp; I had Winter with me and I was showing her around.\u0026nbsp; You left so fast, I couldn't catch up.\"\n\nMariana fakes another chuckle.\u0026nbsp; \"Me outrunning you.\u0026nbsp; Imagine that.\"\n\n\"Why'd you return?\"\n\nShe looks around her and sees that she is surrounded by inquiring minds.\u0026nbsp; Shaking her head, she says, \"Guys, I had to come.\u0026nbsp; Ted said it was important that I....\"\u0026nbsp; Her face changes.\u0026nbsp; She's just thought of something.\u0026nbsp; It does not look like a good thought.\u0026nbsp; \"Um...does anyone know what happens to someone who quits this job?\u0026nbsp; Am I in some sort of trouble?\"\n\nThe boys stare at each other, dumbfounded.\u0026nbsp; Inverness scratches his head.\u0026nbsp; \"I don't know, dear.\u0026nbsp; This has never happened before.\"\n\nShiloh shrugs.\u0026nbsp; \"This is a unique situation.\u0026nbsp; But then again, I've always thought you were a unique individual.\"\n\nRobert Crevecoeur suddenly appears, holding a laptop and the ubiquitous computer projector.\u0026nbsp; \"It's a little early, but Ted wants us to start the meeting now.\u0026nbsp; Everyone have a seat.\u0026nbsp; Mariana, he wants you in the conference room right away.\"\n\nThe front door opens again.\u0026nbsp; Camille finally enters.\u0026nbsp; She is flexing her right hand.\u0026nbsp; Her trousers are dirty at the knees.\u0026nbsp; It looks like she has just taken a fall.\u0026nbsp; She sees the gathering at the front desk, but decides not to investigate.\u0026nbsp; The cat sits down to inspect her knees, not greeting or saying anything to anybody.\n\nMeanwhile, Mariana shakes hands with her greeters as she makes her way to the dark hall.\u0026nbsp; \"My destiny awaits.\"\n\nInverness clears his throat.\u0026nbsp; \"Wait a second.\u0026nbsp; This can't be it.\u0026nbsp; We've barely reminisced.\"\n\nBaua nods.\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, we gotta talk some more.\u0026nbsp; If I take some time off, could we meet later?\u0026nbsp; Maybe over lunch or something?\"\n\nShe shrugs.\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry, guys.\u0026nbsp; I'm afraid it's not up to me.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\nShiloh steps in front of her to push the boys away.\u0026nbsp; \"Okay folks.\u0026nbsp; It's time for the meeting.\u0026nbsp; Let her go.\"\n\nMariana waves at her sudden, eager fans and puts her hands in her pockets yet again.\u0026nbsp; Heading for the conference room is not easy.\u0026nbsp; The unnatural shade in the corridor has a gloomy feeling about it.\u0026nbsp; Every door is closed and there is no light, save for the glow coming from the lobby.\u0026nbsp; Looking like a prisoner on death row, she is about to leave her friends and head into a dark future.\u0026nbsp; Her feet shuffle and her short tail hangs low.\u0026nbsp; Deep in thought, she takes her sweet time getting to the conference room.\n\nTwo minutes later, her destination reached, she breathes deeply before opening the door.\u0026nbsp; She sees Ted and Colin shaking hands.\u0026nbsp; The redhead says goodbye and grabs his briefcase.\u0026nbsp; Seeing Mariana, he smiles and winks.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm taking off.\u0026nbsp; Sorry we didn't get to talk more.\"\n\n\"Go home and get some rest,\" she says.\u0026nbsp; \"I've got your number.\u0026nbsp; If I find time, I'll contact you.\"\n\nThey hug once more before he closes the door behind him.\u0026nbsp; Now alone with the boss, she breathes deeply again before turning to face him.\u0026nbsp; Ted is standing on the other side of the racetrack table, holding a manila folder, the object that proclaims the existence of a member.\n\n\"Mariana Walker,\" Ted says, tossing the folder across the table.\u0026nbsp; \"Age:\u0026nbsp; 22.\u0026nbsp; Sex:\u0026nbsp; Female.\u0026nbsp; Birthplace:\u0026nbsp; Fresno.\u0026nbsp; Breed:\u0026nbsp; Maltese.\u0026nbsp; Fur color:\u0026nbsp; White.\"\u0026nbsp; He chuckles.\u0026nbsp; \"Likes:\u0026nbsp; Sunsets, bunnies, and long walks on the beach with that special someone.\u0026nbsp; Dislikes:\u0026nbsp; Work, smokers--\"\n\n\"All right!\u0026nbsp; Stop that!\"\n\n\"I _am_ sorry.\"\n\n\"I'll bet you are.\"\u0026nbsp; She sits down across from him, slowly and cautiously.\u0026nbsp; She does not take her eyes off of him.\u0026nbsp; Her eyes narrow as if she is taking aim.\u0026nbsp; She normally is a very sensitive individual and rarely hides her feelings.\u0026nbsp; This time, however, she is showing restraint against someone she is obviously angry with.\u0026nbsp; Her face wants to growl, but her deep, controlled breaths keep her quiet and attentive.\n\n\"So, how was your month away?\"\n\n\"Never mind.\u0026nbsp; Where's Simon?\"\n\nTed shrugs.\u0026nbsp; \"Why'd you want to know?\"\n\n\"Because I want to.\u0026nbsp; He's the one who fired Zesty.\u0026nbsp; I want to talk to him again.\"\n\n\"Simon's out of town until Saturday evening.\u0026nbsp; He's got more important things to do than muse over the past with you.\u0026nbsp; Besides, his wife is sick, so he's had a rough week.\u0026nbsp; The last think he needs is another shouting match.\"\n\nThe Maltese sighs in frustration.\u0026nbsp; \"Fine.\u0026nbsp; I mean, it's no big deal.\u0026nbsp; I just wanted to apologize, to tell him that I don't blame him...that it's not his fault he had to stop what he was doing and make the long trek to the lobby and fire her _in front of everybody!_\u0026nbsp; He's a really nice guy and that's not in his nature.\u0026nbsp; I know he was only following your orders.\"\n\n\"It had to be done.\"\n\n\"But why?!\u0026nbsp; She could work, and she still can!\u0026nbsp; She's never had a problem working in a pinch and she worked even on days she wasn't feeling well.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; There was no reason to--\"\n\n\"But being pregnant isn't the same as not feeling well, is it?\u0026nbsp; It's at a much different level.\u0026nbsp; Getting sick is understandable.\u0026nbsp; It happens to all of us and mostly without warning.\u0026nbsp; Getting pregnant, even inadvertently, is avoidable...and, in this setting, irresponsible.\"\n\n\"She didn't....mean to get pregnant.\"\u0026nbsp; Mariana exhales a shaky breath.\u0026nbsp; She is starting to lose her composure.\u0026nbsp; \"It just happened.\"\n\n\"Good one.\u0026nbsp; 'She didn't _mean_ to get pregnant.'\u0026nbsp; You're saying she didn't mean to get down on all fours and take one in the snatch.\u0026nbsp; So what happened?\u0026nbsp; Did she _trip_ into position?\"\n\n\"Don't make fun of her!\"\n\n\"You're doing a poor job defending her.\"\u0026nbsp; Ted stands.\u0026nbsp; \"It's not about the pregnancy.\u0026nbsp; That's not the biggest issue; I don't doubt that Zesty can do the job with a bun in the oven.\u0026nbsp; She's one of the strongest females I know.\u0026nbsp; The problem is that she got pregnant on the job.\u0026nbsp; She got knocked up while actually _doing_ her work.\u0026nbsp; The morning after she was fired, I got a full report from Hoeness.\u0026nbsp; He reports to me on all 'hitman matters' as you know.\"\n\n\"Stuck-up busybody. \u0026nbsp;Yeah, I know he does that.\"\n\n\"Apparently, he overheard a conversation between you two in which you were discussing strategy to catch your next mark.\u0026nbsp; I guess the fact that she was pregnant just sort of came out?\"\u0026nbsp; He waits for a response.\u0026nbsp; Mariana looks on angrily, saying nothing.\u0026nbsp; \"According to Hoeness, Zesty's exact words were, 'Don't forget, this is my last one for a while.\u0026nbsp; I can't believe I'm two months along.'\u0026nbsp; It's not completely accurate, but I'm pretty sure the 'two months' part is.\"\n\n\"First of all, it was less than two months.\u0026nbsp; Secondly, that was said in confidence, and you can't blame us.\u0026nbsp; We were really giddy.\u0026nbsp; We had just come back from a highly successful job and we got paid that very day.\u0026nbsp; We were happy and celebrating a big win.\u0026nbsp; It wasn't as bad as--\"\n\n\"Which executive paid her?\"\n\n\"Crevecoeur did.\"\n\n\"Didn't he notice the baby bump?\u0026nbsp; If he did, he should have come to me with--\"\n\n\"There's no 'baby bump' at six weeks, you idiot!\"\n\nTed sniffs angrily.\u0026nbsp; He is slowly but surely losing his patience.\u0026nbsp; \"Look, we don't keep secrets from one another.\u0026nbsp; The executives talk to the killers, and you talk back to us.\u0026nbsp; We keep our existence away from the public, but nothing between us will _ever_ be 'in confidence.'\u0026nbsp; Once she got pregnant, she should have come to me.\u0026nbsp; Better still, she could have gone to the chief.\"\n\n\"Either of you would have fired her anyway.\"\n\n\"We'll never know now, will we?\u0026nbsp; Instead of coming to us, she worked while pregnant.\u0026nbsp; She killed people while pregnant.\u0026nbsp; I don't even want to think about how she pulled that off.\u0026nbsp; Besides, I thought she was single.\u0026nbsp; How _could_ she get pregnant?\"\n\n\"Doesn't the fact that she could still do the job mean anything?\"\u0026nbsp; Mariana's face changes.\u0026nbsp; Her emotions turn from anger to concern as she stares down at her file.\u0026nbsp; \"What's gonna happen to her?\"\n\nThe boss shrugs.\u0026nbsp; \"I can't tell you that.\"\n\n\"But I thought we don't keep secrets from one another.\"\n\n\"You don't work here anymore, so you have no right to know.\u0026nbsp; All I can tell you is that we'll monitor her.\u0026nbsp; We'll keep an eye on her and keep her safe, if need be.\u0026nbsp; A couple of the workers will be tasked with that job.\u0026nbsp; In the meantime, let's talk about your future.\"\u0026nbsp; He looks at her with narrow eyes and tightly pursed lips.\u0026nbsp; It seems he is about to make a big announcement.\u0026nbsp; He waits patiently until the dog is looking at him.\u0026nbsp; \"You didn't have to quit, and I'm ready to reinstate you.\"\n\nShe sits erect and perks her head up.\u0026nbsp; \"Come again?\"\n\n\"Why'd you quit anyway?\u0026nbsp; Zesty once told me that you're the kind of person who sees things through.\u0026nbsp; I didn't think quitting was in your nature.\"\n\n\"I quit because I'm loyal.\u0026nbsp; What you guys did to her was wrong.\u0026nbsp; Completely, utterly wrong!\u0026nbsp; If you would have seen her in action the past couple of weeks, I'm sure you'd change your mind.\"\n\n\"What if while in action, something bad happens?\u0026nbsp; She miscarries or dies?\u0026nbsp; What then?\u0026nbsp; Don't you think that could expose us?\"\n\n\"She's not that careless.\u0026nbsp; She never would have let that happen.\u0026nbsp; Never.\"\u0026nbsp; Mariana sneers at Ted's quiet laugh.\u0026nbsp; \"I also quit because I saw the writing on the wall.\"\n\nTed shrugs.\u0026nbsp; \"And what does _that_ mean?\"\n\n\"Simon fired my friend in the lobby, in front of pretty much all the boys.\u0026nbsp; I stuck up for her.\u0026nbsp; When she left the room, I was still fighting for her!\"\u0026nbsp; Her voice starts to crack.\u0026nbsp; \"I soon realized I was the only one.\u0026nbsp; Nobody else spoke up.\u0026nbsp; No one even tried!\u0026nbsp; I turned to look at everyone in the room--Hoeness, Baua, Pica, Dunn, Stefano....\"\u0026nbsp; She wipes her left cheek.\u0026nbsp; \"Even that stupid-ass leopard, Loiola, her so-called friend!\u0026nbsp; They were _all_ her friends!\u0026nbsp; But they just stood there like statues and watched me fight with Simon.\u0026nbsp; Nobody backed me up!\"\u0026nbsp; She covers her face in her hands and wipes both cheeks.\u0026nbsp; Ted looks on, emotionless.\u0026nbsp; She clears her throat.\u0026nbsp; \"When Simon left, I started to yell at the guys.\u0026nbsp; Most of them said nothing, except for Hoeness.\u0026nbsp; He laughed and walked away.\"\u0026nbsp; She sniffs and continues to wipe her face.\n\n\"If you were looking for them to defend her, forget it.\u0026nbsp; They know trouble when they see it.\u0026nbsp; They're not going to support someone who could be a danger to their jobs.\u0026nbsp; I sure wouldn't.\"\n\nThe Maltese nods.\u0026nbsp; \"That's right.\u0026nbsp; You all are just one big boys club, aren't you?\"\n\n\"Stop that.\u0026nbsp; Right now.\"\n\n\"They were her friends!\u0026nbsp; She liked all of them in return!\u0026nbsp; She even gave the group a name.\u0026nbsp; I don't like the name 'Venom,' but I thought it fit, considering what we did.\u0026nbsp; I started to like them too.\u0026nbsp; Then she was fired, and none of them said a thing.\"\u0026nbsp; She lowers her head and continues sniffing.\u0026nbsp; \"I get it now.\u0026nbsp; You guys all look out for each other.\u0026nbsp; If any of them had told Simon to cool his jets, I'm sure he would have changed his mind and she would still be here.\u0026nbsp; Zesty didn't stand a chance....\"\u0026nbsp; She has lost her composure.\u0026nbsp; The controlled sniffs give way to deep sobbing.\n\nTed sighs and stands.\u0026nbsp; \"You all right?\"\n\n\"Leave me alone.\"\u0026nbsp; She looks at the ceiling.\u0026nbsp; This time, she does not bother wiping any tears.\u0026nbsp; \"As for your offer, thanks but no thanks.\"\n\n\"Lots of money to be made.\u0026nbsp; A _lot_ of money.\u0026nbsp; You're saying no to prosperity and denying yourself a meaningful future.\u0026nbsp; And for what?\"\n\n\"Bring her back!\u0026nbsp; Then I'll return!\u0026nbsp; Not before!\"\n\nHe walks around the table until he is next to her.\u0026nbsp; He picks up the folder and tears it in half.\u0026nbsp; \"I'll tell everyone you're leaving.\"\n\nShe closes her eyes.\u0026nbsp; \"Good!\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You can stay here as long as you want and say goodbye to whomever you want.\u0026nbsp; Just remember to respect the rules and don't let the customers see you.\u0026nbsp; Also remember that we close at eight.\"\n\nAs Mariana softly places her head on the table, he leaves the conference room and quickly walks through the hallway.\u0026nbsp; At the other side, he can hear the workers laughing and chatting.\u0026nbsp; It seems this meeting is going well.\u0026nbsp; Robert Crevecoeur is in full voice, showing off the potential victims of the day.\u0026nbsp; Ted slowly makes it to the lobby and watches the proceedings.\u0026nbsp; He waits about five minutes until there is a break in the discussion.\u0026nbsp; He then quickly calls Crevecoeur over to him.\n\nWhile the two talk, St. Croix arrives from the hallway, wiping his hands with a paper towel.\u0026nbsp; He sits next to Camille, who is looking at the front desk with the pictures of marks on it.\u0026nbsp; She looks down in the dumps.\u0026nbsp; \"What's the matter?\" he asks.\n\nShe sighs and strokes her whiskers.\u0026nbsp; \"Nothing much.\u0026nbsp; Just waiting for Simon to come back and release my friend from her prison sentence.\u0026nbsp; I'm really worried about Pam.\u0026nbsp; She looks disinterested and bored with life.\u0026nbsp; She isn't doing what she loves to do.\u0026nbsp; I just hope Simon gets here soon.\"\n\nThe wolf chuckles.\u0026nbsp; \"Don't worry.\u0026nbsp; It won't be long now.\"\n\nThe chatting stops when Ted suddenly steps up to the front desk.\u0026nbsp; He is big, bold, and authoritative.\u0026nbsp; When he there, everybody listens.\u0026nbsp; He looks around, waiting for the room to get quiet.\u0026nbsp; He does not wait for long.\u0026nbsp; \"Listen, everybody.\u0026nbsp; I'll make this quick so you can go back to the meeting.\u0026nbsp; I'm sure some of you have seen her, but if you haven't, Mariana is here.\"\u0026nbsp; He waits for a few seconds, just in case anyone has something to say.\u0026nbsp; \"She won't be here long.\u0026nbsp; I've come to announce that this is her last day with us.\"\u0026nbsp; He waits again.\u0026nbsp; Murmurs grow from the crowd and a couple of the guys ask each other questions.\u0026nbsp;\n\nCamille, the only female in the room, stands up forcefully and angrily, knocking her chair down.\u0026nbsp; As everyone watches, she quickly walks out the front door, as if she has just been offended somehow.\n\nTed scoffs.\u0026nbsp; \"What's with her?\"\n\nSt. Croix stands to set the chair upright.\u0026nbsp; \"Um...Camille and Mariana have been feuding for quite some time.\u0026nbsp; She must still be angry. \"\n\n\"Tell her to get back here.\"\u0026nbsp; He watches as St. Croix quickly does as he is told.\u0026nbsp; \"Anyway, I'll let you guys get back to work.\u0026nbsp; Don't forget, Mariana is in the conference room if you want to talk or say goodbye.\u0026nbsp; Just remember to stay out of sight.\"\u0026nbsp; He nods and starts to walk away.\u0026nbsp; \"That's all.\u0026nbsp; Carry on.\"\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Venom:  Beautiful Killers","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/282801-venom-beautiful-killers-part-15.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/295890-venom-beautiful-killers-part-17.json"}}