Particular Talents

As Iris finished her shift at the local bar, she began her nightly walk home. The night was quiet and the streets were deserted, save for a few passing cars. Suddenly, a black sedan pulled up next to her, and two burly men stepped out.

The men approached her, their faces hidden in the shadows. "Get in the car," one of them commanded, his voice cold and ominous. Iris's heart slammed against her chest as she recognized the men as the mayor's henchmen.

Fear gripped her as she realized that this was not just a chance encounter. These men were here for her, and they were not going to take no for an answer. She swallowed hard, her mind racing for a way out, but the men moved in on her, their grip like a vise.

Iris screamed, calling for help, but the streets were empty and the night quiet. Her voice echoed through the deserted surroundings, but there was no one to hear her. The men quickly gagged her, silencing her cries.

Iris had no choice but to give in to their demands. She stepped into the back of the car, trying to keep her legs from shaking as the men slid in beside her. The car door slammed shut, and the engine roared to life as they pulled away from the curb.

The men dragged Iris towards the car, their rough hands grasping her arms. She struggled against them, kicking and thrashing, but her efforts were futile. They pushed her inside the car, the door slamming shut.

Inside the car, the two men sat on either side of her, trapping her in between them. The engine roared to life, and the car sped off, leaving the quiet night behind. Iris's heart was racing, her mind filled with fear and uncertainty of what was going to happen.

The car wove through dark streets, the lack of traffic making the journey even more eerie. The two men remained silent, their faces hidden in darkness. Iris's mind was filled with a thousand thoughts, each one more terrifying than the last. She tried to stay calm, to think of a way out, but her body was shaking uncontrollably.

After what felt like an eternity, the car slowed down and came to a stop. The men pulled Iris out of the car with a firm grip, dragging her towards a large building. The building was dark and imposing, with no signs or markings to indicate its purpose.

Iris was led inside the building, her heart racing and her mind spinning. The interior was dimly lit, and shadows danced in the corners. She caught a glimpse of armed men patrolling the hallways, their faces hard and expressionless.

The men escorted Iris down a long corridor, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the walls. One of the men pushed open a heavy door, revealing a small, empty room. Without a word, they shoved her inside, shutting the door behind her with a loud thud.

The room was pitch black, the only source of light coming from a small window near the ceiling. Iris sat on the cold floor, her body aching from the rough treatment. She could hear the muffled sound of voices outside the door, but could not make out what they were saying.

Hours passed, but there was no sign of anyone coming to the room. Iris sat in the darkened silence, her mind racing with fear and worry. She tried the door handle, but it was locked from the outside. There was no way to escape.

As the hours wore on, Iris's mind began to play tricks on her. The shadows in the room seemed to move and shift, and she heard strange sounds coming from outside the door. She tried to stay calm, but her nerves were frayed, and her body trembled with anxiety.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approaching the room broke the silence. Iris's heart skipped a beat as the key turned in the lock, and the door opened with a creak. A large man stood in the doorway, his face unreadable. "Come with me," he said, his voice gruff. He grabbed Iris by the arm, pulling her harshly out of the room.

As he dragged her down the hallway, Iris tried to keep up, her legs shaking. They passed several more men, all of whom eyed her with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. The man led Iris into a large room, the walls lined with guns and other weapons. Seated behind a desk was an older man, his cold, calculating eyes fixed on her. He gestured for her to come closer.

Trembling, Iris approached the desk, her eyes downcast. The older man studied her for a moment, his gaze penetrating and intense.

"So," the older man said, his voice low and controlled. "You're the one they've brought me." He leaned back in his chair, his eyes boring into hers. "I have a proposition for you."

The older man, his name was Mayor Andrews, looked her up and down, appraisingly. He studied her height and slender frame, her dark hair and green eyes. He had heard about her from his men. "You're quite a pretty thing, aren't you?" he said, his voice laced with a hint of sinister charm.

Mayor Andrews chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down Iris's spine. "I can see why you caught their attention." He leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. "I have a proposition for you, darling."

The Mayor's voice was low and silky, as he continued to stare at her. "My men tell me you're a singer at a local bar. Is that right?"

Iris nodded, her eyes locked on the Mayor's face. "Yes, that's right," she said, her voice weak. She was trying to keep her emotions in check, but it was difficult to keep the fear from her voice.

The Mayor smiled, his eyes glittering with a hint of malice. "You have a lovely voice, I hear," he said, his tone almost flirtatious. "But there's something else I want you to do for me."

Iris's heart was racing, dread and fear coursing through her veins. She didn't know what the Mayor wanted, but she knew it couldn't be good. She swallowed hard, her throat dry as she waited for him to continue.

The Mayor leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "I have a job for you, dear," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. His voice was calm and controlled, but there was a hint of threat underneath. "A job that requires your... particular talents."

Fear gripped Iris's heart as she listened to the Mayor's words. She knew whatever he wanted her to do couldn't be good, and the way he was looking at her made her skin crawl. Her hands trembled slightly, and she wrapped her arms around herself as if to shield herself from his gaze. Her mind was racing with possibilities, each more terrifying than the last.