Meeting Melody, Arguments With Diaz.

Diaz looked at the window. It was raining heavily and in the office was another kind of cold wave. He wore the woolen coat on his body intending to conserve heat. His phone began to ring.

"Sir, we can't find Mufasa" Sam who was the guild leader of sect two said over the phone.

"Bring his wife then" he replied coldly and shut the call. He was muscular and had always had an angry look. This time, he was much angrier and at first glance, it seemed that someone twisted his face. The bioweapon he ordered Mufasa to take overseas was destroyed. And the remnants were kept in a secret place no one else knew but Mufasa. And the old man had been proving stubborn to provide the location. The door creaked open as a woman in her late fifties was pushed inside. She was taped on the mouth as well as cuffed to prevent her from escaping.

"Hope I didn't waste time?" Sam asked looking at Diaz.

"No you didn't" Diaz replied. He brought out a dagger and came towards the woman.

"We haven't collected the information we need yet," Sam said calling his boss to order. Diaz looked at him, anger written on his face. That look sent some warning signals to his body.

"We don't need the information". he mumbled. It sounded much more like a whisper. In a slash, the woman's neck was slit open as her whole body shook violently.

"Clean up the mess," he said as he left the office.

★

Our lips merged and a kiss began. It was so swift and smooth and this time we were not interrupted by anyone as to how the Dark Assassins did to us earlier today. Suddenly, I broke contact and we both looked at each other. I didn't want to hurt this young lady. Because I knew the result it would give me tomorrow. She would quite regret ever knowing me as I've used her as they do say. Normally, on such occasions, I won't care as far as I've fully satisfied myself, but with this girl; it was so different. I realized I began to care about her.

"Mabel, I don't think we should do this," I said getting up from the bed.

"Why," she asked looking both embarrassed and disappointed at the same time. She was lucky she hadn't taken off her clothes though.

"Because I care about you. If we do this, tomorrow you'll hate me. And I don't want that kind of situation." I explained. The temptation was still there. I walked out of the room before any little ignition could fan the flames I tried to extinguish. Mabel on the other side, sat on the bed surprised. Surprised because, earlier she was caught by the waves of temptation, this she wasn't herself. And also because this wasn't the Anthony Moore she knew. And what he said was true. If they did this, she would hate him the next day. This one characteristic made her like him more and more. She shrugged as she lay on the bed to sleep. This time out of fatigue.

★

The early morning rays hit my eyes. I got up from the bed rapidly as I had an urgent appointment with someone. Cleaning the body was another time taker. This took about thirty minutes of my time. The clothing I wore doesn't look that official. It was more casual. A blue shirt and a pair of black jeans. I wore a black jacket to make it more fitting. Just before I could go down the stairs, I heard a familiar voice which made me stop in my tracks. It was Mabel. From her look, it was apparent she was just waking.

"Hey," I said as I walked towards her. The stare was awkward again.

"I'm going to an important meeting" I explained looking at her. She nodded her head in approval. There was something she wanted to tell me or is it that she's too shy to say it or something else.

"If you need anything, tell me. I'm all ears"

"No nothing, it's just that I'll feel lonely if you go" she replied. And it was true. I've specifically warned everyone to avoid contact with her. So it was making it almost impossible for her to discuss with anyone.

"Do you have a phone or something, that can keep me busy?" she asked coming closer to me.

"Yeah. They're in my room. Take anyone you like" I said pointing to my room. She seemed disappointed. Perhaps she wants to follow me or something.

"I promise, I'll take you out tomorrow," I said tapping her on the shoulder. I kissed her on the forehead and waved her goodbye. The maids who were passing at that moment were filled with intense jealousy. She looked at them suspiciously and entered the room he directed her to. His room wasn't that big as hers. It was just simple, like what a basic room needed. A bed, a table, and some cushions. Not many gadgets and stuff though there was a 32-inch television hanging right on the wall. I opened his wardrobe to see what was inside. Just then, she heard some giggling outside. The maids were peeping. At the sight of her, they all ran out.

"Hey! come here!!" she shouted running towards the door.

"Don't mind them miss, your breakfast is ready" a middle-aged woman said. It was the same woman she met yesterday.

"Who are they?" she asked

"Just some young girls who've forgotten their responsibilities. But don't worry miss, I'll get them to order" she explained.

"Better do" Mabel replied as she collected her food from her. Just as she was about to go, Mabel held her hands

"Hey what's your name?" she asked.

"I'm Tina" she replied. Mabel nodded her head. At least she knew some people here. She bolted the iron door as she kept the tray on the table. She noticed a small notebook on the table. It contained the names of people that were written in red pen. She recognized one name there. Agustus Marga. A man who died a few years ago because of assassination. It was then that it hit her. These were the people that Anthony Moore had killed. Fear gripped her as the book almost fell to the ground. But he seemed so harmless when he's around me she thought. She couldn't recognize anyone's name there again. But one thing made her certain that Anthony Moore is not evil. All the people that were here were certainly evil. Even Austus Marga was once a drug lord and a terrorist who once shot her uncle to death. Seeing his name written in red made her smile. She poured the tea from the kettle into the cup. The liquid coming out was blue. Wait a minute, do they have blue tea? Curiosity gained the upper part of her as she tasted it. It was so sweet and the flavor was none to be compared with. She finished three more glasses before the kettle became empty again. And she noticed, as she drank the tea, she was much more energized. She hadn't felt that energized before. Soon boredom began to strike. It was then she remembered the wardrobe. She walked towards there out of curiosity. Maybe to see the kinds of clothes he had or something. But to her sweet surprise, the wardrobe was a different room altogether. And the room looked much more like a war room. War room because his costumes were hung in numerous glass showcases. Also, different kinds of bows were displayed there. Compound bows, recurve bows, standard bows, ancient traditional bows, and the rest of them. Then on the walls at one end was a huge picture. She instantly recognized the person. It was his father. That is, Derek Moore. Alongside the picture were two arrows in a glass showcase filled with crystal chemicals. From her guess, the chemicals were to preserve the arrows. The arrows were stained with blood and from the way it looked, it seemed it has been hung there for a long time. She understood the bigger picture now. Perhaps those arrows killed his father. She remembered what he told her last night. Two arrows to the chest. At another end was the most terrific part. She wasn't even expecting it to be there. Skeletons of human bodies were laid there. She ran out of the wardrobe in fear.

★

The drive to Code Four's headquarters was a hard one as I tried my best to stay out of traffic. Upon getting there, everyone was quite busy and no one had noticed me. They may have thought I died when the Dark Assassins came to attack me. I walked towards the elevator and typed the required buttons. I was heading to the eighth floor. That was where Mufasa's guild and Sam's office were located. Upon reaching Mufasa's guild, I expected to see his students training or having other activities but instead, everywhere was just empty as if no one had ever lived there.

"Hey" I called to one male attendant. The man upon seeing me stopped and greeted me.

"Congratulations on your promotion sir," he said sounding like someone happy.

" What promotion?" I asked surprised at this instant.

" It may also sound like bad news, but Mufasa had resigned and you're now the chosen leader of guild sect four". Wait a minute. Did he just say that Mufasa had resigned? Mufasa was my old master and I treat him more like a father. Just the same way he treats me as a son.

" Why did Mufasa resign?" I asked

" It's a matter of confidentiality Mr. Moore" I nodded my head in approval. Just as I was about to enter the elevator, he called me back.

"The last floor," he said.

" What do you mean?"

" That's where the people you're looking for are" he replied. I tapped on the elevator's keypad to take me to my desired location.

Mufasa sat on the cushion in tears. Before he was his wife in a coffin. His eyes were deep red which showed he had been crying for a long time.

"Old master," I said opening the door. His guild stood behind him in sorrow. Of course, I did not need a prophet to tell me what happened. He looked at his wife. At her neck which the person used a knife to cut open.

"Who did it," I asked leaning closer to him. He moved his head in the negative which showed that he did not know.

"Who's responsible for this!" I shouted to the guild. Everyone looked at each other as they did not know.

"I have to take care of my three months old son. That's why I resigned" he whispered into my ears. He got up from the chair and faced me. In his face was boldly written sorrow and lust for revenge.

"I'm sorry," I said tapping him on the shoulder.

"Don't be. It's all my fault for leaving her alone at home" he replied. Before I could talk, he walked out of the office. Looking at the dead body before me, I began to study it. I plucked a few hairs from her head and sniffed them.

"Who has a good nose here," I asked getting up.

"Vincent" everyone chorused. Rumors had been going on that he could track a killer by the scent of blood who was four miles from the murder site.

"Come on boy, your skills are needed here," I said as he came closer to me.

"What does this smell like," I said giving him the few strands of hair. He sniffed it and closed his eyes. It looked much more like he was in deep meditation. Suddenly he opened his eyes.

"It's cocaine" he replied. But that doesn't make sense. Mrs. Rose doesn't smoke. She was the person who forced her husband to quit smoking a few years ago.

"Maybe she was put in a sack or something" Vincent replied. This finally began to make much sense now. They put her on a sac once filled with cocaine. Immediately, I realized the power of this guy's potential. I dipped my hands into the dead body's neck. I thrust it deep enough as to get fresh blood. Smell this. He came towards me and took a deep breath of the sticky red liquid on my finger.

"Find the scent" As if compelled by a magical spell, he entered the elevator and compelled me to follow him.

★

Diaz, Sam, and other respective guild leaders of Code Four were having a meeting. It was only Anthony Moore who wasn't present in the meeting. They were still debating on the issue of whether to use their men to combat evil government policies or for private rich lords who could afford them by paying billions of assets. It was Diaz who finalized the debate. He stated that the institution of Code Four was built mainly to earn profit. And they've been doing so because the people that hired them paid them well. He also asked why they should turn against the government who was their main source of revenue. One thing about Diaz was that he had a very smooth tongue which means he could convince you to do anything even when you don't want to. Soon he got the whole guild leaders on his side. Just as they were about to conclude the meeting, the door burst open as one of the bodyguards fell unconscious. Vincent moved towards the center of the office.

"Whatever that happened, she was killed right at this spot," he said looking at me. Diaz looked at Vincent in surprise. So did Sam. They all looked at each other. I looked at Diaz. He looked at me, fear hidden but I could detect it.

"We're still investigating on the issue, .." Sam said trying to cover up for Diaz.

"And the issue is that the killer is a member of the Core Four" I replied.

"I don't understand," Diaz said. It made us looked as if my coming here was useless and had no meaning.

"According to Vincent here, thanks to his enhanced sense organs, Rose was killed exactly at this spot. Which means the person that killed her is among one of you guys seated right here" I further explained. Everybody looked at each other, each look took with suspicion.

"The forensics would soon be here to verify your hypothesis, and by the way congratulations on your promotion as a guild leader. Why don't you talk to your men instead" Sam said waving the issue off.

"And by the way, a newcomer had been recruited to your team, she's a girl by the way," Diaz said

"Newcomer?"

"Yeah, a young lady, twenty-one years of age. She goes by the name Melody"

"Melody?" I asked. The name sounded awkward. Who would name their child that?

"Yeah, why don't you meet her," Sam asked getting up. The meeting was already over as the leaders left the office. No much reason to stay again. This was one thing with these two people. Always turning tables upside down.

"There's an emergency. I have to go to the hospital" Vincent said as he walked out of the office. I walked towards the elevator. Sam and Diaz were talking to each other in low tones.

"I don't know why you're not taking this murder case seriously," I said calling their attention. The duo looked at me as if I was in weeds.

"Especially you Sam. I'm suspecting you"

"Why," he asked giving me a stern look.

"Do you think I would forget how you and Diaz deserted me at the mercy of the Dark Assassins?" At this, Diaz scoffed.

"Look, Anthony, no one knows of our operations, and if we sent backup, that might ruin our reputation" he explained.

" What reputation? An agency that fights crime? I'm sorry to say but from recent happenings, we don't fight crime anymore. We're aiding it"

" What makes you say such?!" Sam said as he slammed the table in anger. He was about to run towards me but was quietened by Diaz's angry glance.

"Now to you Diaz, think I don't know if your plans to kill me?"

"And what makes you think I want to kill you, you're the best assassin, we value everybody's life in this organization"

"But last night.. "

" Forget about last night!!. We knew your potential"

" Speaking of potential, I have one piece of r you. Before you kill your enemy, dig two graves. One for him, and one for yourself" I cast him an angry glance and walked out of the office.

" That was a nice speech by the way"

" That will soon be a reality" I replied coldly. The elevator opened as I walked towards my new guild's quarters. I didn't have many men. Whiles had of thousands of assassins, mine we were only four. We weren't four, at first we were nine hundred. But when they heard of the change in leadership, others defected to other guilds of their choice. Of course, I wasn't impressed with numbers. I prefer having a little skilled guild to having a big unskilled one. After much introductions, I found about their names. Tobe, Dave, Tom, and Mark. And they seemed loyal. But there were lots of steps to take. First I had to establish trust with them so it would be more of a brother-brother relationship, not a leader-follower relationship. And then I had to train them so they would be very much more skilled. It was a way long way to go. Just then an assassin came in with a lady. Ooh no. It was Mabel. How did she get here in the first place? Wait how did the guards let her out of the house in the first place? My heart began to race. But at a closer look, it wasn't Mabel. It was someone who looked very much like her. The difference was that this one looked much more mature.

"What's your name?" I asked as I extended my hands for a handshake.

"I'm Melody. Your recruit" she replied shyly.

"Good Melody. Welcome to my guild" We both looked at each other. Little did I know that was a beginning of a lifelong relationship.