A Glass of Water by Chelsea Herrick

(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XX=")[''A Glass of Water''] A young Violet wakes up to loud noises coming from downstairs. She wanders into the living room and sees him: her lifeless father in a pool of blood. And a woman standing over him. [[continue]]

Violet sips the water. She studies The Woman's freckled nose and thick mascara. Then, her gaze shifts to her father's body. The Woman knew what she was thinking. The Woman: Listen, someone very rich just... didn't want him alive. So, I helped. That's all, sweetie. Okay? The Woman took one last look at the small girl, almost with pity, then left. [[ continue -> continue 1]]

Twelve years have passed, and Violet finally gets the call she's been waiting for. It's time for her very first assignment. // Holy shit it's happening. I thought Marcos said I wasn't ready... Whatever. Okay, let's get dressed. Which color should I wear?// [[ red]] [[black]]

Violet: ....Dad? The Woman: Ah dear, you've found us. The Woman calmly motions Violet over to the kitchen table. She pours her a glass of water. After a moment, Violet obliges. She tiptoes past her father, and sits in front of the cup. She stares at the bloody smudges near the rim of the glass. [[take a sip]] [[ demand answers ]]

Violet: Who are you? What happened to my dad? The Woman sighs and gently pushes the glass closer to Violet. Violet: I don't want anything from you! Just tell me what happened! The Woman: Listen, someone very rich just... didn't want him alive. So, I helped. That's all, sweetie. Okay? Violet shuddered with fear, and then came the rage which stole her words. She seethed in silence. The Woman took one last look at the small girl, almost with pity, then left. [[ continue -> continue 1]]

Violet gets dressed just in time and arrives at her location. She smiles graciously at the doorman as she enters the foyer of the half-acre mansion. She finds the main ballroom and makes her way inside. Everyone's eyes are on her, including her target. //Shit, I knew red was too much. Good Job, Vi. Jesus...// [[ embrace the attention]] [[find a quiet place to hide]]

Violet gets dressed just in time and arrives at her location. She smiles graciously at the doorman as she enters the foyer of the half-acre mansion. She finds the main ballroom and makes her way inside. She quickly spots her target. [[continue -> continue 3]]

//Well. Here we go, I guess.// Violet scans the room and somewhat confidently locks eyes with her target at the bar. He smiles, and she blushes. Violet makes her way over to him. [[continue -> continue 7]]

Violet quickly walks into the closest parlor room. Thankfully, it's empty. She braces against the wall. //God damn it. Now what, Vi?// She peaks around the corner and sees her target headed straight for her. She has an idea. [[take him out]] [[chat him up -> chat him up2]]

Violet takes a deep breath and walks to her target near the bar. She stands next to him, leaning against the counter. [[ chat him up]] [[order a drink]]

//Okay. You can do this, Vi.// She gently bumps into The Man's arm, and he turns around. Violet: Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! The Man's eyes darted from Violet's face to her breasts. His initial annoyance turned into curiosity. //Yep. Always trust the twins. // The Man: Oh, that's quite alright. No harm done. ...That hand of yours looks lonely. Let me buy you a drink. Violet accepts, and the two continue to talk. After a few minutes, she grows anxious, eager to close her first deal. [[ invite him to a quiet room]] [[ attempt to spike his drink]]

// Thank God they've got the hard stuff. // Violet orders a shot and pickleback, hoping it'll calm her nerves. Her drink choice stands out to her target, and so does her sultry black dress. The Man: Ya know, you and I are the only two here taking picklebacks. Let's have another on me. Violet accepts his offer, and the two continue to talk. After a few minutes, Violet grows anxious, eager to "close her first deal." [[ invite him to a quiet room]] [[ attempt to spike his drink]]

Violet: Let's go somewhere a bit more... private. The Man quietly agrees and followers her to an empty parlor room. Violet seductively backs The Man against the wall, tracing his chest with her fingers. His phone rings. He looks at the screen and tells Violet he'll be just a minute. The Man: Hey, mom. ... Sure, just give me a sec. He takes a few steps away. Violet is frozen. [[ continue -> continue 5]]

Violet reaches into her clutch and pulls out a tube of gloss. She freshens up her lips, then opens a tiny compartment with her pinky. When The Man sets his drink down, Violet holds his gaze with a feigned desire before sprinkling a lethal dose of poison into his glass. As The Man takes a sip, his phone rings. The Man: Hey, mom. ... Sure, just give me a sec. He tells Violet he'll be just a minute, grabs his drink, and takes a few steps to an empty corner. Violet is frozen. [[ continue ->phone]]

She caught a glimpse of the caller ID photo—it's her. // There's no way in hell...// The Man drops dead in the corner, gasps and muffled mumbling ensues. Violet rushes over, along with a few concerned bystanders, and discreetly grabs his phone. [[continue -> end2]]

She caught a glimpse of the caller ID photo—it's her. // There's no way in hell...// [[ finish the job ]] [[fuck the job]]

Violet sneaks up behind The Man and uses her favorite silver blade to slice his throat. He falls to the floor, then Violet grabs the phone. She hears The Woman ask, "Hello? What happened?" Violet: Someone very rich just... didn't want him alive. So, I helped. That's all, sweetie. END

//This might be my only chance to find that bitch. To face her. To kill her.// Violet taps The Man on the shoulder, and unbeknownst to her, the rage is still written all over her face. She's losing it. Her seductive eyes turn cold, and her once well-concealed blade is slowly slipping into sight. The Man: I gotta go, mom. The Man: Really? Let me guess, Marcos sent you. He smirks. She frowns. [[ continue ->end3]]

The two begin to fight quietly in the empty parlor room. But Violet isn't thinking clearly. She miscalculates his attack patterns and takes a blow to the back of the head. She falls hard on the marble fireplace. Darkness closes in. END

Violet stands next to The Man and leans on the counter. //Okay, Vi. You got this. Tits out, chin up.// Violet: So, you gonna by me a drink or what? The Man: I ordered one when you first walked in. This is for you. Violet accepts the drink, and the two continue to talk. After a few minutes, she grows anxious, eager to "close her first deal." [[ invite him to a quiet room]] [[ attempt to spike his drink]]

She caught a glimpse of the caller ID photo, and a familiar wave of seething silence overcame her. // There's no way in hell...// [[ finish the job ]] [[fuck the job]]

As The Man enters the parlor room, Violet grabs his arm and swings him in front of her. The Man: Someone knows what they want. Violet: I sure do. As the two stare into each other's eyes with lust, she slowly takes out her favorite silver blade. His phone rings. He looks at the screen and tells Violet he'll be just a minute. The Man: Hey, mom. ... Sure, just give me a sec. He takes a few steps to an empty corner. Violet is frozen. [[continue -> end]]

As The Man enters the parlor room, Violet grabs his arm and swings him in front of her. The Man: Someone knows what they want. Violet: I sure do. His phone rings. He looks at the screen and tells Violet he'll be just a minute. The Man: Hey, mom. ... Sure, just give me a sec. He takes a few steps to an empty corner. Violet is frozen. [[ continue -> continue 8]]

She caught a glimpse of the caller ID photo, and a familiar wave of seething silence overcame her. // There's no way in hell...// Eerily calm, Violet sneaks up behind The Man and slices his throat. He falls to the floor, and Violet grabs the phone. She hears The Woman ask, "Hello? What happened?" Violet: Someone very rich just... didn't want him alive. So, I helped. That's all, sweetie. END

She hurries off with false concern, pretending to dial 911. She hears the Woman on the phone, "Hello? What happened?" Violet: ...someone very rich just... didn't want him alive. So, I helped. That's all, sweetie. END