Maverick's back is turned towards me, sitting in a chair as two men in black suits open Travis's office doors for me. A man, who I assume to be Travis, sits on the other side of the desk, facing my direction with a gratified smile. Malachi stands towards the left, some steps away from them with his arms crossed over his chest and staring duly at me.
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I gravitate towards where I'm most comfortable; going to stand next to Maverick. Malachi watches me as I cross the room, making the walk seem longer than it should. Recently it's been even more evident; his watchful eye he ensures stays on me.
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"Lilliana...what a pleasure it is to finally put a face to a name."
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Travis is younger than I'd expected. He might be in his forties. His dark brown, almost black hair is cut short. Those dark brown eyes are vibrant, lively even as he expresses emotion with them. He contradicts what one would assume a leader of a murder gang would look like. I pictured someone around the same age, maybe even older, touch and rough with a mean personality. He looks as though he might offer to take a look at my taxes for me.
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But I assume that's part of why he's able to, along with the rest of them, get away with their crimes. Playing and looking the part would be somewhat of a clue.
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"I guess I could say the same." I reply.
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I do my best to not act like my nerves aren't running rampant. Though that's kind of hard when all three of the people in the room with you are trained to pick up on things. It creates a sense of exposure, like they can see right through the upturned nose, spotting my crippling anxiety.
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"I'd surely hope so." Travis smiles, rising to his feet. "I hope the short amount time you've spent here so far has been suitable."
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I peak every few moments at his movements, casting glances as he starts for the mini bar on the other side of the room.
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"But you know what they say; you have to be uncomfortable sometimes to get comfortable." Travis continues as he takes a shot glass down from the shelf. The glass clanks against the countertop as it's set down. "So don't worry if being here has made you feel an undesirable way." He shrugs with his back turned. "That's only temporary."
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I'm not sure what to reply with so I stay quiet.
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Travis turns back around to face us, glass in hand. "Come, Lilliana. I poured you a shot."
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I can't catch Maverick's eye; he's still sitting in the chair next to me.
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So my eyes dart over to Malachi.
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Malachi's arms are still crossed, chin raised just enough to look down on the scene before him. It's like I'm seeking confirmation that it's safe to approach Travis.
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He gives a single, short nod in Travis's direction, giving me the go ahead.
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"Don't be nervous, Love." Travis persuades me further even though my feet are already taking slow steps towards him. "We're all on the same side."
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His eyes are warm and body is relaxed as he awaits me, arm extended as he holds the glass out. I can feel Maverick and Malachi staring, comforting me and making me feel more anxious at the same time.
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"Just a little something to take the edge off." He says cheekily as my feet come to stop in front of him. "I'm not as scary as you thought, am I?"
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I hesitate before answering, but Travis's raised, expectant eyebrows make me say what I'm thinking. "I think it might be scarier that you're all...happy?" I take the drink from his hand, looking down into the clear liquid.
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Travis laughs, tosses his head back and laughs.
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"I'm sure you're not the first to think that but you are the first to say it!" He puts a hand on his stomach as if to catch his breath. "You're funny, Lilliana." He observes; pleased. "Drink up. We have a few things to discuss."
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I knock the shot back, passing him the cup to set back down on the mini bar's counter. After doing so, Travis waves a hand, starting for his desk.
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"Have a seat, Love." Travis places both hands on his desk chair's headrest, those smiling eyes aimed right at me.
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Everything he does makes it seem like I'm about to be tricked into something. The flamboyant, overly cheerful attitude feels like a distraction to get me to do as I'm told. This is probably how he got to where he is. Realistically, I'm nervous and paranoid.
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My sweaty palms tug the ends of my sleeves over my hands, wiping them off and making myself feel safer at the same time.
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I glance over at Maverick and Malachi who have stayed put, unmoving as they observe us carefully.
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The silence in the room is deafening as I proceed towards the chair. Any other kind of noise from anyone else would help greatly right now. But of course the sound of my awkwardly uncertain footsteps is all that we hear.
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"I believe Malachi and Maverick have made things sound pretty..." Travis begins, his presence looming over me from behind.
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Maverick stares directly into my eyes and I'd never be able to guess what he's thinking, same goes for Malachi.
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"All in order to get you here, that is." He explains. "All with good intent, I can assure you." I can sense his hands going back to the chairs headrest. "They told you that killing will make you want to die a little less, yes?"
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When there's a long pause and I realize Travis is waiting on an answer...
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I nod my head a couple times.
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"Would you like to know why it'll make you want to die a little less, Lilliana?"
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Maverick's eyes aim towards the floor, letting me know whatever is about to come next isn't what I'm going to want to hear. Malachi's head slowly lowers to a straight position. His eyes that are aimed at me brighten, even though they're still low.
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Travis doesn't wait for my answer this time.
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"Because killing people...it gives you a reason to live..." He stops. "Well...it gives you a reason to live until you've decided you're pleased with the job you've done, that it's time to retire."
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My throat runs dry, making me swallow harshly.
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"It's thrilling, yes?" Travis asks. My arm jerks at his touch as he lays a gentle hand on it. "Satisfying even?"
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Maverick sits up straightening his chair, one hand braced on the arm of it, like he's getting ready to make a move.
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I want to shove his hand away as it makes its way to my hair. He pulls it back over my shoulder, making the action longer than necessary. I know better not to make any rash decisions, so I remain unmoving.
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"Easy, Maverick." He instructs in a light but serious tone.
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Maverick searches my eyes for a second before his hand relaxes gradually on the armrest. I can tell he doesn't want to, but he rests into the back of the chair.
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"Killing creates a sensation so great, it's as if you actually feel alive." Travis goes on. "And while your mind and life continuously run amok, killing is the one thing you do have control over."
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My fingers fidget in my lap, pulling at the sleeves of my sweater. They shake, under pressure and stares.
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"Take right now for example." He says. "You're the weakest one in the room, Lilliana. The weakest one in every room." The reminder irritates me; there's a satisfaction all three of them are getting from seeing me in this predicament. "You lack stability, confidence, power. You are no one, nothing."
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Malachi looks away for the first time. His arms uncross and get put in his pants pockets. He's seemingly uncomfortable...like he has any real reason compared to me.
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"If you take head to what I've told you, what they have told you, so far....you'll never feel less than again. Supremacy will come easy to you, no matter whom you face or where you're at." Travis's hands from both of my shoulders. His touch is soft but also feels like a ticking time bomb, like any second he could snap my neck or something. "All of those insecurities will be washed away. The world and everything in it, will be at your very fingertips."
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I'd be lying if I said he wasn't selling the idea. Observing the way they live so freely, still sad, but free...it would make anyone envious. Envious enough to do what they do? Probably not. But for me...my morals are being sang away by the idea of my life having a real goal, maybe some worth.
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"All you have to do is give into your feelings. Don't argue with yourself, Lilliana." Travis instructs. "All it takes is doing what you already know you like to do; killing people."
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I chew on my bottom lip, listening but in thought at the same time.
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"It sounds nice, doesn't it, Love?" His taunting voice asks as he leans down to get closer to my ear. "Tell her how nice it is, Maverick."
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Maverick appears calm and collected in his seat now, gaze level on mine. He licks his lips, making them shine.
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"It's very nice, Lilliana." Maverick does as he's told in a monotone voice.
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"Which brings us to why you're here this weekend." Travis explains, standing straight up again. "I'm sure you've figured it's more than you simply tagging along and getting such a moving speech."
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I'm quiet, staring down at the desk.
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"You're going to choose right now, Lilliana."
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My head snaps around, bracing my hands on the armrests to look at Travis. "What do you mean? Choose what?"
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"If you're in or out, of course." His smile beams down at me. "Would you rather choose to remain this unseen girl who lacks ambition...or would you rather choose freedom with endless opportunities?"
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I gradually face forward, gaze glued to the table as my heart races.
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"Don't think about it, Lilliana..." Travis directs in a hushed tone. "Just say the answer that immediately comes to mind."
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Still, I hesitate. Travis doesn't let that go on long enough for me to question my gut though.
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"Choose, Lilliana."
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"I want in."
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