There was something off about the appearance of the sky today. The sun was hidden, and the clouds carried a darkened and foreboding look, yet not a single drop of rain fell. There was a deep chill within the wind.

After yesterday's call, this rag-tag of a meeting was hastily put together. This was a race to sound the drums for the war against Mr. Cassis.

I didn't expect his call, it was almost like he knew something was coming. The confidence which he had was shown from the outstanding offer he made to me; an offer only a madman would refuse.

If it was another man, I might have accepted it. The way he sounded as he called the figure, that smug smile I could imagine, of I am your better. Who did he really think that I am?

My feet landed on the inside of my building. I took the first steps heading to the boardroom. Beside me was an army of collar suit and tie executives.

Today, we will make the first stand against you. Who do you think you are to take everything and try to start that which I stopped? I won't let those days fully return again. I thought of the monthly job cuts.

This was one of the largest board meetings I had ever had. Perhaps the largest ever held in this city. They were many players even the U.A.C had sent a representative, and many objectives, but one common cause, one human desire that stood above everything else, our own survival.

The room was cold despite the large gathering here. This black long oval table was not headed by anyone. We sat on different sides, almost positioned like a game of Chinese checkers. Not everyone could fit at the table, therefore, only the most important sat here and more black chairs were brought inside to accommodate the waiting members, who took up spaces around us.

There was quiet for a while, leaving the slightest cough to be heard dominantly throughout the room. Then it all began as the circumstances and problems were brought forth. I had never seen civilized men so similar to fish vendors and each of them hawked their way into making their point.

There were visible shifts of tension back and forth, similar to a rollercoaster ride. Susie was on my left, her facial expression juggled between annoyed, frustrated and not amused; each time she tried to hide it. What was it that had her so I wondered?

The debate raged on the economy, the politicians and the people. We rattled on the table like snakes, back and forth. I recalled to them the notes that the staff had made, their arguments and points and what I thought might work best.

I could not trust to tell them everything, especially his level of involvement in corruption. Who knew how far his reach had spread and who might actually be on his side with the money he possessed.

We had reached an impasse and not everyone was in full agreement of taking certain beneficial financial agreements.

What we all had agreed on thus far, was to put pressure on robotics to the politicians. Appeal to the consumer and the people affected by making a stand against the lack of government policies on the pro robotic rule. It would essentially turn the people against politicians in key positions in the city.

In short, it was co-operate backed and funded protest. Now what was left to be decided was how much money to put forward. Where was best for it to go? That now was the true issue.

A break came shortly after.

Everyone slowly left the room as I followed them out. I had that strange sensation again. Something was not right.

A monster was here, there was no denying it.

I decided to follow it and I proceeded with caution as it led me to the bathroom. Away from almost all as they went to the reception area for refreshments.

I slowly looked around the hallway, no was there. I opened the door carefully, expecting the worse. Making sure it was not too sudden to signal an alarm. The door came opened and there was no one there.

I could still feel this sensation coming from here. I ducked to see if there was anyone using the bathrooms, but I could not see anyone's feet. So, I began pushing open the bathroom doors.

The first one that I pushed, creaked as the door opened, but it was empty.

Had my position been breached? I looked left to right at the bathroom doors and the entrance but nothing.

I approached the second door with even more caution than the first. I reached my hand out slowly but before I could push it open, the door suddenly swung out at me instead.

Rushing me now was Robert. Gibbering and uttering words I could not understand. What was he saying? Was he even human? He pushed me back onto the sink. It caught me by surprise due to the overwhelming strength he seemed to have. He initially got the upper hand.

"Robert?" I tried talking to him but no response. My senses told me all I need to know.

He was my enemy.

I struggled to push him off as his hands aimed to grab my throat. I ducked under his arm. Now I was positioned behind him, I clutched his neck tighter than a python.

He squeezed, he wiggled. He tried to slash my face. He used the counter to try to unbalance me, all to no avail.

The door rattled, the bathroom main door was about to be opened.

I rushed myself into one of the open bathrooms. My hands had not released their grip of Robert as I pushed in the door with my leg. Two men were chatting and admiring themselves outside.

I held my grip until there was no struggle. His body went limp, but I held on just to be sure; even though there was no movement.

"Goodbye Robert," I whispered in his ear.

When it was done and they had left. I opened the door and positioned him on the toilet.

How would I get his body out of this without alerting attention? My fingerprints were all over him.

Fuck, I thought, I didn't know what to do.

My shirt was a mess, my face had a few cuts. I couldn't go back to the meeting like this.

I was so worried about what to do, I didn't hear the door swing open again.

Until I was now face to face with a young boy looking at me with certain intent. He looked kind of familiar to me, but I was not sure. Two more men appeared beside him, they seemed both strange and moved oddly. My senses told me that they were monsters just like Robert.

The boy was standing beside a huge covered trolley cart big enough to hide a body, I thought.

I froze for a bit, not knowing what I should say.

"Are you Domenic?" he asked.

"Yes, " I said, then I became a bit puzzled by how he knew. "How do you know my name?"

"My mother sent me."

"Your mother?"

"Shalanda."

The name sent shock waves through my body.

"Don't be afraid, he is here to help you," a voice whispered in my head.

"Rainbow."

"I am here. Did you miss me, Domenic?"

The boy went to where I had killed Robert. How did he know where the body had been?

Leave now Domenic go to your car. Do not be afraid.

I didn't question it, I just did what she had told me. I didn't think she would want me dead.

I left the building without giving notice; leaving the boy and the others to do their work. I didn't call for my car, I walked to it; through the cold. This was a first for me in a long time since I became the boss.

I opened the door, got in, and sat down. In the distance a figure approached with great speed.

Before I even recognized the face, she opened the front door and sat calmly, still wearing Martini's face.

"It's been a while, Domenic."

"Why are you here?"

"Why you ask? I am here to kill you," she said, looking me deep in the eyes.

It caused me to go on the defensive. What happened next caught me completely off guard—she was laughing.

"Why would I want to kill you? With such meager things. If I wanted you dead, you would have been, a long time ago."

"Where have you been? How did you know about that?" I gestured at the building from which I came.

"I have been to and fro, but I never once left your side. I have seen everything that you have. I know everything and I have always been here for you just in the shadows."

"What do you mean?"

"Just know that I have been looking out for your best interest. I think there is more you want to ask me, don't you?"

"What exactly is going on? Why are demons or these monsters or whatever the hell they are entering this world?" Why is this demon spawn hunting me? How do I kill it?"

"With each mark one embodies a different path—each covers your deepest sin." The more it festers, the easier it is for lesser demons to enter. The creature that hunts you is the embodiment of wrath, to kill it, you have to kill the one that sent it to you."

"And who sent it to me?"

"Zora. You have to kill her," she said without any emotion upon her tongue. It was as if she was placing an order for breakfast.

There was a long pause as it troubled my heart the way she said it.

 "What do you mean? She is human."

"No, she is a marked one too. If you don't kill her. She may end up killing you or someone you care about, think about Alice."

"You said we each had a path. What is mine?"

"Pride, the more you embrace it, the stronger you will become," she said, as she got out of the car. "My time is up. Listen to the news."

"How do you know my daughter?" I asked, but was met with no response.

She had disappeared, vanishing into thin air.

"Pride?" I said out loud and turned on the radio. What could be so important for me to hear? I heard what my ears could not believe Cassis business was under deep investigation after their dealings with organized crime had been exposed.

Thud!!

Thud!!

The pounding sound boomed through the radio.

"We are here live at the scene as the police surround and break down the door to Mr. Casiss's house. We have been told for the moment he has been extremely noncompliant and there has been an exchange of heated words between the police and those inside the house. On the outside and some distance back, we have several protesters who have gathered in their hundreds to witness this bizarre turn of events.

We had received information documenting all of his alleged crimes through an anonymous tip,

Thud!!

Thud!!

"It seems like the door is finally open and that they are going in now to arrest Mr. Cassis."

So that's what she was up to. She did this.

The thought of having to fight Zora lingered in my mind. I didn't want to do it. I couldn't hurt her. There must be another way to save her and solve all of this.

"The police are holding on to Mr. Cassis as they bring him outside the house. He is finally in custody along with a number of persons with him."

I felt my phone constantly vibrating as messages ran wild. I already knew that they only mirrored what I heard on the news.

"Rainbow," I said out loud, "what have you done now."