Nothing but darkness filled Emmett's vision. Bright fog lights and swishing windshield wipers guided him down a street awash in piss-pouring rain. Coming to a stop a few houses down from Brian's, Emmett prepared himself, ensuring he had the necessary tools for the job.

Emmett concealed the revolver and tranquilizer gun in separate pockets of his overcoat. The map remained in his breast pocket in case he needed it, but he'd already memorized the layout.

He couldn't stop thinking about all that money. Not only would it help with their business and Kazimir's art studio, but he'd have enough to spend on himself. Perhaps he'd buy himself a new suit or another car. Even better, he'd use the money to take his lover on vacation. They'd go wherever Kazimir's little heart desired.

After tugging his black hood over his blond head and donning a ski mask, Emmett climbed out of his old car and crossed the sidewalk. Blustering wind and rain nipped at his face, but he pushed through it like a determined soldier.

The storm kept most people inside, making it easier to break in without any nosy neighbors alerting the cops. As he quickened his pace, he found himself standing outside the residence engirdled by a wired fence that wrapped all the way around the property. All the blinds were closed. Not even the porch glistened with life. Brian was probably tucked away in bed, where he assumed he was safe.

Raindrops pelted Emmett's face as he climbed the wired fence into Brian's backyard. Pausing at the very top, he spotted the guard dog that Mayor Kaufman had warned him about. Real nice, leaving your dog out during a thunderstorm. Just as the dog became aware of his presence and barked, Emmett aimed the tranquilizer gun then fired two shots. Dog was out like a light within seconds.

"Sleep tight," Emmett muttered, stuffing the tranquilizer gun back in his coat's pocket. After lifting his other leg over, he ungainly landed on the other side of the fence. He was lucky enough not to fall in a pile of shit.

Emmett pulled himself off the ground and continued on with his mission, creeping past the snoozing dog. Vigilant of his surroundings, he kept close to the shadows of the yard. Emmett couldn't get himself caught or it'd be the end of everything. Not even his lawyer would be able to get him out of a breaking and entering charge. Mayor Kaufman said nothing about security footage, but Emmett took precautions to keep his identity concealed with the black ski mask. He wouldn't put it past that bastard to deceive him.

Twirling leaves danced around him with each footfall closer to the house. At least he'd be out of the damn rain. Emmett was grateful for his lithe body, as he was able to wriggle himself through a tight-fitted doggy door. Most people forgot to lock their doggy doors, mostly because they assumed that nobody could squeeze through them. It hurt like a bitch, but he got inside without any issues.

Before moving further into the home, Emmett kicked his shoes off on the mat. Leaving footprints would only get his sorry ass caught. Emmett then carefully maneuvered through the foyer, making his way into the living room. Reaching out in front of him, he grasped the top of a recliner. He'd learned to navigate through the dark so his targets never saw him coming.

A faint smell of cooked chicken wafted in the air as he approached the kitchen. Probably the bastard's last meal. Brushing his hand over the gun Mayor Kaufman had given him, he relaxed. Not a sound echoed throughout the silent house. Brian had to be sleeping in his bedroom, so the murder mission should go smoothly. Hopefully, the pervert didn't wake up.

Mayor Kaufman's map came in handy, as he'd marked Brian's bedroom. It was the closed door at the end of the hall on the right. To his luck, he'd left it unlocked. It saved him the time of needing to pick the lock.

Careful not to let the hinges squeak too loudly, Emmett pushed it open just enough to squeeze inside. His breaths became labored with every step closer to the disgusting man. Heartbeat throbbing in his chest, he tried to quell his excitement before he finished the deed. It would've been a helluva lot of fun had he woke up screaming and begging for mercy, but Emmett preferred the bastard peacefully sleeping. Piece of shit had no clue what was coming.

Emmett approached his bedside. The pathetic bastard snored soundly, unaware of what was about to come. Aiming the barrel of the gun at Brian's head, Emmett wasted no time pulling the trigger.

Blood splashed Emmett's face, the bed sheet, and a pillow wedged under the big-headed fucker. Brian never moved a muscle in his sleep. Such a shame that he couldn't have woken up for a brief moment to feel the agony of dying. Emmett was grateful for the thunder and rain that concealed the gunshot. It wouldn't alert any neighbors or get the sleeping dog stirred up.

Emmett pulled a black wash cloth from his pocket to wipe away the bits of gore on his face that the ski mask didn't cover, tucking it back in when he was done. It wasn't the first time he'd had a victim bleed all over him. He tried to come prepared when he could.

Something was terribly wrong with Emmett and he knew it. Killing shouldn't make him so excited, but he couldn't help himself. He loved it when the bastards like Brian writhed beneath him, begging to have their pathetic lives spared. It happened all the time when people faced death. They promised to do better and quit bad habits. They'd be more religious or kind to others. If they lived, they simply went back to their sickening ways. Lies to save their asses, that's all it was.

Pressing a gloved finger to Brian's neck, he relaxed when he didn't feel a pulse. He couldn't have him coming back to life by some miracle. It was unlikely, but he took no chances. He needed the money. Emmett's drug business was lucrative, but they weren't bringing in the dough that they had been. Picking up hitman jobs from notorious figures in New Syracuse helped supplement that loss, but Emmett wouldn't be their little bitch forever.

As he admired his work, Emmett wondered what it felt like to die. Did angels reach out to lift him up to heaven? Would demons ferry him to hell, where he'd burn for eternity? It fascinated Emmett so much, how easy it was to take someone's life. Perhaps the real reason he took Mayor Kaufman's shitty jobs was because he lived for the thrill of killing. Sure, he could be a ruthless killer on his own, but he enjoyed the rewards he received.

Serial killers got nothing but fame and prison sentences. Emmett wanted money, respect, and for people to fear him.

Best to leave before the sun came up. He needed to be at home when his lover woke up, oblivious to his midnight murdering. None of his other members could find out something was up either. It didn't surprise him how Alfie caught on, but hopefully he'd drop it and not question him further. The last thing he needed was his right hand getting involved.

After rummaging through Brian's nightstand for any worthy valuables, Emmett pocketed some prescription painkillers. It wasn't like the dead fucker would need them.

A petrifying scream rent the air so suddenly, it startled Emmett. Not expecting any visitors, Emmett's instinct reaction was to grab the gun in his pocket and shoot the enemy. Only after the bullet pierced through her head did Emmett realize he'd just murdered a young teen.

"Oh fuck." Emmett dropped the weapon on the ground, crouching down beside the young girl, sprawled out in front of the opened door. Gently, he touched her pallid cheek then shook her slightly.

Blood oozed from the bullet wound and pooled beneath her head. There was no need to feel for a pulse. The gunshot killed her instantly. Who was she? Brian had no children of his own, so where'd she come from? Mayor Kaufman assured him that there was nobody else inside the home. Fucker must've lied. But that didn't explain who she was. Were there others in the house?

Peeking out into the hallway, he almost expected to find more of them. To his relief, that didn't happen. It was only the young girl in a nightgown, who hadn't expected to be greeted with a bullet to the brain. He just took the shot without thinking and his trigger-happy moment cost a young girl her life.

There was no time to sit around regretting everything. Emmett collected the gun and stuffed it back into his pocket. Carefully, he stepped around the dead girl. He made sure not to get any of her blood on his socks. Tracking bloodied footprints around the house would earn him a prison sentence.

While Emmett knew he needed to hightail it out of there, he needed to figure out where the young girl came from. Mayor Kaufman's detailed map gave him all the knowledge he needed, as he checked the spare bedrooms for any traces of the young girl's presence. He found none. Each room appeared similar, with an untouched bed and empty drawers and closets. It was strange, almost like she didn't exist within the home.

Just when he was giving up, he found himself nearing the attic. An anchor of dread sunk in his chest when disturbing ideas came to mind. He tugged the heavy door down, bringing a small set of stairs with it.

Emmett ascended the steps until he reached the inside of the attic. A cloud of dust caused him to cough as he pulled himself up, taking in his new, musty surroundings. Three blankets and pillows scattered out across the wooden floor. Cobwebs covered the corners of the room and snack cake wrappers could be found everywhere.

Had Brian kidnapped them? The thought made Emmett sick to his stomach. He knew how twisted Brian could be, but he never realized just how fucked up in the head he was. Had Mayor Kaufman wanted him dead because of this?

A blast of air pelted him as he crept to a broken window, where clothes had been tied together to create a makeshift rope. Glass scattered everywhere. Perhaps it was the storm that broke the window or maybe they waited to break it when lightning striked, making it so Brian never heard a thing.

Whoever else had been with the young girl was long gone. But where did they go? The cops? If so, Emmett needed to be careful not to leave any evidence that would trace back to him. They'd blame him for everything if they found any of his DNA at the crime scene.

Nothing explained why or how the girl got down to Brian's room though. Why the hell didn't she go with them? She'd still be alive if she had.

Realization hit him as he continued to search around, sending chills down his spine. She'd stayed behind and crept into Brian's bedroom because she planned to rat out the others, who'd escaped. Maybe she felt connected to Brian or was too scared to betray him? Emmett wasn't sure. He could only theorize. Had she just escaped, she'd still be alive and running away with the others. Why couldn't she have just rebelled? Didn't she want to get away from this hell?

Trapped beneath his sweaty, pig-like body, thrashing to get free... Filthy hands touching him everywhere...

"Dammit." Emmett cursed, shaking his head.

He needed to get the hell out of there.