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It was supposed to be the perfect plan, one that would have brought them enough to remove any uncertainties toward the future. It wasn't the first time that they were in this sort of situation, but the targets were always small, easy to attack and run from.

But this was different now; the challenge was there, too tempting to be rejected. It wasn't the first time that this particular location attracted the eyes of robbers, thieves and others that seek riches and glory; after all, who could have blamed them when the owner bragged about their establishment being impenetrable? The rush of the challenge, the desire for stimulation was enough to send many to early graves... or to jail, but it wasn't their goal to end up like the rest of their competitor.

It seemed it was only yesterday that they planned that operation, overview all the possible outcomes of such an attack on their reality...

``Malcolm, are you sure you want to do this? It seems that it might... a little out of our league; maybe we could change our focus and aim for a target that wouldn't be trouble to us'' said a blonde woman, looking throughout a window for a moment, wondering if she was over thinking the whole operation.

``Melody, don't wo'ry about it; it might seem dangerous, but this hyar jest t'other raid, like th' one we did not so long ago. It's not on account o' th' ownys' claims t'postess th' only buildin' thet kin be bust in thet means thet it is true. Don't fo'git thet this hyar is probably jest blester an' hot air, destined t'scare th' amateurs away'' said the man with the black hair, responding to the name of Malcolm.

Maybe she was right, though; he did hear rumors on the defense of the location that they were seeking. Some of them were exaggerated and that, he was sure, but some seemed close to reality; trained guards armed with the latest weaponry, security systems and other devices that could only complicate the journey. But again, these were nothing to be afraid of; who would stop an entire operation for some measly fears and apprehensions? There would be nothing that could stand in their way, once the plan would be perfected...

She looked at him, unsure of what to tell him; the rumours that she heard made her worried of the possible enterprise that they could undertake together, but she knew that there was no point in dwelling in fear.

It would be like the other times they assaulted merchants, peddlers and carriers of gold; there were always risks involved, but the payout was high and the success always followed them. There was nothing to fear, for nothing could really stand in their way, unless there was something she ignored, information that could drastically modify the situation; such a thing wasn't a wish element, but she knew that it was always possible, for people and events were impossible to predict...

But before such a thing would be possible, they would have to go over the plans, to make sure that nothing was left to luck. Not that the Lady couldn't provide a much-needed assistance in some dire situation, it was better to make sure that her intervention would be under control, so their target wouldn't gain an advantage as well. It could make the heist exciting and thrilling, but at the same time it could cost them their life; it was an equation that was well worth calculating before going ahead...

``So, how are we going to do this? We can't just barge into the place, threaten with weaponry and expect them to give us what we desire. It might have worked with the first places we worked on, but it will not work on this one'' she told him, trying to find some ideas of her own, unsure that he had a plan or not.

He looked at her, losing his gaze in her blond hair for a moment; surely, he had to come up with something clever, or he would look like a fool in front of her. That was not a situation he was seeking, but he knew that it was always possible, especially since he had the tendency to rely too much on his instinct and not enough on the information that was available to him. It already cost dearly to him; such a mistake couldn't be repeated twice...

He wanted to say something, but nothing came to his mind; he knew that he had to come up with a plan or something that resembled that, but he was unable to do such a thing, as if his mind refused to cooperate with him. Perhaps it was time for him to take a break from all this, to return to normal life before it would be too late... But again, could he really think about retiring already? There were plenty of treasures, places and fortresses they had to add to their repertoire, to mark history. He couldn't let her down, not now...

``Ole Man Frankly, ah have t'say thet ah have no ideas on how we is a-gonna does this at th' moment, but let's look at th' plan once agin an' I'm sho'nuff thet will be able t'be inspired by th' mere sight of it, unless yo' already haf a plan, as enny fool kin plainly see. Eff'n so, ah w'd be glad t'hear it'' he told her, wishing that it wouldn't be giving her the impression that he didn't prepare enough for this task.

She looked at him for a moment, sighting; he had quite a while to prepare, but there he was, still trying to find information. But she couldn't blame him for the lack of preparation since she was in the same situation; she had the same time, but was unable to produce anything else then mere speculations and rumors gathering. Maybe it was best that they focused together on the plan, to make sure that would create a solid achievement. It would be an adventure that marked the imagination of the common people for generations to come, although there was a chance that it could also backfire in a horrible way, leading to their demise; it wasn't a fate that she desired, but she knew that it was always possible, making the future murky at best...

``I suppose we will have to look at the plans together since I have no ideas either; it would always be more productive to be together to think about that sort of thing than to focus on it alone...'' she told him, wondering if they would really plan their action or they would simply jump into the action...

The plans were not as simple as one could have expected them to be; even the entrance was made to give some serious headache to those that would dare to invade them. At least the plans were up-to-date, making any plans easy, but they would always be only theories, not holding to the reality...

``Let's see how we is a-gonna does this... Eff'n we try t'enter by th' front intrance, it c'd be sueycide, unless we come up wif sumpin t'fool security; disguises will not be inough in this hyar case, fo' th' noomrous guards will make sho't wawk of us. Eff'n we decide t'use t'other intrance, than it'd be wise t'make sho'nuff it is less secure than th' front intrance, fo' we don't be hankerin' t'be trapped...'' he told her, looking at the papers of front of him, trying to stay focused on the task ahead. He could let himself be distracted by her, by the vision of beauty that she projected to him...

``There are two ways we could do this; by stealth or by ruse. Either path will lead us to the destiny we seek, but the actions we will have to take will be different on the each situation, making the preparation unique'' she told him, pausing for a moment, as if a new information was coming to her. These plans looked too simple, as if someone tinkered with them; no, that would be impossible. No one could have known that were planning an attack on the building and yet...

Could there be someone aware of their activities, using their quest for information to lure them into a false sense of security so they could fall in a well-devised trap? It would be preposterous to think that an individual could manipulate them into such a clever scheme, but everything was possible these days...

``The first option would require equipment and more time, something we don't possess, while the second one would also require time and equipment, but it would be a cheaper alternative, one that could be quite interesting to explore'' she observed, not sure which one would the best path to follow; of course, reason would advocate for the second one, but it would be easy to counter them...

He looked at her for a moment, not sure that he wanted to reply to the choice she was placing in front of him; both of them involved a level of risk that surpassed what they were used to, in their operations. Even behind the appearances, he knew that it wouldn't go that smoothly and the preparations would take longer, making any advantage obsolete in the long run...

``We don't haf a lot of choices, now don't we? Eifer way, we will be jugglin' wif risks... But ah can see thet th' second path kin give us a slight advantage eff'n th' situashun turns bad fo' us, so ah w'd hoof it wif thet one'' he told her, wondering if she would agree with his use of the people like he was proposing. It wasn't a usual conduct for them to do this, but since this was an extraordinary heist, they had to adopt adequate measures to make sure that nothing could stop them...

``I'm quite fond of the possible usage of civilians you are proposing and since it is indeed a greater than usual scheme, I have to agree that we cannot run away from this possibility.'' she told him, wondering if she was doing the right thing; there was an element she wasn't sure about, making the ordeal not as appealing as it was before. But, they couldn't give up based on simple possibilities and bad luck; there were so much that had to be done, to be taken away...

``Then it is settled; we will use ruse instead of stealth, by intryducin' yournelves by th' front dore. But t'do this, we will hafta find a way t'infiltrate their o'ganisashun, on account o' we won't able t'pass as no'mal cestomers'' he said in a high voice, trying to hide his own concerns. It was the price to pay for notoriety; they could have embraced the darkness, following the paths of assassins and thieves who prefer the comfort of shadows, but it lacked the luster of the image they projected.

The problem remained; how would they be able to infiltrate such an organization without being caught? They could try to bribe a low-level executive, but it could backfire at them; using the money they gave away, the person could just blackmail them into getting more, or it could just deliver them to the security guards, getting both the bribe and the reward for their capture. It was a risk they didn't want to take...

The plan was simple, a bit too simple; maybe it was a setback, something that could fail easily, but it had to be tried, for it could work. All they had to do was to stalk one of the employees for a while, to determine a rudimentary schedule they could work with. It wasn't without fault, for the individual could be a slacker or someone about to be laid off, but to impersonate a member of the personnel, it was already a risk.

If they held a strict record of the personnel, they would notice that some unwanted people were trying to infiltrate the building and send some of the security to deal with that intrusion, raising a possible alert that would thus ruin everything.

From there, they had several choices that were presented to them; any of them could change the course of their own personal history. Although they always had the choice to step back from it and choose another path of action, for this one could provide more difficulties than advantages. But was it worth to abandon all efforts in face of adversity? It was a question that was now haunting them...

They could wait for one of the employee to fall to sickness and the place it was occupying; it was a simple plan, without real preparation, but as they observed the surveillance team, they decided to toss aside.

It wasn't a terrible plan, but they would have to know the people they were supposed to incarnate. That alone wasn't bad, but a simple call from these people to their superiors, claiming that they wouldn't show up due to their conditions would ruin the entire plan, making their presence more than suspicious.

They could always kidnap someone; extortion and menace could be a path interesting to follow, but like the first one that crossed their minds, it didn't take long for them to discard, for the flaws existing in it made them looked for a better one.

The problems were not the same, but it was somewhat close; they would have to find the good person, force that person to cooperate and make sure that the information that they received were indeed relevant and now a trap, made to call security on them. It could work, but the subject could escape and everything fails, putting a risk on the entire operation, something that they refused to handle.

It wasn't long before they realized that the best way to fulfill their plan had to follow a certain pattern to succeed or else it would end up like the other ones, miserable dreams that were not meant to be.

As they were observing the scene, unsure of what to do next, another plan came to their mind; it seemed frivolous, so out of the box that no one could have thought that it could have been a decent plan to start with.

The idea appeared after they noticed an ad in the local newspaper, offering temporary placement for those that were motivated to work. The pay and the hours mattered little; once the access would be granted, they only would have to make sure to protect their cover, while moving toward their target. It wasn't a foolproof plan, but this one had the advantage to be so out there, so unpredictable that no one would try to weed out potential employees, unless they were wary of this sort of thing happening...

``Are you sure this is a good idea? Not that applying to that job opportunity wasn't pleasant nor boosting for the ego, I have the impression that it goings to backfire; someone will know that this is a ploy...'' she told him, looking at the letters of acceptance they just received; it was quite the honor to be accepted as an employee in that organization, but it seemed too easy, as if... somehow, they knew about the entire plan...

``Melody, don't start wif th' conspiracies; how'd it be postible fo' them t'knows whut we is plannin' eff'n someone, 'cept us. It's not like ah leaked th' info'mashun no' did yo', unless someone decided t'spy on us wifout our notice, but thet a risk we hafta take, t'accomplish th' heist'' he told her, wondering he was really believing himself; it was a mantra that he kept on repeating, but was the value still there? Only time would tell him if his trust was well placed...

As the day passed and they prepared themselves for the upcoming heist, they couldn't help but notice that this was the first time that they were that nervous toward such an operation. Perhaps it was due to the fact that this was a higher level target, but again, it didn't explain the presence of such an element at all...

But they couldn't give up, not after being so close to accomplishing their destiny; they had to stride forward, forgiving the weakness of the flesh for a moment before they could indulge in the sweet euphoria of the spoils that they could gather...

There is was, the day that they were expecting; it could the line between their success and a spectacular failure. It didn't take long for them to inspect the items they were bringing along; they couldn't take too much with them, for the security team would find it rather suspicious and would stop them in their tracks.

It was their duty, after all, to make sure that the perimeter of the work place in question was safe for those that were using it. Any suspicious items or weapon would bring the entire force toward their location, an occurrence that they wanted to avoid at all cost. Bloodshed wouldn't let them anywhere...

``Is yo' sho'nuff it's inough? Mebbe we c'd brin' mo'e wif us; ah have th' feelin' thet this hyar invento'y thet we carryin' is rather... how sh'd, ingood 'nuff fo' th' job at han'. Don't git me wrong, thunk; ah knows thet carryin' too much will be a burden on us, but carryin' too li'l c'd provide a disadvantage thet c'd prove t'be fatal in th' long term, dawgone it. Mebbe ah's jest a bit pareenoid about th' whole o'deal, but ah have th' feelin' thet sumpin is a-gonna happen, an event thet c'd change th' course of our lives. We need t'be careful about it...'' he said, hesitating about the words that he should use to describe the situation they were experiencing in the present situation.

``You were the one talking about not being afraid, not fearing the future and yet, there you are, doubting the outcome of this very heist. It is indeed a strange role reversal; being the one that wants us to jump into the action while you want to reconsider everything... But enough talk about it; we need to get moving, or they will suspect that we are plotting or slackers, good to fired...'' she replied, cutting short to the possible discussion.

``But is yo' sho'nuff thet these outfits an' disguises will fool th' recruiters? Eff'n they'dn't in cestomer seckshun, whuffo''d they wawk now?'' he asked her, regretting his own proposal. It was an element he forgot about that was now haunting him; what could they do about something as important as this? Maybe he should learn to restrain his enthusiasm next time; it would stop such embarrassments...

She looked at him, wondering if she should really speak her mind or not; this wasn't the time to let their mind wander with such concerns, especially since the plan was already in motion and stopping it would ruin everything.

``Oh come on, you really think that your instructor will pay attention to the flaws in our disguises? By the wage they are paying us, I have the feeling that this is the least of their concerns. At least, it beats working in a factory'' she told him, waving at him to stop with the question, while adjusting her wig; she had to make sure it looked natural, to fool the person that would greet them.

They advanced toward the building in question, unsure of what that fateful first day would be like; they needed some free time to enact the plan, but would they be left alone long enough for it to happen? Anything could happen; they could strike big, find a hole into the defenses or even be promoted, thus losing the desire to continue; fate had a purpose for them that escaped their grasp...

There were a lot of people near the doors; it wasn't surprising, for it was quite the popular place, in the center of the city. Even if it wasn't the main destination of the people, it remained close to what attracted people, making it a marketing dream... And a hotspot for police...

``Oh, you must the new recruits; ah, to be a new worker again, filled with dreams and hope. To have the same twinkle in my eyes, as the day would start... Excuse this old fool for rambling; I don't want to scare you, especially since you are beginning'' said a voice behind them, taking them by surprise.

It was middle-aged man, who could have been a simple folk, if it wasn't for the uniform he was wearing. He was wearing the same clothes that they were supposed to be wearing, but due to the fact they hired in the last moment, they didn't have the chance to get them. It was a minor faux pas that was forgiven for now, but it wouldn't be the case if they decided to stay in their position for a longer time...

``The name is John; you don't need to know more, for now. I'll be the one training you, until you are ready to take care of this position yourselves. You know, you might believe that this is all about sunshine and brutality, but there is more to it than that. You see, there is a lot of... paperwork, repetition and files to do; I'm sure the recruiter didn't talk about that side, but it is one the main aspect of the job'' the strange man added, pausing for a moment as he took a sip from his coffee mug.

It was intriguing to see their instructor badmouth the institution that was giving him a job, but it could give them an advantage, if they knew how to play their cards well. By using his discontent toward the environment he was working in, they could gain access to some valuable information that were unavailable to the common people.

But like any good plan, it could always backfire; that disgruntled employee could harbor plans of its own, plotting to take over the company or to go postal, something that they couldn't allow to happen. It was hypothesis, but it could ruin their entire chance of success; they had to make sure that this John wasn't up to something, or at least, not a plot that could harm them in any way...

``Come on, don't stay there; we don't have all day. There is so much to see and do, while the day is still young'' said John, unsure that they were still interested in what he was saying. Ah, newcomers, one of the plagues of the working world; filled with questions and dreams, they were a nuisance, until they realized that the world wasn't a beautiful as they believed it to be in the first place. They had to learn about common sense and responsibility, things he wished that he wouldn't have to deal with anymore. Soon, it would be all over; but not now, not when they were around...

They followed him inside, wondering what he wanted to show them; perhaps it could enlighten them on how the security worked inside the building, although there was a chance that they wouldn't learn anything at all...

``Here is my office; it took me a while to gain, so don't start believing that you will get one in the first days. You see, you will to be walking around a lot, expecting to receive, will nothing will happen; don't be disappointed thought, as you advance, you will realize that there are fun things to do around here'' he told them, sitting in his chair, looking at his mug of coffee for a moment before setting it back on his desk. This wasn't the time to open the drawer, not yet; but when it would be closing time, he would strike...

They looked around; there was nothing of interest around, unless they seek to know more about this strange, sad person. The monochrome photos and the numerous memos seemed almost as depressing as the tale that he was telling them; they had to find a way to get away from him, before he would break their spirit with more blast from the past, rambling about how he used to enjoy his position, before...

``We will look around, to get familiar with our new environment; it shouldn't take too long'' said Melody, praying that he wouldn't follow them. Not only he could ruin their plans, but he could also distract them, babbling about his life and potential pet. As they were going to leave, their supervisor looked at them for a moment, before scratching his chin; it seemed that he was trying to remember something. Could it be that their cover be blown that such a dull individual?

``Did I see you somewhere? I have the feeling that you are famous... or that you had a moment on the local newspaper; I'm I right?'' he asked, looking at them, trying to remember where he could have seen these people before.

``Oh, we had a small moment in th' local noos, when they axed th' opinion of ran'om varmints about a noo law. It was small, but ah suppose thet it c'd haf been inough t'be remarked by some'' said Malcolm, hoping that it would be enough to brush away the sudden interest of the blazed worker; he might be inept, but an alarm was so easy to start...

``I suppose you are right; these days, plenty of people passed through that media... I suppose it hurt no one to ask, thought'' said the supervisor, returning to his desk, wondering if they were really as harmless as they pretended to be. But it wasn't his worry anymore; as long as they wouldn't stand in his path, then why should he care?

It was a stroke of luck that he didn't follow them; now they had the free range for the exploration and the localisation of their target, without being located. But where should they go first? They weren't close to the vaults, a minor inconvenience linked to their plan; it was easy to solve, but it would be a pain to face another security guard, unless it would as disgruntled as the first one. It was always a possibility that they could find another one, but they couldn't risk such a thing. Probabilities were low for such an event anyway...

At least, the way was clear and the path seemed easy to follow, for now; nothing like a map pinned on the wall to help them find the right way. The instructions that were written on it, telling on how to escape toward the fire exit were useless for the moment, but later they could prove to be useful.

``It is surprising that there is no security equipment in these corridors; why aren't they trying to stop potential intruders?'' she told her partner, looking around as they walked toward the vault, meeting no resistance nor interference. The hall was nice, filled with photo of employees of the month, but the silence that reigned in it made her worried.

``Arrogance. Mo' trimenjus is th' o'ganisashun, less it reckons about bein' infiltrated by sech ways. By throwin' a pow'ful façade an' scarin' th' varmints wif it, they kin permit t'relax th' security in some areas. But this hyar doesn't give us a reason t'stan' aroun' hyar, waitin' fo' sumpin t'happen; thar is no purpose in temppin' fate in sech a way...'' he replied to her, looking around, amazed by the décor.

They moved again, leaving the map behind them; they had to move quickly, to make sure that their plan would unfold into a beautiful achievement. But to do so, they had to hurry; time was running out and that strange fellow would start questioning himself once again if they wouldn't come back soon.

Deciding that time was of the essence, they ran toward their goal, leaving their inhibition behind them; it wasn't the time to be afraid of the potential consequences of such actions. If they were caught, they could always pretend that a strange sound attracted their attention, although it was a risky gamble.

Where were there the guards? How could they have escaped their detection? Would they have to ram down a door before reaching the destination? They weren't sure about it, but all they knew was that they had to keep on running, until they would reach it.

There it was, the corridor they sought, the one that would lead them toward the vault and the riches that would make any of the dreams come true. It was a massive room, an impressive sight, taking them by surprise; they expected it to be large, but the size it presented itself was humongous, making them wonder how did the people installed them inside this building in the first people without using multiple pieces. Made of steel, engraved with a strange, alluring symbol of a snake biting its own tail, it looked like a force to reckon with, one that would need all their skills to demolish. Now, the only step left would be open it without alarming the people, a procedure that could take some time, but would be well worth it, in the end...

``Now, let's be careful; the security might have been lax in the hallways, but that doesn't mean it will that easy in here. You see, it could be a trap, to lure us into believing that there is nothing standing against us, thus lowering your guard for a moment, allowing the security to catch us. We will have to be careful, until this is finally over...'' she told him, looking around, trying to see where was situated some potential guards.

Malcolm stayed silent; he knew that she was right, but there was something wrong with the situation, as if they were missing an important event that was bound to happen, right under their watch. But was it really necessary for them to participate in every action that was bound to happen near them? Fate was a strange mistress, one that one could really understand; at one moment, it could favor you, but the next moment, it could make sure that this same luck could turn against you, making your life miserable. Such was life...

They were about to move closer, to inspect the door that was standing in front of them when the alarm rang off, followed by a few gunshots. Were they the cause of that commotion, or was it the result of another ploy happening at the same time?

Whatever the cause, this new situation was placing the entire operation in jeopardy; how could they be able to retreat with the money if the entire building was now alarmed? A temporary exit and retry was in order, to avoid raising suspicions. It was that last desirable; to attract the attention of the armed force around...

Without taking the time to think about their situation over, the duo left the room, determined on going back to the room that they were introduced before, to avoid raising suspicions. From there, a plan could emerge from the chaos surrounding them, one that could permit them to strike again, with efficacy and speed, giving them the advantage that they seek.

It could have worked, but the door leading toward the exit was locked, blocked from the other way. It was a clear invitation that they had to move toward another path, but it wasn't that easy. By running the other way, they would run toward the entrance, which could blow their cover; but staying around the vault would also comprise them... It was one of these days; one that makes you wonder if something good is going to happen soon...

They had no choice; turning around, they ran toward the entrance, wondering if they would be able to avoid detections...

Several gunshots followed the tentative, as if someone was aware that the duo was trying to escape; not that these shots could stop them, but it could have a dissuasive effect, one that reminded people of the devastating power of that weapon.

``John, please stop; there is no reason for you to do such a thing; if you would please put your weapon down, so we could discuss the issues you are facing like reasonable people we are. There is no reason that we can't have a productive dialogue here...'' was the only thing they heard before another round of gunshots.

There was no way that they could avoid them anymore; the only way out was the direction that involved the danger ahead. But was it possible to dodge the confrontation that was now escalating? There was always a way...

``What are you doing here? Don't you know that it's dangerous around here? Didn't you listen to the order to evacuate? But I suppose that since you are part of the security staff, you are supposed to be here'' said a voice near them; it was a consultant, hiding near the wall. He wasn't brave, event thought he had means to defend himself at his disposal; it wasn't surprising that one could value his life more than the others...

The worker stopped for a moment, looking at them, frowning as he moved his hand toward one his weapon. ``You know, next time, you should arrange your wig before trying to pass by a senior employee. It is a shame that I have to stop you, but I can let thieves running around, impersonating personnel'' he told them, moving away, preparing himself for the biggest move in his career.

Before he could move, Melody grabbed his arms while Malcolm slammed his head against the wall, giving a brief vision of the room that surrounded him before darkness took over his strength, making him lose his grasp on his surroundings, but not before he was able to press the trigger once, giving a warning to those that weren't in the same room as him.

``Nice move Malcolm, but it is a shame that he succeeded in alarming them; all we can do know is run pass by the confrontation and hope that we will be able to dodge the incoming projectiles, until we reach the exit'' she told him, looking at the door that was separating them from their new destination.

Before moving, he crouched down, picking up the weapons that he saw on the consultant; he wasn't sure that they could be of much use, but still, it was better to be armed then to run without any defense in the situation that awaited them.

As they opened the door, more shots welcomed them, forcing them to take cover behind a reversed table; it was pure luck that it was present for them to use it, for it could have been destroyed or absent, making this situation clearly different. It was mixed blessing a best; they were still alive, for now, but how would they escape this situation now?

``I have been working here for thirty years; mornings and night, I was here, standing by, making sure that this establishment would grow. Thirty years I gave to you, to see this corporation rise to new highs and what did I receive in return? Nothing, nothing at all. I gave everything to you and what did I receive? A kick in the ass and cut in my salary, so you could afford another boat with the money I deserved'' shouted a voice that wasn't hard to recognize.

There was something fishy with that employee that greeted him in the beginning, but to see him going postal was a step above being simply disgruntled. It was a shame that he was blowing his fuse on this particular day; he had done this thing the day after, they could have read about it, while enjoying the success of operation. But now, they had to deal with him and the rest of the people...

``Come on John, be reasonable; times are hard, these days. We had to cut everybody salaries, to make sure the business would survive the harsh ahead. Sure, we could have respected your devotion to the company, but in this economy, people like you are easy to find. Face it, John; you might have worked hard, but there is no reason for us to pay you more'' said one of the employee hiding, peaking its head for a moment before a blast made him retreat it.

``And it seems like we have thieves to deal with too; it is a pity that you tried to rob us on this day. If you would have tried your luck on another day, we could have shown mercy, but now we can pretend that you were assaulting the building, giving us a good reason to deal with you without leaving witnesses'' the employee added, pointing a weapon at them while looking at the potential loose cannon.

The duo looked at each other; no wonder that the employee went ballistic in such conditions, but it wasn't something that could be solved with an intervention from their part. For now, escape was the only solution that made sense...

As one tried to move away from the shelter that the table provided, bullets greeted the move, making them retreat further behind the temporary safety that was behind the still intact furniture.

It was surprising to see that both sides saw them as a potential threat, but as the situation presented itself to them, it made some sort of sense. For the lunatic, they were a potential hazard, one that could bring him down while he was on his quest to destroy his new enemy. They had no desire to stop him, but since he was in the way, he had to be dealt with...

As for the other side, they were mere thieves, intruders in an environment that was supposed to be safe and secure. Their presence was nothing more than insult to the image that the corporation wanted to present to the world. By getting rid of them, the reputation would be upheld and nothing would trouble them anymore...

``The time of purification is at hand! Soon, this will be the final chapter; it will be a glorious new age, one where people will no longer be slaves to the oppressors...'' said the loose cannon for a moment, before a distant shot silenced him for good. One could bless the marksman that accomplished such a task, but he would be a martyr, dead for his cause...

The balance of the situation was now different; from a third-party that could have used the distraction that the lunatic caused to escape, they were now the main nemesis, the one that had to face the authorities.

``Give it up! The exit is blocked and we have called the police! If you surrender now, you will be given grace...'' said a voice coming from behind a wall, making them wonder if it was true or not. A single glance at the environment made them realize that it was indeed the reality; the door was barricaded, blocked by the employee that went ballistic not so long; to take down the barrage would expose them...

Malcolm looked at Melody; this wasn't the time to crawl away or to wait for them to leave. He had to get rid of them, to make sure that the path toward their future would be free... and to allow her to escape without being harmed...

Malcolm closed his eyes, trying to focus on the spirit that was dwelling in him. It was hard to make one with the memories of the past, with the spirit that inhabited him. All he needed was peace and silence, for a moment, to hear back the voices, the call from deep within him... so he could reconnect with the other side...

Memories flooded back into his mind as bullets ravaged the furniture; it wouldn't be able to stand the barrage for much longer, but for now, it was doing the job. He had to hurry thought, but it wasn't something that he could control...

He could see the images of a distant past, one that he knew that he didn't live himself, but were still linked to him; how it happened was beyond his comprehension, but he had to learn to live with it.

Vision of rocks, snowy plains and broken tree filled him as he tried to shut himself from what surrounded him; he could feel the cold as a chilly wind blew through him, the snow under his feet as he trudged on the plain, trying to find the reason of his presence in this new vision, one he knew that would help him...

He wanted to run, to be free, but he knew that he had to wait; they would come to him, bearing the message he would need to hear, once more. It wasn't the first time he would meet the messengers, but he knew that this wasn't a sight that he would always accept...

It wasn't long before they came to him; as he heard the soft brushes of paws on the snow, he knew that his trip was now over. He could feel their presence around him, as the wind calmed down...

Wolves; as fierce as they could be, their presence around him was not an omen in this situation. They were here to deliver the message he awaited, harbingers of change that he knew would force him to accept the reality he always wanted to flee. In another situation, he could have been ripped to pieces, but this wasn't a normal encounter. He knew that in a moment, it would be over, but he had to face it...

Silence surrounded him; he expected them to growl, snarl at him or try to attack him, but all that happened as that they stared at him, sitting on the snowy ground, as if he was supposed to make the next step.

He looked at them, plunging his eyes into their gaze; he could see the call of the wild, feel into his veins as the circle tightened around him, advancing toward him, placing their front paws on his legs. The weight of the combined pack was light, surprising him; he expected it to be painful, with the claws and the weight playing him, but the creatures were there to make sure that he would escape this realm, with the right message.

He could hear the voices of the packs, pushing him forward; he had no clues how it was possible or how these voices could be heard in his mind, but there was the fact, one that he couldn't deny. He had to embrace it, for the time being, until he would be able to bring them to safety; then, he could reverse the entire process's...

The voices grew stronger, making grasp the side of his head; he could barely hear the words that the spirits were trying to tell him, but he could feel what they desired, what he was supposed to do to please them...

He opened his eyes; he wished it was just a dream, but he knew that this would trigger the transformation that he awaited. He could already feel his blood boil and his vision blur, as he mind filled with a rage that made him trembled. Was this the effect of being with nature? Or was it the fact that he was still trying to deny it? Until he would be able to find an answer, this would trouble him, forcing him to find an answer to it...

Melody looked at him, knowing what was happening; it wasn't the first time he was... transforming, a change she always found interesting, but she had to admit it wasn't one of the best places to do it. The last time he transformed, he wasn't able to control himself, forcing her to hide until he returned to his normal shelf. If there was something she could do, something that could make his mind clearer...

She wanted to talk to him, to calm him, but she knew that it was pointless in this moment, as she could hear bones cracking, reshaping themselves; she couldn't imagine the pain he had to endure, but there was nothing she could do...

He couldn't hear the bullets digging in the furniture nor Melody talking to him; the world was silent as he could feel his skin melting away, ripped apart as it turned into fur. He wanted to rip his face, to stop the pain, to make it all end, but nothing would and he knew it; he would soon faint, but he would be born again, as an entity destined to wreak havoc...

The darkness came to him as he wished for it; it was a faithful companion, one that would fulfill its duty then leave him when its purpose would be done. It was a tempting slumber, one that would help him, in the long-term, until he would be himself, once more.

Melody crawled away from him, knowing that even though he was unconscious for now, a fearsome beast would emerge from that state, putting her safety at risk, for it had no recognition of friends and foes. For the beast, anything that stood in its path was a potential opponent, one that needed to be destroyed with all the strength it possessed; it could seem excessive, but an obstacle would always be an obstacle that would serve no purpose, thus it would require to be... destroyed.

She watched as the creature awoke from its slumber, still sluggish from the transformation; as intimidating as it could be, there was something attractive about it. Primal and unpredictable like nature, it was an incarnation of rage and beauty at the same time, made to be tamed, or at least understood. She was sure it wasn't evil, for he was still inside the beast, one with creature she was seeing; although werewolves had a bad reputation, she knew that rumors and mere speculations were not reality.

A part of her wanted to seek the truth, to see if the rumors were true or not, but the danger pushed her away; there was a limit between seeking knowledge and risking her life for that pursue. Sure, she loved him, but was it worth it to face the raging beast, to make sure that there was a way to communicate with it?

``Would you look at that; it seems like we have another thing to deal with. Thieves are one thing, but I am not paid to take down monsters. Cover me while I will... take my leave for the day, for this surpass what I have been paid for'' said a voice emanating from the other side, making her wonder what kind of employee was working there. Who could abandon their companions in the heat of battle under the pretense that they weren't compensated for such a thing?

``Oh would stop that; if you read your contract with attention, you would have noticed that you are supposed to be present in any situation, even if they are dangerous or life-threatening. Now, stop your whining and shoot at it; if it bleeds, it can be killed'' said another voice, silencing the whispers and moaning.

So many noises and odors; it was overwhelming at the moment but not for long. He could hear the voices of humans surrounding him, making him wonder who wanted to help him and who was a threat; he knew that the one crawling away was the one he had to protect, but were the others one to be eliminated?

As he stood up in the room, looking around for a potential target, he felt something enter his arm, burning him for a moment before the sensation stopped. What could have caused such a sensation, as strange and perplexing as it was?

He placed a paw on the area where he felt it, wondering if it could permit him to understand what was happening to him. It was warm and wet; it didn't take long for him to smell the scent of copper tingeing the air, making him realize that the burn he felt was in fact a wound inflicted upon him.

He wanted to reflect on it, to question himself on a potential strategy to use, but the impulse in him took over, telling him to run toward the new targets; they were the ones to destroy, the ones that seek to harm him. Shelter and protection meant nothing anymore; it was now a new obsession that occupied his mind, one that wouldn't leave until it would be done...

``It rushing toward us! What do we do?'' yelled a voice, panic seeping from every words; it could comic, if the situation wasn't so tense. It was surprising to see professional panic in such a situation, especially since they were supposed to be trained to handle that sort of stress; maybe it was just a front, created to terrify those that would dare to challenge the image that was created. Perhaps that how it always was; an illusion, an element that was based on fear and speculation, without anything real to back it up...

He had nothing to fear from them; the lack of organization and cohesion of the foes he was facing would be their downfall. Listening to the voice in him, he charged the barricade, sure that he would able to overwhelm them, sending them into a panic before he rout them all and assure a safe path.

As he advanced toward them, silence fell in the room; he expected the cries of mercy and to see them flee. He wanted to hunt them down, to pursue them, but nothing of the sort happened, as if the voices mere conjurer's tricks made to fool his mind. He looked around, feeling his already thin grasp on his conscience fade; the call of the wild was getting stronger and without anything to sate it, he would soon give in to the blood lust that was growing in him.

``The beast is upon us; this is the time to show your courage and take it down. If we don't, it will maul us all! Show no mercy, for there is no tomorrow for those that will shirk away from this duty'' yelled another voice, followed by someone rising from the barricade.

Without giving him the chance to move, several others spring out of there, following the one that seemed to lead them into battle; in perfect synchronisms, they opened fire on the beast that tried to force its way toward them.

The barrage of bullets that followed the command hit him like a shower of shrapnel, tearing away skin and fur; it couldn't kill him, for the bullets weren't enchanted nor made of silver, but did it really matter?

Enchanted or not, the increasing number of bullets were enough to weaken him; the blood loss was starting to take its toll, robbing him of its strength while the pain was striking at his sanity. He could feel each bullet coming out of him, the blood flowing out of him in a warm flow; the more he tries, the more he could smell the intoxicating smell of copper, the sweet aroma of hunting and death that lingered in the air.

The last shreds of humanity that lingered in him were torned away as he looked at the barricade, letting the impulses dominate his mind. With a howl and a snarl, he jumped over the fortification, eliciting screams of terror as he landed in the middle of the group of those that defended the place.

Melody watch her partner, now a beast, jump into the melee; she wasn't sure if she had to let him do such a thing, for she could now escape without any problem, but she feared that this would push the risks to far. In this state, it could not only endanger the people who were doing their job, but also himself. With the blood he was losing, she wasn't sure how long he would be able to stand up before collapsing and reversing back...

When she saw that he grabbed an officer, getting himself ready to maul the captured foe, it made her realize that she had to intervene, to stop a potential bloodbath. She advanced toward them, pushing some of the fleeing workers, ignoring their screams of terror; she didn't have the time to take care of them.

``No, stop! There is no point in doing that!'' she yelled to him, not sure that it would have any effect at all. He was enthralled, charmed with taste of violence and blood; maybe it was too late to talk some sense into him, but she still had to do something, before it would be too late, before he would commit... something that he would regret for the rest of its life.

Ignoring the danger of her action, she decided to grab his free arm, to distract him from what he was doing. There was a chance that it could do nothing, or maybe even enrage him, but she had to believe that this was for the best, that by seeing her, he would stop for a moment, giving the person enough time to escape. It didn't seem to disturbed him, as he continued mauling his new prey, taking out chunks of flesh from the arm he was gnawing. The cries of agony she was hearing were ear-splitting, intensifying at each moment the beast devoured more of its meal while it was still alive, feeling everything.

She had to do something about it, to make sure that the fellow would survive the ordeal; the only thing that came to mind was something risky, one that could create a negative reaction, but she had to try it, to make sure that the situation wouldn't be as dire as she believed it be to in the first place.

Since grabbing his arm wasn't enough, she decided to punch him in the sides, to make sure that it would grab his attention. A little shock would be enough to stop his rampage for a moment, she thought, as she felt her knuckles bruise against the hardened muscles.

But it seemed it served its purpose to distract the creature from his rampage; the blow, as weak as it was, it was enough to annoy the being, who tossed its meal away and turned his attention toward the potential new opponent.

As he saw who dared opposed him, he froze for a moment; there she was, the one he wanted to protect. He couldn't attack her, although she was striking him; he had to resist the urge to maul her, to see her as he saw the others. But on the other hand, there she was, attacking him; how could he deny that simple fact?

He could feel the impulses rage in him, forcing him to rake and claw her, but he knew that he shouldn't listen to them; they didn't know who she was and much she mattered to him. But, as wrong as the voices could be, they raised a fact that he couldn't deny; she assaulted him, an act that he couldn't let slip away without a form of retribution. But if he decided to act, he would harm her, thus hurting the one he cared about; either way he would act, nothing would satisfy him, in the end...

``Please calm down; there is no one around that can harm you. We can retreat now, before any reinforcement arrives'' she told him, hoping that he would hear her. She didn't expect him to snarl at her, making her regret her decision. As she tried to move away, she felt his jaw close on her arm; the pain was incredible, but short, for the moment after he stopped, he grabbed his head, howling in despair. It seemed like that this move was going against his own will, hurting him more than her. Could he be fighting his own self?

That possibility was enough for her to move away from him, as he knelt on the ground, still holding his head. She wondered what sort of effect the bite could have on her as she watched him change back, his fur entering back into his body, his claws regressing while his bones were snapping back into their old position. She wasn't sure how this wasn't possible, but since it wasn't killing him, she supposed it was a process that couldn't be stopped...

She watched over him, wondering how long it could take before he would regain his conscience; the wounds were not as severe as she expected, which pleased her, but the blood loss was still an element that she would have to deal with later. Although, she wondered if she had to care about her injury; the wound wasn't severe, but there was something strange about it, as if it was infected...

It was strange that it was burning and itching; maybe she should tell him about it, when he would return to consciousness. She just hoped that it would be soon; there was an element that worried her about that bite, as if an element was trying to spread in her.

Darkness lifted its veil from Malcolm eyes; he had vague memories of what happened before the beast took over, but he remembered biting the one he cared about. How could he do such a thing? Was he really such a monster? He had to find a way to control himself, before he harmed someone else he cared about; he couldn't let the call of nature dominate him in such a way, it couldn't always win...

He had to make sure she was alright, that she wasn't in the same state as he was. Hurrying at her side, he looked at her, only to see her tremble, clenching her injured. It couldn't be; he couldn't have transmitted the curse he was carrying...

And yet, there she was, growling and scratching the ground, as if she was trying to catch an animal. The fact that he could hear her bone's crack made him realize that she was undergoing the same process as he did. There was no way to neither stop it nor reverse it; he could only watch her transform, powerless.

He could see her nails elongate, turning into claws while her skin was being covered by a white fur. It reminded it of snow, pure and elegant; it was surprising to see that color of fur for a lycanthrope. Maybe she had an element that changed the curse? But this didn't matter much; she would still be one of them...

Her eyes of the deepest blue went so well with her white fur; she was magnificent, truly, a sight to behold, even though it wasn't one that he wished on someone else.

He could feel her spirit, as she felt his; her fur was soft under his hands, as he tried his best to wrap his arms around her. As they looked into each other eye, they kissed, knowing that this was just the beginning...