NOVEL NEXT LX. A Serpent's Kiss
Eager to draw first blood, Syl takes a confident step forward, only for Jargen to stand steadfast in his way, pushing him back disdainfully.
Jargen: Hell do you think you're gonna do?!
Syl grins defiantly, seemingly unshaken by Jargen's combative stance.
Syl: Heh... No witnesses, Jargen. Remember?
Teeth bared angered by Syl's eagerness to unnecessarily spill blood, Jargen attempts to find an alternate solution.
Jargen: Can't you convince him to leave? Fill in for him or something, just get him away from the door for a while... You're known around here, aren't you? So find a goddamn way to do this without bloodshed... Don't make this more difficult for us than it needs to be.
Syl ponders briefly, resting his chin softly on the tip of his dagger. He then lifts it while waving the weapon in the air in a back and forth motion, acknowledging Jargen's cunning idea.
Syl: My my Jargen, that's not a bad plan at all! Look at ya go, turns out there's somethin' inside that hollow head of yours after all. Stay put, I got just the perfect idea...
Stowing his knife away, Syl turns the corner and confidently strides towards the unsuspecting guard. Almost instantly, his eye-catching gait draws the guard's attention.
Guard: Who the-
Before he had time to properly examine the intruder that had suddenly entered his cone of vision, Syl intercepts his speech with a sharp silver tongue.
Syl: BUV! Long time no see old friend, they told me I'd find ya here...
The guard's eyes widen, seemingly acknowledging the identity of the daring trespasser.
Buv (Guard): Syl?! Hell're ya doin' here you crazy bastard? An' ya didn't bring me any booze or anythin', get the fuck outta here!
Syl opens his arms, bracing for a hearty hug coming from his jolly comrade.
Syl: Hahah, I've come here just about that! Why don't you come join us downstairs...?
Buv gives him a strong hug, firmly patting him on the back several times before letting go of his friend.
Syl: Boss is out and the night's as calm as ever, no reason for you to be up here all alone...
Buv: I'unno about that, Syl... Dmitri made it pretty clear we should keep the office guarded. Said the whole house could be turned upside down for all we're concerned, but the office can't be touched. Not 'bout to upset him man, sorry...
Syl: Ahh to hell with that crazy freak, heck's he gonna do? Turn you into a lab rat?
Buv didn't laugh... In fact, his mood soured with Syl's comment.
Buv: Too soon, Syl... Too soon.
Syl: Huh? I-I'm not sure I get ya...
Buv's melancholy gaze drifts toward the floor, as his head hangs slightly lower.
Buv: That's exactly what he did. Last guy who decided he didn't need to follow his orders... He locked him in there with him, Syl. Doing who knows what to the poor fella... Sometimes, we heard his screams. Heard 'em for hours on end... Until they stopped. We don't hear a peep anymore.
Eavesdropping on their conversation, Jargen worried for the safety of his friends who were about to come face to face with the sadistic scientist.
Jargen: Shit, guys... Hope you're alright...
Upon hearing this, Syl clenched his teeth lightly, his concerns regarding Dmitri becoming aggravated.
Syl: ... That so? Damn. My bad, I didn't know.
Buv shakes his head, his sight endlessly drifting nowhere specifically.
Buv: Yeah... 'Twas pretty grim. Dmitri doesn't ask a lot of us, but what he does we gotta follow. Sorry, Syl. Can't leave the place unattended.
Syl kindly pats him on the back, in an attempt to comfort his shaken comrade.
Syl: 'Ight. Say no more, Buv -- I gotcha covered. Go downstairs, grab a drink, bite to eat, hang with the boys a bit, whatever have ya, then come back. I'll keep an eye on the place, give ya a little time to kick back and relax. No one deserves to be here alone all night long...
Buv: No can do Syl, I really can't screw this up... But thanks, buddy.
He didn't think twice before replying, the possibility of becoming Dmitri's next subject being far too great to warrant taking that kind of risk. However, Syl was not about to give up his attempt to talk him into abandoning his post...
Syl: C'mon, ya said it yourself... Dmitri wants the office guarded at all times. Does it really matter who's guarding it? I'm not lettin' anyone in there Buv, you got my word.
Buv's eyes stared into Syl's, his cunning observation casting a shadow of doubt upon Buv's reluctance in budging.
Buv: I'unno Syl... Best if I don't take no gambles...
Syl crosses his arms, seeming almost offended by the distrust coming from his colleague.
Syl: Now you're hurting my damn feelings... Have I ever let ya down?
Apologetically, Buv shakes his head.
Buv: No... Ya haven't.
Seizing the moment, Syl adopts a more stoic stance in a daring attempt to sway the guard whilst in his fragilized state.
Syl: So trust me then, bud. No harm's comin' your way, if anyone's paying for any screw ups it'll be me... I'll take the fall in case anythin' happens. You've more than earned a small break -- you know as much.
Touched by the brave words of his friend, Buv's eyes glimmer with excitement as he comes to embrace the possibility of finally enjoying some time to relax.
Buv: You'd really do that fer me...?
Syl: Do that for any of you, my friend. We're in this together, aren't we? Gotta look out for each other in this rotten world. 'S how we can keep movin' in one piece. I know if it were me in your shoes, you'd do the same... Wouldn't ya?
Buv didn't seem too convinced that he'd be able to put his own neck on the line for another colleague... But he appeared nevertheless touched by Syl's words.
Buv: Goddamn Syl, you're a real one... I'll remember this.
Syl smiles as he waves his hand in front of his face, signalling that his pal need not worry about repaying such a small gesture.
Syl: Think nothin' of it! Go on then, get yourself a much deserved break...
Genuinely happy that he could count on one of his comrades to cover for him, Buv gave him two strong taps on the side of the arm before heading down the corridor away from the office.
Buv: I'll grab somethin' for ya too, don'tcha worry. I'll be back soon, thanks a lot man!
Syl nods, dropping his fake smile as soon as Buv turns his back to him.
Syl: Of course, Buv...
As he walks away, a deft hand covers his mouth, following by a sharp dagger slicing his throat open. Blood spurts from his jugular artery as Buv falls to the ground, squirming on the ground with the last of his energy in an attempt to make the bleeding stop. Wasting no time, a pleased Syl wipes the bloody blade on the clothes of his writhing, soon-to-be-dead comrade.
Buv: S-Syl... Why...?
Syl shrugs, putting his clean dagger away.
Syl: Sorry, Buv... Guess some harm was comin' your way after all. No hard feelings, eh?
Witnessing what had just unfolded, Jargen furiously turns the corner and heads toward Syl.
Jargen: What the fuck, Syl?!
Looking behind to see a wrathful Jargen coming in his direction, Syl doesn't make the slightest effort to move, apparently unafraid of the consequences of his actions.
Syl: What, Jargen? Think I'm a fucking idiot? It's my ass on the line too, remember?! Can't have anyone know I was here, else they'll hunt me down like a fuckin' pack of wolves.
Jargen stops right in front of Syl, his heavy breathing coming down on his face.
Syl: Guy had ta die, it is what it is. You know I'm right. Now, lets get in there, grab what we need and get movin'.
Trying to hold back his fury, Jargen pushes Syl out of the way, grabbing the freshly-deceased guard's body by the arms and preparing to drag him into the office.
Jargen: You're one hypocritical son of a bitch. You really fuckin' are...
Opening the office door, Syl makes way for Jargen to pass with the body.
Syl: Spare me your moralistic bullshit... We're talkin' about the fortune of a lifetime here, you'd be an idiot to pass this up -- Buv'd understand it. And it's not like I'm killin' 'im cause I had a sudden change of heart like ya... My heart's always been in the same damn place: lookin' out for myself. And now... Now I'm finally gettin' what I deserve. This was just collateral, just an occupational hazard.
Now both inside the office, Jargen rests the corpse against an ornate wooden desk while Syl closes the door behind them.
Jargen: Justify your sins however you damn feel like, you know what you've done.
Turning to face Syl, Jargen's bitterness toward him seemed to grow with each passing moment.
Syl: Sins...? What are ya, some kinda priest now? C'mon Jargen, cut the crap...
Jargen: We better drop this talk before I punch your face in, you selfish fucker...
Syl: Hahah... Easy, Jargen. We're here, let's not blow this now... This is it! This is what we came here for...
Syl's outstretched arms pointed towards the office and the myriad bookshelves that covered its walls. Much like the rest of the mansion, it seemed to be adorned with the most expensive furniture and exquisite materials that Jargen had ever seen.
Syl: Now, let's get to searchin'...