Blue Wings

Gabriel smiled with satisfaction; he had never doubted he had landed a sweet gig, and that he was the right man for the job. He watched the men under his command carry the latest shipment inside the warehouse, as the rain started to pound harder against the tin roof. He hated the sound, it filled everything. At least they’d be done soon. That reminded him he still had to check the goods, make sure they survived the shipping alright. And he already knew what particular crate to check. That was his privilege as the leader, he thought. He smiled, feeling a lot better about the forthcoming night.

Maurizio huddled closer to the wall, the damned rain was pouring harder by the minute. It was no use, he was still getting wet. He swore and considered whether returning inside the warehouse and facing Gabriel’s anger, or remain on his spot as ordered and endure the rain. The submachine gun pushed hard against the small of his back as he pressed himself to the wall, making it hard to think. The narrow catwalk feet over his head did nothing to stop the rain pouring down on him. Hell, he couldn’t see anything in this rain anyway, and the guys unloading would be done soon. He decided to return and started back towards the door on the other side of the building.

Alex gave a small jump when Gabriel addressed him directly. ‘Hey, new chap, we’re almost done. Round everyone up, we’re heading off.’ Gabriel headed off, between the crates, and Alex nodded, swallowing nervously. He had just joined the family, and this was his third job. The guy Gabriel made him uneasy, but he was getting used to the orders. He started heading outside to call his cousin Maurizio.

Maurizio had just rounded the corner, and glanced over to the door, when under the faint light he saw someone step outside. It looked like Alex. Good, then they were gone and they’d all head back soon. He was about to call out to him, when a shadow dropped from the small roof over the door, very fast, and suddenly Alex was hanging, his legs kicking wildly, choking gasps escaping his throat.

Alex did not know what was happening; he had just taken a step outside, and now he was hanging, feet above the floor, fire eating at his throat. He couldn’t see why he was hanging, he did not know why, all he could see was the darkening sky, heavily laden with clouds. Then, it vanished into nothing.

Maurizio had started to reach for his gun when Alex’s lifeless body fell with a dull sound, lying facedown amidst puddles of rain afterwards. When Maurizio looked back up at the small roof Alex had been hanging from, there was nothing there. He swore again, taking out his gun and clicking the safety off. As he gripped it tighter, his head was suddenly and painfully jerked to a side from behind, and his throat was icy cold all of a sudden. The gun clattered on the ground, followed by his body, he tried to make a sound, move, but it was too late, he could feel his life draining out of him, and soon he saw his blood spreading on the wet floor. A pair of black wingtip shoes appeared before him, walking away briskly, followed by what should have been a coat... and a faint blue glow… and then nothing.