Late that night, Cindy made a move on her next target. He was a young man with the looks of a half-orc. He was on the chopping block for being a big-time drug dealer in the city. Kalen was his name; he was so young, probably in his mid-twenties at best. He probably lived a hard life, being a halfie, so Cindy could relate to him, even if they never met. Still, Cindy had a job to do. It was unfortunate, but the hot new drug on the street named "Euphoria" had been making its way into schools and getting into the hands of young teenagers looking to party. It was A potent drug on the black market, but it didn't seem to be life-threatening. The side effects and addiction, though, would leave you wishing it were. Killing the young half-orc probably wouldn't even cease the drug's progress throughout the city, but it could be a start. So, Cindy would do her job, take out the bad guy, and get a massive paycheck for her services.

  All of the intel Cindy needed to find Kalen had already been gathered, thanks to The Fam's diligent workforce. Their intelligence division led Cindy right to his doorstep, a luxury apartment in Downtown Baldimore. It was a nice place, a high-rise on the top floor of a twelve-story building. He had nice taste, that Kalen kid. With his luxurious couches, a big balcony with a private pool, lounge areas, mini bars, multiple bedrooms, and walk-in closets. As Cindy slowly walked across the lavish apartment, observing the fine details, she settled into a large Jacuzzi that was upstairs, centered right below a moonroof. She figured it was as good a time as any to go for a warm dip, it being the middle of winter and all.

  So, that's what she did. She took off her clothes and settled into the warmth, soaking her bloodstained skin as she patiently awaited her target. Cindy didn't really mind if he took his sweet time getting back. Damn, I should get one of these things, she thought. Hours went by as the half-elf continued to bathe until her finger became prickly. She continued to soak her troubles away and set her mind at ease for the time being. Was there truly a better way to do that than lounging in the luxurious jacuzzi of her next victim? And damn, did it feel like that hot tub had some magical properties. Because Cindy could've sworn she went to heaven as she slumped her head back, staring at that striking view of the full moon through the glass ceiling; the view was absolutely stunning. All of her fears, worries, anxiety, and regrets instantly faded away for those few hours. She just forgot about it all in that fleeting moment, until Mr. Kalen finally came home to intervene.

  "Who the fuck are you? And how in the hell did you get in here?" Kalen yelled demandingly. Sweat rained down his head like a faucet while his hand was at his hip, ready to draw a weapon.

  "Well, you took your sweet time. What have you been up to tonight? Another honest day's work pushing Euphoria to teenagers?" Cindy smiled menacingly, slowly twisting her head to make eye contact with the man. For a half-orc, he was noticeably lean, with an average human's height. He was still toned, but had softer facial features than an orc as well. Catch him on the street, and he'd be just a normal guy. But he was still a freak of nature, with his horns and fangs still aptly apparent. He was probably an outcast just like Cindy was. Maybe that's why he resorted to a life of crime, just like Cindy had. She tried her best to push those thoughts to the back of her mind.

  "Who are you?" he asked again, this time much slower and with more fear in his voice. "H-how do you know me?"

  "It doesn't matter," Cindy said, lifting herself from the tub and throwing a towel over herself. "Someone wants you dead, and I just happen to be your executioner."

  "Then why haven't you killed me yet?" he asked. "You come here to mock me? Having yourself a nice bath without a care in the world?" he drew his gun from his holster. "You're... with The Fam, aren't you?"

  "Perceptive," Cindy clapped. "Put the gun down, man. I just want to talk to you first, before I decide what to do with you. Let's have a chat on the couch."

  The half-orc obliged without any hassle, with a sad, fearful look on his face like a puppy that had just been punished. So, Cindy got dressed and they sat down on a couch in the den.

  "What do you want from me?" he asked.

  "What do I want? Nothing really. I just want to know how you ended up here. Your story."

  "Just kill me," he replied. "I don't want any part of whatever sick joke you're trying to pull."

  "Hm," Cindy said. "I don't know. Maybe, just maybe, you could give me a reason not to put a bullet in your head or snap your neck? Just maybe," she snapped back, laying her hand across the top of the couch.

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  Kalen was anxious and sweaty, starting to hyperventilate as he mumbled his words. "There's no point, you can't do shit about it. Even if I tell you, I'd be dead anyway," he responded. "Fuck it," he drew his gun, pointing it at his temple, but before he could pull the trigger, Cindy quickly retrieved the weapon.

  "Not that easy," Cindy said as she tossed the gun onto the ground. One look at Kalen's face, and she knew he was just a grunt. He was a fall guy, taking the heat for a bigger target. A larger target that was most likely the real source of the placement of Euphoria throughout Baldimore.

  "You're a small fry, but they set you up good," Cindy said. "You've been living such a comfortable life here, but I can tell you had it hard. So help me out here, Kalen. Who should I really be after?

  "What's your name?" he asked. She responded willingly with her name, and he continued to speak. "Listen, Cindy, you seem like a good person," he said hesitantly. "Hell, you haven't killed me yet, even though you have every right to. I'm guilty. I sold those drugs of my own free will. So, why even go through the trouble? Why not just kill me and take the goddamn check?" he asks pleadingly.

  Cindy, still relaxed on the couch, put a finger to her lip and pondered briefly, "Guess, I'm just tired. Crime is starting to spiral these days, and I'm not sure who to blame anymore, or if what I'm doing is right or wrong," she paused. "I guess... I'd just it to go back to the peaceful city it was when I first moved here. And if I can knock off the main guy behind this little Euphoria scandal, I'll be one step closer to doing that. So, I'll ask again, what's your story? How'd you end up here, and who do you work for?"

  "And if I said it didn't make a difference? You take this guy out, he'll be replaced with another, we both end up dead anyway, and the cycle continues. That's how it works. That's how it always works," he replied, lowering his head in defeat.

  "Just shut up," she said angrily. "Look man, I've had a really bad couple of months and I'm not in the mood for this shit," she continued, slumping her body downwards on the couch. "My best friend... she died recently," she said. "And my other friend's been missing for a while now. Another one's in a coma, and I just parted ways with my foster kid. I've lost a lot recently. Everything around me is going to shit, and I'm just trying to do the right thing here. I'm not even sure what that is anymore, but I think it's time to start fighting back. Against whatever the hell it is that's trying to tear us apart. That's my story. So, Kalen, are you gonna fight back, or are you gonna just lay down and die like a bitch?" Cindy looked him dead in his eyes, with a ghastly blank stare that left him frozen for a moment.

  He stared back as if to gauge her resolve, wide-eyed and weighing his options. He was afraid, and Cindy couldn't blame him. He was just a young boy trying to survive. For a few more moments, that spacious, lavish high rise was dead quiet until Kalen finally spoke again. "Listen, you're strong, I can tell as much. You got skills. But, the guy you're really after, I still don't see how you can take him on."

  "I don't care," she responded coldly. "Did you grow up in Baldimore?" she asked. Kalen nodded quietly. "And your parents... you're a half orc, so I'm sure it must've been hard growing up," she continued. "Well, look at me, I'm right there with you. Everywhere you go, it's all the same. Some places are just better at hiding their hatred. Trust me, I get it, but I'm not backing down." She pondered for a while longer, thinking deeply about a question that had been on her mind. She was just not sure how to express it. "I'm starting to get the sense that complacency is the reason we turn out the way we do," Kalen looked up curiously. "We just keep on keeping on as a society, then when something comes along that goes against the status quo, we just discard them."

  "And keep on keeping on," Kalen responded.

  "Exactly," Cindy said as she rose to her feet. "So, when it comes to this world, whether it be discrimination, or standing idly by when you know you can make a difference, do you want to just keep being a bystander to it?"

  Kalen also stood as he started to speak. "I-I don't want to be, but I'm just so damn weak," he said begrudgingly.

  "We're all weak," she replied swiftly.

  "No, you're strong," he said with a wry smile.

  "I guess we'll have to see. Can you give me a name or address? Anything you know."

  He hesitated a bit longer before finally giving in. He reached for a pen and paper that was lying on a nearby table and started to write.

  "Pino," Cindy read. "So, is this my guy?"

  "Yeah, and I'm a dead man walking."

  "Not if you leave town tonight," she said. "Leave Baldimore tonight, and never come back. If you do, I'll have to kill you. Can you do that for me, Kalen?" He nodded. "Thank you," she reached out her hand.

  "Just be careful," he pleaded, shaking Cindy's hand.

  "I will," she responded. "I'll kill this Pino guy no matter how strong you think he is. No one will be coming after you, I guarantee it. Lay low for a while, then get yourself an honest job."

  "I'll try, I guess. Not much out there for a freak like me."

  "You'll figure something out," she responded. "Hell, you were able to get this nice place. A little hard work, you'll be back on your feet soon."

  "Cindy," he stared at the half-elf for a moment. "You'll really let me walk even after I gave you what you needed? This isn't some cruel prank?"

  "You should be on your way soon," was her response. "Baldimore will be a hellhole sooner or later." She walked toward a broken window she had used as an entrance.

  "How do you know that?" he asked.

  "Just a hunch," she replied before jumping out the window, back into the darkness of the city that she still cherished.