this book sounds better than expected [ITS COPYRIGHT]

Instructions

WARNING: THIS HAS BLOOD AND DEATH Prologue Two figures stood isolated in a dark alley, even the moonlight not daring to illuminate them. “You’re younger than I expected,” mused the taller of the pair. He was over six feet tall and burly, and spoke through a black mask that hid the majority of his face. “I’m eighteen, and more efficient than anyone you’ll meet,” said Vice, narrowing his red-irised eyes. He was very short, and yet Vice spoke to the man as if he could overpower him any day. As a matter of fact, he probably could. “I’ll do it for no less than a thousand,” Vice told the man. “A thousand it is. Half the money now, and half on completion.” He thrust out a wad of bills, and Vice took them, scanning them briefly before stuffing them in his bag. Bank accounts were too risky to be shared, after all. One could easily be tracked if one gave that detail away. “Remember- not a single hint that she was killed. It must look like an accident,” the man insisted. Vice nodded briefly and turned away, disappearing amid the shadows. The man stayed, the crinkle of his eyes hinting a cold smile. He waved a hand, and two of his henchmen emerged from their hiding spots. “Tail him,” he commanded. “And when the deed is done, kill him. Nobody can trace this back to me.” *** “Mr. Brooke,” said a beefy man with flaming red hair plastered to his head. “This decision is final. You cannot waste your effort on something that refuses to yield. It is time to admit that this case has run cold.” “Please, sir,” protested Aaron Brooke. “This case has been the sole reason why I became an investigator. Give me another month. I’ll find something.” Memories flashed through Aaron’s mind. He would find the criminal responsible for his best friend’s death. His supervisor huffed. “A week. One week to find solid proof that your criminal exists, or I’m moving you to another case.” Aaron’s brow set with determination and he nodded, leaving to make use of every minute he had left. *** Aaron slumped against his pillow, his photographic memory recreating every detail perfectly. He and Xeno had been as close as two friends could be. Xeno had been two years younger than him, and yet he was always the first to fend off bullies. Aaron was the meek, shy nerd with the round glasses and Xeno the quiet synaesthete who was fierce when provoked. They had been practically inseparable… until that fateful day. Xeno had been acting… odd, to say the least. He had barely spoken a word since the morning, and Aaron could tell that something was on his mind. They would walk home together each day, and yet when school ended, Xeno hesitated. “I… think it would be best if I walked home by myself today,” he said. His telltale fingers fiddled with a loose strand of hair, making his restlessness evident. “What’s up?” Aaron asked. “You’ve been acting weird all day.” “Yeah,” said Xeno, looking down at his feet. “Sorry about that, but I promise it’s nothing big. I just… I’m tired. I haven’t been sleeping lately.” There were dark circles under his eyes, but… “What aren’t you telling me?” Aaron pursued. “Nothing, okay?” Xeno snapped. His face fell slightly. “It’s just, my dad’s away on work again and this time he’s in Sudan, which is still war-torn and…” “And you’re worried about him,” Aaron finished. Xeno nodded, his hand instinctively rubbing the back of his neck like it did every time he was upset. Aaron draped his arm over his friend’s tense shoulders. “Come on. He’ll be fine.” And he was, alive and well to hear the news of… Aaron would never forget that night. The note in the evening. The blood. The single, achingly familiar scream. The hollow feeling of the loneliness to come. He shuddered, forcing himself to remember every horrifying second, scouring his brain for anything he might have missed.