Prologue | Escape, Part 1
SEVEN YEARS AGO
Reese Matthew West sat in his newly furbished office with a smug smile on his face.
Drumming his fingers leisurely on his glass desk, CEO President West looked out the big window, seeing the mortals scrambling about as they placed 'computer parts' into packages that were being loaded into trucks. He could see the big industrial edifices in the distance, the smoke dark and vibrant, showcasing the work produced within.
His eyes – covered with tinted sunglasses – returned their gaze at the news flashed on his wide flat screen across the office. New York City was suddenly filled with violence. Fire ate a section of East Manhattan while serial murder racked the whole town of Brooklyn. It was as if there was a war going on in New York.
His lips expanded as he sported a wicked grin, flashing his black and white rotting teeth. War… that sounds like a tasty main dish. Humans killing off each other, tearing businesses apart all the while ruining their lives
A soft knock on the door removed him from his thoughts. Mr. West spun his armchair towards the entrance as the door opened to reveal a timid, young woman with fair skin and blue eyes.
"I-I apologize for the disturbance, Mr. West, Sir…" the mortal woman started.
"What is it?" Mr. West said impatiently. Sometimes he wondered why he even kept this female mortal around… probably because his sister wanted to make her suffer.
Olivia had a bitter taste when it comes to beautiful and talented women, and this young woman happened to be a Barbie look-a-like.
"You have an interview with a possible intern here today, sir," the secretary whose name he didn't bother to ask, said. "She's here to see you today."
Intern? Mr. West didn't remember such a meeting, but that was likely since he didn't care about mortal matters much, unless if it is money relations and business affairs… a reason why he had his secretary to remind him. It's best to keep up appearances, after all.
"Bring her in," Mr. West muttered. Maybe this potential intern would make a good midnight snack.
The secretary nodded, disappearing out of sight as a young girl with black hair and spectacles came in. She was dressed formally, donning a black dress suit and white collared shirt underneath. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and her hazel eyes were looking around curiously before she finally sat down in front of him. The name Jane Doe sprawled on the visitor sticker on her right chest.
"So… Jane Doe," Mr. West said doubtfully. Was this really the girl's name? "What made you so interested in working here?"
"I like computers," the girl said blandly. She had a rough voice like she had been suffering from GERD for several years which affected her vocal chords at such a young age.
Mr. West waited, but seeing as how the girl remained silent as if what she said was a good enough reason, was almost enough to piss him off.
"You… like computers?" he repeated in a lazy tone. "Isn't there anything else?"
"No, that's about it," the girl said, "unless you count video games? I rather enjoyed Assassin's Creed."
Mr. West didn't even bother to disguise his annoyance and growing anger. Who did this mortal girl think she was? Never mind a midnight snack, the insolent whelp was starting to look like a good appetizer.
"Is that right?" Mr. West said, his voice straining to keep his anger in. "Let's start with your qualifications then Ms. Doe. How old are you?"
"15."
Mr. West forced himself to keep his face blank. Fifteen? He was expecting the kid to be at least 10 by the looks of her. "A high school student. Do you have your resume?"
"No."
"What? What do you mean 'No'?" he demanded.
The girl shrugged. "I'm home-schooled. Never went to an institution in her life."
"That still does not mean you shouldn't have one," Mr. West muttered. His hands were clenched into fists. He was the manager of this company for crying out loud, a vital asset to the Kings! Yet here he was, being insulted by this brat?
"Sir, I think you are asking me the wrong questions," Ms. Doe said with a small smirk playing on her lips.
"Excuse me?!"
"Aren't you curious about my interests? Besides gaming, of course," the girl added snidely.
Mr. West gave a forced smile, but he was sure it turned out to be a grimace. The girl still smiled at him, either completely oblivious to his irritation or purposely encouraging it.
"What…are your interests, then?" Mr. West said slowly. "If you are so keen on saying them…."
If possible, the girl's smirk grew larger. "Well, let's see," she shifted from her seat and look at the ceiling, "I recalled someone from a certain organization who forced people into labor with below minimum wage and killed those who opposed him even the slightest." The girl paused; her features completely stoic. "But I'm sure you know all about that. Right, Mr. Demon?"
Reese West's eyes flashed, and in an instant, he transformed into a black creature with bat's wings. His eyes bulged in red with his head transforming into that of a wolf. He quickly swung his scorpion tail to crush the girl. When the smoke and debris cleared, the girl was already out of her chair and had taken out a pair of familiar black daggers to block his attack.
"Annaliese!" Mr. West said the name with malice. "How dare you show your face here?"
Annaliese only raised an eyebrow, clearly mocking him. "What gave me away? Was it my weapons? Because I'm quite sure my disguise was freaking flawless, and to think I spent all that time masking my Aether for nothing."
The two had separated themselves from the impact. Annaliese took that moment to take off her glasses, her eyes appearing golden. She slipped her glasses into the pocket of her dress suit.
"This is much better," she said calmly. "Now I can definitely see your hideous form much clearer, Demon."