Weekly Story pt. 2: Panther Assassin

As some of you know, I work at the Main Salt Lake City Library which means I am surrounded by books. Every so often as I am straightening books in the stacks, I am struck by an intense desire and longing to see my book on a library shelf one day. This longing, along with a few other inspiring things, has pushed me to write and finish my novel, as I said in my previous post. Little by little I see my novel grow. This beautiful snippet's picture is by Josh Corpuz.

Week 2:

Panther Assassin

This is it. Venge thought. My final mission. Once I’m done with this, I’m free. A shiver of anticipation ran up his spine at the thought of his freedom. Nobody would control him after tonight. One last assassination, one last item to steal, and he could leave the guild without any repercussions.

100 days to master panther movement, 100 days to master panther weaponry, and 100 days to master the shadow panther art. 100 cubed. Therefore it takes 10,000 missions to pay us back. After that you are free to leave and start a new life or remain here and earn money for future missions. He could still remember being told that right before he signed the contract. The Panther Guild was known for being the hardest yet quickest way to rise above slavery.

The training regimen for all new recruits is quite intense. Many don’t survive. More don’t live to finish all 10,000 missions. But still, everyday Venge saw more beaten down children enter Panther Guild walls in search of a better life, even if the chance was slim to none.

Venge breathed in the fresh, warm air of night. The city was asleep, a hazy blackness surrounding him with the occasional light in the distance and the stars above him. The time had come to move. He could see the strange smoke curling off his body in the gentle breeze. His shadow spray would last or 6 hours. It should only take him 4 hours to assassinate his target, steal the item, and return to the guild.
He leapt down from his perch on the ledge of a building, his gloves touching the pebbled ground for a moment, then quickly, yet quietly, ran through the city like a cat on steroids with his shadow speed. His shadow spray hid him and even kept him cool as he sprinted in his black leather jacket and padded leather boots. It was a warm evening but he didn’t pull his hood down. His master claw rested in his right hand, a long skinny knife that the Panther guild had given him when he graduated to Master Assassin. Despite it being his most proficient weapon, he hated it’s shiny surface and onyx hilt, wiped clean of the blood of his victims time and time again
This was his last mission; his last time using such a vile tool. Soon, he would return it the Panther’s, still bloody, of course, along with the signet ring of Commander Shoul and walk away a free man. He would never stay with the guild and shed blood for money. He would never kill again. Venge bared his teeth in a smile and crept into the back window of the silent house, blade ready. One more murder...