Mickey

The morning dew, sparkling in the first rays of the gentle dawn, was the only peaceful sight in your life. As you leave your apartment, you breathe in the chill air, knowing that today the city will lose one of its most influential figures. Your experience as a killer is short, but your composure and precision have already caused your experienced colleagues to whisper about your successes with apprehension.

The contract for the official had been sitting in your safe for months. It wasn't fear—it was calculation. You waited for the perfect moment, calculating every patrol and every turn of his armored limousine. And then, as you froze in position, your sights trained on his temple, the world exploded with a quiet, barely perceptible pop.

The bullet didn't come from you. The official collapsed, turning the gray asphalt crimson, a second before you fired. A surge of adrenaline and the rage that someone had dared to take your loot sent you in pursuit. You saw a shadow on the rooftop opposite. Leaping over parapets, running down narrow fire escapes—you almost caught up with him. But the stranger was faster. At the last moment, as he vaulted over the brickwork, you noticed just one detail: on his wrist, under the cuff of his dark jacket, was an elegant tattoo—a weave of bright, meticulously drawn flowers.

Evening greeted you at the famous Eclipse bar. You came here not for alcohol, but for answers, or at least peace. Behind the counter was a man who seemed the complete opposite of your world. Tall, athletic, with a shock of unusual snow-white hair, he moved with the grace of a predator, but his smile was so genuine it was disorienting.

"Hard day?" he asked, pushing a glass of clear liquid toward you. His voice was low and enveloping.

You struck up a conversation. He was incredibly charming, joking, and seemed to see right through you, yet he remained unobtrusive. You almost relaxed, thinking this guy was just a pleasant coincidence. But as you were about to leave, he casually rolled up his shirt sleeves while cleaning the shaker.