Category : Stories

Sub Category : Thriller

I joined. It was my decision. Was it the right one? Even now I do not know but I do know that the people I have met will never leave me. The brand I recieved on my arm for initiation has now healed to a permanent scar with the logo, a crow's head in front of a 9mm glock. I had made a decision and now was dealing with the after effects. 

It started out as a week long public celebration, everyone smiling and having a good time. Nobody cared what you did for a living, there was no monetary barriers, everyone was on the same level, or so i thought. The only person I recognized was the local politician John Taurus who was gearing up for a seat on the senate. But everyone else I could not tell who they were nor did I care.

Now I am a very observant person but I was not prepared for the predicament I would put myself in that night with my observations. I am usually a night rat due to my previous job working security on the graveyard shift, and I ultimately stayed up late past everyone else. Or so I thought. 

I walked around the grand hall of this spectacular place, everyone in attendence had a room. I found what I believed to be my room after walking around and opened it.

"Hey, get out of here. This is my room." I saw a man preparing for a shower, he had a badge so i guess he was a cop. I didn't see anything else except the name on his badge, his name was Michael Apoc.

I apologized and left the room. Continuing on I saw two people, one man, one woman, leaving each other. I didn't know what they were doing only heard the end of their conversation. 
"Don't worry Cuffs, I'll take care of it."
"I know you will, report tomorrow."
This Cuffs guy walked past me as the woman slipped off into the dark corridor. As he passed me I could feel him watching me. Almost like he was analyzing something. He stopped a little ways past me and called back.

"Hey you, it's a little dark out. Need help getting to your room? A cutie like you shouldn't be out here alone."

He was right, it was getting real quiet and strange feeling out here.

"Sure, it's not too far anyway."

As we walked he asked me why I was on the other side of the building. I explained that I got turned around and ended up walking into the cops room by accident.

"The cop? Who is that?"

"Sorry Mr. Apocs room. I am very observant and saw his badge before I left." 

"Thats good to know we have a cop here though, never know what might happen in a big crowd."

We arrived at my door. I finally asked him what had been puzzling me from the beginning of our meeting.

"Umm, so why do they call you Cuffs?"

He smiled.

"It's just a nickname, what people know me by you know? Anyway goodnight Dark. I am sure I will be seeing you again."

"My names not Dark though it's Re-"

"It's a nickname for ya don't be so tense."

He chuckled a little bit and I closed my room door. Through the peephole I saw him study my room number and begin walking away. I heard nothing but my heartbeat as i questioned what had just happened. Who was this guy? Who was that girl? What was going on? Why did the cop bring his badge to the celebration? These questions would have to wait. I was giving myself a migraine. I layed down and passed out. 

*BUZZ BUZZ*

It was the door bell. Who could be looking for me?

I saw two women and a man standing there looking panicked.

"Hel... hello?" I said as I opened the door.

"Are you Dark? Cuffs sent us to check on you."

"Yes? But why? And who are you?" 

I recognized the one from the night before, she had been the one talking to Cuffs. 

"Senator elect Taurus was murdered last night, he wanted to check on you to make sure you were ok. I am Proxie." The woman who I had seen the night before told me. "This is Cold and Mello." She pointed to the two with her. Cold was a slightly lanky male not at all like Cuffs and his big intimidating stature. Mello on the other hand, she seemed slighty ditsy and playful. The both of them so dufferent yet also there was something about them that was similar. I just didn't know what it was.

Quite a crew Cuffs hangs with, I thought. I quickly came back to the situation. 

"We need to go find Officer Apoc." 

"Hes dead too, that's why Cuffs sent us for you." Cold responded shyly.

"Please come with us Dark." Mello said with a smile.

"Could you not call me Dark?" 

"Sure sweetie whatever you say." 

We came to a room at the end of the hall. They knocked on the door. A voice came through. 

"Who is it?" A man sarcastically sang through the door.

"Let us in Rex. Cuffs is expecting our guest." Proxie responded.

As the door opened we passed by and I saw all the faces, such a diverse group, so large in size. What was this place?

Finally I saw another door. I was told to go in and that Cuffs was waiting. I slowly opened the door.

"Ah, Dark! I told you we would meet again." Cuffs proclaimed.

"Why am I here?" 

Cuffs stood up and looked out the window walking around proudly.

"Because without you we never could have done it. I mean the politician we could have but the undercover cop? Never would have known about him. We could really use a spy like you. So here's where we now stand." He sat down very relaxed and crossed his legs. "We are Crow, a mafioso organization. Using nicknames as a cover for what we do. And you helped us complete our latest assassination. So again thank you." 

The door slammed shut behind me. I turned and saw a man standing there expressionless. 

"Thats Silver, his job is to make sure nobody interupts us." Cuffs scoffed. "Now you see, you know too much. Your options now are join us and be one of our spys, as I have to admit you are an absolute natural. Or Silver here will kill you where you stand."

I was in shock.

"Take your time, I have all day." Cuffs stated, he hit the page button on the desktop phone. 

"Bunny, could our wonderful hostess please send in Luna and Hirori." I have their next assignment. 

Before the answer could come back over the phone I blurted out. 

"I WANT IN!" 

Cuffs stopped what he was doing.

"Excuse me?"

"I. Want. In. I am tired of being used and abused in my life. I want to have what you guys have. I want... I want to be a Crow." 

"You know theres no turning back with this decision." Cuffs stated.

"I know."

He smiled. "I knew there was something I liked about you, thats why I stopped and walked you to your room last night. I didn't know how much you knew until you said something but that is when I knew you would be a perfect addition to our family. I know a lot of things Dark." His smile got deeper. "Just like i knew you'd say yes."

Just then I got hit in the back of the head and blacked out.

When I came to all I saw was hundreds of people around me. One woman stood in front checking my restraints.

"What the hell is happening? I said yes!" I yelled. 

She laughed. "We know, just making it official. I'm Luna by the way,  we're going to be best friends. Trust me." 

She stepped back and nodded behind me. I could not see who to but heard Cuffs voice.

"My beloved Crows, today we welcome another member, one who without whom we may have failed our mission. Everyone this lovely young woman is Dark." He announced.

"My name isn't Da-" i got a rag shoved in my mouth. 

"The rag is to bite down on, this will hurt, I promise." The male voice behind me said.

Cuffs looked down at me. "You have no name other than Dark now. Welcome to Crow. Now Hirori apply the brand!"

Chants of Crow erupted around as his pressed the searing metal to my back. I screamed in my head but no sound came out due to how hard I was biting. I smelled my burning flesh on my back accept the brand, as painful as it was. 

I was released from the restraints and fell to my knees. The rag was removed from my mouth. 

"Now we await the first words of our newest member." Cuffs declaired.

I stood up slowly, looked out at the faces and felt the fire build inside of me. I fiercely stated...

"So i have been branded, A Crow I shall be."