Rain thrummed down across the city; it was still afternoon, but there was no light save those in the windows. Lightning exploded in the sky over head lighting up the inky darkness briefly lighting up the city skyline. Seconds passed before a slow rumble of thunder boomed out.
David tugged his heavy raincoat tighter against his body, the heavy weight in his pocket reminding him of the meeting to come. His hand slid down into the pocket, feeling the cool metal, carefully checking the safety latch again, before returning to pacing.
There was a heavy 'knock, knock' at the door, followed by a brief pause, before a triple knock followed - the secret knock. It was slightly redundant; nobody would be in this deserted, ramshackle building by choice.
“It’s open,” David said, looking anxiously to the door. His heart started to quicken. He clenched and unclenched his fist, his hand returning to the heavy pocket.
“I came alone and I have it, “ a gruff voice replied. A thin man came into the room. It was the first time David had met him in person. Everything had been arranged over the internet before today.
David felt his mouth go dry as a little cold sweat broke out. He pointed to the table, where a thick brown envelope sat.
“It’s all there. $750, as we agreed, yes?” David looked directly at the man trying to get his reaction, only to find none at all. He hoped the extra money would prevent any questions.
“So it is worth more then you let on. Well I’d like to tell you how much trouble it was getting hold of it.” David felt a pulse of tension steadying himself against the table.
“You want more?” he tried to spit, but there was nothing there. The man shook his head.
“No, I feel bad taking this much from you. You can call me 'Shadow' if it helps.”
David blinked, not expecting that at all.
“Okay, Shadow, can I see it now?” David asked with shaking hands, as he sat at the table with his hand still in the heavy pocket, just in case. Had Shadow wanted to do something, he would have done it before now.
“Sure,” Shadow replied as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a large, cylindrical case. “Is there a lot of demand for magical horses just now, hm?” David simply smiled.
“Ponies, but that particular picture is by the creator of the show. She left pretty early on, so getting something that was done during the show was tough."
Shadow nodded and handed the case across, “I just didn’t think Rarity had wings.”
David’s heart skipped a beat. It was the last thing he’d expected to hear! He looked at Shadow again, peering so deeply and intently he was practically staring through the other man's skin.
“I used Google.” Shadow said as David ripped the case open, letting the paper inside spill out.
“I thought there was something wrong! With that much cash for a picture, there'd have to be,” Shadow explained. “When I got to the place, in and out like, heh, my name, I hit Google to see what it was I had - I think someone knew you were coming.”
David gasped, covering his mouth with a trembling hand, his teeth pressing firmly against his knuckle as he stared at the picture. It was a sketch for sure, and it was Rarity with wings. This was not what he needed!
“This was all there was?” David dropped the picture to the floor as he threw the envelope towards Shadow.
“Yes, place was empty, really deserted, “ said Shadow.
“Like here?” David said looking around the ruined building.
“Worse than this, fire of some sort, three safes only one had anything in it.” said Shadow, “Checked them all just in case.”
David shivered a little, “She did know.”
Shadow nodded, “I think so, you could have probably gotten this yourself.”
Shadow threw the envelope of money back to David, “No charge.”
“How do you feel about bodyguard, maybe some muscle work?” David asked looking to Shadow.
Shadow shrugged, “Could do, where?”
David sighed his hand rubbing across his chin hoping it would not come to this, “That’s, quite complex to explain. Best we just get there.”
“Okay, I got everything I need, but please, lose the gun I’m not comfortable around them.” Shadow said pointing to the jacket.
David blushed sliding the jacket off, “Wouldn’t be any use anyway, come this way.”
Shadow started to follow, looking to the door he’d come in earlier a little confused as David took out some chalk, but he had worked for crazier so he just watched, David drawing a archway carefully on the wall.
“Hmm. That should do, just make sure it’s dry was there something like this there?” David asked looking at his work.
Shadow thought back, he had not seen the archway there but the strange little symbols David had etched around it, those he recognised right away.
“Something like it, door with those on it.” Shadow pointed to the little glyphs.
“Door? What kind of handle?” David asked a little puzzled.
“Round, single locking mechanism, for privacy only no security.” Shadow replied.
“ Well can’t really say it any clearer.” David mused, “She knows and she doesn’t want to come back.”
Shadow didn’t really understand, but he knew to not ask too many questions when money was involved only he could feel a unpleasant tension building in the atmosphere.
“Ready?” David asked approaching the arch he had drawn.
“Yeah.” Shadow said watching David slightly nervous now, the man, the job, he was obviously very confused and troubled man, at least it wouldn’t be long before he could get out of here.
David raised his hand toward the arch as Shadow watched in growing awe, a glimmer of power starting to form at the archway, light starting to pour from it as David vanished into nothingness.
“Bugger, “ Said Shadow to nobody, the room now being empty, he looked around desperately trying to see where David had vanished too, no trap doors, no secret doors, he’d just vanished into a thick stone wall.
Shadow waited a few seconds looking around the deserted warehouse, the light from the archway cast no shadows inside the building it was only looking at it any light could be seen.
“Well isn’t this fancy.” Shadow said again to nobody. “Be a shame if someone were to use it.”
Lightning flashed again in the distance as Shadow waited counting, the thunder crack a few seconds later.
Shadow tapped his foot starting to get impatient, this was very wrong.
He knew from his own experience who to expect when things went this very wrong.
Only there were none of the familiar signs, no sirens, no explosions and in fact there was no sign of him.
He waited, rain dripping down the outside of the building still, pattering against the aged glass and rusting metal frames.
Still, there was nothing more, just the rain.
“Going to be one of those days, “ Said Shadow as he stepped up to the arch.
He could feel warmth from it, a tingling of static all over his skin, little pinpricks of power pressing against his fingers and his hand as he reached up.
Pressing his hand against the smooth wall, he shuffled back suddenly worried as there was nothing there to feel there was just a space where there should be a solid object.
It was already too late, he’d crossed the threshold.