'Okay now serious everyone!' said Logan authoritatively.

On those words everyone in the room stopped talking and all eyes were on him.

'Let's talk about the plan.' Logan took out the paper and some pencils. But I was shocked, all of us will work as a team to liberate master? I didn't know and I never worked in a team, I always do everything myself. It's easier this way, you're certain that it's well done and you won't have any surprises.

'Wait a sec, it'll be a team mission?' I ask as I with my eyebrows frowned. Even though I already knew the answer I didn't want to believe it.

'Yeah, problem?' he answered while he looked at me. His face was saying are you stupid?

'Yeah, I never worked in a team and I'll be even worried if I don't know if this thing will work or not.'

'You have no choice Nyx, if we want to have every chances in our we have to work as a team. If it's a trust problem, they never failed to anything the boss expected to do. And, you'll be the only one on the main field when we will provide you assistance from afar.'

'Kay, you can continue.' I said as I sighted.

For the rest of the day, Logan continued to talk about the plan, the dead zones where the cameras won't be able to see me, the guard shift and even the pass idea for the cells and doors.

To be honest, I wouldn't be able to do all that in one day. I was impressed. Each one of them was specialized in a field, they complement each other. I now understood why they were on top of their organization.

'Okay that's all for the day.' said Logan with a sight and rubbed his eyes. Then we heard I loud grumble. We all looked around to know the source of the attack or something. But then Chris said:

'Guys... It's my stomach who made this sound.'

We all put back our weapons all relieved.

'Well I'm hungry too, so who want pizza?' said Demon with a small smile. He never smiled before then why now? Was it because of food or he liked to cook?

'Great idea! I'm starving too, here catch.' said Claire as she tossed a flier to Demon.

Okay mystery resolved, Demon like, no, love food so much he can't keep his poker face. And Claire wasn't as calm and serious as I thought.

Wait? What was I doing? I never cared about people around me, so why did it have to change now? No, nothing would change when the deal is finished, I would disappear like a shadow. I won't be Nyx anymore and I won't work in a team, I'll be alone. Alone in this world living my life. If I die during a mission that a master gave me, so be it. At least no one would cry on my death... No one... I'm all alone and it should stay like this.

'Hey Nyx! Ya won't eat?' said Chris with five boxes of pizza in his hand.

I didn't answer, I just stood up and went toward the table. I took a plate and went to pick an all cheese pizza. I didn't even notice how hungry I was, so I ate one piece, two, three, five, seven pieces of the pizza. Never thought I could ate so much, everyone was looking at me with big eyes.

'What? I was hungry. Didn't ate for two days.' I said shrugging.

'Why didn't you eat? No money?' spoke Matt for the first time in this day.

'Nope I had plenty. Didn't eat cause I didn't feel the hunger. But when I do, well I eat like that.' I answered with a little fake smile.

'You should eat everyday, it's no good for your body.' said Claire sternly.

'Yeah I agree with her.' spoked Logan with crossed arms sitting on a chair.

Claire was like a mother and Logan the father figure in this group. I mentally smiled at that.

'Okay, I will.' I answered again with a fake smile hoping they couldn't see my lie.

To be honest, sometimes I didn't eat for weeks. My body was used to it, used to the lack of food, so I won't be hungry for at least one or two weeks now. Except if I do too much physical exercises then I would be.

After supper we all went into our room. I went to the bathroom and stepped in the shower. Seconds later cold water started to pour and it immediately relaxed me. More I stood under the water more it got hotter. After a few minutes, I finally started to wash myself with the soap. I started with my hair and finished at my toes. I stood out of the shower feeling refreshed. I grabbed a towel rubbed it into my hair. Then passed it on my waist, I got out of the bathroom and went toward my bed. Damn! I realized that I didn't have any spare clothes... I could go commando, but I needed at least new pants...

'Hey Nyx! I can come back later...' Chris came in without knocking and immediately looked away. I think he was blushing, but since the room was too dark I couldn't see.

'No, it's okay. In fact I'm happy that you're here, I need new pants and I was wondering if you could lend me one? I'll give it back to you tomorrow after I go buy one!' I quickly added.

'Uh? Uhh yeah! I can lend ya one.' he quickly answered me and he ran away without closing the door.

I sat down on the bed and waited for Chris to return. Then he immediately returned and entered my room with a jean and a shirt in his hands.

'Here, I thought ya also wanted a shirt since you needed some pants.' he said still not looking at

me.

'Thanks man.' I answered and took the clothes. Without going in the bathroom I let the towel fall on the ground and put the jean on. I was going commando and then I put the shirt on. During all this I was back to Chris and when I returned he was blushing so hard. Then he saw me looking at him and he immediately turned away.

'Chris...' I started.

'Sorry, goodnight.' he cut me and ran out of the room, so rapidly that I couldn't say anything else.

'I accept the deal.' I said with a confident tone.

What? No, no, no and no! That wasn't what I was supposed to say! I cursed myself for wanting to do something interesting which is equal to some challenge for me.

'Great! I'll meet you again tomorrow at ten in the shop to give you more info.' he said with a smile while turning away and he walked inside de running crowd.

I sighted. Now I had done it, the irreparable was done. How could I be so stupid to accept a quest with less than 1% of success? At time like this I wanted to kill myself. How couldn't I use my brain in time like this? And the man on the picture, who the hell is he to enter such a prison? I sighted again while rubbing my forehead. I think I'll do some digging into this man, story to know who I'll work with. If I'm lucky maybe I'll be able to sleep more than two hour this night. I really hope he's known by the gangs here cause if it was not the case I would be more than mad and I would... accidentally... kill the first one annoying me.

~~~

'So? Do you know him?' I asked coldly to the man in front of me while holding the picture in front of him.

'...'

'Now, don't make me angrier cause if you do...' I took out my knife from the back pocket of my jean and hold it near his throat.

'H-He's D-Derek Ha-Hamilton, the-the head o-of the mo-most powerful ma-mafia a-around here! An-and maybe from the-the entire world! B-but he-he is also known a-as the mo-most wealthy billionaire i-in New-New York!' he rapidly answered my question always looking at my knife in fear which was still touching his skin.

'See? It wasn't so hard right?' I said with a smirk not that he can see me since I had a hood. I let go of his throat and put the object back into my pocket. Then I started to walk away humming. I was satisfied with the info he and the first one I interrogated gave me tonight cause both of them said the same thing.

Obviously I wasn't thinking that ever a mob boss would hire an assassin to work for him. And why would he hire an assassin to help him escape? Like our expertise doesn't lie here but in assassination.

'H-Hey! W-Wait!' shouted someone behind me. Instinctively I put my hand on my gun ready to shot anyone who would attack me. But then I realized it was the same man I interrogated a few minutes ago.

'Won't you untie me before you go?' he asked with a scared tone. I ignored him and continued to walk down the dark alley.

'Hey! Hey! Please man, please wait! I'll...' he shouted, but more I walked away more his voice was muffled. Who said he wouldn't attempt anything if I untied him? He could see my face if he got close enough and that was a risk I wasn't ready to take. Even if I don't untie him someone will... Eventually.

I think I'll stay low for a while cause the gangs would start to talk about me and you know how rumours travel fast. And soon enough people I don't want to meet will be here waiting the perfect moment to strike. It's not like I have a lot of enemies, okay only the family or people close to the ones I killed.

And that reminds me, no one could really find where I lived before maybe because they were all sending me a coded message through my protected site? So how the hell did Derek Hamilton found my address and didn't do like the others? I would have come anyway well... Maybe not if I knew I was going around the worst prison in America... I have to ask him how he found where I lived and make sure no one would ever be able to find me again... Like he did.

I was so deep into my thought that I didn't realize that... I was lost. 'Where the hell am I?' I mumbled looking around.

~~~

'These are documents you might need. It contains plans, the shift of the guards and other useful informations.' said Logan, the man I met yesterday.

'Mmm thanks.' I grumbled while I already started reading the papers he just gave me.

'You can read this later, we have something more important to do.'

I look up of the papers and looked at his eyes while raising an eyebrow.

'How can it be more important than informations?' I asked not very happy being taken out of my reading.

'Let's say I want to see the shadow in action.' he answered with a grin.

I sighted and rested on my chair while crossing my arms.

'And why should I do that?'

'Why not? Are you scared you won't be able to impress us?' Logan responded with a wide smile.

'Us? Cause I tell you, I won't be showing my face to anyone but you and master.' I said with a cold tone.

'It's okay do what you want but will you do it?' he asked with a poker face.

'Yeah I will, let's go I want to finish this the sooner as possible.'

He only nodded and while I took the files he started walking out of the coffee shop. Then we went into his car and slowly went into the usual traffic.

An hours later, we arrived in a abandoned building. I guess it wouldn't be too hard well I hope. I got out of the car and waited for Logan to show up. I put my hood on and waited... Waited. Until I realized I was alone and there was only a letter left in the car. I read:

Your test is simple, go inside the building and find the target. If you get out of there without being seen you win, but if we find you, you lose. As simple as that. As soon as you hear a gun fire, it'll be the signal that the game have started.

Logan and coe.

Okay... I should really be careful cause if Logan could disappear without being seen or heard, I should think that the others would at least have the same skills level. Or he could have hidden near here and was waiting for me to go inside before moving. So he can follow me from behind. Or...

Bang!

The signal! I sighted, I had to be careful and to be sure that Logan or others didn't follow me, I would climb the wall to access the second floor. They can't easily follow me like that. It took me a few years to be able to climb the walls rapidly and skillfully.

So as planned I silently ran toward the building wall and started to climb. It was too easy... It seemed like they predicted I'll do this... Weird...

I rapidly arrived on the second floor, but how would I go in? I looked around and there was a window. Evidently it was locked to I took out my knife and... There! Peace of cake! I opened it and carefully went inside, but before putting my foot down I scanned the hall. Then I looked at the floor and took out a rock I picked up earlier and let it fall on the floor. As soon as the rock touched the floor, there was a spark. Mmmm classic, electricity. Again, I looked around and found a box hanged on the wall. I bet my knife it was the power source. So, I took out my knife from my back pocket of my jean and threw it to the box. The knife stabbed the box and there was a shut down on every floor... Or it seemed... Weird...

I carefully put my foot on the ground and... Yup no shock. Finally I went in the building and started to walk toward the box to take back my knife. Then I went searching for stairs. Usually they would put my target on the top floor, but...

Immediately I hided behind a beam in the shadow. I heard footsteps. Then a man came in and said while looking around:

'Yeah... I'm sure he's.'

He approached the box and opened it.

'Yeah... It was him, the box was stabbed. He's near.' Then he suddenly turned around. I think he didn't saw me cause he's now walking away. I sighted. I'll have to be even more careful now since they know I'm near here they would be more attentive.

I waited a bit before getting out of my hiding space. I quickly walked toward the stairs and took out my gun. Even if it's only a test I don't know what they would do so better be careful. I carefully walked up the stairs and risked a glance. No one... Weird...

I spotted a hiding place and silently ran toward it. It's too weird, they should be waiting here or tried to attack me in the stairs. Out of nowhere a man appeared a few meters in front of me.

My place in the plane was beside a window and when I sat down for a few second a stewardess was here beside presenting herself.

'Good morning sir, my name is Jessica and I'll be the one accompanying you in your flight. If you need something don't hesitate and call for me.' she said with a fake smile.

I nodded and she continued to talk about the emergencies exit and all the other thing. She was gone when she finished talking and I can finally have some peace. I closed my eyes for a bit and before I knew it, I was asleep.

A sound woke me up from my peaceful sleep. I opened my eyes and groaned.

'Excuse me sir, I have to tell you we had arrived and you soon will have to exit.' she said always with the fake smile.

'Thanks.' I grumbled unhappy to be awaken.

When the plane was stable and all I finally could get out o this thing. I went to search for my luggage and the exit.

I called a taxi and told my apart address to the driver. The car went to life and we went into the usual traffic.

Later in the afternoon, we finally arrived in front on my new home. I paid the taxi and took my luggage. It wasn't luxurious, but I could live in this for a few weeks. So I went inside and I unlocked the door. When I opened it an old smell smacked at me. Now it was clear that no one lived here for a long time. I went inside and opened every window I could find and checked everything.

There was still two days left before I met my new master. What would I do with all this free time? Why not do a bit of tourism and get myself in the ambiance of this city. That way I can blend in if I need to escape.

For the next two days, I was getting to know everything about New York: the gangs, the mafias, the billionaires, etc. A lot of time these people were the one I had to kill. I also went to the coffee shop to inspect it and there was nothing suspicious. Of course I went to the Time Square, I saw the Liberty statue and popular museums.

~~~

Finally the day arrived and I was now in front of the coffee shop. I looked at the time and it was 10:00 pm. I was early, but hey doesn't mean I couldn't go inside. So I went into the line and commanded a black coffee with only a bit of milk inside. This shop was pretty busy, but luckily there was a free table and I took it.

I was sipping my coffee and more time passed the emptier the shop was. Then at 10:30 sharp a man came in and looked around searching for something or... someone.

Maybe he was my new master? I have to be certain, so I took out the card with the indication on it and put it on the table. I wasn't discreet, I was doing big movements for him to see the card.

He started to walk toward me and I looked at my possibly new master. He was tall and well built, he was like 6'8 or maybe more. He had short brown hair and his eyes were black. I looked at his clothes and I noticed a bump, he had a gun with him.

When he arrived at my table, he sat down and said more like growled 'Are you here to fulfill some of my wishes?'

He said the key word  'wishes'. I nodded and he kind of relaxed a bit. 'So you're my new master?' I ask confidently.

'No, I'm here to replace him because he couldn't come and that's why you're here... But we can't talk here.' He started to look around discreetly with his eyes.

Okay, his boss was surely someone of importance or a wanted one if he couldn't come in public.

"I agree, but if you're okay with it I want to choose the place to talk." I stated dead serious. Even though I'm pretty sure that he would do nothing to me, I want him to play in my game. I'll be the one controlling the strings not him or his boss.

'Fine, let's go.' he said with a sight. I'm pretty sure he hesitated for a second here. Fortunately I bought my gun and a knife with me. If something went in the ugly side, I'll clean up all traces and disappear like I always do.  "However let me warn you first. If you do anything stupid, you won't be able to step away unharmed.' his tone was warning me and even if he didn't return to glare at me, I was decided to do like he said. I had to be careful, now even more because I don't who is my master yet.

'If you're not my master who is?' I ask while I started to walk toward the exit while putting my cup in the garbage.

'For now he want you to know him as master only. He want to personally say it to you.' he said while walking close behind me.

'And about the payment?'

'He'll give it to you when your first job will be accomplished.'

'No. I don't work like that. I have to have half of the payment first and then when the deed accomplished you'll give me the rest.' I said as I stopped walking and returned to glare at him.

'Well too bad because I don't have the authority to pay you and only the boss can.' he glared back at me.  

'Then tell me what does he want.' I asked crossing my arms. 'And we can talk here no one can hear.'

We were standing in the middle of Time Square and yes we really were. No one can hear us because they are all occupied to do something or pressed to go somewhere and if he planned to do something I could use the people around me as protection. There's also a lot of escape route, Time Square is too big for him to search for me if I ran away. Let's not forget there's also some cops around looking for pickpockets. In some ways, Time Square is the safest place... for now.

The guy was looking at me like I was stupid, but since I didn't move an inch and I was still waiting for my answer he sighted.

'The boss want you to help him escape from the most dangerous and hardest prison of America.' he grumbled the last part.

If I wasn't paying attention and trying to understand what he was saying I wouldn't have hear his answer. But I did and I was shocked, really shocked and I only stood there with my mouth open not knowing what to say. I'm pretty sure I was looking like an idiot, but it was the first time someone requested me to escape from a prison, but it had to be THIS one!

'Please close your mouth, you look stupid. So, you accept the deed?' he asked with some confidence back.

'First, you should know that NO one fully succeeded to escape from this prison and the fact that is as hard to get in as getting out.  Secondly if I accept this the price would be very very high since it's nearly impossible and IF i get caught I'll myself go in one of those cell. How can your boss be so sure I can successfully free him?' I ask angrily and a bit desperately.

'He know that you can and the fact you're looking for something interesting.' he replied like he was repeating someone words. 

It was true I was looking for something interesting and maybe challenging, but never ever an escape from THIS prison ever crossed my mind. I think I was looking really confused since the man gave me a grin and said: 'What? Can't do it? The shadow who always successfully finish a given deed is running away from some challenge?'

I glared at him. I swear it I really wanted to kill him right now for insulting me! It wasn't him who would risk his life for saving a man I didn't even know. I never ran away from any of the request my ancient masters gave me. But my instincts were telling me to back off from this one.

'How can I know he's my master? And are you sure he is willing to pay me no matter how high is the price? If he doesn't have enough money...'I didn't have time to finish the man interrupted my by saying confidently: 'Don't worry about money and the here a picture of the boss. Since you asked for how he looks I assume you accept the deed?'

No answer no! I know I have to refuse, yet I'm very curious to know if I can succeed it. No, don't think about it just refuse!

'I accept the deal.'

'Any last word?' I ask coldly with my gun pointed at my target.

'P-please d-don't ki-kill me!!!' said pitifully the man on his knees.

I pointed my gun on his forehead and my finger on the trigger.

'Pl-please stop! I'll pay you, I'll pay you 100 000$ to not kill me and another 50 000$ to hire you!' He blurted out his offer while shaking in fear.

I thought of his proposition always the gun on his forehead. 150 000$ that's not bad, but not enough.

'D-do we ha-have a-a deal?' said my target while interrupting my thoughts.

Without another word I pulled the trigger, no sound was made. I bend down in search for his phone and I found it in his pocket. I opened it and he had a password of course, I took out a little box and plugged it to his phone and... Done his password was 5930.

With his phone I took a picture of him... Well his corpse as proof and I'm gone.

One hour later, I was in my master's office hiding in the shadow. I didn't wait very long and the door opened. My master appeared in my sight of vision and he confidently walked to his desk and sat down.

'I know you're here, come out.' master commanded.

I waited a bit before stepping out of my hiding place. I handed him the phone with the proof on the screen. Master looked at it without any emotion and then he slightly smirked.

'Good job, here's your other part of your payment, 250K in cash.' he said while opening a case with money inside.

I took one pack in the middle and checked if it was fake or anything and then confirmed if it was really my other half of the payment. I nodded satisfied and closed the case.

'Any other wish master?' I ask in a neutral voice.

'No, you can go, I don't need you anymore. And if you shall talk to anyone of this matter I'll personally take you to your grave.' his voice was cold as ice and nearly shivered in fear.

'Of course master, I'll take my leave.' with this said I was gone.

I was back in my temporary apartment. I deposed the case on the other case with my other half of payment in it. I sighted. Why can't  anyone find a new way of paying me? At first I was very happy when I finished my job and had money, but now it was becoming boring...

What should I do with this money? I don't have a bank account and can't let it here or take it with me... Maybe I'll buy new guns and new clothes? Yeah that's a good idea oh and I need ammo.

I sighted again, I hate shopping days... And I have to find a new master soon or I'll kill myself out of boredom.

I was going to take a shower to wash out the smell of blood on me when someone knocked at the door. Without a sound I took my gun and hided it behind my back while walking toward the door. I slowly opened it and saw no one. I waited a bit to be sure the one who knocked was really gone. I looked down and saw a card, I took it and read: 'September 15th, meet me in the cafe at 10:30 pm at XXX street in New York. Your new master.'

I took the card with me and closed the door. I deposed it on the desk and went to the shower. I have a new job and hope it'll be interesting this time!

Thirty minutes later I came out of the bathroom again with only a towel covering my lower part. I took a boxer and put it on. Exhausted I let myself fall on the bed and sighted.

I have some time to waste before the day of our meeting. It has been a long time since I didn't went to New York, maybe I'll go and pass sometime there. Who knows it may be fun!

I woke up because there was an annoying sound beside me. I slammed on the think and heard a 'crack'. I opened my eyes and saw that I destroyed my clock. I sighted. I'll have to buy a new one... I yawned and sat up on my bed. I thought of what I had to do today and groaned. This is the thing I hate the most in this job : shopping! I had to find a new apart, a new phone, a ticket to New York, some new clothes and some ammo.

I think I'll buy the ticket first, so I called and reserved a place in the first class. Why not? I have to spend this money somewhere.

Then I realized, I need a passport! I grumbled annoyed with all the thing I have to do today.

I was dressed with some plain clothes, a black shirt and some used jeans. I took some cash with me and went toward the mall. First I'll buy some clothes and a new phone.

When I was done with these, it was past noon and my stomach was growling in protest. I went to the food court and chose something simple, like a hamburger with some fries.

Now that I was full, I went back into my car while tossing the bags behind and my last phone in the garbage. I was going to get some ammo and a fake passport. I went in a gun shop and bought the things I needed.

For the passport it was more complicated, the man wanted me to pay him a lot more than necessary and he was a stubborn one. In the end I needed to threaten him to get a good price.

'See it wasn't too hard.' I said while checking if everything was in place with a knife near his throat.

'Y-yeah...' his voice and body was shaking.

'Okay everything is perfect, here.' I said with a fake smile and gave him the money while I take back the knife.

Before the man can say more I was gone. Now that I had everything I need, I returned to my apartment to prepare everything for tomorrow.

I was in the airport and everything was taken care of. The money I didn't use was given to a charity case. Of course I kept enough for me. Anyway I didn't need this much and it'll only cause me trouble if I kept it.

I was now wearing a suit and gave them my passport, passed the security and all. For the guns I had a licence, so I had no problem.

I was waiting for my flight and to entertain myself, I was reading some newspaper and sipping some coffee.

'Flight number 230 to New York. Please all passengers in the first class enter the plane.' said a woman with a monotone voice in the intercom.

Finally I was beginning to feel impatient. Now let's go to New York and I hope my new master have something entertaining for me.

I always lived in the shadow and always will.

I have no name and never had.

I'm everyone and anyone.

Each night I have a new master and he can call me like he want. I was once a Jonh, a thing, a monster, a no name...

I'll realize all your dreams even the wildest one. All I want as payment is money. More you give to me more I'll be loyal to you.

However I have one and only one rule. I'll never have any personal contact whatsoever with my master.

One day I met Derek Hamilton, a billionaire, a mafia boss and my new master.