A/N: In a way this is a murder mystery, but there’s a lot more to unraveling this case then one would think. . . . 

“There’s a little creepy house in a little creepy place, little creepy town in a little creepy world, little creepy girl with her little creepy face . . . do you know what it’s all about, are you brave enough to figure out,” Walking On Air, Kerli, Love Is Dead. 

Chapter 1: A Living Shadow.

Ethal’s POV

She doesn’t notice. Not that she should, but it’s still amusing, especially after what my employer said about this human. Oh well, it doesnt matter to me, as long as I get paid. What does matter, is that I can’t use my normal method, instead I have to shoot her; and where’s the fun in that?

Flash back.

“I want you to get rid of someone for me.” he said.

“I kinda assumed that, seeing as I’m an assassin, and assassins are often hired to kill people.” I replied sarcasticly.

“This is a file on her, with instructions on what you should do. She’s a tricky one, she’s only fifteen, but she’ll be hard to kill.”

“‘Kay,” I replied absentmindedly as I flipped through the file, and stopped when I saw one of the instructions. “I have to shot her? Sch, that’s gonna cost extra, cuz I don’t do guns. How much are ya gunna pay me anyway?”

“Fifty thousand euros, and yes, you do have to shoot her. Your method of stabbing people won’t kill her fast enough.”

I was about to complain that I wouldn’t be able to use euros in America, when I realized that if I exchanged that for dollars, I’d get more more then fifty thousand bucks. “Alright, but you’ll also have to cover expenses.”

“It will be done.” He replied, turning to leave.

“Not so fast, first we have to shake on it.” I replied, spitting in my hand and extending it.

“That is a disgusting habit you assassins have.” he replied, staring at my hand.

“Too bad.” I snapped.

With obvious disgust, he spit in his hand, then shook mine. “Why do you use this form anyway? You don’t have to look human around me.”

“I tried that one time with someone else and he ran away crying cuz he didn’t know what to expect.” I said. “Now go away.” I cast off my human disguise, but remained visible, to see how he’d react. Most people who have never encountered a shadow, freak out, for we appear completely human, except we have no facial features.

He just laughed and walked away. “You’re a pretty little shadow, so why do you hide?”

End flash back.

“I still don’t know who that guy was, but it doesn’t matter all that much.” I mused to myself, unheard by everyone around me, for I did not wish to be heard. “All I know is that he’s a vampire.”

She left the crowded street and entered a dark alleyway, alone, for once. Now’s the perfect time. “Finally, we’re all alone.” I said, remaining invisible, but allowing her to hear me.

“Who’s there?!” she asked, panicked, as she spun around, her blonde hair falling into her face.

“Why, me, of course,” I replied innocently, fading into the visible spectrum, but making no effort to hide my true apperance.

“You! You’re stalking me! Why don’t you leave me alone . . . ” she went on, and on, and on.

When I got bored, I pulled out my gun, cocked it, and pointed it straight at her. Seeing the gun she clammed up, much to my relief, why does that girl talk so much when she’s scared? “Time to say good-bye, Minerva.”

Some other stories by Lydia Tall:

• Code Red Creations Updated
• C Is For Conviction
• B Is For Betrayal
• Code Red Creations
• A Is For Accusation