The basement was dark, a blinking red light flashing ominously as a shadow moved in front of it. Two soft steps filled the darkness with noise and uncertainty.
Whoever snuck about, was trained, two sensors unsure if they should register an intruder.
Step, after step, a black figure came into the small floodlight of the five star kitchen. Chefs worked diligently as steam rose from huge pots and the clank of metal touched their ears more than the music that played.
The figure slightly opened the door, blue eyes watching carefully as he weighed his options. The black figure rushed out,
"Gentlemen, let's hurry this order to the floor, we need this quota filled!"
"Yes chef!" They all said in unison.
It was a young boy, his blonde hair slicked back and his attire rather black compared to the white those around him dawned. The boy smiled and clapped his hands together, "Chop Chop!"
"Yes chef!"
Samuel could not help but smile, it was his first time playing a head chef. He always had trouble with generic roles like this, but somehow his voice and body fit right in.
A young male turned toward Samuel. In all cases, he looked like a boy dressed to go ding-dong ditch a rich house but… The chef smiled at his superior, the person he saw was Mr. Murray, his idol since he was a kid.
A hard french accent snaked out toward the young chef's ears, "Hurry up, no time to gawk."
The boy blushed and went back to stirring his pot. Samuel sighed and kept his pace. Even if he loved the role he was playing, he had other things to attend to.
The reason he could saunter through without a care was because of his power. The power to alter other people's senses, as long as he could witness someone with one of his own senses, then he could change theirs. Change it to his liking, creating a facade that no one could ever break.
At the moment, he was Mr. Murray, a beloved cook who had worked with this drug lord for decades, keeping true to his food even if the money he made was false.
Samuel planned on taking down the baddie who runned this place, Aries, a man who used busted corporation scams and street drugs to keep his empire afloat. Samuel was keen on killing the mythical named man, the one who killed his father.
The thought stained Samuel's mind, and for a split second, all he could hear was the music. Oh no. A female cook stared at Samuel, able to see him for what he truly was. Samuel quickly reached out and slowed her sense, the tendrils that were wrapped around him straining. She did not move, unsure of what she was seeing. For her, it seemed she was tripping on hallucinogens, the boy in front of her melting.
Aries stood before her, "What?" He said with cold heart intent. The cook shook her head, " sorry just was taking a break from the spice station. Headache…"
Aries, a bald headed man with a grey beard leaned forward, "Did I ask for an explanation?" His words were raspy and harsh. The female cook nodded and hurried along. In the same instant, Samuel shifted back to Mr. Murray.
He breathed out, you are insane, why did you go straight for him?! He mentally slapped himself and entered a small closet off to his left. Mops and brooms were scattered about. To fully change senses to look and sound like someone else, he had to observe everything about that person.
Remembering the man who murdered his father inches away from his face was plenty enough. He would never forget, and just in case he wrote down aspects of the female cook. A small journal filled with little notes, a doodle of the person underneath each descriptions. He thought about the name tag on her shoulder.
Sasha…
He smiled, another act he would have to master. He felt a tickle down his spine, a sensation he always got when readying himself to perform. He breathed in and closed his eyes, remembering how Sasha walked away, her long black hair bouncing in a bun. He moved lower, watching her hips and matching it.
Samuel always practiced his memory like this, he had to, it was a part of him. It always felt natural to take someone's identity, always masking his own. No one really knew what he looked like, no one had seen his beautiful light blue eyes, or his shining blonde hair. And he never planned on showing anyone. Sasha was a slip up, he made sure to focus.
A few minutes later, Sasha closed the door to the appliance closet and was heading upstairs, her gait filled with determination.
"Sasha," a friendly voice called up to her, "How is my beautiful apprentice doing?"
Shit.
Samuel knew he could match the voice, but her personality. What would she say? How would she respond?
Think, how did she act?!
He remembered her being a little overly talkative, a little bit unsure and timid.
Bingo.
"Hey, and not to well, this headache is killing me so I was heading upstairs to catch some fresh air." Sasha smiled gently and waved at the male just behind her. The man had a white cap on and a red beard twisted to look fancy.
Samuel was still focusing on what he remembered smelling. The smell of a cigarette entered his mind.
"Woah, smoking again, I told you that's the reason for the migraines." The man shook his head and tapped her on the shoulder as he passed her on the steps. "Just be careful, Marlo would hate to smell that."
Samuel smiled behind Sasha, "Where is he now?"
The man scratched his beard, "Twentieth floor with Jason for some big meeting, why?"
"Oh no reason...Just wanted to chat with him."
"Even after the breakup?"
Samuel tensed up, "Sadly yes."
His mind started to race, his act almost falling apart all together. He had to focus on the man, while coming up with ways to counter-back. What breakups? Was it a relationship?
"Well just be safe, Marlo usually gets moody when work doesn't go his way." The man disappeared.
Samuel sighed, he decided being Sasha was to troublesome, it was probably best to switch back to Mr. Murray, a man he had watched for days now. He had to, all for the act, the same as studying a script.
He focused on himself, making sure he would shift to the first person he saw senses. Then the door in front of him opened. The lines of senses flocked toward Samuel, something he was use to seeing. Just as the lines connected on him, he altered them.
Mr. Murray's mouth dropped as he saw a complete copy of himself. Samuel froze, his mind going into overdrive.
Oh shit.
Then, as if on God's will, the building shook violently. The lights completely blew out and Samuel made no hesitation leaving the area. He pushed past the door to see the ground floor of the GreenCore. Dozens of people were thrown off there feet, sliding sideways.
Samuel was bewildered, it seemed as if the entire structure was sliding forward.
There was no time, he had to hurry to the meeting and find Marlo. The sole person who knew were Aries was.
The building seem to swirl, sending Samuel flying sideways, slamming against the receptionist desk.
"Fuck!"
Marlo landed near Samuel, a lengthy white men in an all maroon suit. Samuel looked up at his target.
Marlo moved his black hair and stared back.
The love of his life Sasha was clutching her arm.