Somewhere at the back of her mind, unwanted noises came from within the room waking her up after finally falling asleep.
'5 more minutes please.' She begged.
Trying her best to keep the noise out, she buried her head under the pillow. She had succeeded in getting rid of the disturbance when a loud "THUD" crashed to the floor. It was followed by a "Wuff, wuff," and some hushed whispers. Probably whoever had crashed was trying to stop the dog from barking.
Nova groaned into the bed finally waking up.
Sensing movement from the bed, the dog jumped up her legs and began nudging the red mop of curls sticking out from underneath the blanket.
"Stop that Maxwell before I kick you off my bed. I'm already awake." Nova groaned.
At that, the dog seized its actions but remained atop her legs.
"Get off you fat mutt, my legs are still sore."
"Wake up miss Nova__ ", "__it's already 7 o'clock."
"The sun is up in the sky__ " "__you wouldn't want to be cursed."
"___Wuff!"
"What?"
"They say__ " "___it's a bad omen."
"__Wuff."
Nova pushed her head up to stare at the two boys standing at the foot of her bed staring back at her with a pair of twitching ears. One of them was holding a steaming mug while the other held a wrapped bag.
Sighing, she climbed out of the bed and into the bathroom to wash her face. It's freaking 7 o'clock in the morning! She's not having classes or a job that needed her this early, why on earth did she have to wake up? But there is no way she can get that into these three idiots' heads. She is no match for them whenever they start sprouting nonsense, especially when they are excited.
She returned to the room after washing her face and brushing her teeth. After skipping dinner last night, at least they were considerate enough and brought along her much needed breakfast.
"So," she started sitting cross legged on the bed. "Who died from this recently identified omen?" She decided to humor them. They would eventually tell her whether she likes it or not.
That was all they need to get started. Before she could blink, her not so large bed was crowded by the two teenage boys and a dog which never left in the first place and started ranting non stop.
The twins, or triplets, dog included, as she use to call them, all grew up together. All the three male have the same shaggy brown hair, more so for the dog while the boys spot adorable freckles on their noses. They would have looked identical if not for one having an extra helpings of fat, which the other one would be very grateful to have but made up with a few inches in height.
They went on to divulge to her how one of the gang members got killed in mission just because one had mistakenly slept in. Not only did he miss his breakfast, he also missed the ride.
And although he had successfully managed to infiltrate the target building unnoticed and took his position behind a potted plant, the rumbling noises that came from his stomach gave him away. It was instant death for him.
They decided it was because he was met by a bad omen of sleeping in.
Nova recalled the incident quite clearly. Ever since she was twelve, grampa Lee made it mandatory upon her to be informed of all the affairs of the gang. Majority of which were list of failed missions and deaths that took place one after the other. It was traumatic for her 12 year old mind.
She was too weak and young to do anything. And unlike the normal thugy crimes like human trafficking, prostitution and drug dealing, her gang had only ever carry on missions for hosts that paid well. But as their numbers and strength dwindled, acing missions became hard without risking their lives. And no one is willing to employ clients if the success rate isn't 100%. That was how the Odd Job Agency came to life.
Sometimes, they'd go on months without jobs, if it weren't for the small request they got from the townspeople, ranging from finding their pets or house repairs. Soon, Nova feared it would be hard for them to have food on their plates.
"Miss Nova," Maxim, the tall and skinny lad says excitedly.
"Guess what?" continued Maximus the short and fat lad mirroring his excitement.
"Last night__," Maxim. "___a wealthy fellow paid a visit to grandpa Lee." Maximus.
"Wuff." Maxwell barked marking the end of their sentence. As usual.
"Boy___" "___you could've seen his car,"
"Right?"
"Must be one of the rich folks___,"
"___from the city. I smell,"
"___a high paying gig! We'll be rich"
"___in no time!"
"Wuff."
She was already used to their synched conversations. It is creepy everytime she hears it and hard to keep up.
Nova rolled her eyes, not believing what their words. It was well known in The Underground that they were nothing but pathetic group of people playing thugs, and no one in their right mind would come to them anymore.
"Which reminds me___" "___You weren't at home last night."
"Grandpa Lee asked for you___""___where were you during that storm?"
"Wuff."
Argh. Of course they'd notice. They are supposed to be her personal guards.
Nova was about to cook up some lies when a knock came from the bedroom door.
"Coming!" She jumped out of the bed, having done with her breakfast. Talk about saved by the bell.
"Miss Nova," a young sweaty boy wearing a grey overalls, the gangs practice uniform stood in the halfway. "Elder Lee is asking for you. He said to meet him in the private room."
"Right."
Ignoring the questions fired at her by the curious boys, she changed out of her yellow fluffy pajamas and head out. On a normal day like this, especially after the stunt she pulled off last night, she'd dread meeting the elder. Although he is kind and caring, especially towards her, he'd nag her ears out.
He'd still do that this morning. But her curiosity was pricked, she's itching to know what the wealthy fellow__ according to the Maxs', needed that he had to resort to them. Given their reputation, it must be something odd, she dare say. What ever drove the fellow to use his last available card? Well, she'll find out IF the man exist in the first place.
With that in mind, Nova boldly rapped her knuckles against the heavy mahogany doors
______