"Looks good." Self-talk is one of Mara's favorite pastimes while on assignment as sniper assassins rarely work with a crew in tow.
Image by StockSnap
Click, click, click. The sound of adjusting a new sniper scope turret is music to her ears and one of the things that was always on her to-do list.
Poom. Poom. Poom.
"Firing the rifle on a target atop a headstone 100 meters away was fun. I'm happy with the new scope." Mara continued to wipe the rifle a couple of times before she set it aside. Everything is set.
With a growling stomach, Mara walked around and surveyed the surroundings one more time before preparing dinner.
Her thoughts turned to the upcoming Halloween festivities back home as she ate her food and her bed for the night. "Sleeping in a mausoleum might be one of the creepiest things I would never have thought of doing when I was younger, but I don't really believe in ghosts so this could be quite relaxing."
The San Pedro Cemetery is an exclusive cemetery catering to moneyed families. It's old-world charm, desirable location, and huge cuts of land easily sold out the place.
As Mara closed the door and prepared to sleep, she felt the hair on her nape stand as the cold breeze gently whispered her name.
"That's odd." Mara whispered to herself. "I could have sworn the wind was calling me. Hmmm... I think I better get some shut-eye."
Image by Sebastian Ferrandiz
The following day, Mara woke up early. She peeped through the small windows surrounding the mausoleum and then began to gather her things - prepared for anything that might happen.
"Let's see what this baby can do." Mara continued to silently survey the surrounding areas with the scope's 20X magnification. The morning sun lit up the landscape well enough for it to be postcard perfect.
"This is fantastic. I can see ants walking in single file one kilometer away." The clarity of the image made her smile.
Snap! The sound of a twig breaking immediately roused Mara's senses. She rolled over to see what's happening around and saw shadows moving about outside her hiding place.
"Shit! Have they found me?" Mara's reflexes kicked in as she instinctively retreated for cover behind the tomb.
The flock of pigeons resting on the utility pole wires seemed startled as they flew away abruptly.
"I still can't see anyone out there." As Mara continued to search the area with her scope, she noticed a figure walking down the stairs from the second floor being reflected on a shiny flower vase.
Mara grabbed her pistol, flipped forward to the direction of the figure, and cocked the gun mid-air in one motion.
"Hands up! Now, throw away the gun to your right." The man followed her instructions carefully.
"Take it easy. George sent me. My name is Dustin. I'm your new spotter." He looked familiar, but Mara wasn't convinced.
"Were you at the second floor the whole night?" Mara was checking the contents of Dustin's bag.
"I got here two days ago. I slept on the roof; easier to see if anyone is approaching." Dustin explained.
"Well, you clearly didn't see me casually strolling in and opening this creaky door yesterday afternoon. You can put your hands down now." She rebutted.
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors
"Shall we eat lunch? I'm starving." Dustin pleaded.
"The baked beans in your bag looks good." Mara conceded.
"Great. I'll open it up." Dustin brought out the canned beans and gave one to Mara.
"Shush!" Mara's index finger was touching her lips, then pointed to the entrance. She had to double-check if the shadows outside were a danger to them.
Having found nothing, Mara returned to eat and go over the plans with Dustin.
"The baked beans tasted better hot. Thanks, Dustin." Thankful that the food was hot.
"Call me Dusty." Dustin felt comfortable with Mara.
"Sure."
As the night grew darker, the wind blew harder. The moon was covered with dark clouds and a drizzle began to fall.
"Shall we call it a night? I can take first watch." Dusty sensed his new "partner" getting bored and thought it best to turn in early to get some more rest for the big day.
Turning serious, Mara grabbed her rifle for another wipe down. "You can go to bed if you want. I'm not sleepy."
Thirty minutes had passed by and the hair on Mara's nape began to stand and the butterflies in her stomach began to fly vigorously in all directions. "Something isn't right. I better check."
Looking out the small windows, Mara could see shadows moving about. "What d'fuq!"
"Lost souls." Dustin spoke softly.
"You startled me. I thought you were sleeping already." Mara blurted out.
"They are harmless. They just walk around aimlessly." Being from this part of the country, Dustin knew his way around and the things they will encounter on this mission.
Mara felt uncomfortable sleeping with those things walking outside, but fell asleep after a few hours. Dustin got up and stood guard for the rest of the night. He's got her back if anything should happen.
Image by Mystic Art Design
"Good morning." Dustin brought coffee in cans and gave one to Mara.
"I dozed off while watching those... things walk around. It's actually quite entertaining." Mara was still a bit confused about what she saw.
Rogelio Ram Ruiz was a businessman who came from the slums of Alejo Norte. He made his fortune by accumulating hundreds of rental property and, later on, via land development.
"Ready to go?" Ram Ruiz asked his wife with a commanding voice.
"One more, and, done." Liza put on her flat shoes, grabbed her favorite handbag, and joined her husband downstairs.
"I think we should set aside a part of the property for the mid-market range buyers...."
"No!" Ram replied abruptly. Julio's recommendation fell on deaf ears.
"But we promised the local government and the community that we will..."
"No!" Ram cut him off and took a stand. "The New San Pedro Memorial Park will be good for business, Julio. We got it for practically nothing and I want to break record earnings with this project."
"OK, Ram. You're the boss." Julio put up his hands in surrender.
As they traveled to the location of the ribbon cutting ceremony, Julio, Ram, and Liza began to celebrate. The project will rake in millions for the company.
"To another successful development project. Salute!" Ram raised a toast.
Image by Couleur
Poom!
"Wow! Right on the money." Dustin expressed admiration for his new partner.
Mara stayed a few seconds longer than she should have and peered through the sniper scope with profound interest.
The muffled sound of a high powered sniper rifle seemed to have caught the attention of the shadow walkers.
"The shadow walkers are all walking in the direction of Ruiz' car." She did not stay to find out what will happen next.
"We have to go, Mara." Dustin stated with a hint of urgency.
The following day.
"Hello, Mama! I'm home." Mara kissed her mother on the cheeks and immediately went to her room to look at the news on the internet.
...with reports from Maria Santos, this is Miguel Barrera. And, back to you Janice.
Mara was able to catch the last part of the live stream. This is another scoop that will give her more credibility as an up and coming reporter.
"I still can't wrap my brain around those shadow walkers. There might be a good story in this." Maria is already thinking of how the story will be written. "But before that, I have to do the research and dig up as much as I can about these creatures."
The Ink Well Prompt #36: Halloween photo
by:
@juanvegetarian