killer, gbd (EDITING)

35

A gentle shake at my shoulder wakes me up. I rub my eyes and look up to the woman from before. "We are going to start landing, but I wanted to give this to you. It's quite cold during these months." She smiles and hands me a thick black jacket. The fleece lining is soft against my rough hands.

"Thank you." I smile, leaning forward to slip it on. Once I have it on and zipped, I sit back and raise the blind for my window. Below I see a snowy city filled with bright colorful lights. It's has been so long since I have seen snow and for a moment, a childish joy sparks at my heart.

The flame is quickly put out as we land and a man in a suit exits the cockpit and sits across from me. He gives me a quiet nod and sits in silence until the jet is at a stand still.

"The time is 4:18, we have scheduled a dinner for you in the restaurant located in your hotel at 6. You will be dining with a man that will teach some basic Russian to help you with your stay here. All of your new clothes have already been taken to your room. You will be given all of the information on your mission once the other agents arrive which will be in 5 days. Your schedule from now to then is in your room." He stands and nods for the door to be opened. The lady smiles at me and gestures out the door.

I take a deep breath and stand, peeking out at the snow as I walk through the small plane. I step down each step and catch a cold breeze that makes my eyebrows pull together. The woman walks off the plane not far behind me. "That cab will take you to your hotel ma'am," She tells me and walks in front of me to open the door. "Safe travels, good luck."

"Thank you." I say, ducking into the car. Quietly, I buckle my seat belt and lean my head back against the seat.

"The drive shouldn't be long, 10 minutes or so." The driver tells me. The car begins to move and the gentle swaying relaxes me. I take the moment to shut my eyes again, my tense stomach loosens and my fists flatten.

For only a moment, I enjoy the sound of the tires rumbling ever-so softly under us. Then the sound stops, and I open my eyes to a still and pristine world. As I expected, the hotel we will be staying at is stunning. The high class style mocks that of the one that Grayson and I had stayed at. My driver gets out of the car and opens my door for me before I am ready to feel the cool breeze and sickening reality.

"You are checked in under the name Herring," The man says, smiling briefly. "Good luck, miss." With that, I step out and he pulls away. The bag boy to the right eyes me, staying to his post when he sees I have nothing. I walk through the doors and climb up a small flight of gorgeously made stairs to the warm and luxurious lobby. A fountain lays in the middle and the ceiling extends up past all of the floors of rooms. The three elevators divide the endless space up equally. I walk up to the desk and put on my best smile, knowing it's now time to do my job.

"I made a reservation, the name is Herring." The woman enters something into her keyboard and places a key card in a small machine, no bigger then a tissue box. The machine beeps and she hands me the card with a smile and a nod.

"Enjoy your stay Mrs. Herring." I nod and continue to the elevators. Only when I am forced to wait, I realize how she had addressed me. Mrs. Herring, who in the hell is Mr. Herring? I guess that it really doesn't matter...

The elevator opens, I enter and take a look at my keycard before pressing the 46 button. I stand up straight and balance myself equally on both feet, the simplest thing that many agents have gotten killed from in foreign countries is sticking out as an American. A civilian of Moscow is what I am supposed to look like, not a strange American visitor.

The doors open and I stand looking out at the space before me, taking in the floral smell, before I continue. I follow the gold plated number all the way to room number 19. I unlock the room with a simple swipe and push open the door to a glorious view. A full and high class closet greets me to my left, followed by the doorway into a stunning bathroom. My eye is caught by the jacuzzi, sparking white marble pleasing to the eye.