It was dark out as Ariane hauled the body she had all nicely packaged behind her, a soft pull-and-scrape sound the only evidence of what she was doing, lurking around behind all the backs of the buildings. No one was out this late anyway, and if they were, they were probably too drunk or tired to clue in to what was going on. She paused for a moment, readjusting the lead over her shoulder, and then continuing on. This, for sure, had to be the least rewarding, messiest part of her job. Everything was clean and silent and perfectly orchestrated - even the looks in their eyes as they faded - and then... Came the disposal part.
The bodies were always cumbersome and awkward, like gigantic rag dolls, and it was up to her to make them disappear. Which proved especially difficult when said body was overweight. And, stairs. Ugh, stairs were the ultimate pain when it came to getting the package out of a house and away into the night. She couldn't count how many years and encounters it had taken her to master the art of keeping their limbs from thudding on all the steps all the way down to the next floor.
Sighing, she adjusted the weight on her shoulder again. After tonight she was going to go home and enjoy a nice, long, hot bath. And a drink. Yah, definitely a drink.
Ariane could see the shore from here, the light playing off the water's surface in an ethereal dance. It had always amazed her, the ability of and ocean's depths to hide things; secrets and betrayals and, now, murder.
She dropped the tether from her shoulder, turning her back to the sea and walking backward, tether in hand, across the wet grass leading to the sand and the beach. Damn, this one was heavy. And, the friction from the patches of grass was not helping. It was going to be interesting pulling this one through the sand. The damp on the ground was soaking through the soft coverings on her feet, making her toes cold. Not the best shoes for outdoor adventuring, but definitely the most quiet for her indoor purposes.
As she reached the shore, Ariane stopped to look out across the ocean, brushing the back of her arm across her forehead. The water lapped at the cloth-covered feet of her package, drawing back and crawling forward again, like the great heaving breaths of some ancient beast. Another night's work done. Tomorrow morning it would be the same routine. She would return to her client, finish their business, and walk away with cash in hand. Another month's expenses paid for. Fortunately for Ariane, murder was a lucrative business, and she didn't mind the job. It wasn't any of her business why these people wanted their friends, or partners, or enemies to disappear. She was just the vessel for their selfishness. As long as they kept paying, she'd keep providing.
Lucky for her, paranoia was never short in supply. If she played her cards right, she could get two people trying to outbid her to kill one another. That was when she really hit pay dirt.
Turning back to the body lying on the beach, she bent down to roll it into the ocean.
"Sweet, watery dreams, my friend."
She wouldn't have to take it out very far before the tide would take it. Just a few more steps into the water and she could be done, home for the night in time to make a cup of tea, wash up, and enjoy that bath. The prospect of sleep was so sweet, especially after having to haul all this dead weight around, sneaking behind buildings and spiriting it away through the shadows.
Just a little farther into the cold, dark waters.