The Janitor Who Was A Killer

The wind carried the faint hum of distant engines as Vardan and Mia slipped through the back alleyways, moving closer to the Iron Serpents' main hideout.

The warehouse loomed ahead, surrounded by rusted shipping containers and broken fences. Two guards stood at the entrance, smoking and laughing quietly, unaware of the danger creeping toward them.

Mia stopped behind a stack of crates, pressing her back against the cold metal. "Let me handle this," she whispered.

Vardan nodded and crouched low, watching as Mia walked out into the open with casual confidence.

"Hey," she called out, approaching the guards.

Both men snapped to attention, their hands moving to their belts.

"Relax," Mia said, flashing a slight smirk. "Darius sent me."

One of the guards, a burly man with a scar over his left eye, narrowed his gaze. "I don't recognize you."

Mia's expression didn't waver. "You wouldn't. I just got transferred from the docks. Darius needed someone discreet to check in tonight. Said something about leaks in security."

The other guard, younger and twitchy, glanced nervously at his partner.

Scar-Eye snorted. "Darius never mentioned anything."

Mia tilted her head slightly, letting her eyes drift toward the warehouse entrance. "If you want to question him, go ahead. I'm sure he'd love to hear how you delayed his orders."

Scar-Eye hesitated, exchanging a glance with the younger guard.

"Fine," he grunted, stepping aside. "Go in. But if you're lying—"

"I know the rules," Mia replied smoothly, walking past them.

From the shadows, Vardan followed silently, slipping through the entrance before the guards could close it.

---

Inside the Warehouse

Dim lights flickered overhead, casting jagged shadows across the concrete floor. Rows of crates stacked high lined the path deeper into the facility.

Vardan stayed close to Mia, his eyes scanning the area.

"How did you know that would work?" he whispered.

Mia glanced over her shoulder. "Darius runs his crew like the organization. He keeps things quiet and doesn't tell his men everything. It's easy to exploit."

Vardan smirked. "You're smarter than you let on."

"I was trained to survive," Mia replied, her voice low.

As they crept forward, voices echoed from deeper within the warehouse. Vardan slowed his steps, signaling Mia to stop.

They crouched behind a stack of crates, peering through the gaps.

At the center of the room, Darius stood surrounded by half a dozen Serpents. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a long black coat. His eyes scanned over a map spread across a table.

Vardan's gaze locked onto him.

There he is.

Mia leaned closer to Vardan. "Darius is dangerous. Even James would've been cautious around him. Are you sure about this?"

"I have to be."

Before Mia could respond, one of the Serpents shifted, causing a metal pipe to clatter to the ground.

Darius's head snapped up. His cold eyes scanned the room.

"Who's there?" Darius called out, his voice sharp.

Vardan exhaled slowly, rising from behind the crates. "Just me."

Mia's eyes widened. "What are you doing?" she hissed under her breath.

Vardan stepped forward, meeting Darius's gaze head-on.

The Serpents immediately drew their weapons—knives, bats, and pistols glinting under the warehouse lights.

Darius raised a hand, stopping them.

"Who the hell are you?" Darius asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity.

Vardan took another step closer. "I'm someone you're going to remember."

A flicker of amusement crossed Darius's face. "Is that so?"

"I'm here to take you down," Vardan said firmly. "I need the organization to notice me."

The room fell silent for a long moment.

Then, Darius laughed—a deep, chilling sound that echoed through the warehouse.

"You're either the bravest fool I've met… or the dumbest."

Vardan's stance didn't waver. "Let's find out."

Darius's eyes narrowed, the amusement fading. He cracked his knuckles and stepped around the table.

"Fine. I'll entertain you," Darius said, rolling up his sleeves. "Try not to disappoint me."

The Serpents backed away, forming a loose circle around them.

Mia stayed on the sidelines, gripping the hilt of a hidden blade beneath her coat.

This wasn't part of the plan.

But she knew Vardan wouldn't back down.

As Darius and Vardan squared off, the tension in the room thickened.

Vardan clenched his fists, feeling the weight of James's training coursing through his veins.

This was the first step toward the organization.

And he was ready.