I need to stay calm, I say to myself as I block out the sound from all around me. Chenoa can wait, I have to deal with this first. For that to happen I need to be calm, I can't mess this up.
After a few more deep breaths, and I finally decide to walk over to the poaching shop. I can't let myself do anything that will be suspicious, I need to gain their trust.
I do my best not to look at the pelt as I browse the shop. "Can I help you with anything?" Someone asks from behind me, I think he might be the one that owns this small shop.
"Yes, you can help me. I was wondering what the price on that wolf pelt is. It caught my eye as I was walking by, there seems to something unique about it." I say.
That's right, just keep making subtle hints. This is the best way to find out how much he knows about it.
"I'm surprised you noticed. Yes in fact, this one is indeed unique. The problem is that this pelt is not for sale, its mostly just a showpiece." he says.
"A wolf pelt isn't much of a showpiece compared to the other stuff you have here. No, you just keep it here to make contact with those that know what it really is."
"When I say it's not for sale, what I mean is that I won't sell it unless the buyer knows exactly what it is."
"Is it because people wouldn't believe you if you told them what it really was?"
"That's the main reason, especially if they knew the price on it they would automatically think that it's a scam." he says.
"How many of these kinds of pelts have you sold?"
"None so far, not a single person noticed what the wolf pelt actually is. Although I have the feeling that you do."
"Of course I do. I am an avid collector of rare pelts, and this specific one has caught my interest. I must admit I am surprised to see one here in this market. Seattle isn't known to harbor these kinds of pelts"
"So you know other places where they are more common, and where there is a market for them?"
"Indeed I do, if you have more of these to sell I would be interested in looking at them. I can also tell you where to sell them, although that information will cost you."
"I may be able to give you a discount in exchange for the information. If your interested in making that deal we should talk somewhere more private."
"Of course I would be interested."
"Alright, just give me a few minutes to close the shop and we will head to one of the VIP rooms."
The VIP rooms are mostly reserved for business meetings and those who can afford such temporary meeting rooms.
After a few minutes later he temporarily closed the shop down and motions to a gang member to guard the shop while he is away.
I follow him across the market to the room which has already been reserved by him. That means it must be his personal room where he relaxes when he takes breaks. The only rooms that are guarded are for the owners of this place who have a consistent number of people going in and out for mostly business pitches.
He pulls out a key and unlocks the door. The room looks cozy, with couches, tables, a TV, and a mini-fridge.
"The nice thing about these rooms is that they are soundproof. No one can possibly overhear our conversations." He says.
Little does he know that this is perfect for what I'm about to do to him. I need some information from him first, but I hope I don't have to keep up the nice act for long.
"Before I give you the information I must know where you get your pelts from. I never had the opportunity to ask other sellers, so I'm hoping that you can humor me."
"I would like that to be a secret, but since you wouldn't be able to find these suppliers yourself I guess it wouldn't hurt."
"How do you know that?"
"Because, you need to know certain people, and let me tell you that these people are hard to find. Almost none of them even get pelts from these monsters. They mostly hunt them to extinction. I just happen to know a few in the business."
He's talking about werewolf hunters. He is right that they don't do this kind of business selling pelts. I would have never guessed that this was going on. I don't think he will give me any names of his suppliers, so it's time to wrap this up.
"Let's get straight to the point. How much would it costs to buy this werewolf pelt off of you?" I say.
He grabs a beer out of the mini-fridge and starts drinking. "I am currently asking for ten million but as I said before, you give me the information I want and I will give you a discount."
I let out a small chuckle. He seems a little offended he probably thinks I was laughing at the price of his pelts, he couldn't be more wrong.
I start removing my mask and gloves. His eyes start to widen as he realizes what I am. I can hear his heart beating through his chest, it almost looks like he is going to have a panic attack.
"I'm glad that you think we are worth that much. I say to him as I move closer. "I wonder how much people you pay for your hide if I were to put it on display."
"Wait, you don't have to do this. I can give you names, I just sell the pelts I don't hunt your kind down."
"I don't care about that anymore you cant avoid this. The moment I saw that pelt on display I knew what I had to do."
I quickly grab him by the arm turn him around and place my claws around his neck. He is sweating profusely, his heart beating even faster than it was before.
"Please don't do this, I have a wife and kids." He says now begging for his life.
"I don't care. You should have thought of the consequences before getting into this line of work. Did you ever think about if that werewolf had a family? No, you didn't, and now you have part of their body on display. Now I'm going to take my time killing you."
"What the fuck is wrong you? Why can't you just kill me? Your all just monsters."
"What, are you scared? Is this your first time being tortured? I remember my first time, how painful it was. You should consider yourself lucky that you don't have rapid regeneration like we do."
It's been so long since I've let myself go all out like this. I've restrained myself for so long that I almost forgot what it feels like. Sure we may be monsters, but compared to the rest I'm one of the worst.
I want this to last as long as possible. It's not every day that I can get revenge for a fallen comrade. I'm going to enjoy every last second of this.
"You humans think that you are the rulers of this world, but that will end soon enough. We have been hiding in the shadows for far too long." I say.
Soon, but not yet. It is not yet time for them to face their destruction. But when it does come, they will pay for treating us as mere animals.