The council of Red

"Hello, everyone. Sorry for calling you like this," the man at the center said, voice sharp and cold. "But we have something urgent to discuss."

Seven masked figures sat before him in a dimly lit virtual conference room, each wearing the same crimson hoodie. Their faces were covered by featureless black masks, each etched with a strange, ancient symbol. They looked like members of a secret cult — because they were.

One of them leaned forward.

"Director, this isn't like you. Is it that serious? I had urgent matters of my own, yet here I am."

"Yes, Sohel. It is that serious." The Director's voice grew heavier.

"You all know why I've summoned you. First, the school guard. Then… him. Our entire operation was nearly exposed to the police. What is going on? Why are we hiring such unstable people? The higher-ups have begun pressuring me. If this continues, they'll pull the plug on all of us."

Another masked figure nodded — Tanveer, the one they called the handsome man.

"I agree. We've been recruiting idiots. It's getting dangerous. We should clean it up before someone else does."

The Director turned toward someone else in the call.

"Tanveer, what do you think about Principal Kushank? He's supposed to be the one managing local decisions in my absence. From what I've seen… the mess begins with him."

A pause. Then an irritated voice cut in.

"Why are you asking him? He's my junior — my student. It's insulting." Kushank's voice trembled slightly.

The Director didn't blink.

"Did I give you permission to speak?"

He snapped.

"You've done a terrible job keeping our operations hidden. You hired that alcoholic guard. Your junior, Tanveer, has been more competent than you. Sit back and shut up."

Kushank lowered his head. Silenced.

Tanveer chuckled, light and amused.

"Director, don't be too harsh. Our dear principal's just been a little… careless. I'll look into the issues and help him straighten things out."

But not everyone was so forgiving.

"Careless? That man's a liability," growled Sakib, another member.

"He trusts too easily. That guard? Mentally unstable. Hospitalized for months before being handed a job guarding our stash. He licked the bodies. He ate parts without permission."

Disgusted murmurs filled the call.

"He even removed body parts and buried them himself," Sakib continued.

"And it wasn't the first time! But did Kushank learn? No. He picked up another psycho off the streets — someone with a criminal record already being hunted. And now, the police are sniffing around again."

He leaned in, darker now.

"That boy — Walid. He saw it. He saw the guard cutting meat. Kushank should've wiped him out on the spot. But he didn't. And now the kid's turning dangerous."

The Director was silent for a moment.

Then: "Are you finished, Sakib?"

"Yes."

"Kushank, you may speak. One chance. No excuses."

Before the principal could answer, another voice interrupted — light, mocking.

"Popcorn ready," said Blizzard, one of the buyers. "This is getting entertaining."

"Not funny," growled another. "If the operation back home collapses, where do you think we'll get fresh meat? We've relied on this group for years — I don't want to go back to dark web deals."

"Exactly," the Director agreed. "If these idiots get exposed, you all lose. Not just your supply. Everyone does."

A new voice snarled across the line — powerful, arrogant.

"I don't care what happens to the rest of you. I haven't even received my order yet. I'm the richest man in this organization. If I leave, you all go down."

Zheng. The biggest sponsor.

The Director's mask tilted, voice lowering like a growl.

"Zheng, Zheng… did I hear you right?"

Laughter followed — low and dangerous.

"You think this is about money for us? We've been doing this since we were kids. We don't butcher people because of your donations. We do it because we enjoy it.

And if you ever talk to me like that again… the church will hear of it. You know what happens then, don't you?"

Zheng fell silent.

"Can I speak now?" A voice, cold and calm — Tanveer.

"Go ahead."

Tanveer's tone turned chilling.

"Zheng, you should be thanking us. When I see a woman walking alone… I don't wonder if I want to sleep with her or be friends. No. Deep down, I want to kill her. Dismember her. Make her arms and legs… mine."

He smirked beneath the mask.

"I don't do this for fat bastards like you. I do it because it's the only thing that makes me feel alive. If you stop paying? Fine. I'll come to your country and kill you too. Though I doubt anyone would want meat as disgusting as yours."

A long silence.

Then the Director laughed.

"That's my number one man — Tanveer. Now… let's get back to business."