On and on through this winding corridor, twisted objects and parallels, forever moving forward with every step. Forever moving, never stopping!
The hall, this hall! It never breaks, never waits, such impatience!
   Oh these elegant objects wed to the walls, to visit such a humble gallery in the days light would be a treat indeed! If only such a luxury would fall into my grasps!
   This cursed darkness, distorted darkness. The candles far and scarce, blessing us with much needed light, but cursing us with its effects.
The shadows run from it, them also forever unable to reach a conclusion. They cling for dear life the hind side of these supposed ‘holy objects’. Blasphemy!
   The objects! The portraits! Oh blessed slabs of paint, I see how the subtle feelings of the artist’s lack of faith insult the holy figures.
In this waning light, it is all too clear, the mocking of our lord, the smirk of our savior as he leads us sheep. How dare these men long past be revered for this act of ‘creativity’?
If only others could see!
   The alarm of a clock as it reaches the hours climax.
   Twice the sound, truly it was already the night’s second hour?
   Troubling thoughts dispelled, but quickly the mind is flooded with two for every one lost.
Will solace forever be denied?
   Setting in, the panic is unleashed upon the mind and hastily spreads like wild fire.
   How far have these drained feet traveled, how farther must they go? A hour past yet this hall insists upon mimicking a curved labyrinth.
   An hour has passed! How long til they reach their lofty goal and be forced to retrace their steps? What end will this goal deliver? What was the goal again?
   How aggravating, how futile!
   “By the gods, what are you doing?” a harsh whisper lace with annoyance demanded.
   Where did it come from, that malicious call? Ah yes, I see! Meters away, yet another immovable object. Yet it spoke, how ominous.
   A twitch, a subtle movement. Adjusting once more to the dark, a solid shape shrouded in the shadows out of the candle’s reach.
   Unmoving!  Coming to the previously denied enlightenment, realization occurs.
How long have they been immobile, his feet firmly planted to the ground?
   Slowly, the pieces latch together and the feet uproot. A slight nod of the head and the companions continue their trek through the night’s shadows.
   Time passed, that was a definite of life, but how quickly it was lost was dependant of the user. It crept by now of course, understandably so considering the time of night.
   Oh no, best not to fall into that trap again. Forward, on and on until they reach the end. That was all that mattered now.
   What was his name? The man he followed, focusing on the back of the figure’s head. It slipped his concerns as he succumbed to the trap of thought.
Anonymous. Time would pass and the figure would merit a name, but until then, anonymous would suffice.
   Closer, ever closer. The figure stopped and the rustling of papers could be identified! A quick turn, the paper was nowhere to be seen, he resumed movement.
   A door! Rushing to see, he cast aside his woes and let himself fall into quiet prayer and thanks.
   The anonymous figure turned the handle and unleashed a flow of light upon the bleak hall. Unlocked! Good fortune at last.
   Following the other’s lead, he enters the room with a slight flow of adrenaline surging through his veins.
   Dazzling! The room shimmered and shone when confronted with the soft light that engulfed the quarters. The most notable aspect upon entering was the canopied bed amidst the back wall, facing the uninvited guests with greeting.
   Empty, from wall to wall, from dazzling cabinets encrusted with jewels to the costly vases and decorations. No true life was apparent.
   Coming nearer, one could see the layers of dust that stacked upon every bare object and surface. A gloved hand extended and a vase gently brushed. Yet more remained imbedded in the surface.
   Before a second attempt, attention becomes diverted. A quick twist and the other could be seen. Rummaging, searching, he carefully tore through the center dressers. Frustration becomes apparent as he shifts to the next dresser.
   Did they miscalculate their plans; was this not the right room?
   Maybe not. A small smiled crept upon the man’s weathered face as he pockets a trinket.
Was that it? Stepping forward with a feeling of accomplishment after this long night, his joy is quickly shot down by a quick glance and the shake of a head. Moving forward summoned by the following hand motion, they cooperate in the search.
    In and out the drawers slide. Beautiful rings and assorted woman’s jewelry to old letters coated the innards.
   Now and then, a quick glance to the other’s progress. A steady hand rooting through the drawers, only to be removed when concealing a find of worth on his person, or to place a ring upon one of his sly fingers.
   Suddenly, the anonymous one surged up, almost dropping the golden chain his snatched moments before.
In his right hand he held a rusty piece of metal. Circular in shape, a broken chain held dearly to it’s top.
   Letting out a small chuckle unfit of the smile that threaten to split his face in two, his hand extended the scrap to his companion.
   Taking the burden, he feels the rough texture. Letting his eyes feast upon it, it becomes apparent it is, or at least once was a pocket watch.
   Snapping back to attention at his grinning friend, he is already gone and seemingly heading out the door.
Clutching the odd prize in hand, the feet resume familiar pace after the other.
   Quietly closing the door as he departs, he sets off again. His friend already making good speed, forgoing their previous stealth.
On and on yet again, in and out of the window’s light and the hall’s darkness, the candles all burned out. Gaining sight of his companion as he slows at a window to peer outside.
   A booming voice once again shatters his focus of his friend as he moved from the window.
   “Come now Henry! The night’s getting late and we mustn’t dawdle for too long. Didn’t I tell you this could be easy?” enthusiasm laced his voice, and he seemed not to worry any more of silence.
   How unnerving his confidence was.
   Allowing the silence to return once more, he returns control to his feet and treads on.
   “Jackpot!” the voice echoed through the hall, “this night just keeps getting better and better!”
   Hurrying to the other’s shout, what could have happened now?
   Light flooded the through another open door. Did they take a wrong turn?
   Following his friend’s lead, he entered the new room.
Food. Food as far as the eye could see elegantly arranged upon a center table, illuminated by the looming chandelier.
   It didn’t take long for the anonymous man to seat himself and begin gorging himself.
Taking notice of his companion’s caution, he motioned for his to join him and take a seat.
   How idiotic! Oh how he wanted to yell, to tell him that they needed to leave at once. What if someone was here? He truly someone would leave such a feast to rot.
   Reluctantly after another insistence, he joined the feast.
   “This shall be the first feast of our new life, my friend! It’s a bit cold but the taste is not spoiled in anyways, better than the usual scraps most definitely!” the words flew from his mouth before quickly resuming full attention towards his food.
   The truth be told! From a quick test taste to shoveling down his own plate of food, it was delicious. Such a long time since such a delight touched his taste buds.
   Quickly snatching one of the bottles of wine that sat at the center of the table, he fills to glasses and places one by his companion before downing his own.
   “Bah, we’ll have plenty of time to drink later you wino. Be thankful for the food out gracious ‘host’ left for us.”
   A shuffle of a chair and the other was on his feet. A small stretch and a giddy grin spread on his face. It was time to go.
   Setting down his empty glass and taking the leftover wine bottle, the game of follow the leader was back in full force.
   With a full stomach, everything seemed to be so much more pleasant and calmer here. Or maybe he just had a smidge too much wine.
   Casting aside the empty bottle after consuming the remainder, the cool of the night seemed to set in.
Outside? How a bit of alcohol can soothe the mind!
   Almost there! The end of this expansive lawn and they would of earned their new lives in the guild.
Oh how truly simple it was!
   Setting into a quick jog, the woes of the world seemed momentarily lifted from his shoulder.
Until he saw the leader stop.
   He began retching, maybe he had ate too much and the excitement got to him.
Rushing to his aid, he knew it was nothing more than his own stupidity that brought this unpleasantness upon him.
   He almost laughed until he saw the dark red puddle shining in the moonlight at his friend’s feet. The anonymous leader slouched over and fell to the ground in an unmoving mound of flesh.
   Setting off in a quick dash, there was no need to confirm his death. It was not an uncommon thing to see, the dead lining the street and alleys after a crisp winter night devoid of shelter or starvation.
   Oh it wasn’t fait, they were so close!
Poison, oh that abandoned feast! No other answer stood out at the time! How long until it struck him down also?
   Reaching the end of the cursed property, he fell to his knees upon the harsh sidewalk.
   Oh no time to offer a prayer to his fallen comrade.
Moments after reaching the end, a vehicle pulled to the sidewalk’s edge. A figure sleekly slid from the driver’s side.
   “Take it! Please, for the love of god please take it and be done with this madness!” The please escaped his lips as he thrust the watch towards the new figure in front of him.
   He smoothly accepted the token and slid it into a pocket in his long coat.
   “Fail.” a single crushing word uttered.
   How, how did he fail? They got what they were asked for!
Frozen in place, he quickly went through the possibilities in his head, coming up with nothing.
   “Now now, you forgot one key thing. Don’t worry, it really wasn’t your fault,” a mocking voice left his judge, branching on the edge of sanity and the thereafter, “you simply forgot one key little thing.”
   “Your friend forgot to mention he entered you two as a team, right? I’m dearly sorry, but I fail to see a team at the finish line.”
   He was enjoying this! This was clear enough. Peering at his face, a white-toothed grin of a madman was apparent.
   Lowering his head in defeat, he allowed the tears to flow for his fallen friend and all stress this night caused.
And that was the last act he committed before the shot echoed through the empty street’s morning silence.