The year is 1996, and I’m stationed in an isolated, rural area in the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. I needed to pay Viktor a visit as I heard he has spoken to the authorities about the violent activities me and my men have been doing to the small villages around the area, and I wanted to get to the bottom of it.

So I headed over to the Seasoning House. A condemned decrepit building that Viktor had taken over. He liked it’s location because it was hidden deep within the woods. He was making his way down the stairs when I entered , and I couldn’t help but smile as he tries to look happy to see me. “Goran!” He greets me though his smile never reaches his eyes.

“Greetings, Viktor!” I greet him with my arms out wide as I approached him. It was obvious he wasn’t expecting me, and that’s exactly what I wanted. To have the element of surprise.

Placing my hands on his shoulders, I give him a kiss on each cheek, and a third one that I let linger to make him feel uncomfortable as I feign affability and kindness towards him. “It’s good to see you again.”

Viktor takes a deep breath, as he swallowed the lump is his throat he speaking nervously. “I had no idea you were back.”

“That’s good.” I express to emphasize how happy I was to get the jump on him. “I'm happy to learn there's still some discretion left in this world.” I pat his shoulders firmly making him flinch. “We were passing, so I thought to come and use your "amenities".”

Hearing another set of footsteps coming down the stairs, I look up to find my self face to face with Angel. I recognized her, because I had killed her mother during one of our raids where we kidnapped all the young girls and brought them here.

“Still with the little mute?” I begin to mock her knowing it would get under Viktor’s skin. “You old devil, she must be keeping you more entretained than the others, no?”

“She works hard.” He tries to defend her weakly and I can’t help but let out a huff of amusement. “I bet she does.” I added with a knowing smile.