The cell block was quiet as warden Emely walked down the corridor. Her orders were simple: tie up a loose end. The loose end was an informant named Anya, a blonde inmate in Cell 7B. She’d been a snitch, useful for putting away bigger targets. But now, with those targets gone, she was just a liability. The BCPU couldn’t risk her ever talking about the… encouragement she’d received to cooperate.

Emely stopped at the cell door. Through the window, she saw Anya lying in her bed, sleeping peacefully. Emely felt nothing about it. This was just a job. She pulled on her gloves, then her gas mask. The world went quiet, leaving only the sound of her own breathing. She took a simple spray can from her pocket. Its contents were efficient and utterly lethal.

The lock disengaged with a soft clunk. Emely slipped inside, closing the door behind her with a definitive click. The sound stirred Anya from her slumber. Her eyes fluttered open, confusion turning to wide-eyed terror as they focused on the ominous figure standing over her.

Before Anya could scream, Emely acted. With a practiced motion, she brought the can up and gave a short, sharp burst directly into Anya’s face.

Pssht.

Anya’s body jerked as if electrocuted. She gasped involuntarily, followed by a violent cough. Her muscles seized, and she slid bonelessly from the bed, collapsing into a heap on the floor, her back leaning against the bedframe. Her limbs twitched involuntarily, her fight-or-flight response utterly short-circuited by the neurotoxin.

Emely knelt down, bringing herself to eye level with the half-paralyzed woman. Anya’s eyes were streaming tears, pupils dilated with sheer panic. She tried to speak, to beg, but only a wet, gurgling rasp came out.

Slowly, deliberately, Emely raised a gloved finger and pressed it against the front of her gas mask, right where her lips would be.

“Shhhh,” the gesture said, more intimidating than any spoken word could ever be.

Then, Emely continued her work. She didn’t spray the can directly at Anya’s face again. That would be too quick, too merciful. Instead, she held the can lower, at waist height, and pressed the nozzle again.

Pssssssssssssht…

This time, it was a long, continuous spray. The invisible, odorless poison jetted upward, creating a toxic fountain that filled the air between them. The deadly mist swirling in the cell before slowly settling down, drawn into Anya’s desperate, convulsing breaths.

Emely kept spraying, watching as Anya breathed the poison in. Her body started to convulse harder, her hands clawing at her throat. Emely just watched, kneeling safely above the gas. She emptied the can, then let it clatter to the floor. Anya's struggles slowed, then stopped. She was still.

Emely stood up, unlocked the door, and walked out. The job was done. The loose end was cut.

—

Good news: a kind soul gave me their VGen invite code, so I will be able to take commissions again and will properly open them tomorrow.

There might be some small hiccups as I have not used that platform before, but I shall do my best.

Feedback and art tips are always welcome.