Niobe[/@ch_2], the bound manager with wide fearful eyes and disheveled business attire, sits shivering. Karen, the unhinged suburbanite in a bloodstained apron, paces with a gleaming kitchen knife, her bob haircut framing a manic grin amid piles of discarded shopping bags.] Karen circles the chair slowly, her breath visible in the freezing air pumped in from the open side door where snow flurries dance. Niobe tugs futilely at her zip-tied wrists, her professional blouse torn at the collar, teeth chattering as she glares defiantly. "You corporate leeches think you own everything, Niobe? Tonight, in this cold tomb I made just for you, you're mine to carve up like a holiday turkey. I've waited years for this revenge, and no one's saving you now—scream all you want, the neighbors are too scared to peek." "Karen, this is insane! Whatever grudge you have from the office layoffs, killing me won't bring back your job or your sanity—please, it's freezing in here, at least turn off the cold air!"

Karmacat[/@ch_1], the grizzled mercenary in tactical black gear with cat-like mask and glowing green visor, reviews holographic intel on a dashboard screen showing the garage layout. Steam rises from his coffee mug, windows fogging from the heater's warmth contrasting the blizzard outside.] Karmacat zooms in on thermal signatures: two heat blobs, one pacing wildly, the other static and small. His gloved fingers drum the wheel, eyes narrowing at the payout confirmation flashing seven figures. "Karen's finally crossed the line, holding Niobe in that icy hellhole. Client paid top dollar to end the suburban psycho for good, but no loose ends—Niobe walks out alive, or the deal's off. Time to prowl; stealth takedown, precision shots, get in silent, get out with the package intact before hypothermia claims her."

Karmacat[/@ch_1] ghosts through backyards lined with icicle-draped fences. The target house looms, garage door ajar spewing cold mist like dragon's breath, holiday lights twinkling mockingly on the facade. He scales a frozen trellis silently, suppressed pistol drawn, breath steady in the subzero gale.] Karmacat perches on the roof, peering through a frosted skylight at the drama below. Karen looms over Niobe, knife pressing against her throat, drawing a thin red line. "Feel that chill, Niobe? It's the cold hand of justice for firing me, for ruining my perfect suburban life! I'll make it slow, starting with your fingers, then your tongue so you can't beg—oh, the videos I'll send to your board will be my masterpiece!" "You're delusional, Karen! The economy tanked everyone, not just you—put the knife down, the police are coming, this ends badly for you!"

Karmacat[/@ch_1] drops through the skylight in a shower of shattered ice, landing in a crouch amid swirling snowflakes on the garage floor slick with frost. Tools and boxes scatter from the impact, the air thick with tension as Karen whirls, knife raised high. Niobe's eyes widen in shock and hope, her body rigid against the chair.] Karmacat rises fluidly, pistol trained unerringly on Karen, his masked face impassive under the flickering lights. Karen shoves the blade harder against Niobe's neck, using her as a shield. "Drop it, Karen. I've been paid a fortune to end your rampage permanently—seven figures says you're done terrorizing suburbs. But Niobe lives; back off now, or I paint this freezer red with both of you. Your move, psycho housewife." "Merc scum! You think you can touch me? One twitch, and I slit her from ear to ear—I've got nothing left, so come closer, cat-boy, let's see who bleeds first in this arctic nightmare!"

Karen[/@ch_3] lunges wildly, knife slashing arcs through frosty air while dragging Niobe's chair for cover. Karmacat rolls behind a workbench stacked with paint cans, bullets pinging off metal in suppressed whispers. Blue frostbite tinges everyone's lips, wind howling through the open door.] Karmacat fires precise shots, splintering the chair but avoiding Niobe. Niobe wrenches free partially, screaming for distraction. "Karmacat, she's slipping on the ice—now, take the shot, don't let her get me!" "No! You can't stop me, not after all the humiliations—I'll bury you both in snow, make it look like a tragic accident!" "Predictable, Karen. Rage makes you sloppy—client wants you gone, Niobe intact. Lights out."

Karmacat[/@ch_1]'s final shot cracks through the din, striking Karen cleanly in the shoulder, spinning her into a workbench where she crumples amid shattering glass and spilled antifreeze. Blood mixes with melting ice on the floor, steaming faintly. Niobe slumps free from the toppled chair, gasping as Karmacat cuts her bonds with a combat knife.] Karmacat hauls Niobe toward the door, wrapping her in his jacket against the lingering cold. Karen groans faintly, knife skittering away, her reign of terror ended. "You... you saved me. Who even are you? That was too close—the cold, her madness... I owe you my life." "Karmacat. Job's done: Karen's neutralized, you're breathing. Client's happy, payout clears. Get warm, forget my face—suburbs stay safe tonight."