They say the eyes are a window to the soul. It was so very true, her mother had taught her that you can read most people by the expression in their face, and their eyes. Their eyes give away truths that their mouths never would. Fear, joy, anger, betrayal, and even love . it was always the eyes that gave it away.  It wasn't always easy to read someone, but, as long as you watch the eyes there will usually be some giveaway. Unless, you were watch MissNiki's eyes. She had perfected the art of making her eyes as emotionless. There was no flicker of love, hope, faith, fear. They were almost dead looking when you looked into them. Any show of emotion, could mean someone earning a bullet. Not a great prize. Niki knew that, because she had shot men for the emotion they gave away. 

One such case was a guy named Max who was from another gang. They had just pulled off a truck heist, and in an instant, Niki saw greed pass through the man's face, and as he raised his gun and shot another man that had been helping them, Niki had her glock leveled at his face, the next emotion she saw, was surprise. He figured he could take them all out and keep the haul for himself. As she ordered him to put his gun down, she saw the fear pass through his eyes.

He was scared, and didn't want to die. He slowly leaned down and put his gun on the ground. One of the other guys ran up an kicked the gun away from Max. He slowly stood up with his hands up. She watched as fear drained from his face,and the only emotion that was left, was resignation. He knew that he was going to die. You didn't double cross people and live to tell about it. As she pulled the trigger, the last emotion that registered in his eyes was bliss. He seemed to see something beyond her that gave him great joy. Then his eyes went blank, and she knew that he was gone. She didn't relish killing a man, but what had to be done was done. Her eyes never gave away the pain she felt for the man or his family. 

Her brother Kevin had been taught the same thing. He had killed men and recently, had a chat with a table full of men in a diner that had been harassing a waitress. Whatever he had said to them, and the way he had delivered it had scared the men. They threw a huge tip on the table and left very quickly. It was impressive to see, there were 6 men there, and only Kevin and herself. But, that was the key to making it in this world, you have to learn the art of deadpan emotion. The art of  making the windows of your soul closed off to the world. You can't let your eyes slip up and give any emotion at all. 

If they see your fear, they feed it, till you are in a panic, and then, when you aren't thinking clearly, they swoop in for the kill. If they see you become paranoid, they feed that too, an anonymous tip here and there. They may tell you they overheard a conversation in a coffee shop that sends you back to HQ ready to fight. If they see that you love someone, they will use that against you too. Learn to clear the eyes, and keep those windows closed, and you might live to a ripe old age.