I am the Scourge

Chapter 1

   Heavy drops of water spatters against my face as I silently walk down the dark plain alley in the middle of the night. I was in a dark alley beside a manor, wherein the target is located. Mr. Finnigan Hanes, an owner of three five-star hotels, ordered to kill by his only child for an immediate inheritance of wealth. What a pity.

   I reviewed the blueprint of the area and checked the time. 10:41 PM. There's exactly nine minutes left before I have to be ready on my position.

   "Clear. Target object spotted." Adam muttered through the earphones connecting our means of communication.

   I swiftly tossed the dock rope upwards, locking the anchor at one end of the rope at the uppermost surface of the manor. I climbed up the soppy rope and almost lost balance due to heavy rainfall, barely managing to get a grip on the panel of the glass window. I stopped climbing between two windows, mindful of cameras inside that might catch a glimpse of me through the glass window. There were two windows on each side of me - one large window on my right side that I assume to be the target's bedroom, and a small window on the other side that must be the shower room.

   Barely holding on to the rope with one hand and both feet on the slippery wall, I quickly hit the window on my left side using a sharp edged tool. The glass immediately shattered and I was able to go inside. I landed on the bathroom floor, loaded my silenced pistol and went straight ahead for the door with the pistol on ready. I opened the door and sighted that the target hasn't arrived yet. I positioned myself just a little behind the bathroom door, where the camera wouldn't be able to detect me and an excellent position to aim for the target.

   According to our Plan A, I will shoot the target only once at the deadliest point - either the head or the heart. Meanwhile, Adam, who is positioned on the building few meters away from my location, is supposed to aim for the surveillance camera using a sniper rifle. His aim will help me escape from the other window. Our hit should happen at the same exact time. Or else, I would get caught on the spot.

   I switched channels to the Red Room and muttered, "Scourge on position."

   The door swung open and Mr. Hanes came in, he sighted me on my position with a gun on my hands aimed straight at his head. His eyes widened with horror as I silently muttered "1, 2, 3…" and pulled the trigger.

***

   I was woken up by the voice of someone calling my name and rapid bangs on the door. I got out of bed and rushed towards the door. It was the landlady.

   "You haven't paid three months of the rent," the landlady shrieked, "It's due date a week ago!"

   Mrs. Wellington, the landlady, tossed the billing receipts in my face. It fell to the floor and I picked it up.

   "You have 12 hours to pay for your rent," she uttered, "or else, you will be forced to get out of my place."

   She left and slammed the gate shut.

   I took a seat and opened the billing receipts for monthly rental and utility expenses. I don't know where I'd get this amount of money. I absentmindedly went to the bedroom and sat on the bed, staring at Katie.

   Katie suddenly wakes up and rubs her eyes, "Kristen, are you crying?"

   "No," I muttered while wiping off my tears, "I'm not crying. Get up now, you have to get ready for school."

   It's been three months since I've been on mission. The money I got for bringing home the head is almost gone, and we only have a small amount of food left on the fridge. This is the best choice I have for now. If I do this in the right way, the right timing, and to the right target, I might never have to do this again.

   Before I even realize it, I already reached Adam's place. I knocked on the door a few times until his surprised face welcomed me. I stepped inside without greeting him and sat on his couch.

He followed me, "Hey, what do you need?" He uttered.

   "Let me borrow your laptop," I said.

   He looked intently at me and muttered, "So you're back at it again?"

   "Just get me the laptop, Adam."

   I turned on the laptop and activated useful security browser to protect the IP address I am currently using and at the same time protect any location access. I viewed the site only a limited people have access to, a small organization of paid assassins where me and my childhood best friend, Adam, belong.

   I scrolled down the shoot list as I intently scan the names of the people included on the list. There's no easy catch in the list, most of them were election candidates and politicians, who, were too dangerous to lay a hand on.

   Adam stepped forward and leaned on the screen, "Who do we have here?"

   "Gregory Winston. It's $176,500 for his head," I said, "He's the top on the shoot list."

   He stepped backward and shuddered, "Woah," he shuddered, "Go easy, Kristen. That one is a difficult catch - even dangerous. You wouldn't want to get into trouble, or worst, get killed."

   "If I do this right, I might never have to do this again, Adam," I turned to face him, "We might never have to do this again. We can leave this country and have a good life."

   Adam was confounded. I kept staring at him as he backed up and leaned against the wall. He sighed, "Leave it to me. I won't let you do this."

   I shook my head in disapproval and faced the screen again. I have to kill him before the election. Gregory Winston has the majority of countrymen's support, and it will be harder for him to get assassinated once he becomes the President. I have a maximum of six days.