Present

Allen stopped and took a breath, Twilight continuing to stare at him in surprise. Though she knew why he had done so, she still found his eagerness to become a hired killer slightly unsettling.

“After agreeing to be the Administrator’s new clean-up guy, I spent six months training with the retired fixer. I spent a few months after that doing a bunch of miscellaneous clean-up jobs, either to help the Administrator weed out Frost’s location or to fund the whole operation. I even dropped out of high school just so I could focus on finding him. Skeeter gave me my space during this time, surprisingly, and didn’t ask many questions other than ‘are you still alive’. I guess he figured he’d respond the same way given my situation.”

“Didn’t you?” she asked.

His expression darkened as he thought back to the earliest days of his employment. “No. No one would’ve responded as violently as I did.”

((((((*******))))))

Past

Allen sprinted down the stairs three at a time, his phone ringing in the kitchen all the while. He slid into the kitchen, swiped his phone off the counter, and answered just before the call went to voicemail.

“Please tell me you’ve got a lead.” he said. It had been nine whole months since his family’s murder, and his hunger for revenge had not wavered in the slightest. While killing other scumbags in Vegas had allowed him to vent some of his frustration, Michalis Frost remained his primary target.

“You’re in luck.” The Administrator replied, and Allen felt his heart skip a beat. “His name is Joseph Heines. He’s Frost’s security advisor, otherwise known as the reason Frost seems to be invisible ninety-nine percent of the time.

“I’d love to meet him. Where is he?”

“That’s the bad news. I have no clue where he is, as he seems to be just as good at hiding himself as he is at hiding his boss.”

“Dammit.”

“The good news is I know where the people are who do know.”

“Oh?”

“Yup. Two people. I’m sending you their profiles now, as well as a list of places you might find them. Good luck.”

“Who needs luck?” Allen said smugly.

“Riiiight…whatever. Just don’t fuck this up, alright? If the advisor finds out you’re looking for him before you find him, then it’ll be nearly impossible to track him down.”

“Relax, boss. Everything’s under control.”

“Alright, if you say so. And Ghost?”

“Yeeees?” he drawled out.

“Try to leave them in one piece this time.” the Administrator said, anxiety evident even through their voice morpher.

“Dude, for the tenth time, it was an accident!” Allen replied defensively. “The cutoff wouldn’t work, and by the time I reached the plugs it was too late!”

“Ghost, you killed a guy with a hydraulic press! That’s not exactly something you do on accident!”

“It. Was. An. Accident.” Allen retorted, emphasizing each word.

“Whatever.” they huffed. “Look, I’m not asking you to become a pacifist, alright? I’m just asking you to exercise some self-control. Accident or not, a hydraulic press does not make a good interrogation tool.”

Debatable. The guy sang like a parakeet as soon as I turned it on. “Duily noted.”

A sigh came from the other end. “Alright. Good luck, let me know when you've dealt with Heines, and…God help me…behave.”

“Yes, mom.” Allen sneered before hanging up.

Allen tossed the phone back onto the counter, then jogged back upstairs to get ready for the full night of work he had ahead of him.

((((((*******))))))

“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you Mr. Conrad.” said the arms dealer.

“Likewise.” replied Vince, before getting in his van. He stole a look towards the back, smiling at the close to two dozen large silver cases stacked neatly, waiting to be unloaded. He turned back around as two men raised the garage door, starting the engine as he did so. He then pulled out onto the busy street and headed for the drop-off.

The sun was already beginning to set over the Vegas skyline by the time he made it back to the city. The buildings had become giant black silhouettes against the evening sky, the lights that made them stand out becoming much more pronounced. Traffic began to slowly die down as people settled into their homes or bars for the night.

Vince drove around for another fifteen minutes until he found the place he was looking for. He entered a parking garage connected to a hospital and parked in the far right area, then took the keys out of the ignition, hid them in the glove compartment, and got out and headed for the bar.

In two days, The King’s cronies would come around to pick up the guns, and he and his friends would each be getting a couple thousand bucks for their services. They were all going to spend the night at the bar celebrating the large payday they were due to receive, and Vince couldn’t be more excited.

He nodded to two officers as they passed him. They eyed him suspiciously, but continued walking. He smiled as they did so. The cops in this city seemed to possess the uncanny ability of being able to sense when someone was guilty, but that didn’t help when they had no evidence to back up their intuitions.

Suddenly, he was forcibly ripped from his thoughts by the sight of one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. She had shoulder-length black hair, cobalt blue eyes, and was clad in a tight-fitting leather biker’s outfit. She smiled as she saw him, winking as he passed her. He had trouble tearing his eyes away from the beautiful angel and stopped to watch her as she walked away, swinging her hips slightly as she went.

Vince wondered how she hadn’t been arrested yet, because looking that beautiful simply had to be illegal.

He stared for only a moment longer, then started jogging after her. You know what? The guys can wait. This angel’s digits can’t. he thought as he chased after her. He raised a hand to tap her on the shoulder, his mind sifting through several possible pickup lines.

And then he saw the kid in the black hoodie.

The boy had his hood up and sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a tight-fitting one-strap crossing his chest.

And he was staring at him with a smile that could’ve paled the devil.

Vince made a split-second decision and ran down an alley, the angel completely forgotten.

He ran for about fifteen minutes, frequently switching alleys and running through shops and restaurants, trying desperately to shake that little brat even after he thought he’d lost him. Once, he looked back and could’ve sworn he saw him disappear down a different alleyway. The thought of that little demon spawn catching up to him and playing twisted games with his corpse urged him to double his speed.

Only when he caught sight of the bar did he slow down to catch his breath. For a moment he sat there coughing, then he started laughing.

“Little punks. Thinkin’ they can scare me.” he said to himself, straightening up. He was actually slightly annoyed that the little runt had kept him from getting the strange girl’s number.

Oh well. There’s always next time. he thought, starting towards the brightly-lit watering hole, ready to tell his friends all about his little adventure.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed his shoulder, and he spun around to see who had the guts to touch him.

His eyes widened when he saw the demon, now holding a crowbar.

“Hi.” he said cheerfully, before slamming the tool into Vince’s head.

((((((*******))))))

Maya shut the door behind her and started shedding her biker’s gear, silently wondering who the handsome fellow was that she’d passed earlier. He’d looked familiar, but she couldn’t think of where she’d seen him before.

Oh well. she thought as she sat the bag containing the components of her rifle on the worktable in her bedroom. Vegas isn’t that big. Maybe I’ll see him again.

She was going about the room gathering the things she needed for a shower when she heard a small thump come from the kitchen. She stopped and listened, wondering what had caused the small noise.

“Miley?” she called out cautiously.

She received a small mewl in response.

“Miley, you better not be trying to sneak treats again, little missy.” Maya said firmly as she entered the bathroom.

Another mewl was Miley’s only reply.

Maya smiled and shook her head as she turned on the water and undressed. As she got in and started washing her hair, she could’ve sworn she heard another thump. Miley, if I catch you with your head in that jar, I swear to God…

After a few minutes she got out, dried off, and got dressed to head to her meeting. As she pulled a tank top down over her head, she heard something shatter. She threw the bathroom door open and started toward the kitchen.

“Miley, what is your deal tod-!?”

She was abruptly cut off something was forced against her neck from behind. She struggled to wrench the metal tool away from her neck, even as she heard her assailant chuckling evilly.

“Nice place you got here. Hope you don’t mind, but I helped myself to some of your leftover pizza.” he said as he squeezed her neck even more. “Couldn’t control myself.”

She fought for a few more seconds to retain consciousness, but she couldn’t stop the world from fading away around her. Distantly, she felt herself hit the floor.

((((((*******))))))

Vince woke with a start, instinctively reaching for his handgun. He instantly realized that, not only was the gun missing, but he was also bound tightly. He struggled against the bonds, trying to loosen them enough for him to slip out and escape, but gave up after a few minutes. Shit.

As he sat there panting, he became aware of someone stirring behind him.

“Hello?”

“Uuugh…what…where the hell…?” Maya began, starting to struggle with her bonds just as he had.

“I don’t know where we are, but you have to keep your voice down.” Vince replied.

He looked around, trying to make out their surroundings. They appeared to be in some kind of factory, given all of the complex machinery that surrounded them. There was also a strong smell coming from somewhere nearby. What is that?

“How are we supposed to get out of here?”

“I’ve got a small knife in my right pocket. Grab it, cut me loose, then I’ll cut you loose and we can leave.”

“Alright.” she said as she reached in said pocket. “I think I got it.”

“No sweetie, that is not the knife.” replied Vince. “Feel free to continue grabbing that, though.”

“Perv…” she snapped.

“Right, I’m the perv.”

“You’re a sick freak, is what you are.”

Suddenly a new voice ended their little argument. “You lovebirds looking for this?”

Both captives looked up at a nearby catwalk, finally noticing the teenager in the black hoodie innocently playing with a pocket knife.

“You…” Vince growled.

“Did I seriously get kidnapped by some little kid?” Maya asked in annoyance.

The figure didn’t answer, instead casually leaning against a nearby support beam and pulling out his phone.

“Right, let’s see who we’ve got here today…” he muttered as he scrolled down whatever he was looking at. “Vince Conrad. Twenty-six years old. Canadian-American. Arms smuggler. Sheesh, Vince. Your name’s connected to thirteen different cartel busts. You’re not too good at covering your tracks, are you?”

Vince responded by staring open mouthed at their captor. Maya wasn’t as fazed.

“So you’ve got some dirt, big d-“

“Also on the stage,” the youth continued. “Maya Jimenez. Also twenty-six. Family illegally immigrated from Mexico. Fixer. Wow…you were investigated for the assassination of Mayor Preston. Luckily for you, there wasn’t enough evidence to connect you to the crime.”

Now it was Maya’s turn to gape at the shady teenager. How did he know I’m an illegal immigrant?

“What are you, an undercover cop or something?” Vince asked, still baffled.

At this, the kid burst out in uncontrollable laughter. The two captives watched as he wheezed uncontrollably, gripping the handrail for support. Eventually, he managed to get control of himself and he turned back to them.

“No, I’m not.” he said, still chuckling. “Let’s just say I have a guy, alright?”

“What do you want with us?” Maya asked.

“Honestly, it doesn’t even have anything to do with you two. It has everything to do with the King of Vegas.”

Both of them chuckled at this. “In over our heads a bit, aren’t we?” said Maya.

“Not at all.” the boy responded calmly.

“Kid, let me give you a good piece of advice. You ready?” Vince chimed in. “Give up. Whatever the King did to you isn’t worth getting yourself killed over; and with the power he’s got, that’s exactly what’s gonna happen.”

“You talk about him like he’s some sort of god.”

“He kind of is.” Maya said, Vince nodding in agreement.

“No, he isn’t.” the boy responded firmly, both captives turning to look at him. “You can kill anyone if you know how to find them.”

The boy’s dramatic change in tone was what caused Vince to start looking around. His eyes fell upon the pile of empty gas cans in the far corner. “Oh shit…” he breathed, now noticing the puddle of gas they were sitting in

“Nice catch there, Vinnie. So I guess you understand your situation now, am I right?”

“Look man, what the hell do you want!?” he asked frantically, hearing Maya gasp as she too noticed the puddle of fuel.

“Information.” the teen said simply. “I want to kill the King, but I can’t find him. He has a kickass security advisor who manages to wipe the both of them off the map whenever my guy gets close to finding him.” He leaned over the rail to leer evilly at them. “However, my guy tells me that you two know where I can find said advisor.”

“I’ve got no clue.” Vince said automatically.

“Me neither.” Maya said at almost the exact same time.

The stranger said nothing as he reached into his pocket.

“Now come on, man. This isn’t worth getting-” Vince started.

“Getting what? Blood on my hands?” the boy asked with a dry chuckle as he struck the match on the railing. “I’ve already killed about two dozen people trying to find this guy. What’s two more matter?”

With that he dropped the match onto the catwalk floor. A small trail of fire sprung from where it landed, slowly making its way down to the floor where Vince and Maya sat struggling.

“Where’s his advisor?” asked the teen fixer. “Tell me and you won’t burn to death.”

“If you kill us, you’ll never find him!” Maya said in a panicky voice.

“Well, that’s one to think about this.” the kid said, holding his chin in mock contemplation. “On the other hand, if you won’t tell me what I want to know to save your own lives, you’re never going to tell me. If that’s the case, then I have zero reason to keep you alive anyway.”

“Look man, I don’t even know, alright!? I’ve never even talked to the guy!” Vince yelled, voice cracking in fear.

“Probably not, but he’s the one who organizes all of your arms smuggling deals, and messages regarding those types of deals aren’t sent electronically for security purposes. That means you receive a paper copy from someone. I want that someone.”

“And what about me!? What makes you think I know where he is!?”

“He’s your contractor. You meet him in person to receive your jobs because he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t trust phone lines, secure or not. You two don’t have much longer, by the way.” he added.

Sure enough, the trail of fire was a mere ten feet away and still steadily advancing.

Maya finally caved. “Alright, alright! I’m supposed to meet him on Hoover dam at eleven for my next job assignment! Now let me go!”

“Thanks for your help.” said their captor as he extracted a silenced pistol from inside his hoodie.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! What the hell!? You said you would let us go!” protested Vince.

“When did I say that? I just said you wouldn’t burn to death.” he replied, feigning confusion as he pulled the slide back and let it spring forward with a loud ‘click’. “I can’t afford to have you two running around, letting everyone know that I’m after your boss. All I can do for you at this point is make your deaths as quick and painless as I can. So…adios!” With that, he popped the smuggler in the head, then aimed at the fixer.

“YOU ASSHOLE!!” she screamed just before going limp against her colleague.

“Yeeeeah…I know.” Allen said with a grin. He then holstered the weapon, put his hands in his pockets, and walked back downstairs as the smell of cooking flesh began to fill the small factory.

((((((*******))))))

Joseph looked at his watch for the fifth time in the past ten minutes.

“Anything?” he asked the giant of a man who stood near the car.

“No, sir. She still hasn’t responded.” the guard answered, putting his phone away.

He groaned in frustration. “Why is she late? She’s never late.” He stopped and thought for a moment. “Well, except for that time she got stuck in traffic.”

“There are almost no cars on the road at this time of night sir. I don’t think she’s stuck in traffic.”

“No, no, of course not…” Joseph said distantly, checking his watch once again.

His bodyguard stared at him for a moment, then sighed in frustration. “Sir, I really think we should leave. There are many possible reasons as to why Ms. Jimenez has not answered, but the most likely is that she’s been compromised. If that’s the case, her assailant may have our location and be on their way right now.”

Joseph stared at the road with his hands in his pockets. “Call her one more time.”

“Sir-”

“Do it.”

The guard sighed as he slid his phone back out of his pocket and dialed the fixer’s cell phone again, putting it to his ear and listening to the dial tone for the third time that night. Sure enough, the call went to voicemail after a few seconds. He made to put the phone back in his pocket as he turned back to his employer.

Suddenly, an arm wrapped itself tightly around his neck and he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. He distantly realized that he was being attacked and tried to tell his boss to run, but the arm around his neck cut off his cry of alarm. So he did the next best thing.

He took the phone still in his grasp and smacked it against the car window as hard as he could.

Joseph spun around at the light noise. “What the hell was-OH SHIT!!” he yelled as he noticed the fixer that had just killed his bodyguard.

“You motherfucker.” Allen whispered in the guard’s ear before dropping him and extracting his pistol. The runaway contractor fell to the concrete with a yelp as he shot him in his left thigh.

He tried to ignore the pain as he struggled back to his feet, when he was suddenly seized by his jacket collar and thrown toward the edge of the dam. He recovered himself just before reaching the edge, though there was no avoiding the nauseating sight of the concrete ground far below.

He turned around and saw his assailant slowly approaching him, and panic gripped him instantly. “Look kid, killing me won’t solve your problems, alright? Your wasting your time!”

“Clearly you don’t know what my problem is then.” the boy replied, stopping about two feet away, his expression cold.

“Then tell me! Maybe I can help!” Joseph said, seizing onto his last chance to survive this.

The teen fixer appeared to mull this over for a moment, then smiled warmly. “Alright.”

Hope filled the contractor’s chest as he continued. “I’m trying to find a man named Michalis Frost so I can kill him for what he did to my family. My problem is that some guy named Joseph Heines is keeping my intel guy from finding him. I’d leave the poor guy alive since I have no beef with him to begin with, but I can’t take any chances that he’ll warn his boss and tell him to leave town before I can get my hands on him.”

The hope left as quickly as it come as the fixer’s smile turned from warm to sadistic. “I would appreciate any help you could give me Mr. Heines.”

“Now, listen. I-” Joseph began, but was abruptly cut off as the boy’s gloved hand wrapped around his throat.

“You want to know how you can help, boss? You can lick the concrete at the bottom of this dam. See ya!”

And with that, he pushed the man off the edge and walked away, ignoring his distant screams.

Allen walked back to his van, wincing slightly as he heard a wet ‘smack’ in the distance, and pulled out his phone. He whistled as he punched in the Administrator’s number and waited for the dial tone to end.

“Admin.” they said as they picked up.

“Heines is dealt with.” said Allen. “It won’t be long until Frost realizes what’s up.”

“Understood. It might take a little while to get a definite location, so you might as well go get some rest so you’ll be ready when I do. Speaking of which, expect a package to be sitting on your front porch.”

“Is it what I think it is?” he asked with a grin.

“Go see for yourself kiddo.” the Administrator replied. “I’ll call you when I have a location.”

“Understood. Peace.” Allen said, then he hung up and got in his van, ready to go home and unwrap his belated Christmas present.

((((((*******))))))

Present

“I don’t believe you.” Twilight said flatly.

“Didn’t I ask you not to interrupt?” Allen asked in annoyance.

“Didn’t I ask for the truth?” she retorted. “There’s no possible way someone could go from being…that…to being what you are now.”

“Wanna bet?” Allen said with a grim smile, and Twilight edged back slightly. “I was after blood. The amount didn’t concern me. Frost had taken something precious from me, and I was determined to make him pay for it. Anyone who tried to stand in my way was bound suffer the same fate.”

Twilight shook her head in bewilderment. “So…then how did you go from being a serial killer to a vigilante?” she asked.

Allen sighed. “I went out to the desert to find Frost. I found him, but I also found something else. Something that I really and truly was not prepared for.”

Author's Note

Some imagination I got, huh?
Don't forget to comment (pleeeease!). Also, if you enjoyed this chapter, PUNCH that like button in the face LIKE A BOSS! (yes I did.)
Also remember you're awesome.
Thanks guys!