Just a Hired Gun

by The Informant

Rating: mature
Tags: Slice of Life, Dark, Human, Sad, Drama
Length: 4340

On the outside, Keith is a cold blooded contract killer who would gladly trade one's life for a sum of cash. On the inside, however, he's a lost soul crying out for help. One fatal wound later, his call might finally be answered...

Among those who knew him, there are many Words that would describe Keith as a human being. "Merciful" was not one of them. He is a cold blooded contract killer who would gladly trade one's life for a sum of cash. It didn't matter how old or young, just how much he was getting paid.

Of course, this was only on the outside. On the inside, he is a completely different person. A person full of regret, remorse, and depression. He's a lost soul crying out for help, begging for release from his miserable mistake of a life.

One fatal wound later, his call might finally be answered… Just not in the way he wanted.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2016-05-03 03:19:31 UTC

Prologue: Just a Hired Gun.

It was midnight in old town Belfast. Pitch black other than the lamp post lighting the main paths and streets of this quiet town. A cold icy breeze blew the snow and cold between the buildings and across the streets; nothing was safe from its biting chill. No one in their right mind would be outside right now. Not only was it beyond uncomfortable, but there was simply no reason to be.

Of course, there was one particular man didn't seem to think so.

Even though it was below zero out and everyone had turned in for the night, there was still one man walking down the icy sidewalk of the main street.  He wore nothing but a heavy vest over a simple hoodie. He did have a cheep beanie, and a scarf, but nothing to completely compensate how cold he was right now.

Alas, he didn't care. He had a job to do and, just as any other job of this caliber, it simply can't be delayed due to bad weather or timing. Yes, it sucked, but this job was a particularly important job. One that he wouldn't, for the life of him, give up on. It was his last after all...

Least he hoped so.

His job was simple. He needed to deliver something. Something extremely important. Something that he could not allow anyone to touch. This something was currently in a dufflebag slung over his shoulder. His only intention was to deliver this package safe to the intended receivers, by any means necessary.

After that, it would all finally be over. After this job, he can finally be at peace.

The man was walking quickly, so it wasn't long before her reached the bay side shipyard. From there, all he would have to do was make it across the walking bridge, up the hill, across the highway, and to Miller street. He was so close now, all he had to do was reach it.

Taking a left and walking across the docks, he began to make his way to the walking bridge. It was still there, just as he remembered it. Still here after all these years... At one time, it was his road from one life to one full of mistakes. Now his road to salvation. He found the notion kind of fitting. What had been done can be undone, so to speak.

With a growing smile on his face, he began a slow run towards the bridge. He needed to deliver this package, remove this weight off his shoulders. He couldn't stand it anymore. He needed this burden gone.

However, he jog ended up slowing as he began to sense something off... For some reason, he was feeling like this was almost too easy. He felt the way he had a million times over when he felt he had missed an important detail... A very important detail.

That was about when he noticed it. Clearly viable from the light of the bridge lamb, there sat a figure. It was another man, wearing a heavy coat, sitting on the bench next to the bridge. He was staring right at him.

It was pretty obvious that this man was not out here this time of night admiring the weather. Just like the man with the dufflebag, this man had an agenda.

With a sigh, the courier approached the bench, the other man staring him down the entire time. The courier knew this man, knew him quite well in fact. Though he was hoping he wouldn't have to run into him, especially now. If he was here, then it was obvious what he was after. No matter what, he couldn't let him have it. He couldn't let him get in the way.

That only meant one solution. Kill the bastard.

Pulling out a silenced 9mm, the courier wasted no time taking aim and firing twice at the man.

The shots, much to the courier's annoyance, was hastily taken and only grazed the man's heavy coat. The man recoiled from the attempted double tap, a shocked look upon his face. Apparently he wasn't expecting a firefight this quickly... Knowing him, the courier guessed that he expected a talk before they started their showdown.

Cursing under his breath, the courier was already taking aim for another double tap. Unfortunately his adversary was much faster than that. Getting over his initial shock of what had just happened, the man bolted from the bench and quickly dived for cover behind the concrete railing of the bridge.

The courier, realizing that he was now the only one without cover, approached aggressively. He emptied his clip into bridge and dived for cover behind a concrete slab as he fired his last round.

He was in the middle of reloading when his opponent finally started firing back; his weapon was also silenced. Chips of concrete flew from the courier's cover as his enemy unloaded his own gun.

Eventually the firing stopped, and the courier finished loading his gun. He counted 16 bullets, whatever gun the other man was using, he couldn't have that many left in his clip.

Silence took hold of the battlefield for a few moments before a voice rang out from the bridge.

"You still alive, asshole!?" The man shouted.

The courier rolled his eyes as he heard the man's words. This obviously meant he still wanted to talk. Otherwise, they would be playing an hour long waiting game; one waiting for the other to make a move.

"Come and find out." The courier stated calmly.

"Yeah, fuck you too Keith! That was very fucking rude you know! Though I suppose I should have expected that, knowing how much of a coward you are!" The man shouted.

Keith rolled his eyes once again. At this rate, he was sure that the man was going to try to talk his way to a bullet in Keith's head. He couldn't allow himself to be distracted by the bullshit spewing from that man's mouth. It was how he usually worked.

"Cory, shut the fuck up. Don't even try to talk your way out of this. The only sound I am listening for is you running out of ammo." Keith replied.

"Pray tell, why shouldn't I? You're a reasonable person, aren't you? I'm not sure why you are shooting at me, but I am sure it is a BIG misunderstanding!" Cory tried.

"Shut the fuck up, Cory. I know you are here for the bag. Problem is, it is not for you. Now, take a swim, or kindly stand up and die." Keith stated, taking aim at Cory's cover.

"Okay, okay! Maybe I am here because of a bag! Seriously though! I swear to god I wasn't going to try to kill you for it! I have money! I was going to see if I could perhaps buy it from you! Honest!" Cory tried again.

Keith was still not having it.

"It's not for sale, nor will it be for sale. I've given you two choices, choose." Keith deadpanned.

Cory was quiet for a moment, getting Keith's hopes up that he might actually shut the fuck up. Unfortunately, he was simply thinking about what to say next.

"Heh, I fucking knew it... I knew there was a reason the boss always liked you. You were super fucking cheap and extremely loyal to whatever cause you served. You would always do a job for practically nothing, and only do jobs for us! No matter how good the other deals were! It was insanity! Best fucking killer in our outfit, and you charged mere pennies compared to the rest of us! I've always wondered why you did it... Obviously it wasn't for the money." Cory said.

Keith remained silent, simply keeping his aim steady towards Cory's cover. He was not about to allow Cory's little monologue to distract him.

"Yeah, it wasn't about the money, was it Keithy? No, you did it because you liked it! You got a kick out of killing all those people! All fifty-two of them! Fuck, perhaps even more! Who the fuck knows what you did outside our contracts!? You're a goddamn serial killer, and we had you on a leash! I have to wonder why the boss let you go... Hell, given how much of a rabid dog you are, I'm surprised that he didn't just have you killed in your sleep."

Keith kept his focus on the cover, he was sure that Cory was about to make a move.

"Eh, I guess it doesn't really matter now, does it? After all, only one of us is leaving here alive..."

Any moment now...

"I have one last question though... It had really been bugging me since it happened. It didn't make much sense, considering your relationship with the guy."

Any moment...

"Why the fuck didn't you just LET GARRET GO!!!???" Cory shouted.

With that, Cory sprung out of, weapon in hand, preparing to end Keith's life...

...only for two rounds of 9mm to puncture his chest.

Cory fell to the ground, hitting the snow below him with a wet splash. He groaned in agony as as he tried to comprehend what had just happened.

"No.... Not like this... He was supposed to..." Cory mumbled to himself as he heard the sound of crunching snow approach his position.

"I was suppose to what? Let my guard down? Did you really think that would work?"

Looking towards the source of the sound, he found Keith standing over him, gun pointed straight at his skull. Looking into his eyes, Cory saw a nothingness, not even a hint of emotion. It was now apparent to Cory that bringing up the name of one of his victims, a rather personal one, did nothing to compromise him. Cory couldn't understand why.

"H-how could you do it? How could you j-just do it and not feel a thing? Garret was-"

"Garret was a fucking traitor. That is all there is to it." Keith stated plainly.

Not even a moment later, Keith took Cory's gun from his hands and threw it over the bridge. He then began to check Cory for any other weapons. He did find a few, which he promptly sent to join the other.

"Heh, I was right. You are a fucking monster. You enjoyed killing, no matter who it is..."

"That is not true, never has been true. Sorry if that debunks your little theory you got going there." Keith said.

With that, Keith got up and pointed his gun at Cory, seemingly preparing to end him.

"Oh really? Why else would you do it? If not for pleasure or money, then what?" Cory asked.

"Nothing you are ever going to find out." Keith replied.

With that, Keith shot Cory twice in the stomach. Cory cried out in agony as clutched his new wounds, trying fruitlessly to ease the pain and bleeding. However, it was to no effect.

"Crawl away, little snake. Perhaps you can slither your way to the hospital before you bleed out. I wouldn't get you're hopes up though." Keith mocked as he holstered his pistol.

"F-fuck you, you fu-fucking monster." Cory barely got out.

"No more than you are. Now, if you will excuse me. I have a delivery to make." Keith stated as he turned his back and walked away.

Not a shred of sympathy was spared for the man. As far as Keith was concerned, Cory deserved a fate worse than death. Unfortunately, he had no time to spare for the man. Letting him bleed out on the bridge was a suitable enough death for him. Now, he needed to deliver his package. This one last job needed to be completed. After that, he would be free.

He was finally going to be free...

"H-ey, Keith." Cory croaked out behind him.

Keith paid no mind to the dying man, he had better things to do than to waste his time talking to a corpse.

Unfortunately for Keith, that turned out to be a mistake.

*POP*

Keith stopped in his tracks as he felt a bullet tear through his back and out his chest.

"You miss one... asshole." Cory finally said.

Stumbling, Keith pulled out his pistol once again and took aim at Cory. He was not quick enough however as two more bullets impacted him, sending him flying to the ground.

"That was for Garret... You fucking psychopath..." Cory stated.

With that, Cory laid flat on the ground, placing his hand and gun on his chest; awaiting death with open arms. What he had come here to do was done, and now he was done.

Keith tried to breath in only to find he was drowning. The last two bullets struck both of his lungs, allowing blood to rapidly seep in. It wasn't going to be long until he suffocated.

Keith had imagined it could end like this, dying before he reached his destination, just not this close... It was just over the bay river and over the hill. It was just right there. He was so close, and now it was so far out of reach...

He failed...

Keith tried to imagine how it was going to go from here. What was going to happen after he died. Who was going to find him first? The cops? A random person? If either, what will they do with the bag? What would they do with the contents inside it? Would they even see the letter? Would they finish carrying it to its final destination? Will they keep it for themselves? Was this all for nothing?

None of these Questions were ones Keith could answer. Not that it actually mattered. Once he was dead, nothing was going to matter...

In a way, Keith was thankful for this. After all, death is the ultimate release. In a way, he was still freed.

It was up to fate now to complete his mission. One way or another...

Keith clutched the bag close, waiting patiently for the end to come.

That was when he felt himself falling...

Chapter 1: A Broken, Dying Man in the Woods.

I woke up with violent coughing. I could taste iron in my mouth as warm fluid sprayed from my throat with each cough. Eventually, the coughing subsided and I spat whatever was in my mouth onto the ground. I took a rapid succession of breaths, as it felt like I had just held my breath for five minutes.

I opened my eyes and tried to get a layout of my surroundings. However, I only found that it was far too dark in here to see. The only thing I could tell at them moment was that I was leaning against something rough, and I was sitting on a pile of snow.

I tried to get up but found my legs to be paralyzed. All I could actually move were my arms, and even they were very weak.

I picked my mind, trying to remember what exactly happened. I remembered the package, I had it with me. I remember the city I was in. Belfast, Maine USA. I remember where I was going. Mill street. However, I don't remember what happened in transit. The last thing I remember was the bridge...

Wait! That's right! The bridge! Was I still here?

I moved my arms around, trying to feel around me.  Burying my hand into the snow, I tried to feel for the concrete that should be below me. However, I instead pull up a handful of something wet and smooth... It felt like leaves. Letting go of the leaves, I felt around the support I was leaning against. I came to find that was also not concrete, but rather tree.

Okay, so I was in a forest. How the fuck did I end up from a bridge and in a forest? Come one Keith, think! You have to remember something!

Alas, I couldn't remember anything of what happened. All I know is that I woke up here, in the forest, coughing up what I think is blood, with no clue how I got here.

Brilliant.

Of course, that left one question left to be answered.

Where the hell was my bag?

My hands scouted around my own body, trying to feel if it was still on me; it wasn't. I then checked the area around me; still nothing. Well, that is just fucking dandy. Either I lost my bag or someone stole it...

Fuck...

Fuck!

FUCK!!! FUCK!!! FUCK!!!

NO!!! GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!!! Keith, you had one job! One fucking Job! Deliver the package and move on with your life! This fucking bag was your ticket! How could you fuck up this badly!!!??? How the fuck can we move on now!?!? HUH!? FUCKING HOW!!!??? Might as well just kill ourselves and get this over wi-

Suddenly, I began to hear something from afar. Voices...

"Fluttershy, are you sure your stupid little rodent went this way. Seriously, we've been out here tracking him down for hours!"

"Yes, I'm sure, Rainbow. We just saw him run this way a moment ago. I'm sorry you had to come along... He seemed rather insistent that we follow him."

"It's fine, I just hope that he isn't bringing us on a wild goose chase."

Voices... Someone is out here. I couldn't exactly hear what they were saying, but I could make out that they were looking for something... a dog maybe?

It sounded like a couple of young girls, so it was the most likely of stories. There obviously were not here for me. No need to get trigger happy...

Not that I could, it was pitch fucking black out. I wonder how those girls were seeing in this shit...

Hey, maybe I can call for help. See if they know anything about a navy blue dufflebag.

...

Then again, what's the point. If they had it, they obviously wouldn't be here looking for a fucking dog. They'd be running to Vegas.

...

You know what? Why bother at all? I tried, that counts for something right? I don't think I'm moving anytime soon... Given the fact that I couldn't feel anything from my waist down, something is wrong with me. Hell, can't feel much of anything other than my arms, hands and head.

I think this place is a good enough place... Yeah, why not?

I reached for my holster, trying to find my weapon. Thankfully for me, my 9mm was still here. I'm sure it was still loaded.

Without so much of hesitation, I put the barrel of the gun in my mouth and pointed up. Finger was on the trigger.

Soon, it was all about to be over. I was finally going to be free.

...

That was when something poked me.

I removed the barrel from my mouth, wondering what the fuck that was. Seriously, what the actual fuck was that? Was something fucking with me here?

I felt it again, except now it was a constant nudging in my side. I tried to get a look at it, but found that I still couldn't see. Instead, I investigated with my free hand, attempting to feel whatever the fuck was touching me.

I felt something soft and furry before it jumped out of reach. Giving a rather defined squeak as it backed off.

...

Well, it certainly wasn't a dog. It is small and furry though. Why the hell was this thing fucking with me at the moment. I'm not dead yet, asshole, eat my corpse later.

It was at that point I heard the voices again. However, this time they were a lot closer.

"That sounded like angel! It came from over here!"

"Woah! Wait, Fluttershy! Slow down! You don't know what's over there!

Okay, so apparently this rodent was that pet the pet they were looking for. This rodent happens to be right next to me at the moment, so these two girls are about to find me.

Well then, I guess I will have to kill myself later. When I am not about to traumatize a couple of kids. I'd be the most good I've done for the world.

I put my gun away, and listened to the noise of them approaching.  Strangely enough there was actually six to eight pairs of footsteps approaching; least from what I counted. Maybe they're in a bigger group than I thought? That, or they have a bear chasing them.

That'd be nice... The bear would eat me instead and the the girls would be saved.

The footsteps came to a stop as I assumed they had found me. Strangely enough though, I still couldn't see anything myself. I'd imagine they would have a flashlight this time of night.

"Fluttershy! Come on! What was that about!? You know that you shouldn't just run off like that. Fluttershy? What are you- HOLY CELESTIA WHAT THE BUCK IS THAT!?!?!?"

Okay... What the fuck just came out of that girl's mouth? Buck? Holy Celestia? What the actual fuck? Are these some sort of curse supplement they teach kids these days? Fuck, I don't know...

Alright, weird choice of curse words aside. Apparently, I am not looking too good. I guess I look like a corpse. Least that is what I got out of that question.

Best make introductions before they really think I'm dead.

"H-hello to you too. Is this h-how you greet people where you come from?" I managed to reply in a weak voice.

It took a bit more effort that I imagined... I guess I was really fucked up. I couldn't feel anything though. I wasn't in any pain. Was I dying?

Huh, perhaps I don't need that bullet after all. What the fuck happened to me?

"Okay, now it talks. This is getting too weird for me. Fluttershy, grab the rabbit and let's go." Rainbow responded.

Okay, that's a bit rude. What the fuck is this bitch's problem? Never see a guy before?

...

A guy who possibly is looking like a goddamned zombie right about now... Okay, maybe she has a point. That was still kind of rude though.

"Wait! It... it looks really hurt. Um... Hello!? Are you hurt?" The one named Fluttershy asked.

I felt like sarcastically responding with 'What does it look like?' But then again, I don't even know what I look like. Plus, she seemed nicer than the other girl. I'll be a bit more polite.

"I... don't know. It's too damn dark to tell... Where are you?" I asked.

"Dark? It's practically in the middle of the afternoon! You blind or something?" Rainbow asked

"Dash! Don't be rude!" Fluttershy responded.

It's afternoon? Then why... Oh shit. I'm fucking blind.

How badly was I fucked up? What the fuck happened to me?!

"Okay... so... how bad to I look?" I asked.

"You look terrible! You're all covered in blood and stuff! You look like you've been dead for a week!" Rainbow spouted unremarkably

"Dash!" Fluttershy snapped at Rainbow.

"What!? It asked!" Rainbow responded defensively.

I'm really getting tired of being called an it...

Either way, I guess I looked like I was dying. I probably really don't need that bullet after all... hmm, I wonder... Perhaps it's possible.

"A-alright then. Tell me this... Do you see a blue bag somewhere?" I asked.

"A... Blue bag? You mean this thing over here?" Fluttershy asked.

Thank god, it was still here... Maybe... maybe there is still a chance...

"Yes, yes it is. I... I was meant to deliver that bag somewhere, and now I feel that I can't anymore..."

"Um, what are you-" Fluttershy was about to say, but I cut her off.

"I know I can't trust either of you to keep your word, but I need one of you to deliver that bag. You need to go to Belfast and find Mill Street, the exact address is on a piece of paper inside. I need you to give the bag directly to the homeowner there, don't just leave it by the door. Once you give it to him, tell him... Tell him that Keith says he's sorry." I instructed.

With that, I close my eyes and began to allow myself to fall asleep. This was likely going to me a sleep that I wasn't going to wake up from.

"Woah! Woah, hey! Y-you're not about to die on us, are you?" Rainbow asked with slight panic.

"Oh, nononono, please, don't do that! We're going to get some help! Stay with us!" Fluttershy pleaded.

"Don't bother... You'd be doing everyone a favor... No sense saving... a... monster..." I muttered as consciousness slipped further from me.

"Oh... Oh sweet Celestia... Um... Fluttershy! Stay with it and keep it conscious, I'm going to get some help!" Rainbow exclaimed as she apparently took off from the area. I didn't exactly hear her leave, but I feel that dying was to blame for that.

I was nudged again, this time by a marginally stronger force. I assumed it was Futtershy trying to shake me awake.

Um... Please, Stay with us a little longer, Rainbow has gone for help. They'll be here soon if you would-"

I couldn't hear much more after that. By then I think I completely lost my sense of hearing. All I could feel was the sensation of my body being lightly shoved, and even that feeling was dissolving quickly. With my vision gone, my hearing gone, and nearly my nerves, I wasn't sure of whether or not I already died. I'm not really sure how I feel about that... Is this all death really is? A black void that I shall float in forever, given nothing but time to think and reflect upon my short miserable life? Was there really no heaven or hell? No place for a soul such as mine to flee?

Heh... What does it matter? I wouldn't belong in either place anyways. This is a fitting fate. I deserve no less for the things I've done.

No less...