Thin Blue Skull

Chapter 42: A Done Deal

Hunhow wakes up the following morning to loud knocks coming from his door. He quickly throws pants on and goes to the door to see who is knocking. He readys his Glock 30 and opens the door. However it isn't the police or someone dangerous. It's Tenet, Cassidy and Amber. Without hesitation he stands aside and opens the door wide for them to enter. He closes it shut and shows them to the living room. They all sit down on the couch while he sits down in one of the chairs. They stare at him and he stares back not blinking. They all finally decide to break the gap and speak up. Amber is the first to speak. "Is it true you're just 19"? she asked. "Yes, I'm 19". Cassidy then speaks. "How many criminals have you killed"? she asked. "Countless" he replies. "Do you enjoy it"? Tenet asked. "Somewhat yes and no". Hunhow begins to explain his entire story to the group. He explains his service and PTSD from Afghanistan. He explains his biological mother's death. His uncle's murder. He explains what he has done until now. The girls all look and listen in shock as well as amazement. "I'm not a good person". "I wish I never did this". "If I could go back, I would've killed my uncle's killer and stopped then and there". "But the urge to kill and punish those who have wronged so many never goes away". "It stays with me". The girls look at Hunhow. But at the same time whatever fear they had seems to have almost vanished as if it was never there. Instead it is replaced with sympathy, sadness and concern. "You all probably see me as a monster". Those words seem to break Amber's heart because she gets up and goes to hug Hunhow just like Holly and Samantha would do. "No, you're not a monster". "You're not a bad person" she says. "But I am". "I've killed people". "Broken the law". "There is no point in helping me". They are taken aback by his words. Amber's hug only becomes tighter. "Please, don't say things like that about yourself". "That isn't true". Amber is almost tearing up. After a while Hunhow and Amber both calm down and they all sit down with him. He tells them once this is all over, he plans to take responsibility for his actions and turn himself in. They don't think that is a good idea but he insists it is for the better.

~ Time Skip ~ Few Hours Later ~

Hunhow and the girls are all busy chatting and watching TV when all of a sudden he gets a call from Looma. She informs him she found the location of the boss in little Italy, china town. He informs the girls and they all load up and get into his truck. They drive to the mayor's office and go inside. They meet the mayor and she informs them all of the small basement where the boss is hiding. She advises them to be careful because the group has been well known for their brutal and somewhat violent methods in the past. Hunhow however decides to take on the task alone. Despite repeated objections from both Looma and the girls, he tells them he'll be back and he just needs them to watch his back until then. He goes to leave the office and gear up. He steps inside his truck. He sits there for a few minutes before getting a call. It's Holly and Hunhow quickly answers it. "Hey you alright"? she asked. "Yeah I'm good". "You alright"? he asked her. "Yeah I'm okay for most part". "I was calling because I wanted to know if you wanted to go hang out" she said. "Sure, when you wanna spend some time"? he asked her. "Tomorrow if that's okay with you". "I just felt we should spend some more time together" she said a little nervous. "Sure, I can't wait to see you" he said. Afterwards, they hang up and he goes to finish the job he has begun.

~ Time Skip ~ Hunhow Arrives at The Basement ~

Hunhow reaches the building. He quickly but quietly gets his Glock 30 and SIG Sauer XM5 loaded and ready. He sneaks inside through the back door. The restaurant building is big but it isn't hard to find the circuit breakers and cut off power to the upper floors. After shutting down the upper floor lights a few armed guards come downstairs to check only for them to be right in the line of fire. Hunhow who is hiding underneath a restaurant table shoots the men down. The sound of gunfire is heard and pretty soon Hunhow rushes and hides underneath one of the bodies. Other gunmen show up and to find the mess. But while they are left confused Hunhow out of nowhere pushes the body off him and begins to shoot. 1 by 1 bullets fly and bodies fall. Hunhow charges upstairs and runs into a few more armed guards. He takes them all out. He then searches the entire upstairs of the restaurant until he hears noise coming from bathroom. He quietly moves towards the bathroom. He slowly begins to make his way inside while aiming and checking the stalls. He then listens carefully until he picks up on the sound of heavy breathing as if someone is trying to cover their mouths to keep from making noise. He follows the sound until he makes it to the final stall. Hunhow knows the target is inside. He pretends to not hear the man as he cowards inside the stall. But just as he thinks the coast is clear, Hunhow slams open the door knocking the man back. He punches the man before closing the stall door. He stands and towers over the man who is panicking. "Yo-u killed t-them all". "The bikers, the drug dealers, the cartels, the corrupt officials, th-there a-ll gone" the man stutters and trembles. "Yeah, yeah almost" Hunhow says. "How do you know who I am". "B-because i-ve been watching y-you this whole time" the man replies. "The Punisher is what they call you". "I know why you kill". "I get it". "An eye for an eye and all that". "Please I have a family of my own" the man says. Hunhow looks at the man sarcastically before saying, "I don't". "If you kill me son, it will never end". "What does it change if I'm dead"? the man asked. Hunhow looks at the man before delivering his final words. "It changes nothing" he says. He pulls out a large switchblade knife and stabs the man in his right eye as he covers his mouth so his screams aren't heard. The man struggles kicking and grunting trying to gasp for air. Hunhow only twists and pushes the blade further into his eye until the man loosens his grab and slides over dead. Hunhow finishes the man. Hunhow leaves the stall and walks out the bathroom. He then hears sirens. The police are here. He quickly jumps out a nearby window and makes it to his truck. He quickly gets in and drives away before the police have a chance to block off the building and cut off his escape.

~ Time Skip ~ Hour Later ~

Hunhow makes it back to the mayor's office. He enters the room and greets the others. He informs them all the job is done and that is finished. The mayor thanks him for a job well done. He hugs her. But in the process sits down and tells her his plans for the future. She is left in tears by his words. She tries to stop him but he tells her that turning himself in when this is over is how it has to be. She realizes she can't stop him and that it is his own choice. They embrace and hug. She gives him her information and tells him to call her anytime he needs anything. He thanks her for her support. He goes to Hug Amber, Cassidy and Tenet and thank them for their help. "Hey, keep in touch when you can" Amber tells him. He nods his head and smiles before leaving. He goes back outside and takes in the night breeze. Finally after a good night's work he decides to head home. But not before calling Holly and telling her about their plans for the weekend......