MAFIA'S WRONG TARGET

30: FRAGILITY OF LIFE

HUNTER'S POV

Elite Stone Hospital,
01:45 PM

The world went silent. The cacophony of the mob war, the screams, the gun shots, all faded into a distant hum. And the only voice remained was her's, a desperate plea cutting through the ringing in my ears, begging me not to fall unconscious.

"...please... they'll kill us.... "

There was a hand underneath my head and a blurry face hovered above me, barely distinguishable against the bright blue sky, her tears falling to my face. Then, nothing.

Hours later, I woke up to the sterile smell of the hospital, the harsh fluorescent lights stinging my eyes. I sat up, my shoulder throbbing with each movement.

The bullet had lodged itself in my flash, a nasty reminder of the close call. I knew it was a near miss, a testament to the years of training that had ingrained survival instincts into my very being. But luck had a way of running out, especially in this game.

"What happened to you, mister?" A childish voice pierced my thoughts. I glanced down to see a girl. I don't even realise how she got in there.

I returned her gaze, unblinking. Dealing with kids wasn't something I was accustomed to. Years had passed since I'd last encountered one. I blankly stared. I couldn't even guess her age. She could be four? or five?

"That must have hurt so bad, but you're strong. You'll be fine." She offered encouragement.

I scanned her emotionlessly. No visible wounds. She might be one of the victims from the bombing, as many locals got injured in that attack as well. "Is someone you know hurt?" I asked, my tone clipped.

"Uhoon..." She shook her head. "My newborn sister's in-in that..." She drew a square in the air with her tiny hands. "...the incubator." She nodded to herself after getting to pronounce the word right before continuing. "Mum's with her, and I'm bored." She was small, but she explained clearly.

"What's your name?" Now she was interviewing me. She had to climb on the toolbox just to reach the surface to sit on it comfortably. She seemed to have a lot of time.

" Hunter." I answered.

"Hunter?" She repeated , I swear no one in my lifetime has taken my name this confidentiality, even Dash sometimes hesitates. She seemed to judge my name as her eyes somewhat rolled back then her face said 'leave it.'

I smiled. I almost smiled.

"Mine's Grace." She mumbled.

F*ck!

I realised I was glaring at her for a good reason while she seemed to search something in her tiny sling bag." I got markers, may I signature your cast?" She asked pulling out colourful markers from it and before I could answer she grabbed my hand carefully with both of hers and rested it on her lap.

She bent forward, head dipping low as she uncapped a marker. I couldn’t see what she was writing—her hair fell like a curtain between us, blocking the view.

“Grace?” The sudden gasp of a woman sliced through the air. I lifted my gaze just in time to see a panicked woman rush over. She scooped the girl up in her arms in one swift motion.

“I’m so sorry!” the woman said breathlessly, bowing again and again, the girl cradled against her waist.  Without waiting for a reply, she hurried out of the room. “I told you not to go into that ward,” I heard her scold. “They’re dangerous. Don’t go near them again.”