Saving Albert

I have never particularly liked people.

Having no sympathy or fondness for any human other than myself, I have never found the job of ending them to be a greatly taxing task. This situation, however, was something I had not anticipated.

The highest ranking members of the elite Assassin's Guild were observing me. Each member was dressed in dark, unassuming clothes and their faces bore either a look of smugness, expectation or complete nonchalance. It was rare to see these people all in one place, but they had gathered here to witness the initiation of the renowned W. W is, of course, my name.

It was really rather flattering to know they all considered me so worth their time. Although, without meaning to brag, I am acclaimed for being one of the best you can hire; my aforementioned lack of human empathy proved quite handy in this profession. In fact, this alliance was not essential to me at all: I was in it for the security more than anything else. It was reassuring knowing The Guild had your back, so to speak.

"What are you waiting for?" sneered one of the superiors in the group.

"Is this really necessary?" I asked.

"What's this?" He cackled, "Could it be that the infamous W has feelings after all?"

I frowned. Inhaling deeply, I wrinkled my nose slightly at the faint tang of cigarette smoke, that permeated the air. I angled my gaze back down the barrel of my revolver, which had never once wavered. The barrel of the gun was still aimed directly at the head of the golden retriever puppy. The puppy had not moved throughout the proceedings; he was so obedient, commendable really.

No. I knew I mustn't think of things that could endear him to me. He was not obedient: he was ignorant and dopey. He was not cute in anyway. In my opinion, his wet, velvet nose was repugnant and his crooked ears were irksome. Some may even say his large doe eyes were too big and unnerving. I also knew I should not, under any circumstances, name him. That would be beyond idiotic.

He looked like an Albert.

It was as I gazed into Albert's innocent face, that was so blissfully ignorant of what was to become of him, that I knew. My heart melted into a sentimental goo, like ice cream in a hot fudge sundae.

Unfortunately, I also knew that I had made it too far into The Guild for simply walking away to ever be an option. There would have to be bloodshed, but it, sure as hell, wouldn't be Albert's.

Like the twitch of a cat's tail, I flicked the gun to the side. A bullet in the chest of the superior. He cried out, sounding like an out of tune violin in the hands of an amateur. Before the others had time to react, I embedded bullets in each of their persons.

Albert's ears stood on end and he appeared frozen in terror. I grabbed him and I felt the searing stab of agonising pain rip through my shoulder. I'd failed to land a decent shot on one assassin, in my haste. His left leg was useless, but he could still shoot his damned gun. I grit my teeth and hurtled up and over the towering perimeter fence, still with Albert under my arm. Albert whimpered and I attempted to comfort him, as I pelted along the streets. I glanced behind me to see that we weren't being followed. Nevertheless, I kept running for two miles because I wasn't one to take chances. They never caught up with us, though. We were safe.

Several hours later, Albert and myself are sitting on a hill top under the stars. It's peaceful here, after our hectic day. The pinks and oranges of the sunset have faded, leaving behind a sort of hovering, ethereal twilight. The air is warm, even for a summer evening, and it resonates with the steady buzz of insects and birdsong. My tent's pitched nearby, in a secluded patch of woodland. We're both deep in thought, reflecting on the day's events under the omniscient eye of the moon. "Guess it's just you and I, Albert" I speak up. "I think we'll do just fine though, don't you." I smile at Albert and I like to think he agrees. He tilts his head to one side and gazes at me. I think we'll do just fine.