Heroes Versus Villains

Assassin Pt. 2

"Thank you very, very much Tex!" The Boss celebrated in his little office swivel chair. Tex provided photographic proof of his job completed. Tex turned to leave when The Boss said "Wait." Tex turned around and waited.

"Tex, you did me and this company a great service. I'll be expecting none of this to be... Leaked? To the public or our employees?"

Tex nodded.

"That's mah-boy! I bid thee adieu, Tex."

Tex turned back around and opened the door. Only when he was about to exit the room did he hear a familiar sound. A sound of death. He turned around to see the plant on The Boss's desk had grown one of its leaves into The Boss's neck. Scarlett dropped down his body onto the desk. He reached out his hand. Gurgling blood he said the word "Help". Then he lied motionless. Life had left his body.

"Hello there."

Tex turned his head to see a dark skinned man with a plant bud on his shoulder leaning against the office wall. His eyes glowed green with murderous intent.

"Hello. Who are you?" Tex asked.

"A question for another day. Right now, I'm going to lead this conversation."

"How did you get here?"

"Okay, nevermind then, I guess. I... Have a deep connection to nature and all things natural. My preference being plant life. If there is a plant nearby... I can hear, see, and smell everything in that area. The more plants the more intense the senses. I can even travel among them."

"Okay. Then why come here?"

"Ugh, still not... Fine. I came here because I overheard and saw this 'deal' and I think you could be very useful to me. Your skills will aid my plan."

"Give me the cash."

The Man smirked. He raised his hand towards the desk plant again. Tex shrugged and turned to leave, only to be blocked in by thorny leaves. Tex turned back around and met The Man right in his face.

"You won't be getting paid because this isn't a one-time service. This is a full employment. Your payment will be victory and kingship. You can rule a part of the world and govern it however you please. Perhaps... Even get back at those people who did you in back when you were a kid?"

• • •

Ty was sitting on the sidewalk against a run down building. His cardboard box the only thing to shelter him. The occasional roadkill the only thing to keep him company. The locket around his neck the only thing to keep him sane. The rain outside the only thing to remind him he's still alive, and the only thing that taunts him about still being alive.

Ty grabbed his locket and opened it up. Inside was a picture he so cherished. A picture taken as if his family wasn't falling apart. In that very moment it seemed everything was perfect. Everyone was smiling. Fake happiness is the only kind Ty knows of.

"Guys, look at him." Came an unfamiliar voice. Ty looked up to see an even more unfamiliar face. "Look at the hobo here. A little bitty kid wallowing in the filth of the streets." A few different voices were heard from behind him. They were laughing.

The boy in front of Ty grabbed his locket and ripped it off from around his neck.

"What's this here? A heart shaped locket? How cute!"

"Give it back!" Ty shouted. The boy made a sarcastically scared face.

"Oh no! I better give it back! Or else!" The gang laughed. "Or what? You'll tell your parents on me?" The boy covered his mouth. "Woops! Sorry."

The group of boys kept making fun of Ty; cracking jokes, mocking him, staring and playing with the locket, etc. Ty felt helpless and weak. He stood there, taking it all. His fists were clenched at his sides and years ran down his face; but the rain masked them.

Ty stomped his foot. "Enough!!" He shouted. The boys looked at him and laughed.

"What's a little tyke like you gonna do, huh? You're a toothpick, you got nothing on us big boys!" This boy had the locket. Ty saw the picture inside and was filled with more... Emotion than he had ever felt before.

Ty walked up to the boy with the locket. He had signaled to his friends to stay back, and when he turned back around Ty had him by the throat. Due to his small size he could easily climb up and hold himself on another person.

"Woah, dude, chill!" The boy said, obviously pleading for his life. Ty did not listen.

"Don't you ever! Mess with me! Or my locket!" With every emphasis Ty tightened his grip around the boy's throat.

"Okay!!... Here...!" They boy struggled with breath and lifted his hand to give the locket back. Ty took it and got off the boy. The gang ran away.

• • •

"Now wouldn't you just love it if you could finish what you started?"

"How do you know about that?"

The Man gestured down. Tex looked and saw grass under his feet. Some longer blades were wrapping around his legs.

"I have a deep connection with everything natural. Memory is of that group."

Tex didn't understand. But he guessed now things won't make sense. He did just kill his Uncle for a few bucks.

"What would I do first?"

"Go after Connor O'Reily. Your childhood bully."