CRYBABY

VI - Meet The Assassin

Lisa

Being an assassin had its perks. A new city every week, hotel life with no dishes or chores, new clothes every day - the old ones discarded at thrift store doors. I sucked back a double espresso and browsed the newspaper, ten minutes to kill before my next job officially began.

I barely raised the cup when I spotted my next target. Damn. That would be an extra charge, leaving a perfectly good cup of coffee on the table offended my morals.

I couldn't even do a silent whack and drain the cup before leaving.

Following this man was part of the job, they usually wouldn't just want him in a morgue by sundown but his entire crew to be laid out with him.

This time, they told me to kill him slowly. Just like I've always loved.

They could've chosen a man, who could whip him and his other men. But instead, I was the one for the job.

Tracelessly - I followed him.

Watching how his face was tensing in the mere light of the afternoon. He had sunglasses on, but I knew he was one of these men, who had blue or grey eyes. A man who would manipulate women into his trap to get laid. But not on my watch.

I maintained a cool detachment to my targets.

Mostly I preferred not to think of them, but when I did it was as if they were already dead - walking meat bags waiting to be despatched to the butcher. I thought of them as meeting their destiny and I was merely the conduit.

Everyone has to die sometime, and I considered it a good way to go. No illness, no drawn-out goodbyes. They were just happy and oblivious one second and gone the next. Simple. Convenient. Painless.

But not with me. I liked watching them die slowly.

"Watch out Lisa, there are 3 men on the far left, crossing the street. And they got their eyes on him. Be careful, and don't make them follow you". My best friend and partner, Jisoo Kim - is one of the best hackers here in New York.

Programmed to track down pieces of information about my targets and to hack the security cameras. "Don't worry, I think his plan is for them to protect him, and get their hands on the assassin who is me". I spoke, watching him walk like someone who was so full of freedom.

"I think they're way too oblivious to notice that you're the one".

I dryly laughed, "Men and their hormones. They fight each other and leave women out of this business as if women weren't strong enough to kill". My jaw clenched as I neared him.

Jisoo chuckled, "Yeah right, but don't stop. Keep moving to the north, I think he's trying to make it quick to the corner near that restaurant".

"Yeah I see him, how many men do you think he has in total?". I asked.

"With my knowledge, I think he decided to keep them in groups, in different parts of the country. We've got..". She stopped for a moment before continuing, "25 in the south, 30 on the west. And 40 on the north and the east".

I wickedly smiled, "That means he has about 20 of them here, isn't it?".

"Yes, but I think the others are on the border. Waiting for him to finish so they can leave just as fast". Jisoo spoke, "You've got 3 to take for now".

"Let's get the job done". I remarked, with a smile full of pride. This is it.