Well, so, last week, a few days after Christmas, a man in a suit came to my house. My mom answered the door, and we were both surprised when he asked to talk with me outside. I was a little nervous, but I followed him out to his car. He pulled out some papers and read from them. "James ******?" he asked. I said yes, that was my name. He folded the papers and put them back in his breast pocket, and gave me a faint smile. "Nice to finally meet you James. Of course, we've met before." My curiosity now outweighed my fear. "What the hell are you talking about?" I asked. "You don't remember? That's a little disappointing, after all, you left a real impression on me. I didn't sleep for days after that night in Atlantic city." My heart felt like it dropped into my stomach. I checked behind me to make sure my parents weren't eavesdropping. "Lorenzo?"
"Ah, so you do remember" he said coolly. "I'm flattered." He adjusted his glasses while his eyes gave me a penetrating stare. I breathed deep. "What is it that you want?" His smiled grew. "Well, it would be unfortunate if the authorities got a hold of the evidence I currently have in my possession. Luckily, there is something you can do for me." My anger began to grow. "What is it that you want?!" "Hey now" Lorenzo said defensively, giving me a phony look disappointment. "The James I knew always had his temper in check. Don't tell me you've changed, because if you have, you won't be much use to me." Even though I knew it all along, as soon as those words left his mouth, my fears were confirmed. "You want me to kill someone for you?". Lorenzo looked at me as though I was a long lost brother. "You always did like to get down to business, didn't you?" He reached into his other breast pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to me. "A list… I'll leave the rest to you." He got back into his car. "I trust I've chosen the right man." For a brief moment, I thought of spitting in his face, but my common sense got the better of me, and he drove off while I stood there, silent.
I opened the paper. There were two names on the list, with a note from Lorenzo. The note read "These two men are selling high ****weapons to our rivals. Take them out." Under that was a street address. I went back inside. My mom was standing there, her arms folded in concern. "What did he want". For a brief moment, my mind went blank before I suddenly went back to my roots. "He was a detective… apparently David's car was stolen, he wanted to ask if I knew anything." Her expression didn't change. "That's too bad". She stood there like stone. Cold sweat began to form on my brow. "Well, I think I'm going to go out to see how David's doing". "Ok", my mother said, "try to be back before two". I pulled on my coat. "I will." I went out into the garage. I went to my secret storage and grabbed onto a desert eagle. It felt strange to have the cool steel press against my palm after so long. For a moment, I thought I missed that felling.
I got into my car and drove to the address. My instincts started to kick in. My gun was at the ready in my right hand, and I knocked on the door with my left. A man opened the door. "Chase Diaz?" I asked. "Yes, can I help you?" I pulled out the fake badge I've had for years. "I'm detective Baca, I'd like to ask you a few questions outside if you don't mind. "Uh, yeah, sure" he said, closing the door closely behind him, clearly not wanting me to see what was inside. "What do you need?" At that moment, I decided to get this over with. "You see that car over there?" I pointed over his shoulder. He turned around to look. As quick as I could, I pulled the gun up, and pointed it straight at the center of his head. But something was wrong, I couldn't pull the trigger. It was as if some unseen force was keeping me from pulling the trigger. He turned back around and saw the gun. He froze, and looked into my eyes with this almost pleading look. At that moment, the force let go of my finger, and the gun went off. Warm blood splattered across my face. I was rusty, the range was too short, I should have gotten more distance…. I had forgotten how much blood there was.
Chase's friend, the other target, suddenly opened the door, pulled out a pistol and shot me in the arm. Without thinking or hesitation I shot him twice in the chest. I stood there breathing and bleeding heavily, an eerie silence hung over the scene of carnage. I drove home, my mind blank. Lorenzo was waiting in my driveway. I got out to confront him. He used one finger to wipe a line of blood from my face. "I'm guessing the job is done?" "Yes" I said. "That's good, unfortunately, there's one more target." Somehow I wasn't surprised. Lorenzo pulled out a picture from his breast pocket, and handed it to me. "This is the master mind behind the whole cartel. I believe you know him." I looked at the picture and my stomach tied into a knot. I was looking into the eyes of my own cat. "Mr. Whiskers?" "That's right" said Lorenzo. "I know he's right in there, so why don't we just end this right now. You walk in your house, take care of Mr. Whiskers, and I'll drive away, never bothering you again." I stared into his cold eyes. I knew I had no choice. I took a deep breath. My arm was beginning to really hurt, I needed medical attention. I got my gun ready and stepped into my house.
Mr. Whiskers was waiting for me inside. "So" he said "I'm guessing Lorenzo told you all about my dealings." I raised the gun to his tiny head. "I'm sorry." Mr. Whiskers looked at me with an understanding look. "I understand. In this world you've gotta take care of yourself… no one else will." He gave me a weak smile, and I pulled the trigger. His head completely blew up, pieces of brain and fur hit the wall. I dropped the gun, shocked. Tears began running down my face. After awhile, I got myself together. I picked up my gun and walked outside. Lorenzo beamed. "That wasn't so bad was it?". I remained silent, my mind hurt as if someone was stabbing it with a knife. "Well" he continued. "As I promised, I will leave now… you'll never hear from me again." He walked to his car. "Why me?" I asked. He turned to look at me. He was clearly scared. "What?" he asked. "Why me?" I asked again. "Those dealers were petty street thugs, and my cat… anyone could have done this job. Why did you come to me." For once, Lorenzo looked uncomfortable. "Maybe I just wanted to see you again" he said. "I think we both know that's bull****. I think you have bigger plans for… don't you?" Lorenzo's face said it all. My fears were confirmed… I knew this was the end of my new life, and beginning of my old one. I pulled up the gun for a fourth time that night, and put a bullet through Lorenzo's chest. He fell against his car. I readjusted my aim towards his head. He stared at me with pleading eyes. "It was… only my… job… I'm… sorry". We both stood there, Lorenzo bleeding onto the street, me holding a gun towards his head. "So am I" I said, and pulled the trigger.
My cat's dead, any advice?
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