ECHS Fiction Magazine    
     

Assassin

Raju Singh

I spotted her in her car, going home I hoped. I followed her and when she pulled into the driveway I rode past, making sure of the address.

I got my stuff together and headed towards the bitch. I needed the cash, bad. I parked my bike a block away and carried my crossbow and rifle through some backyards.

I climbed the tree in her front yard; I had a perfect shot at her if she would just walk into the bathroom. I waited for almost an hour, waiting, drinking, smoking.

The waiting started to burn my gut. I shot my crossbow line, it was loose but it would hold me, I swung across and through a window. A scream meshed with the sound of breaking glass. She was right in front of me. If I'd have waited a couple more minutes she might have come in sight of my scope. She was in a skimpy nightgown; she was beautiful, but there was no time to think of that now. I needed the cash.

I grabbed her hair and snapped her head back. I could see her jugular - it stood out, exposing itself to me. I heard her yelp for air as I unsheathed my dagger. I thought back to what my teacher had said. Don't fall victim to the screams - you can't hear them, and if you move quickly with strength you won't hear them.

My blade seemed like a laser fusing through her flesh. She had no time or reason to plea for her life.

I found the front door and went back up the tree to retrieve the rest of my equipment. I seemed to take forever to get to the building. The elevator was slow and broken down. The stairs would be faster. I was going to collapse; the killing made my heart throb with artificial life. I needed the needle, now.

I awoke a day later. The cash had been slipped under my door with new orders. The picture was old but so was the man. He couldn't look too much different. He was a fat son of a bitch, must have been a pro wrestler or something. He was 4 days late. He was supposed to deliver 2 kilos on Friday. Four days, another 2 hours and he'd be dead.

He was bigger than I thought. He looked so peaceful sitting in his easy chair with his six-pack and popcorn, watching the basketball game. He would be easy, too easy.

I opened the door and walked in front of the T.V. He knew what I was there for. He went for his gun. I grabbed a 6-inch spear from my sleeve and nailed his hand. He cringed in his seat. I gave him a sharp kick in his face - should have broken his nose. He rolled backwards in his chair and before I could think he lunged at me. He caught me with an uppercut, then he picked me up and hurled me at the wall. I hit, hard. I was cloudy but I wasn't out. He came at me again and rammed himself into me. I felt some ribs crack as I was concentrated into the wall.

I hit the ground. I guess he must have thought I was out. He leaned over me and I gave him another quick boot to his head. As I rolled away I grabbed another spear and stung him in his forehead. It slowed him but he was too pumped up - might've been the coke.

As he lunged at me I removed my sword from my sheath. I dodged left and swung downward with all the strength I could focus. His face looked so peaceful again. I guess that's the only way it could look without its body.


Copyright 1987 by Raju Singh. Unauthorized duplication, posting, or publication is strictly prohibited.


 ECHS Fiction Magazine    
Copyright © 2003 Kevin L. Gong