The Sniper
My lungs let out a controlled exhale of warm, summer air as I stared down the barrel of my M24 rifle. The red dot hovered on the heart of my vendetta; the man who destroyed my family and cut my happy childhood to an abrupt halt.
A gentle breeze pushed my thick black hair across my forehead. I readjusted my aim accordingly. My jade-green eyes blinked slowly, focusing on the face of Akihiko Satō. The man was the bane of my existence and the scum of this planet. I paid little attention to the others around him; he was the only one who mattered.
Tammy’s face was always on my mind. Not the happy dancing little girl who drove me nuts and had our father wrapped around her finger. With her big brown eyes, dark brown curls, and dimples. No, the face I remembered most was tear-streaked and pleading. She was still a little girl but no longer happy, no longer free. This little girl was the one I failed to save.
I shifted the red dot away from Akihiko’s head and to one of his lackeys, quickly pulling the trigger. A rash and emotional decision had been made. As the stranger hit the pavement, I felt the same familiar twinge of guilt. I ignored it and watched as Akihiko’s amused smirk slithered across his face. He briefly spoke to the man he was meeting before calmly heading towards the building I was perched on.
I rose from my position, packed up my rifle, and turned to face the door leading to the rooftop I was on. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, causing my fingers to twitch. I crossed my arms, forcing myself to remain stoic. I may have been twenty-seven years old but my life was far from simple. Between the honorable discharge from the Marines a year ago and the chaotic destruction this man had caused, I had seen and done a lot.
“Hey, kid. Good to see you again.” The Yakuza leader grinned at me manipulatively.
Akihiko had emerged through the heavy, steel door, still wearing his classic black three-piece suit. His tan skin, prominent jawline, and dark brown eyes were all the same as they had been eighteen years ago. His dark curly hair was now graying with age, but his crooked malicious grin was permanently etched in my mind.
I felt my blood boil and my cheeks burn as his words echoed in my ear. I threw myself at him in a blind rage. The villainous grin never faltered as Akihiko sidestepped my attack, managing to sweep my legs from under me with a simple trip. His same foot quickly kicked my face, then my stomach, as I attempted to get back up.
I wasn’t well-versed in combat, but apparently he was. I felt stupid for not thinking that through before shooting his lackey, but my rage was still overwhelming. I wanted him dead, and he didn’t deserve a quick death like the man in the alley. I wanted to watch the life drain from his eyes, a different memory of them to hold onto.
“You should have taken the shot kid,” Akihiko chuckled leveling his Glock at my face.
I bared my teeth and spat on his shiny black shoes before snarling my response, “I’m not a kid. I have a name.”
He chuckled before squatting down to reply smoothly. “Oh, yes. Asher Drake, you must be so proud of your dear daddy.”
I lunged at him, wanting nothing more than to squeeze the life out of him. My fingers itched to be around his throat, and my eyes to watch that arrogant smirk vanish forever. I wanted him dead. Abruptly, I was quickly kicked to the side. I rolled away and was closer to the edge of the roof than I liked.
“Don’t you dare talk about him!” I spat angrily.
He chuckled, now standing over me, gun raised again. “It’s been fun but the boss gets mad every time you kill one of my men. Frankly, I don’t want to deal with the lectures anymore.”
On my hands and knees, my body shook with fury. I spat blood onto the dry pavement but continued to stare him down. One of us was going to die tonight, and I didn’t care if it was me. Before another thought could cross either of us, I noticed a movement behind Akihiko.
“Drop it,” a young, blond man demanded, pointing his gun at Akihiko’s back.
It was the person the Yakuza was meeting below earlier. I didn’t know him but there was something familiar in the hardness of his icy blue eyes and the tension in his jaw. He was not much younger than me. He had serious balls if he was willing to take on the Yakuza for a stranger, or he was just really stupid.
Akihiko hesitated before turning to the new arrival of our reunion and spitting his response, “Are you willing to start a war over this, young prince?”
I wondered why he called the man a prince. It had to be a code name. I wished I had done more research into the underworld the Yakuza was such a big part of. Now I was completely lost and had no idea what kind of situation I put myself into.
“I have been itching for some real action for a while,” the blond snapped, cocking his gun. “Try me.”
“You will regret this,” Akihiko snarled before dropping his gun and storming off the rooftop.
The stranger sighed, seemingly annoyed. After holstering his gun, he walked up to me and offered his hand. I stared at it, unsure what the next logical step was.
“My name is Liam Bly. I’m the son of the Reaper King and next in line to lead.” Something about the way Liam spoke the words seemed scripted and unpleasant.
I wasn’t sure why, but I felt like I could trust him. If I had learned anything in the Marines, it was to trust your instincts. So without further thought, I reached out, allowing his help.
“I’m Ash,” I replied, unsure of what else to say.
“If you want to get to him,” Liam gestured behind him with his head, “I can help. I can train you and with our support, and your skills, we can take him down.”
I watched him as he looked me over, and stood taller. He was still several inches taller than me, but he didn’t seem surprised. Considering I was six foot two, I would’ve been surprised if he wasn’t used to towering over everyone.
“Don’t you work in tandem with him?” I asked acidically.
Liam scoffed, “After that? No, you heard what he said.”
I didn’t know why he acted the way he did, but as far as I was concerned, it didn’t matter. I didn’t trust him but I would follow him for now in hopes of getting closer to my personal goal. We didn’t have to trust each other as long as we knew what we were each gaining from the relationship.
“What do you get?” I asked shortly.
He raised an eyebrow and a bemused crooked grin spread across his face. “Refreshing; no bullshit. Our hitman was killed a month ago. We could use a man of your talents.”
