January

*Flashback*

It was Sunday evening, January 29, 2031.

The rain was pouring down heavily however, sidewalks and roads aren't empty at all. In fact, it was a busy day to everyone for it is the election day. A man operated the remote control and pressed the power button. On the television is a lady who wore a suit jacket and skirt in a militaristic details.

"Our country, Basil, after gaining its independence on the existing imperialism had faced several problematic years of conflict. Only to find out that human rights had been openly flouted, which resulted to serious madness and ignorance among the people. I, Vanessa Smith as newly elected President, swear to give justification and serve everyone wholeheartedly. Under my administration, we will rise as one peaceful nation.", she delivered the words with pride and dignity.

Everyone stood up as they clapped in exuberance. The television suddenly stopped functioning.

"Vanessa did it. She won the election.", a man spoke on his cellphone. "We should proceed with our plans and help her indirectly.", he continued before cutting the conversation.

His name is Joseph Hamilton. Aside from being a security guard, he is the head of the Stairway Corporation, a confidential Non-Govermental Organization that aims to assist selected leaders without even informing them. A smile on his face become visible as he glanced upon the wall clock. 6:40pm. The birthday celebration of his son sinked into his mind. He immediately grabbed his keys and went out.

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The restaurant was simple but praiseworthy. The prices of the foods were on average level, proof that their taste have unusual standards. There are numerous customers, and their clothes were excellent. The table near the cashier is a woman in his late 30s. Her name is Sarah. In front of her is her son, John Rick.

"You hungry?", Sarah asked him worriedly.

"A bit" He replied in a pale tone of voice.

"Your father is on his way now, hold back your hunger for a while.". she grinned.

The entrance of the restaurant opened and a guy with a queer outfit entered. Rick's attention was captured. He was wearing a black, long sleeve jacket and dark pants. He also had a typical face mask that is usually weared by patients. On his chest is a golden pin with a writing "January" on it and a symbol of a lion on his shoulder. His right hand was handling a brown suitcase. Without any further ado, he advanced through the cashier and ordered.

"Here comes your father, sweetie.", Sarah spoke while looking towards a man heading through their table. She eventually stood up and kissed him on his cheeks.

"Happy Birthday Rick.", Joseph greeted and handed him a present. They soon begun their meal as they share smiles and laughter. The following events become ruthless and violent. The man on the cashier opened his suitcase, took dual machine pistol and started shooting towards the direction of their table. The moment he saw Joseph on the ground, he also shooted all the people inside the restaurant and cleared the area, just to make sure no one will call for help.

He walked straightforwardly to Joseph and shoot him in the head to guarantee his death. He also do the same thing to Sarah, who was still breathing at that time. Rick, full of blood, was noiselessly lying on the floor and not breathing. The guy thought he was dead and departed the restaurant, clueless with the truth that he was only faking his death.

Rick eventually opened his eyes and gazed upon his dead parents.

January. He thought.

I will kill him

I will definitely hunt and kill him.

He burst out into tears as the rain continue to pour down and conjoined his sadness.

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(John Rick's POV)

"In a secret place.", he responded "You will be the next Agent January"

I felt a sudden jolt of unexplained emotions. My world stopped spinning and all I see is my gun pointing directly on this guy.

"Get away from me" the words came out from my mouth strong and clear, which caused him to throw me a shocked face.

"You. You know something about my parents' murderer??", I asked him desperately.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Liar!", I yelled. "The moment I saw the person who shooted us, I saw a pin on his chest. January, it is. And he heartlessly killed innocent lives! And now you're telling me to be the next murderer of yours?!".

"Your parents died for a reason.", he said with assurance.

I don't know what are the right words to say. I am demented with my emotions. Who is this guy? I'm literally puzzled and addled.

"You don't know much about everything, Rick.", he stated.

"How do you know my name?". I asked, still pointing my gun on him.

"If you would come with me, I'll be explaining a lot of things to you.".

"I can't trust a person like you. Leave me alone.".

"You should....".

"I said leave me alone!" I shrieked at the top of my voice. I cannot handle my emotions anymore. I feel so weak and helpless as I remembered that day when my parents died. My hands were shaking and he wasn't doing anything for self defense. But I didn't take the opportunity to shoot him. I don't know. Something just stopped me. Conscience I guess.

I noticed his eyes moved behind me and he positioned himself. He grabbed my hand hastily as he pulled me backwards. He clicked his watch on his right hand and some kind of an electromagnetic force field become visible. By the time that I regained myself from being pulled I have seen some people shooting us, but we're not taking any single bullet from them.

"You know how to use a gun right? I need you to cover me!", he commanded. Honestly, this is the first time that I hadled such weapon. I don't know how to operate it, nor the feeling of shooting someone. Oh, whatever. I just pointed my gun behind us and have a look around with ease.

"This is Agent March, we are in the parking lot and we need back up. I repeat we need back up!", he spoke as if he is talking to someone. But I don't see any equipment he used for contacting purposes. I am really confused for what is happening right now.

In just a matter of seconds, an extraordinary car with an open door just drifted fast and steady. The passenger hit our assailant effortlessly with her machine gun. All of them were flawlessly slained.

"Get inside!". The girl shooter yelled. Her voice is too young, I can say her age is close to mine. She was wearing a flowery long sleeve t-shirt and a pink skirt. Her cute, long hair were in a hairstyle of pigtail. Me and March speedily went inside and the female driver handily maneuver the car.

"You.", the girl shooter pointed me "You're Rick?", she asked while raising her eyebrow.

"Yeah.", I answered.

"Good. My name is May, this is November", she introduced the driver with an energetic voice. "Welcome to the team. From now on, you are part of the Developmental Research and Assassination Bureau."

My eyes wide opened. I don't even have a single idea on what she had uttered

"Development assassin what?! Oh whatever, I never asked for this. Stop the car I'm leaving."

The girl shooter took out a pistol and stuck the muzzle on my head. "Easy honeybunch. You are definitely going to enjoy this. You want revenge for your parents right? Shut your fucking mouth and never make unnecessary movements.", she said with a horrible tone of voice. I never thought of a little girl being so scary like her.

What should I do now? I'm feeling nervous and distressed at the same time. With my situation, I am definitely going to die.