Chapter 16 - Business (2)

As Thong overlooked the home, silence began encasing the property. Many of the lights suddenly went off as Thong hopped off the wall and onto the grassy ground. He charged at the front door, kicking it down before immediately jumping to the side. Bullets came spraying out as Thong laid low, watching the bullets fly.

Thong's thoughts: So he had guns hidden in there as well. I don't have any support this time, so I can't be careless when danger is this close…

Thong waited as he stared at the doorway. Not a single person came out to find him.

Thong's thoughts: Are they holding themselves up in there? This makes things slightly harder…

Thong crept around the building in the opposite direction of the doorway, facing down one of the sides of the house as a man with a gun appeared before him. Thong quickly bolted at him, the man raising the gun and taking aim at Thong. One bullet flew past Thong's face, grazing his cheek as Thong landed a direct punch at the man's face. The man fell to the floor, the thud silenced by the grass. Thong looked around, noticing that above the walls, some lights shone.

Thong's thoughts: Those gunshots would make anyone wake up. I've been too slow, people might appear at any moment to check the situation.

Thong looked to his right, noticing the window to his right. Thong jumped up, and with all the strength he could muster, he swung his foot at the window, smashing it open. Thong jumped inside, walking around the eerily quiet and dark home.

Thong's thoughts: Visor has to be in here somewhere, but where?

Thong stared in shock as a woman in a traditional maid outfit appeared at the end of the hall. Her long, curly black hair blending into the darkness of the house. Thong noticed a flicker in front of the maid before she ran forward. Thong raised his fists before running in himself. The maid made several swift strikes, Thong avoiding each before grabbing the maid's wrist.

Thong's thoughts: Her movements were slow. These guys are nothing compared to Pablo and Pedro.

Thong threw a quick chop at the maid's neck, Thong catching her in his arms before laying her down. Thong wandered around the first floor, checking each room and corner, only for there to be no signs of Claude. Thong stared down the opening corridor, seeing stairs up to the second floor.

Thong's thoughts: He must be somewhere up there.

Thong slowly walked up the stairs, the moonlight coming through the windows as he looked around. Thong walked further into the hallway, looking in any direction before he saw it. Claude Visor stood at the end of one of the hallways, staring down Thong.

Thong's thoughts: I guess it's time to go…

Thong charged forward, Claude's worried expression turning into shock as Thong let out a rapid kick at Claude's left arm. A loud crunch could be heard as Thong's foot connected.

Claude's thoughts: He broke it!

Thong winced as he heard the noise.

Claude: Johnson, now!

Thong looked to his left as the door swung open. Johnson charged out, hitting Thong with his shoulder as they burst through the door to Thong's right. Johnson's large frame came from his history as a quarterback. Thong could feel Johnson's full weight through the tackle. But even with that push, Thong's nervous heart lessened.

Thong's thoughts: Even this big guy… He's nothing like any of the fighters I've met so far.

Thong moved his body to the side, landing a right uppercut to Johnson's chin. Johnson stumbled back as he held onto his chin.

Johnson's thoughts: He might have a light build, but that punch was nothing to laugh at. Who is this guy and why is he targeting Mr. Visor?

Johnson stood firm as he stared at Thong. Thong kept his eyes, only for the door to close behind them.

Thong's thoughts: So this was a trap!

The room entered total darkness, Johnson's dark clothing making him seemingly disappear.

Thong's thoughts: I can see a bit of moonlight from the windows, but someone put down the blinds, I can't see what's going on.

Thong felt a heavy punch land on his chest, but instead of jumping back, Thong held onto the arm tightly, staring in the direction the fist came from.

Thong's thoughts: So he can see me, but that was his mistake.

Thong clenched his fist before throwing it into the darkness, feeling glass, flesh, and bones under his punch.

Thong's thoughts: He was wearing something to see in the dark? Too late for that to matter now.

Johnson's grasp weakened before Thong heard a thud on the floor. Thong headed over to the window, moving the blinds as light lit up the room. Thong saw as his fist was covered in blood, a shiver going down his spine.

Thong's thoughts: It's not over yet… I just need to… Finish…

Thong's head pounded as he walked out of the room, walking around the hall before finding a door locked shut. Thong kicked the door down, only to see Claude sitting up against the wall, two beds on either side of him.

Claude: Looks like I got nowhere to run. Not even Johnson was able to stop you.

Thong stood there, not a single word leaving his lips as Claude looked down at his fist.

Claude: Is… Is Johnson dead?

Thong shook his head no. Claude let out a sigh of relief as his left arm sat limply next to him.

Claude's thoughts: I doubt I can beg for my life right now. He overpowered my entire staff without giving up once.

Thong and Claude's heads turned as sounds came from the closet opposite to Thong's position. Two kids appeared, climbing onto the bed, their gazes swapping between Thong and Claude.

Claude: Girls! I said don't come out no matter what!

First Girl: But papa, me and Liza were too scared. Why does that man have blood on him?

Liza: Angelica didn't stop scaring me, I didn't want papa to get hurt.

Claude grew a troubled look on his face, Thong's heart began beating faster as he noticed that the two girls he was staring at were Claude's children. Claude gulped before looking at Thong.

Claude: Well… Are you going to hurt my daughters?

Thong shook his head no, his hood covering the fear that filled his eyes. Claude let out a sigh of relief as he stared at his daughters.

Claude: Run away. Don't look back, run to the neighbors, anything.

The girls jumped on Claude, hugging him closely as they began to sob. Thong bit his lip under his mask, hard enough to feel blood begin to form.

Thong's thoughts: The files never said he had daughters… If I kill him… I'm robbing these girls from their father.

Thong's head began to pound, Thong raising his hands to his head as stepped back. The girls looked in fear, running past Thong as their cries of fear faded from his mind.

???: Do it, Thong. It's our job.

Thong's eyes stared coldly at Claude, a tear rolling down his cheek as a shiver went down his spine.

???: The old man taught us, didn't he? And also didn't you say "Anything for my family"?

Thong slowly walked towards Claude, Claude's breathing quickening as he stared at Thong. Thong's hands wrapped around Claude's throat as Thong's mind began to white out. Claude felt as Thong's grasp got stronger and stronger, blood beginning to appear between his teeth.

???: I'll show no mercy! We will succeed! Even if I must do it myself!

Claude moved his right hand out, pulling back Thong's hood then pulling down his mask. Claude stared in fear as he was met with Thong's red eyes. Their yellow color was no more as an eerie smile stretched across Thong's face.

???:This is the end, Claude.

Claude's eyes rolled back as he spat out blood for the last time, the blood landing on Thong's face. Thong stood up, the smile on his face beginning to curl at the edges. His now red eyes stared at the corpse before turning his back.

???: Mission accomplished.