Countdown

As I looked toward the door that led to the terrace, illuminated by the blinking lights of vehicles in the darkness, I realized those bastards had found the room where they could deactivate the bunker's system. The iron curtains that used to offer me security were no longer there, and as I peeked through the windows, I could clearly see the number of people lurking outside the mansion. There weren't many, maybe eight, and among them was a blonde boy sitting casually next to a girl. That guy would be the last one I'd kill; I wanted him to suffer a little before he fell.

I turned around, a firm decision in my mind, and began to climb up to the mansion's roof. I needed a better perspective of my surroundings, a complete view of the figures moving in the shadows. The cool night air filled my lungs as my feet moved with determination, each step carefully measured to avoid making noise.

As I ascended slowly, a mocking laugh reached my ears. A group of men were chatting on the roof, their carefree tone contrasting with the seriousness of the situation. I couldn't let them catch me off guard.

"How long have we been here?" a robust guy asked, exhaling a cloud of smoke that dissipated in the breeze.

"I'd say about an hour, more or less," replied a tall guy, his assault rifle resting comfortably in his hand like an extension of his own body.

"There were a lot of gunshots earlier. Do you think they caught him?" said another, a chubby-looking guy nervously swinging a double-barreled shotgun.

A mocking smile crept onto the robust guy's face. "I guess we have to help the others so we don't take too long. If not, Arthur will get mad at us."

"Mad? If we don't complete the task, that guy will kill us," affirmed the tall guy, fear reflected in his eyes.

"True, for Arthur, Razer is his nemesis. He wants him dead at all costs," added the chubby guy, looking around as if he could sense the threat in the air.

The mention of Razer made a wave of fleeting memories wash over me, but I couldn't allow myself to be distracted. I knew these men were dangerous, and that connection to the past drove me to act with more determination. Razer's family was sinking Arthur's, and on top of that, the girl Arthur liked was supposedly in love with Razer. That complex web of jealousy and grudges unsettled me, but I knew I couldn't underestimate Arthur's madness; if something wasn't his, it belonged to no one. That obsession made him even more unpredictable and dangerous, and I couldn't let his emotions cloud my judgment. I had to stay calm and focus on my goal.

Aware of the danger they posed, I decided it was time to act. It was time to end this charade. I would slip between them like a ghost, so silent they wouldn't even realize until it was too late.

I climbed slowly to the edge of the roof, the icy wind brushing against my skin, and surveyed the landscape. The vehicle lights illuminated the shadows, revealing my enemies, carefree and vulnerable.

With a quick movement, I slid to the roof's edge. From there, the men were perfectly positioned: two standing, immersed in their conversation, and one closer to the exit, smoking leisurely. Their voices resonated among them, but their obliviousness was my greatest advantage.

With every word, my heart raced faster. I knew I had to act before their conversation turned into action. So I took a deep breath, and with the CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical firmly in my hands, I moved stealthily, searching for the perfect position.

The first one was facing away, his neck exposed to the moonlight. Without hesitation, I raised my pistol and aimed with precision.

The first shot echoed in the air, the sound muffled by the silencer. The bullet lodged in his skull, and a spray of blood splattered the roof, a cruel reminder of the fragility of life. His body collapsed silently, lying still on the frozen ground.

The other two men turned, their eyes filled with surprise and terror. In an instant, I knew I had to finish this quickly. Wasting no time, I aimed at the second, who was just beginning to process the loss of his companion.

The second shot came out with the same speed and precision, piercing his trachea. His scream was a dull, muffled sound before he collapsed, blood gushing from his throat and soaking the roof.

The robust guy, now wide-eyed, instinctively stepped back, trying to find cover. But there was nowhere to hide. I tightened my grip on the trigger, aiming for his forehead with determination.

The third shot was the fastest of all, an almost automatic movement. The bullet pierced his skull, scattering brain matter and blood across the roof, the echo of the shot still vibrating in the air.

An eerie silence settled over the place, interrupted only by the drip of blood sliding down the tiles. Three men, three lives cut short in a single blow, and I stood, gun still smoking in my hands.

But I couldn't relax; I knew others were still out there, and time was not on my side. With one last look at the fallen bodies, I holstered my weapon and directed my gaze toward the blonde boy, who remained carefree in the distance.

This game doesn't end until the king dies.

...

"Damn! How much longer do they need to capture that rat?" I growled, growing impatient as I clenched my fists. My hatred for Razer was fierce, just like the disdain I felt for his family. Not only had they dared to humiliate me in front of mine, but he, of all people, had the audacity to get close to Zoe.

"You're going to pay, Razer... I'll make you pay with my own hands."

The anger boiled inside me, and I needed to release it. I turned to four of my subordinates, who waited, rigid, like well-trained dogs. "You four, get ready to throw the grenades," I ordered coldly. Immediately, they positioned themselves without hesitation, ready to follow any command, even if it meant their own death. How useful these idiots were, always willing to follow orders without question.

"Wait for my signal," I added, grabbing a megaphone. I adjusted the volume enough to ensure Razer could hear me from wherever he was hiding. I wanted him to know what was coming.

"Razer!" I shouted, my amplified voice resonating in the air. "This is your last chance. Come out and kneel before me, beg for your life, and maybe... just maybe, I'll spare it." The lie slipped from my lips with a dark smile. I knew I would never let him live, but I would enjoy seeing the fear in his eyes if I did.

"If you don't show up, I'm going to demolish your whole house. You have five minutes. Decide wisely."

The clock started ticking, but as I had anticipated, Razer was nowhere to be seen. Time passed, and my patience, already thin, quickly faded. After five minutes, I made a quick signal to my men. The grenades were ready in their hands, and another four positioned themselves aiming at the door. The instructions were clear: if Razer came out and opened fire, they would respond, but they wouldn't kill him. No one would take that pleasure from me.

"Whoever kills Razer before I do will know hell..." I said with such seriousness that I saw fear cross some of their eyes.

Suddenly, a dark silhouette appeared in the doorway. My heart raced with adrenaline. Finally. He had come out. My smile widened; I was about to savor victory. But something was off. Seeing his right arm raised, I noticed he was holding a weapon.

I was going to order him to drop it, but before I could open my mouth, Razer's gun pointed not at me but at one of my men.

BOOM!