The chilly air blew with intensity as my body shivered in its touch, the backpack giving me the small warmth it could.
A soft voice speaks through my ears, one that left me with little relief as my soft steps pattered through the bustling evening.
It took a while for me to arrive before an apartment, one filled with the lights and laughter for New Year's Eve, a joyful melody, something I cannot partake in.
I shake my head at the dreary thought, entering the apartment with soft steps, a guard stopping me in my tracks.
"Hey, kid. What the hell are you doing here? Shouldn't you be back at home?" He asks.
I pat the backpack with a smile, "Sorry, sir. My dad sent me for some errands."
He nods with hesitation. "I see, then don't let me hold you up."
"Thanks! Mister. Happy new years!"
"Happy new year to you too, kid."
With such, I pushed on, walking to the elevator, waving the guard goodbye. I give a soft smile as the elevator closed. My features turning neutral as I once more focus to the sound on my ears, a book Ive decided to listen to.
It took a while to arrive, on my destination. The loud noise, a delight as I walk through the hallways filled with excitement and laughter.
"531." I mutter as I look up the door's number.
With a swift knock, it opens, a man comes out looking down on me with shock and confusion, "Who the fuck are you? Kid?"
"Hello, sir! My dad said you have something he wants!"
"What? Who the fuck is your dad?"
"He said you'll know!"
He then shoves me back, ready to close the door, "Fuck off kid, I dont know your dad."
"But I really need to show it to you!" I shout, taking the backpack off me before reaching my hand in.
He looks back down at me. "What is it?"
"This."
With such words, I take my gun out, pointing it in his head as I spoke. "Let me in."
He widens his eyes in fear, letting go of the doorknob as I gesture him away from the door.
He complies, and I walk in, my eyes roaming the apartment. It was a modest one, and something that spoke of a family, the one currently living in it.
"Kid, please. I have a family."
"I don't care, sit down." I point to his chair.
He nods. "What did I even do?"
"Five hundred thousand? October fifteen? Does that ring a bell?"
"I… I didnt want to do it. They forced me!"
I shake my head, "That isn't enough for the Family. Is it?"
He shakily nods. "Yeah."
"Now, either yo-"
"Fred?" ""Dad?""
Three others walked out, a woman, a girl and a small child. Their eyes widen at the scene before them, the horror expressed on their face heartbreaking.
Unfortunately, I have no such luxuries.
"Now, I think you know how this works." I take out a bottle, pushing it to him as horror dawned in his expression, "Make the choice, Fred."
"I... can I at least?" he looks to his family.
"Do whatever you want. They just need you to choose by New Year's Eve."
He nods before immediately catching his family in a hug, my gun pointed at their backs as they cried, wept and sobbed.
The child in his mother's arms only looked back at me in confusion before crying, shouting, as his family sobbed in grief.
Their daughter, a child close to my age, glared with hatred. An action I'm used to.
Fred gives his family one last hug, kissing his daughter, wife and son as he mutters, "I love you."
He goes back to me as I lean back on my chair, my heart cold and unfazed. "Are you done?"
"I am. Please don't hurt them." He mutters, his head bowed.
"As long as you don't resist, nothing will happen."
He nods, taking the battle from the table, his eyes hesitant before looking to his family. He gains conviction, guzzling it down in one quick gulp.
A few seconds last before his eyes roll back in his head, he slumps back to the table with a simple thud and a life ends.
The screams and shouts of grief only intensified. His wife reached for his body, her face marred with tears as she held the son he'll never see grow up.
I stood up, the scene before me, something I do not desire to watch.
With my back turned, a soft voice spoke. "I'm going to kill you."
I turn my head to his daughter, her eyes filled with nothing but hatred. A fact that I cannot fault her with.
I give her a weak smile. "Please, I beg you."
With those words, I close the door.
Another life taken.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"Hey, hey. Kid! We're here." Says a voice.
I open my eyes to look out the taxi's window, reaching for the change and paying my fare as I leave.
"Hey, kid, you sure this is the right place?"
I give him a bright smile. "Yes, mister."
He locks eyes with me before nodding and riding away, leaving me alone to trek through the cacophony of car lights and laughter as they walk to the hotel before me.
'The Grand Design'
It took a while to arrive before the clerk, weaving through the hedonistic laughter of men and women alike, the pathetic sorrows of those gambling their life and even the cries for help for those stuck in between as they drown in their own desires.
"Floor thirteen." I say at the clerk before me, her smile fading as she reached below the counter.
"Thank you." I say to her before I walk to the elevator, intent on going back to my room and taking a rest from such an eventful evening, after all, those eyes can only be a reflection of his.
The elevator then beeps, interrupting my line of thought. It opens to reveal a man whose face was covered with the smoke of his cigar, his cheek scarred and his grin menacing.
"Oh it's you."
"Sir, greetings." I bow to him.
"Dont bother, kid." He glances at the backpack on me. "Is it done?"
"Of course, sir."
"Good, Father would be happy to know you succeeded on your first mission."
"It is my will to serve."
He gives me a glance before puffing out another smoke. "Your siblings would be proud. You made good use of their sacrifice."
I stiffen at his words, something that he notices as he leaves, "Never forget you're alive for the Family."
I bow my head, "As always."
"Good." With those words, the elevator rings and the man leaves, leaving me alone with my memories flashing in my mind.
The torrent of screams and shouts were deafening, the sorrowful memories of my purchase, the greedy faces of my parents, and the smile my siblings held as they died in my arms.
I didn't know when it happened, but all I can remember was my face wiping its tears on my pillow as the sounds of a new year comes and golden eyes awaken.