HOLDING my breath I followed my target in the wide parking space with the M200 Intervention sniper gun, I waited to find the right shot. I was standing at the top of a very tall building, magnifying the target right on his head. I am in the right position to shoot and assassinate the target however—
My eyes narrowed and a mischievous smile appeared on my lips, I lazily shook my head when I saw my target surrounded by a bunch of bodyguards, I bit my lip and followed the target's head. "What the f*ck!" I cursed, I am still sneaking and sniping the target from a far.
"Lilium the target is on move," I heard a voice from the earpiece that was plugged-in in my right ear, that was the order of my Boss monitoring the system, the team hacked all the CCTV nearby the target's position.
A light smile appeared on my lips, I first inhaled the lit cigarette that had been stuck in my fingers before blowing it out, I savored the spiciness and sweetness of the smoke, when I was satisfied I pressed it to the concrete ground where I was sitting and the burning embers died.
I quietly returned my concentration to the M200 Intervention sniper gun, at the same time intently focusing on the magnifying lens of my right eye vision.
"One—two—three—" I pulled the trigger confidently. Second passed the target fell from a brutal head shot, "—bulls eye baby!"
I violently straightened up and from the crouching position, I stretched out my arm and rubbed my aching shoulder. A smile of victory crossed my lips. "Mission accomplished," I whispered to myself as I grabbed the cigarette and lighter from my pocket again.
Sixteen years ago
"Come on Lily hurry up! they're coming!" ten-year-old Mat breathlessly ordered as he waited for Lily to run after him. His face shows fear and apprehension.
"I-I can't take it anymore, I'm so tired!" Complained the sweaty little girl who followed Mat.
"Come on! we have to hurry and get away from them!" Mat continued, quickly grabbed and lead Lily's arm as they continued to take big steps away from the big warehouse where they came from. That was the warehouse of Don Herman, one of his illegal drug factories.
Lily is eight years old and Mat is ten years old, both completely orphaned and because of the hardships in life, they are led into the hands of Don Herman.
In the young mind they were forced to work to—at least survive hunger. They work as carriers of illegal products in different parts of Manila. Not only the two of them are under the manipulation of the old man but there are more than a hundred young people with them who are doing the same. Now the two children found a way to escape Herman's filthy hands.
"Lily come hurry up!" Mat ordered Lily, not bothering to let go of the girl's palm. No words came out of Lily's mouth, she didn't answer, instead Mat heard Lily's panting. She willingly and promptly following her friend. Mat led Lily to a clump of wild plants to hide there. There is a trace of fear and apprehension on the faces of the two.
"Ssssshhhhhh!" Mat warned and covered his index finger on her lips, Lily only nodded in return. Catching breath, the two were sprawled on the grass, under the wild plants.
"Bullshit! Herman will scold us when he found out there were two children missing!" angrily snorted a fat man with a mustache, one of Herman's men, Erning.
"Don't worry if they can cross that cliff alive!" answered another of his men, Athan at the same time pointing his pouted lips to a deep ravine in the distance.
"W-what are we going to do?" Lily asked in a low voice because of the inevitable nervousness and fear. Mat looked into Lily's eyes.
"Whatever happens Lily don't come out here, you understand?" Mat said with a hint of warning to his friend, his eyes widened as he stared at Lily. Lily nodded as she felt Mat squeeze her palm. A few seconds later, Mat was about to give up holding Lily's hand but Lily tightened her grip on the boy's palm while shaking her head. Her gaze was filled with doubt towards Mat.
Mat gave Lily a warning look and forced his own hand back. "Don't worry Lily and just believe that we will survive," Mat whispered softly. The doubt that lurked in Lily's eyes did not disappear but she willingly let go of Mat's palm.
"Mother whore! Where are we going to catch those kids now!" shouted the fat man, then violently pointed the forty-five caliber in the air and after that, a gunshot echoed in the forest.
"Relax! Erning, we can find those children anyway!" Athan said fiercely as he violently swept the wild plants with his bolo.
Mat and Lily gulped one after the other, full of fear and nervousness, just one step and they would be tracked, if they were unlucky they would be hit by the bolo Athan swinging towards the bushes where the two kids hiding.
Mat looked at Lily as if he was asking for permission. Lily only gave a nod, after which Mat quickly moved upright and violently ran away from where Lily was. Erning also suddenly heard the noises from the rustling of dry leaves that Mat passed by. The two men became alert and chased after Mat. "You sneaky kid!" shouted Erning, his gaze followed the young Mat who's running in distance.
Lily shivered as her gaze followed, the girl remained hidden in the lush greenery. Only the child's every breath could be heard at that moment.
Half a minute later a loud shot echoed through the forest again, Lily saw how Mat was hit by a bullet. Lily wanted to scream but she couldn't. "Mat," she whispered and moaned secretly. Lily suppressed her own emotions for a minute. Quietly crying and whimpering, the tears first ran down the girl's cheeks as she reflected on his friend who gradually lost her balance and fell into a deep ravine. "Why did you leave me," thought Lily.