The Squad

Next, I got the wipes from my survivor pack and cleaned up as best as I could. I could’ve showered at the victim’s place since there was so much blood this time, but it didn’t sit right with me. Turns out, it was a good call because no sooner had I left his place and was scaling the fence out back when I heard a car pull into his driveway. Someone had gotten a very nasty surprise.

I threw the bloody wipes onto the blaze and grabbed some more, making sure to get it all off of me before redressing in another black on black outfit. I unfolded the old second-hand sleeping bag and the moth-eaten blanket, which is all I could afford and laid down.

Outside the dirt-encrusted window that was one of the only ones not broken, I looked at the moon as it shone bright and clear. I fought back tears as I tried not to dwell on what I’d done tonight. If I gave in to the pull of my mind, I’d start to shake and scream, but I knew that if I ever started, there’s a good possibility that I wouldn’t ever stop.

No, I can’t give in to that kind of weakness right now, there’s still so much to do. I’d taken care of most of my enemies; now, it was time to go back and save the others that I’d had to leave behind. And there’s still a few more demons I have to remove from this earth. I’d left them for last because had I started with them, the jig would be up.

If a whole slew of foster parents from the same neighborhood just started dropping like flies, no doubt the authorities would start looking at those closest to them. It’s a given they’d look at the foster kids first since they see us as little more than animals when they’re not exploiting us that is.

I’m sure someone somewhere has started to see a pattern by now, but by the time they work their way through all the kids those monsters had placed, I’d be long gone. I doubt they’d get around to looking at me anytime soon since it’s been a while since I was in their system, unless one of the monsters talked, which they wouldn’t unless they were willing to expose themselves.

Unless they were ready to tell the world that they were being hunted by one of their victims, something I’m sure would never happen, they’d keep their mouths shut and their eyes peeled. Which meant that it might be one of them who’ll try to come after me in the end. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it won’t take them long to figure out who it is that’s evening the score. Though it’s been a few years since I escaped.

They must’ve been holding their breaths all these years, expecting me to strike. Maybe they expected me to go to the authorities as if I would. I’ll never trust anything or anyone in authority again. It’s why I’ve lived on the streets for the past five years, why I’ve stayed in the shadows until I was ready to strike.

Now I’m going back in, back to the place where I lived the worst hell of my life. I’ll get the kids out, and then I’m going to burn that place to the ground.

Mancini

“Did they leave?”

“Just about.”

“Are you sure he’s ready?”

“Lyon was born ready; it’s in his blood. He only needs to learn the administrative side of things, but he’s a born leader. I have no doubt he’s going to take point since the man doesn’t like being told what to do.”

“And the others?”

“Just as I expected, none of them even mentioned the money; it was business as usual. I think they’re still processing, but I expect them all to be on board.”

“That’s good then. What about Arianna? You didn’t tell her who ordered the hit on her mother, did you? Because there is lots to be done before we show our hand, and I’m not sure with her temperament that she can hold out that long.”

“I’m on it.” I assured Wilson as I watched the woman in question pace back and forth from the window in my office, where I had a clear view of her and her husband on the little hill above the water down below. Some of the others were on the beach watching the kids run around, while some were walking along the shore.

It looked like an ideal setting, something you’d see in a travel magazine or some shit. The picturesque seascape with families and lovers each doing their own thing as they enjoyed the moonlight, sea, and sand. “Okay, keep me posted. The senator should be there any day now, make sure nothing goes wrong. I don’t have to tell you how important he’s going to be to us.”