Page 4 of The Silencer

“What did you do to my family?”I ask, needing to know what this monster has done.I’m praying they’re alive, but my stomach is twisted, telling me they’re not.

The man's grip on me tightens, his fingers digging painfully into my arms."You don't need to worry about them anymore," he growls."They're not your family now.I am."

My stomach lurches at his words and I feel bile rising in my throat.The image of Dylan lying motionless on the floor flashes through my mind, and I can't hold back anymore.I retch, vomiting all over myself and the man's arms.

He curses loudly, dropping me roughly onto a dirty mattress in the corner of the s bedroom of the cabin.There’s only four rooms in the entire place.A sitting room, kitchen, bathroom, and this room."You little brat!"he shouts, wiping his arms on his shirt."Look what you've done!"

I curl into a ball, sobbing uncontrollably.The reality of what's happened is crashing down on me.My family is gone.I'm alone with this monster.And no one knows where I am.

The man storms out of the room, slamming the door behind him.I hear the click of a lock, and then his heavy footsteps stomping away.

In the silence that follows, I try to control my breathing, to think clearly.I need to find a way out of here.I need to escape.But as I look around the bare, windowless room, I realize, with growing despair, that there's no way out.

I don't know how long I lie there, shivering in my vomit-soaked blanket, before exhaustion finally pulls me into a fitful sleep.My last conscious thought is a desperate plea: Please, someone find me.Please don't let me die here.

THREE

emmanuel

The rifle feelsheavy in my hands.I hadn’t expected this.I was just wanting to learn with a smaller gun, but once Jer taught me the basics, he got this wicked smirk on his face and made a call to Cole James, who rushed over from London to meet me.After two days of intense training with both him and Jer, I've grown accustomed to the weight of a gun.But this is different.More serious.More deadly.

Cole stands behind me.He’s got a thick beard and dark hair, looking very much like his father, Travis, who also came over from London.Apparently, Jer raved about me so much they had to meet me."Remember, breathe steadily; in through your nose, out through your mouth.When you're ready to take the shot, exhale slowly and squeeze the trigger."

I nod, trying to keep my hands from shaking as I peer through the scope.The target is set up two hundred meters away—a paper silhouette of a man.In my mind, it's my father's face I see there.

"You're a natural," Cole remarks as I fire off three shots in quick succession.Each one hits the target's center mass."Jer was right.Then again, the man usually is."

I lower the rifle, a mixture of pride and unease churning in my gut."Thanks," I mutter.

Cole claps me on the shoulder."Listen, kid, I know why you're doing this.Jer filled me in.But are you sure you're ready for what comes next?Taking a life...it changes you."

I meet his gaze, steeling myself.I won’t let my father get anywhere near my ma.He’s hurt her one too many times already."I'm ready to do whatever it takes to protect Ma."

He studies me for a long moment, then nods."Alright then.Let's move on to moving targets.In real life, they rarely stand still for you."

As we continue training, my mind wanders to my ma.She's still staying with Patty, thinking it's just until the new security system is in place.She has no idea what I'm really preparing for.Part of me feels guilty for keeping her in the dark, but I know it's for the best.She'd never approve of this.

Hours pass, and by the end, my arms ache and my ears ring from the gunfire.But I feel more confident, more in control.Cole seems impressed.

"You've got real potential, Emmanuel," he says as we pack up the gear."If you ever want a job with The Agency, give me a call."

I stare at him, shocked that he would offer me a job."Do you think I'm ready?”

Cole's expression turns serious."You've got the skills.But remember, taking a life isn't just about pulling a trigger.It's about living with the consequences.Make sure you're prepared for that too."

His words echo in my head as I drive home.Am I really ready to kill my own father, the man who gave me life, even if he's been nothing but a disappointment since?

But then I remember the sound of his fist connecting with Ma's face.The fear in her eyes every time he comes home drunk.The years of abuse and neglect.

Yeah, I'm ready.And God help him if he dares to show his face again.

* * *

I'm sitting on the couch, flipping through channels mindlessly, when my phone buzzes.It's Jer.My heart rate picks up—he wouldn't call unless it was important.

"Emmanuel, we've got a situation," he says, his voice grim."It's about your father."

My grip tightens on the phone."What's he done now?"

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