Prompt: You watch from far away as a man lives the best day of his life. Then you take a deep breath, exhale, and pull the trigger.
Following the same guy for over a couple weeks had become part of his routine. Hakyeon had dressed up in all black to blend in easily. He pulled the cap lower watching Hongbin meet up with his best friends for some coffee. Hakyeon could recognize some of the those from the pictures of acquaintances in Hongbin’s file. Just like Hakyeon, Hongbin destroyed other people’s lives. He could hack anything, lead them to bankruptcy which was often followed by suicide.
Hakyeon trailed behind Hongbin to the Buddhist temple where he would visit his grandma every other week. This time, Hakyeon stayed behind in his car, allowing Hongbin some privacy. Personal moments like these would make him feel for those left behind after he was done with them.
Hongbin walked out of the temple looking serene and happier than when he got there. Then he went for brunch with his roommate. They ate and laughed together while talking animatedly. It was certainly the highlight of the day. With the friends he was giddy, with his grandmother he looked accomplished and with Wonshik, it was like it had all summed up to a joyous dimpled smile, crinkling eyes, and full body contortions that characteristically happened when these two were together.
They must really love each other, Hakyeon thought although he couldn’t pinpoint if their relationship was romantic or just straight up friendly. Nevertheless, there was an undeniable bond between them that started to guilt up Hakyeon’s conscience. Fuck. He couldn’t go soft on a target not now for fuck’s sakes.
Anxiety seeped through his veins, making him uneasy. He fetched a cigarette and lit it up before taking a calming drag. Hakyeon rarely smoked, it only happened when he felt for his target. Parents were leaving their children to fend for themselves. Kids that were drowning in debt but still tried to make ends meet. And Hongbin for being so real, leaving a friend he considered a brother on his own. Hakyeon had done this before, cruel, he could do it now.
A packet of cigs later, following Hongbin aimlessly he was found in a building rooftop with his snipper. Hakyeon hadn’t stepped back, but he couldn’t bear the mental image of Hongbin being mortally shot once. It was better this way. he would need a break after this, but the task would be complete in the end.
His phone ringed with a private number since it was normal for clients to make private calls guarding their identities, he answered right away.
“Just get over and kill me already.”
Hakyeon focused the lens aiming at Hongbin’s head, his fingers trembled and his heart wanted to explode. It was the right time to shoot, no one was around and Hongbin seemed to have no intent in running away. Unless Hongbin was bluffing, seemingly noticing that Hakyeon was having second thoughts.
“I’m dead serious, you’ve been following me around and I knew my time was coming.”
Hakyeon took a deep breath, closed an eye for focus, exhaled and did the deed. He had done it. Something he still hated doing. A thing he had always been afraid off.
He had left the target alive.
“I can’t,” Hakyeon cried.
He couldn’t do what was done to him when he was younger. They had killed Taekwoon. Wonshik didn’t deserve this, he was weaker than Hakyeon. Hakyeon had moved on, but he was deeply scarred and it still hurt when he thought about it.
“I was about to kill you a second ago, I don’t deserve your concern.”
“They’ll kill you for not killing me. May those five last minutes of your life be the best. Thanks by the way!”
Hakyeon fell to the floor as the bell from the elevator rang and four muscled men stepped out ready to beat Hakyeon to death. With every groan, blackening bruise and broken bone Hakyeon wished he could’ve been able to pull the trigger. Honestly, he had it coming, the torture was the easiest way to die after bearing the blood of hundreds in one’s hands. He should’ve followed his instinct and pulled the goddamned trigger.
“That’s enough, boys. He learned his lesson,” was the last thing he heard before passing out.
When Hakyeon woke up, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. Standing in the corner of the room was Hongbin and Wonshik.
“Careful, we don’t want the best hitman in the country having a poor recovery.”
Hakyeon stifled a laugh. “That was the plan, to force me into working for you.”
“You could’ve died if it weren’t for Wonshik, now stop fuzzing around.”
“I don’t owe you anything.”
“I guess you do. We were testing you and you passed, congrats.”
“Welcome to the family, Hakyeon,” Wonshik talked deeply for the first time.
Hakyeon closed his eyes, sighed and nodded. He had just become a full-time hitman working for a family and all. That’s why protocol can’t be messed with; it unleashed a chain of problems yearning to make life impossible.
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