FOUR: H u N t e d

***

"Shit..." Vresca whined in pain as she sluggishly opened her eyes.

Her skull was ringing. Her sight was blurry. Every limb on her body throbbed and ached tremendously. She examined her own physical state instantly. It was a force of habit. Quick reflexes that he forced into her mind and body.

She was covered in bruises and scratches. Fortunately she didn't have fractures.

The violent force of the crash unexpectedly didn't do much damage as she imagined.

"But, how come.."

She paused, a bit confused until she traced back the last memory of being supported by another strong figure, protectively holding onto her body.

Instantly, she realized the icy sensation of another person's skin who was very close to her. She was unbearably stuck in his arms. She swiftly trashed away from the man.

Seeing her frantic resolve to get away from him, Alrend helped her and pushed her away roughly.

She fell down ungracefully.

"Brute..." She hissed.

He was a monster in her eyes. It was sickening how everything always went the way he manipulated a critical juncture.

'He jumped at that most crucial time, even gambling our lives.'

Once again, she was reminded she was living with this cold-blooded killer. A man that brought her so much misery.

Vresca tried to stand up and wobbled with weakened knees.

She studied her body more thoroughly until her eyes stopped at the wet stain of blood in her arm.

She touched her arm carefully and realized it wasn't hers. She stole a glance at the rugged man and saw a deep wound in his right arm.

There was a small smile on her face.

Satisfaction.

There was no pity in her heart.

Not for this man.

Alrend stood straight, watching the burning metal and smoke around them. He scanned the perimeter, not allowing a single survivor to live and report back to the Organization. Taking a hostage for information was permissible too. Lucky for the assassins, they were all dead.

His movements were smooth as if none of the chase ever happened. But his arm was beginning to drag him down. The wound was a cruel little bitch, stinging his flesh.

In the corner of his eyes, he saw the girl smile a little at him. She didn't even bother to hide it.

'That smile is unnecessary.' Alrend thought with a neutral expression.

Vresca secretly celebrated for his pain.

Now all she needed was wine but she was startled when he suddenly shoved a gun in her hand. Stunned, her eyes stared at the gun without making a move. It was a 9 Mk revolver.

"What is it?"

The man didn't answer her and only turned off the safety trigger, loading the bullets for her before he gestured for her to shoot.

/One chance. Shoot me./

Vresca was dumbfounded. Moments like this proved how mentally unstable he was.

His expression didn't even change the least. Earlier, he was fighting so hard for his life but now he was suddenly giving up so easily.

"A killer that never lies, how about that, isn't that so ironic, even for you?" She said.

He was very quiet. His silence perhaps confirmed it.

With skilled hands and a firm posture, she aimed the gun at him. There was seething hatred in her eyes.

"I thought so."

[ Murderer. ]

Bang!

*****

Time: 7:00 a.m

Location: The Grand Council Table, Unknown

The smell of cigar. The incessant chatter. Sophisticated suits and glittering dresses. The distinct smell of perfume and cologne. Everything classy and dangerously fancy were put together in one place.

A group of highly influential people gathered, conversing about their attempt of assassination that failed terribly. The atmosphere was dark and heavy inside the grand hall. Dozens of chairs circled around the golden table, each person carrying enough power and money to destroy a nation.

"He is still alive." A deep voice echoed inside the huge room.

"Master of the Black Dragon. If I remember correctly, haven't you promised us his head for dessert?" Another voice asks in annoyance. Instantly, the rest strictly directed their gaze at the tall collected man who was comfortably sitting in his seat.

"I did, and I would." He answered calmly, his tone neutral. His masculine yet elegant eastern features didn't twitch at all to the disrespectful provocation.

"Hahaha are you joking? I heard he killed all seven of your best men in a couple of minutes today?" Another man cackled, followed by the others while some chose to stay silent.

"The Ghost isn't that easy to kill." Another soft voice interrupted.

"Indeed so, milady." A carefree nobleman with a Scottish accent agreed as he took a whiff of his pipe. He was sitting next to the Master of the Black Dragon.

"He's been closing in on our tracks this past few years, and somehow, he's continuously targeting the ranks." He added rationally.

"Obviously. The incident in Chinatown last year almost shook my territory."

"Mine, was with Europe. That unruly scum."

"That rogue assassin will be the end of us if we don't deal with him now."

"Aye', we cannot delay it any further."

"Settle down!" A deep elderly voice spoke, causing everyone to cease their tone.

"Gentlemen, he was trained as the Organization's most deadliest weapon, the best we've ever made until he decided to betray the Organization six years ago. Now he's gone completely rogue. But, the Ghost is not immortal. He could still die if a bullet pierces his heart." The elderly mused, his domineering presence overwhelmed most of the others.

The whole council was quiet until someone broke the silence.

"What about that girl?"

The Master of the Black Dragon quietly stirred his tea, asking the question calmly.

"Aye', the lil' girl he keeps. What should be done with her?" The Scottish gentleman with the tobacco pipe also joined in, completely unfazed by the stares.

"That girl is important."

"Catherine and Connor's girl?"

"Yes. Dead or alive."

*****

The light bulb was flickering again and again. Night had arrived so wearily. The scene outside the window was a lifeless boring picture. The dim light was the only thing that lit up the entire dreary and rustic room.

'Cheap hotel.'

Vresca was laying down on the hard mattress with springs poking against her back. She wasn't comfortable with it but she could make do with it. She's already been through far worse. The bed was the least of her problems.

'Giving him such a peaceful death, he doesn't even deserve it.'

She scowled as she stared at the ceiling.

Slowly, the door creaked and Vresca immediately closed her eyes, rolling her body to the side as she faced the gray wall. She didn't want to see him. She didn't even want to be near him. The tall man that arrived walked inside the room without the slightest sound. She felt eerie. Sometimes she thought he was a ghost.

Gradually, she felt the side of the bed sink as the man sat down and turned on the TV to watch the news. At all times, he was speculating and gambling on his next action.

"This is World News Patrol. Live here at Haggard Peak Cliff where a large bombarding of unknown cars took place this afternoon. It is still on investigation as there is no detail as to how the accident happened. Now on the second report, is the identified corpse of a female teacher that is found dead on the streets of Kali, known as Keisha Denve----" The TV was turned off.

For a few seconds, the man stared at the black screen before he looked at Vresca with an emotionless stare. She looked at him hatefully.

'You dirty piece of shit!'

She was both angry and depressed by the news. Silently, her cold gaze turned to the bandages and gauze around his right arm. She wanted him to hurt so badly but Alrend Hunter was a man incapable of emotions. Let alone, redemption.

Meanwhile, Alrend's brows furrowed deeply while the dreadful sensation lingered on his wound. The anti-septic materials he used to patch himself after the car crash seem to start working. The wound throbbed terribly but his expression only showed indifference.

He was numb. Too numb with pain.

Alrend calmly watched the girl as she looked at him fiercely.

Letting him leave this world and die so easily like that, would be an abomination. She would want him to hurt more, to break and cry, just like her three years ago.

He smiled faintly. He knew her like he knew his own mind.

Instead of shooting him dead, she shot his wound, making the injury deeper and far more serious.

'Vicious little girl.'

Out of the blue, a remote was thrown at his face but he easily caught it.

"You took your time killing her slowly didn't you!" Vresca yelled.

'No. She died painlessly.'

"You killed her!"

Instantly, the remote was thrown back at her but it only managed to graze her cheek before it hit and left a dent on the wall.

Vresca didn't budge. Her entire body was shaking in anger and pain.

'Miss Keisha... She was the only teacher, who smiled and acknowledged me... A simple, hard-working woman who earns for her younger brothers.'

"She was one of the good. And you killed her."

'Just like my parents.'