One shot, One Kill.

Chapter 1 (Too Used to Goodbyes)

POV: Christopher Mun

August 17th, 2005

"Vincent ,no." Mother said firmly,her lips curled in a thin line. Her eyes were narrowed, depicting just how upset she was as she roughly undid the knot holding her apron together behind her and then stormed out of the kitchen, my father limping carefully behind her.

For the past twenty minutes, I had watched them disagree in hushed whispers in front of the stove. I could hear the trembling in my mother's voice, and I could see the fright she was feeling when she picked up the lid for the pot. My parents barely ever disagreed and so, it was unfamiliar to me... the sound of my mother's voice breaking.

At thirteen, most kids my age would prefer to stay in their rooms and play video games, or hang out with friends from school and play video games. But I wasn't most like most thirteen year old boys.

A lot of my friends from my school found it weird that I would rather stay home and help my mother prepare food for the restaurant than attend any of the school parties. Even though my mother never voiced it out, I knew she had been very concerned about the fact that I barely ever showed interest in social gatherings like the rest of the kids my age. I wasn't extremely eager to grow up.

Left to me, I would remain this way forever. A kid.

I absolutely loved my parents. I loved spending time with them. I loved hearing mum hum as she worked on the batter. I loved hearing dad's war stories. I loved our perfect little circle. I loved it when mum teasingly said "Add a teaspoon of what you're made of,Chris." Instead of the normal "Add a teaspoon of sugar." And I loved it when she told me I was all she could ever ask for.

But right now,she was frowning. Hard.

"Ady -" I heard my father say seconds after. From the slight echo in his voice, I could tell that they were standing in the corridor now. My mother was Addison Cornelia Mun, and my father was Vincent Mun , a Korean American by birth, but by heart, a soldier of the United States of America who would do absolutely anything for the sake of the country. And I was Christopher Mun. My father had also named me Chin-hae after his late father who died defending Korea in the Korean War against the Americans. The irony of it all was mind blowing.

"I won't hear it, Vincent. No more. You promised me. After what happened to your leg-" She choked on her last word and then ran her hands briefly over her face. "You nearly died!" I heard her voice quiver. "And they keep taking." Her voice broke.

I knew that it was wrong to eavesdrop but I couldn't help it. Whatever it was was beginning to sound like a really big problem and my mother was making a very poor effort to keep the conversation discreet at this point. Her voice was as clear as day from where I stood.

"Ady-" Dad started.

"You have a family to live for. Y- You have me... and, and Chris." She sniffed and I willed myself to zone out of their conversation, lowering my gaze to the maths assignment I was supposed to be working on, but my attention was so divided, I could barely even make sense of any of the equations in front of me. "Stay with us, Vincent." I could hear the defeat in her voice. "Please, don't leave."

"Ady, Ady," Dad sounded desperate now. "Ady, listen to me." He paused. "It is my duty as a soldier of the United States of America to protect the country and its people. To protect you, and our boy-"

"These men you work for, Vincent, are not the country. They are selfish, ruthless and dangerous-" Mom attempted to cut him off but he was determined to finish what he was saying and I felt my curiosity rise at her statement.

"These are armed terrorists. If we don't stop them now, a lot of innocent citizens could loose their lives." He stopped abruptly as mum scoffed.

"You're an injured soldier. You're not their dog-"

"This is my last mission, Ady. I already talked to," He lowered his voice. "I already talked to the Major about retirement. After this, I'm done." He continued. "Love, after this, I'm done." He repeated and I could hear his voice quiver as he spoke. "The order already came." He added. "Tomorrow, my team and I leave, and in a matter of days, I will come home to you." He said, and I let out a sigh of relief. I didn't completely understand what they were saying but I could tell that they were about to settle. I could tell that their little disagreement was about to come to an end. I heard my mother let out a frustrated sigh.

"Don't you dare die on me,Vincent." She said after a moment.

Goals.

"I will never forgive you if you die on me." She added, her voice firmer this time.

"Have a little bit of faith in me, Ady."

"If you dare die, I will feed your body to the vultures." She added and I felt the corner of my lips rise slowly at the sound of my father small laughter.

"That's my girl." He continued. I could tell that he was beaming at her proudly the way he did all the time.

My parents were the world to me.

And one day, I was going to find someone who made me just as happy as my mother made my father. It was that or nothing else. A few moments later, I saw the both of them walk back into the kitchen. I could see the sadness in my mother's eyes when she met my gaze and offered me a small smile. I pursed my lip and then returned her smile before I met my fathers gaze expectantly.

If he was leaving tomorrow, then he had to at least say something.

I could tell that he was looking for the perfect way to break the news before my mother stepped in as usual.

"What do you think about eating out today, Chris?" She smiled. In that moment, I realized that my mother wore masks. I wondered how often she had done this in front of me. Pretended to be okay for my sake. "You know, I heard the food in that new restaurant is pretty good. Why don't we go see if it's better than mine?" She raised her eyebrow suggestively and I shrugged.

"Let me get my jacket." I muttered under my breath as I helped myself off the stool.

I had done the goodbyes with my father one too many times. I was more than prepared for tomorrow.