The Mysterious Killer
1310 Words
Riley's Pov
I couldn't find the perfect party dress, but the party doesn't look as classic as advertised either. What happened to all the expensive wine and expertly cooked food? Jacob should have been honest about what this was, a gathering for junkies. I am poorly dressed yet this party is way below my standards.
The music is uncomfortably loud, and the smoke from cigars has gathered above like a cloud. The entire hall is overcrowded, except for one spot at the farthest, well lit corner where the best dressed men sit with giggling, women by their side.
Our host, a man in a gold colored suit that matches his expensive jewelry, stands out so much that even a blind person wouldn't miss his presence. He is surrounded by four pretty women that would link his feet at his request. It must be his money that is attractive because his scared face is not.
"This is a lot cooler than I imagined. Jacob you're the best!" Freya surprisingly exclaims.
So she tricked me into thinking it was a prestigious party. Her excited reaction shows this is her dream gathering. They should have left me out of it.
"I was wondering if you could come with me to meet the boss. He would be delighted to have a girl like you by his side," Jacob shamelessly asks.
"I think your boss has what his money can afford," I reply.
"Those are cheap hookers begging for little cash. You're a treasure," Jacob replies and I frown.
"I am a person who doesn't find your boss attractive. So take someone else," I say.
Both Jacob and Freya look astounded. "You can introduce me instead. I will be more fun anyway," Freya urges her friend.
He glances at me one last time before taking her hand. I watch them approach the man in suit with humble smiles. Freya spins around on her heels as the man watches her with little interest.
I see why aunt Katniss didn't want her coming here. Freya was eager to mix with these insane people, especially with the ugly head of mafia. It is late at night and taxis seemed to be avoiding the area close to this club. I imagine no one wants a passenger coming from this place. Nevertheless I turn and leave.
The night's cold wind feels like tiny daggers against my skin, and the distant street lights leave large areas without the necessary light. It was probably safer to stay in the party. But it's too late to turn back now. Perhaps I will find a taxi once I have gotten past this forbidden area.
I make my way down the street, studying every object ahead carefully before getting to it. I make it past several dark spots before spotting a chaotic scene in a dimly lit parking lot.
A group of armed, gigantic men are harassing a scared family, a middle-aged couple and their three children, shoving them around and punching the hell out of the wailing father. There are matching tattoos on the necks of the henchmen, making them seem like members of a mafia group.
One knocks down the father and puts a foot on his chin while his fellows harrass his wife and children.
"Only a fool dares crosses our master! We have orders to cut off your limbs. If you do not pay the debt by next week we will come for your head!" the goon with his boot on the father's chin roars.
"I swear I will pay every single coin! Please do not hurt me now!" the father pleads as the third brute approaches with a machete, ready to cut off his hand.
But a bullet hits the goon in the head, making him collapse before reaching his target. The others panic, releasing their terrified victims and looking around nervously in search of the shooter.
I quickly clouch down next to a dirty dumpster to get out of sight and out of arms way. The last thing I want is to get shot on a crossfire and join my mother on the other side.
I peer back around the dumpster to see the family run off to a nearby car just as their second assailant gets a bullet in the neck. He grunts out loud as he falls, clasping his bleeding neck. The others rush to take cover behind the parked cars while shooting back in different directions. It's clear they have not spotted their attacker despite two of them having been shot dead.
I should be running. But my curiosity outweighs both my fear and wisdom. I can stay a little longer to witness how this ends. I have never had a cool story to tell people when they are boasting about astounding things they have experienced. This seems like my blessed chance to have one of those stories.
The mafia men sneak out their heads to take a peek once in a while before firing shots. But another gets shot in the head as he pops it out of his cover. The others fire their guns even harder, and I finally see a figure moving in the darkness.
This would be a lot cooler if I could keep some evidence so no one will doubt my story. I pull out my phone and turn on the camera. I hold it at the right angle while I keep watching the scene. I feel no sympathy for the Mafia men, after all this cannot be the first time they have harrassed or killed innocent people. My mother would be alive if they did not exist at all.
One of the two remaining mafia men attempts to change his cover by crawling on his hands and knees. But several bullets hit his body and he gasps before laying flat on the concrete floor.
The last one panics and steps out of his cover, raising his hands in surrender.
"You do not have to kill me! I will give you anything that you want!" he shouts.
A bullet hits his leg and he falls. I watch, stunned, as a figure in black boots, a black leather jacket, a cap and a mask covering the lower part of his face finally steps out of the shadow, a short gun in hand.
His perfect features seem weirdly familiar. Even his confident walk makes me feel like I should recognise him. Is he someone I have met lately?
"Whatever the reason you have attacked us . . . I will pay you to forgive me!" the mafia man desperately pleads as their killer halts right beside him.
"Forgiveness is the duty of God, but sending you to him is my job," the attacker replies in a cold voice before shooting the Mafia man in the face. He reaches into the pockets of the dead man and pulls out an item that is unidentifiable from this distance. I had thought he killed the men to save the family, like a fantasy hero, but it appears he did it to rob them of whatever it is he has taken.
I shiver when he stands straight and looks right at me. I should have ran when I had the chance. He might not want to leave any witnesses, especially one that has recorded his actions.
His gun is still in hand, yet he only shakes his head before turning to disappear back into the darkness. A foolish part of me wonders what would happen if I followed him just a little to learn his identity. He killed those mafia men with so much ease. I am actually flattered.
Luckily my wisdom wins this time and I hurry home. Aunt Katniss will have a hard time believing what I just witnessed, one mysterious man taking out an armed group of mafia men. Glad I took some evidence.
- Writer
