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The street, barren and broken, empty except from the few vagrants that wonder aimlessly, making the entire scene come together, a picture that fits all to well and eerily works. The idea that this setting looks how it does because of the remaining destitute is saddening, though not for the faint of heart as some would say. They are hollow people . feeling the left over emotion of their strife, knowing all to well what life has to offer, an how it can take that offer away, quicker then it presented it self. I always thought Life in general had a sick sense of humor. These people, ARE people. And we forget that. Especially with our lives of purpose, why should we help them when they should help themselves? The general mindset should seem all to familiar, as most of you are probably thinking that at this moment. Indeed there are the ones that want to help, but sift past through the guilty faithful, the people that work on image rather then for good, and you only have a select few. I have been asked, what stance do i take. Me? i tell them... i take no stance, because i have not a stance to take.

I have been living here for a few weeks, it's not so bad, the cracked walls and streets and the cold can actually make one feel more alive, rather then the feeling of being mocked. Though those things can say only so much, it's the one hearing those mocking's that drive one insane. Hell, even that isn't so bad. I read somewhere that sanity is what we have been told to tell ourselves, and that insanity is the release of all that. Sounds like heretical thinking to me. Try as i might i cant stop wondering how this all pertains to what i have to say, and i am still trying to figure out what exactly i should say. Nothing i could tell you would be new... infact you heard it all before. Seen it all, read about it, learned about it. Though none of those things actually sends you the real message, the idea that things like this really do happen, it just grazes over your head till you hear about the next time, and that's when you get that feeling like you forgot something,

Think of a picture, no.. a canvas. Make it blank. Clean white. The canvas, as any artist will tell you can be filled with any idea that pops into your head. Now pop an image into your head. Was it a beach? Vacation? A bunch of money? Maybe even for those that are a little weird... A graveyard perhaps? In the end the idea that you pictures is all the same, regardless of age, gender, or occupation. It's just an idea. Something you created with your thoughts, and those appeared in your head because of your current situation, how you live, how you was raised, and so on, So what? Does that mean it's not important? Well of course it is you say to your self, My opinion matters. Well no matter how many times you tell your self that, there is always that small, nagging little thought in the back of your mind... Maybe it doesn't?


That idea, that very thought was in my mind, yes i will admit it. It was until i realized that if it doesn't then what does? I also learned that is the most dangerous question one can ask themselves. What does matter? It can lead to strange thoughts and actions, things you wouldn't normally do in life, things that would make the person you was before you thought that ask your self strange questions. I learned this the head way, though now when i look back, Maybe it was the only way.

Segment 2

The beginning is just that, a beginning. It's just there to provide the contextual start of the story. This is nothing different. Though it is not with out it's prologue, "The Before" is not as important as "The After" and that is how this story shall start.


We lived on the top of a ramp that exits off a major highway. The shack is made out of old car parts not being used, salvaged by the skill of our father and mother at the time when they was younger and my sister and I was just old enough to start asking questions. My father was, and i do mean was, a merchant. He handled moving goods to other small towns and villages in this area, the local merchants guild required able body men and fast workers that could handle long hours and not a lot of pay. My father always scrutinized the Guild, and when i would question him about it all he would say is " You'll understand one day". The guild's work hours demanded him to travel most of the week, meaning we only saw him three times a week. It was hard on all of us, though mom, being very skilled in most things medical, took it the hardest.

Don't get me wrong, i looked up to my father and i never thought i should be mad at him. When he was home it was like our crummy little shanty of a home was alive, and those day's was filled with him teaching me things that, at the time, i just thought was little things, not something to be actually used in the " real world". He taught me things like hunting for animals, tracking, using and firing guns, and how to clean them... it wasn't long before i asked him questions like " how do you know all this" or " Do you have to use any of this on your job?" My father's answer usually included a witty evasive joke or saying that would take my mind off of it.

Years passed on like this, we didn't really ever go into the main town that was about an hours walk away. Mom said that in these times people don't need to interact with other people, and we never really questioned her. My sister was closer to my mom, as i was to my father. It wasn't until about 16 i realized that this whole time that mom and dad have been teaching us things because we would have to live on our own one day. That thought always made me feel sick, so i never really thought about it much.

One day, after a long lesson about cleaning wounds and what and what not to do with cut's, scrapes, holes, and other assorted bodily injury's from mom, she got cut pretty bad by a rusted knife. We didn't have the supplies to properly clean it and no real way to travel into town, since dad had the horse for his job. I was 17 when she passed. Though you can imagine how hard it was then. Father told me i was the head of the house when he was away. I was pretty scared back then from what i remember, and i always hated it when He was away. I learned to hunt and track better by myself, all though i wasn't a bad shot, it was still nothing to brag about. The day's was long with out him there, me and my sister usually just read the old books that mom and dad have found or just obtained over the years over and over again. They said that learning to read was the most valuable tool they could ever teach us and now that i think about it... It was


Soon Father started coming home later and later, and when he was home, sometimes strange people would come by. They smelled like alcohol and just bad vibes, and my sister never liked it when they was around. They always talked in hushed whispers though after sneaking close enough to hear their conversation i finally pieced together what it was.

My father was in debt, and they came to settle it.

Segment 3

Sid was realistic in nature. He valued things that have either been forgotten or thrown away by most people, but he never let his morals get in the way of what needed to be done. Simple things that could mean life or death in some situations to certain individuals would not be problematic for Sid, he just knew what to do. Though from experience or maybe just good intuition, he never could really tell.

Sid was well aware of the two tall men following him at a uncomfortable distance. They have been since he turned and walked off path way unto the main road that lead to First town. A town named after the street it is on. He needed supplies and this was the quickest way to get to the town, he figured the two tall men also knew that fact and have set up an operation capturing the traveler's and robbing them. Sid sighed and handled the gun at his waist, feeling the grip and carefully checked the ammo, for at the next building he would turn at the corner and wait for them to pass. Then? Well it doesn't take much imagination to figure the rest out. He quickened his pace and hurried to the building of what used to be an old cafe, turning fast at the corner and pulling his gun out. He though it should take about another eight seconds before they catch up. he started to count the seconds in his head......3.....4......5 they seemed to match his heart beats.....6...7 at eight they came around with guns of there own, though not expecting someone like Sid to actually be setting a trap of his own. Sid looked at there faces for another two seconds and fired two shots. they went down fast and hard, the bullet wounds hitting there heads and coming out the other side. Sid sighed again and put up his weapon. He then checked the body's for supplies, money, ammunition, food, or other useful things that would be worth wasting two bullets on people who couldn't to gain something in life.


Sid enjoyed killing people as much as one would enjoy killing stray animals. Yes there are people out there who would, but then there are people that don't. He knew he had to do it, if not them then it would be him. He did like to think he had something to live for. Sid was far beyond the two body's now, he gathered what supplies he could manage to take with them off their generous corpses and headed to first town. It was a relatively long journey, taking an amount of at least three day's to get to from most major towns, being almost at the center of them all. It was the center trading hub, where the merchants guild meets and manage the supply run's and regulates what town should get what and how much of it. Sid never really cared for them, though he never really cared for First town anyway to begin with

He walked this way enough to know he wasn't far, a few more hour's and he would arrive at the big metal gate that encloses thee town, and as always, get questioned by the towns guards on why he was here and what his business was. It could be aggravating, especially since he has been there more times then he would like to count, and some people even know him by name. He just assumed that the guards were bored, gaining something to do from harassing people. Hell he couldn't say he wouldn't do the same thing...Guarding is boring work.

After a few more breaks for food and the occasional scavenging for things around Broken car's or abandoned houses, He finally made it through the underpass, walked up the annoyingly long road and turned unto First street. The guards raised there guns at him, asking him the questions he knew they would ask, and like always he answered them. They let him in after a few agonizing slow moments of the gate opening, and he walked on through. The towns people always shocked him, not in culture or appearance, just in sheer numbers. He was used to towns by now, and how many people they could hold, but this town always seem to grow bigger each time he travels to it. they all scurried from one place to the next, some carrying tools, other's carried basket's of food, sometimes he would see children with there toys, a rarity for kids since most toys are broken or broke into usable part's.

He walked the familiar paths into the market, and after an hour or so of selling and buying, getting stocked up for his next journey, he settled down at the local inn. Moderately recognized, the inn keeper already had a room ready, with a few beer's no less. Sid paid the man his money and thanked him for his time and shuffled forward into his room, wanting nothing more then beer and bed.

The next day he was awoken by the sunlight streaming through the semi boarded up window. The boards somehow seemed to be placed exactly in the spot on the window where when the sunlight hit it, it would leave one small irritating beam of light on whoever was unfortunate enough to acquire this room. He sighed. He knew he had a full day ahead of him: Travel. That's all he really did these day's. He sighed again and reluctantly got out of bed, stretching his arm's out and popping his fingers and knuckles. He walked to the cracked mirror and checked his face wanting to shave the small amount of hair forming on his face. Clean razors are expensive. He rolled his eyes at the thought, stretched again and grabbed his pack. Checking to make sure everything was there. He checked his guns, his pistol and it's ammo, as well as his rifle. Damn. Like he though they both needed to be cleaned and more ammo bought. Well so much for buying a razor. He walked to the door and opened it, heading down the small amount of stairs that would lead him to the inns first floor. The inn during the mornings and night was usually packed with people buying food and and general gathering. Sid wanted to leave as fast as possible, the town always made him uncomfortable. He greeted the inn keep, made annoying small talk and finally was able to head out the door.

The sunlight was even worse outside, the bright sun beat down on the once smooth road, making the ground bright gray and the buildings somehow grayer. It all just made it ever more apparent on how hot it was. Sid hated the heat, he would rather be cold then sweaty. He moved quickly through the street, heading to the market area to see if he needed anything else, besides ammo and food for the travels. He preferred to get those things on the day he leaves, though he had no real reason why. He made it to the stalls and bought what he needed, though he would have little money left. he just would have to scavenge a little more on this trip he supposed. He wanted to clean his weapons but he would rather be out of First town as quick as possible. The problem was that making a hasty retreat made one look suspicious and that got peoples attention. He didn't want to be followed for the next few blocks the the pestering city guards just because he walked a little to fast.

After another hour or so he finally made it to the city gates, the guards were different this time, older and less likely to bother him on his way out. He had an acquaintance in the guards, an elderly man that was friendly to him on his travels to the town, but recently he hasn't seen him. Sid figured that he must of passed on. Pity. Sid liked the man.

He nodded to the guard, a signal that was somehow common knowledge to them that someone was leaving and watched as the agonizingly slow gates did there best to annoy him. After a few minuets he stepped though the opening and headed off knowing full well that the guards behind him was watching to make sure he didn't try anything. It pissed him off. To hell with their authority high, they can get off some other way. He walked for about thirty minuets, though his watch was broken he always had a good sense of time. In those thirty minuets two things changed. Clouds, black, dark, angry clouds. And a man on horse back road passed him. Fast. It was about to rain. And in these day's Rains mean floods.

Segment 4

I was no fool. With that being said i knew the best thing to do was to keep my mouth shut and just watch. My father was tough and didn't need the help of a kid. I listened as they exchanged words, the people wanting their money used profaned language, while my father tried to keep a calm demeanor, speaking softly and as calm as possible. I almost thought things would go smoothly, without any mishap. I was still very naive. The larger of the three grabbed my father and slammed him into the wall, speaking softly but harsh, with from what i could hear, using demanding tones. I watched as another man pulled out a knife and put it to his throat, obviously threatening to do some damage. I also watched as my father looked them in the eye as calm as he was before. I fought the urge to run to him and help, though out of cowardliness or smart thinking ill never know. Soon after they set him down and said a few more words then left. My father stood there and sighed. He looked in my direction, telling me to come out. I was surprised. How did he know i was there? i shuffled out of my hiding place and toward's him. He just looked at me. for a long moment nothing was said till he broke the silence by telling me he was sorry.

"Sorry for what?" i asked.
"That you had to see that" he said.
"Dad, why are they here? what do they want?" i asked in a panic tone
"Money, son, they want my money. Among other things. listen...i..." i cut him off
"How could you let this happen?" i demanded from him. Furious, i wanted to know how my father could let something this bad happen to his family, how after so much we have this breathing down our shoulders. I was pissed. Angry. I was smart enough to know the problems this could cause.
"Son, listen to me very carefully. I had to do something. Something i can't change, and now its going to not only hurt me, but hurt you and your sister."
"You're leaving aren't you?"
My father stood there silently, he looked like he was struggling for words. Wanting to say the things i wanted to here but knew i would get angrier if he bullshitted me.
"Yes. i am leaving. i must try to fix this. i need you to stay here, where it's safe, and take care of your sister."
"You may not becoming back..." i said it without actually asking.

My father hugged me, and headed to the front of the house, heading inside where my sister was sound asleep. He kissed her cheek and and then stood there for a moment. He gather a few things, told me to get some stuff out of his trunk and we headed out side.

"Dad...." i didn't know what to say.
"Son, listen to me. No matter what, promise me you will be safe, not make any stupid choices.... not like i did."
" Dad i don't even know what's going on!" i almost shouted. i was on the verge of tears. Things was happening so fast, faster then i could control. I hated it.
"It's better that way son. I love you" He spoke and hugged me, kissing my forehead and walked to the barn where he keeps his horse, already saddled. Apparently he was already planning on leaving. He hopped on and pulled his pistol from it's holster , then checked it for ammo and handed it to me. It was his favorite.
"I hope you never have to use this..."
"What do i tell sis?" i asked not looking at him. He pulled out a letter and told me not to let her read it till she was ready. I nodded and helped him guide the horse out of the barn, onto the main road on the path he always took. Where he always came back. Except this time he was'y going to. This time the roads would be empty.

I walked with him a few miles, he was walking beside the horse holding her reins and i was walking beside him. He told me some of the things that happened, but i barely listened. i couldn't think straight. Finally he got to the point where he needed to ride his horse before it became a to far of a walk back to the house. He saddled the horse and told me goodbye and rode off. I clutched the pistol he gave me. Then as calmly as he left, i walked back to the house.

The next few weeks went by slow. I told sister that father had to leave early, ironically i told her it's because he would get paid more. I hated myself for lying to her. But she was sensitive, and i needed her to be strong. I hunted the local area, by now i was very good at hunting, shooting, and fixing and cleaning guns. My sister was a good cook, and helped me prepare the food. We usually had a good time together, dinner was never a dull moment. One night though i could tell something was different.

"Where did father go?" she asked
" He had to leave early-"
"Bullshit! Don't tell me that again" my sister rarely cursed and i knew that she knew i was lying. Hell ill never know how she could tell those things. i sighed. knowing i was beaten, knowing that i had to give her the letter. The letter that i always kept with me, that felt like it was burning a hole in mu pocket every time i thought about it. I sighed again and pulled it out. It was folded and wrinkled by the abuse of being in my pocket.

"What's this?" She asked curiously
"He told me to give it to you when i thought you could handle it" i said. i handed it to her and she took it, reading it fast and turning it over to see if there was more. Then turning it back and reading it again. Her eyes went huge and i noticed tears. The next hour or so involved a lot of yelling, she was angry with me that i though i should keep it from her. Angry at dad for not telling her. I was just angry, it all coming out at once. We fought, said things we would regret later. Yelled and yelled some more. Finally i had enough of it. I screamed that i was leaving, opening the door and slammed it shut. I had my pistol and on the way grabbed my rifle, with no real plan. I just wanted to be out. I walked for what must of been at least two hours before i calmed down and decided to head back. I turned and realized how far i went and cursed myself for being so stupid.

The next moments.... The next moments are still a blur. I knew something was wrong when i noticed that the porch lantern was out, something we always kept lit. I knew something was wrong from the utter stillness in the air. That feeling that tugs at the back of your mind, that let's you know something is wrong. I rushed towards the house, thinking that maybe she fell asleep and forgot to keep it lit, or maybe she turned it off to get me back, make it harder for me to find my way home. Hell i know i deserved as much. I though of every scenario that could eventually involve me and my sister laughing at our stupid fight. I promised myself that i would never ever argue with her ever again if she was okay. But that was all just wishful thinking, if only i knew better.

Chapter 4 part 2

The closer i got to the house the slower my pace got, till i was almost pacing, The thought irritated me. Me, sneaking up on my own house. I let out a shallow sigh, I didn't want to make noise, my hunting instincts taking over, My mind following what year's of practice my body went through. I kept towards the house, getting closer, and finally reaching the western most wall. On the other side would be my sister, sleeping, because everything was okay. I kept telling my self that over and over, the thoughts all wrestled with bad scenarios, of things that COULDN'T happen because they WOULDN'T happen. Not me. Not to her. Not after so much has happened already.

I leaned against the wall, the metal slightly creaked at my sudden pressure against it. I cursed inwardly and put my ear to the cold metal, hoping, praying, to hear the sounds of my sister sleeping. What i heard instead were voices.

"The b***h should of just answered the questions" i heard one raspy voice say. Another voice spoke up, deeper, "You did what needed to be done, least she didn't bleed on you, i like this shirt dammit" I couldn't believe the words i was hearing. I almost cried out, but i knew better. I instinctively checked my pistol, making sure it was loaded and turning the safety off. I listened some more

" The boss said there would be two people here, i only see her. She didn't have the answers we wanted. Boss'll be pissed that we come back empty handed." The raspy voice spoke as if this was all casual, that hurting (cause i still didn't believe the truth even then) someone and talking over their body was something you get used to.

The deeper voice snorted and sounded like he started breaking things. " Let's loot the place and come back in the morning, The other may come back. he see's this and i'm sure he will start talking. Boss wants answer's not body's."

I froze. Still in disbelief. Hating them. Hating everything, I should of stayed. There is so much i should of done. I couldn't listen anymore. I started slowly to creep to the front of the house. I didn't have to be too silent, the sound of things being trashed and broken muffled most of the noise i couldn't control. When i got to the edge of the house i peeked around the corner. Another man smoking a cigarette was obviously being the look out. He stood a few feet from the door, taking drags in between seconds, oblivious to the fact that i was crouching not but ten paces away.

" Oi, guy's hurry up in there, i want to get back to camp and eat" He yelled inside while banging his fist on the door. The other two came out. " Alright, coming you impatient a**." The raspy voice sounded from inside. A few moments later they both walked out carrying a sack filled with stuff from my house. They started going over what they had, Pulling stuff out and showing each other. Some mine, my sisters, and Mom's even.

" There is a big trunk in there, can't get it open"
" Leave it and come back for it tomorrow, i'm not carrying a heavy trunk to find out it's filled with s**t."

That did it for me. They killed my sister and stole my stuff. Now they plan to steal my fathers personal belongings. I quickly checked my gun and took a deep breath. They where standing with there backs turned, in a half circle. Two where beside each other and the third was in front of them, holding a lighter to look in the bag's.

I took another deep breath and walked around the corner, knowing that i would not come back from what i was about to do. I aimed my gun at the two standing beside each other and fired, aiming at the head. They both went down, The man who now had a hole in his head fell on the man beside him. I quickly fired two shots, one hitting the already dead man in the shoulder and another hitting the fallen man's chest. He screamed, i could tell by the face he was making but i couldn't hear anything. The third by now had fallen, tripped over the body's in a mad dash. I shot at his knee and he stopped moving forward, he clutched his leg and screamed. I grabbed his shirt and dragged him closest wall of the house. I punched him in the jaw, hard. That must of got his attention because he started yelling at me. Screaming curses and telling me to get it over with. I had two shot's left, and i planned to make them count.

I looked at the man. pointed the gun at his head, just barely touching his cheek, he seemed to wince a little. He was still moaning in pain.

" Who sent you?!" i yelled

"******** you!" he yelled back. i Hit him with my pistol and held his head by his hair and pointed the gun at the side of his head. This time jamming the barrel into his skull.

"Where is your camp? Who sent you?" i asked again, still angry but with out shouting.

He was shaking and his eyes moved from me to the direction of the gun, though he couldn't see it with out turning his head. I still had a firm grip on his hair.

" S-s-south of here. Down the highway off the t-t-third exit."

I knew what he was talking about. Father told me many times that there were bad people around here. Taking advantage of travelers and doing what they pleased. They were in the direction to the closest town, one of the main reasons we rarely traveled there. I did get bold once and got to the exit, i was close enough to smell burning wood and hear what sounded like a group of people. Till father came out of no where and dragged me back. Ill never forget that scolding.

I dragged my thoughts to the present and looked at the man. Where i was crouching his bleeding leg got blood on my pants. I didn't care. I left him there after slamming his head into the wall and went inside. I opened the door slowly. My sister was there, on the floor. Her throat slit. that's all i saw before my vision blurred and tear's streamed down my face. i walked back outside and looked at the man. He was still holding his leg and shaking, but now silent. I pointed my gun at him and shot him in the face, He slumped over dead.

The next hour's i spent moving the body's. I already thrown up four times after the realization of killing three people hit me. Even if they where bad. I Dragged there body's into the barn and used the left over oil to douse the place. Then after i cleaned up the house and neatly put my sister on her bed, closing her eyes, and saying goodbyes, i doused the house as well. After all that i was covered in blood, i grabbed my rifle and pistol, ammo, spare clothes, food and a travler's bag like my father used, and set it out side. I walked back in and unlocked my fathers trunk. Inside was mostly business stuff, work related things. But i knew he had map's and rout's of his travels. He had some money saved, and more ammo. I took all that and a pack of his cigarettes and a lighter. I looked at the house and shack and lit a match. The flame dance at the end of the stick, ready to do it's purpose. I threw it in a puddle of oil and watch the fire spread. It ran from the small flame of the match into a raging inferno, the house and shack lit up bright. I knew this would be a signal for miles, and i had to leave now. But i felt like my sister deserved this much. After more tears, and goodbyes, i walked away from my burning house. The only funeral i could give her. The only way i could cleanse what i done, what i failed to do, and i wished, what i was about to do. The sun was starting to rise, and even it's fire couldn't burn away that.

Chapter 5

The day was hot, the heat a companion to the rising sun, making the trip i had to take feel longer then what it really was. I was at the exit where the Banits made their camp. They were about another fifteen minutes away. I walked up the rising hill, the road was broken, cracked. Indeed a tiresome journey. I was burdened with my rifile and pistol and hunting knife, the same thigns i took when going hunting. The thought was a grim joke, but it brought a smile to my face. Making all what i was about to do a little easyier, and not so bitter to take in.

The actuall camp was at the end of the road, onto a street that had unused buildings that, before, were High class work spaces, but now provide the shelter for this areas bandits. The road had five buildings, two on each side of the road and the filfth at the end of the road. Making a well exposed dead end. This was where the bandits called their home. They used anything to set up there camp, which was old fences, sighns, car parts, scrap metal... Anything to set up a fortifiable camp. They didn't use the old buildings mainly because they are well know for collapsing it given to much stress, Most people don't like the idea that the room they are sleeping in could fall on them at any moment. From what i could see from my hiding spot, there were about fifteen or twenty of them, they kept moving about making it hard to accurately count them. They was a loud bunch, often randomly shooting their guns, breaking things, or fighting with each other.

I quickly established who must of been the boss, a bald man usually sitting in some chair made out of different metals. Some of the other bandits would bring him things, and he was gaurded by two other men. I wanted to walk down their and demand answers, but i was smarter then that. I waited. I waited for what seemed like forever, till the scorching sun slowly set and the half moon arched it's way up into the sky. When i saw the fire's startin gto lite, and the people start to slow down, i made my way down from my spot and crept toward the buildings on the left side. I notice a small path way behind it and followed, leading me to a ladder which i scaled silently.

At the top was a man drinking from what looked like a wodden cup, i pulled out my knife and grabbed him, covering his mouth and stabbing his heart three times. He made a strange noise and his body did weird movements, but soon he was dead. I carefully placed down. My hands was covered in warm blood, i wiped my hands on their owners clothes and looked over the edge. The Bandits was crowded around fires, talking and laughing, they was split around three different fires, making their shadows dance in the night's confusion, making it harder to figure out who was where and how many. I looked around, cheking th edead man for anything that might help me. I found bullets, and that made me look for a gun. I found it propped against a wall, a long black rifle with a scope on it. I praised my find and checked its clip, i had eight shot's all together.

The Rifile was in good shape and the sight seemed to be pretty acurate, though that was all just in wishfull thinking. I looked down at the first closest fire, the flames dancing in the scope made my eyes hurt, but i was able to see six around this fire. Checking each fire with the scope i counted 18 in total. Five in the fire near a building and seven at the last. I recounted the Snipers shots and checked my own guns ammo, i had enough if i didn't miss. I aimed the rifle over the building again, breathing very slowly as not to make the gun shake. I had what i beleived to be one mmans head in my sights till i heard the sound of someone climbing up the ladder. I froze. Nothing could be worse timing. I grabbed my knife and leaned back into the shadows, looking at the other man i killed, he was barely visible which would gain me some time.

The mans head popped up first, he called out a name but my heart was beating to loudly for me to hear. he climbed the rest of the way up and called out th ename again. "Jonny, your shift is over, didn't you hear me?" my mouth was dry but an idea came to me, i had to play it right. "Yeah, i did, somethigns wrong with my gun" I said trying to sound as gruff as possible. The man didn't seem to notice and did what looked to be a shrug. " Again? Well fix it down there i got to start my shift or the boss'll have our heads." I stood slowly, and grabbed the sniper, hoping he wouldn't see the body of the actually Jonny, and clutched my knife and the rifle in eahc hand. The man was standing near the ledge, so i had a good chance to knock him off, but that might not kill him, and could make unwanted noise. I started to walk towards the man who seemed to be watching me. Maybe he was susicious after all. When i was about five paces away he stopped me. My heart was beating so loud i thought maybe that was why he stopped me. " Your forgetting your drink jonny" he said casually, like jonny does it all the time. " oh.. right" i muttered and turned around as if i was going to walk back. The after one step i quickly turned around and lunged at the man, my knife pointing out. It hit him in the chest and he yelled out, though before i realized it we were both falling over the edge. We fell for what seemed to be forever, my knife resting in the mans chest and me above him and the gun floating beside us. We landed with a loud thud, the impact knocked the air out of me and my right side felt bruised, i landed and somehow rolled. Not taking a moment to inspect my self i checked the man, he was dead. His eyes was starring at the night sky as if looking for the answer to what just happened. " You died, thats what" i muttered to him. I pulled the knife out and cleaned it and checked for the sniper, finding it a few feet from the body. I checked it to make sure it was still structuraly decent and made sure i had my pistol, i didn't think i had time to climb back up the get my other rifile, the others might have heard the yell and the sudden thud of a person falling off a building.

I was right. I heard footsteps running toward me, fast. I quickly jumped into the shadows, pressing closly to the wall as i could and held my breath. Three men ran up and found the body, looking up at the building and back to th ebody. "What the hell happened?" one man seemed to yell " Check up there on Jonny, if he did this.." The man trailed off, his tone was as if he never liked him anyway. one man climbed the ladder, the other two watching him. I came out the shadows and stabbed one man in the back and slashed at the other, knowing i didn't have much time i jumped at the one i slashed at and finished the job. Then checking the other making sure he was dead by stabbing him in the heart i waited for the man on the ladder to climb back down. After a few moments he started to climb down saying how jonny was dead. When he was low enough i grabbed his head and slammed it in the ladder, and finished him off the the knife as well. I finally breathed, letting out all the air i kept up in my lungs. I just stood there, realizing that i just ended five mens lives in quick succession. I finally snapped out of it and checked there bodys for ammo. Only two was carrying pistols, so i took them and walked around the building, knowing that the other thirteen men was what waited for me. I crept along the building staying within the shadows, i felt safer there, somehow the idea of not being seen made what i had to do so much easier. I knew i didn't have much time, the other men would wonder why the men i killed wasn't around their campfire, making every second that much closer to an inevitable shoot out. I didn't want to to come to that. The building wasn't very big, i got to the front in mere moments, taking in the sight of the area from ground level. It looked almost peaceful, though thoughts like that was disctracting, and i needed full focus. I crouched low to the ground, the next campfire was in my sight. The slow walk towards it seemed to take forever, the people crowded around it getting closer with each step making it a little more bearable. When i was just a few paces from the campfire, i waited. There was four of them, talking and laughing, they must of not noticed there friends leaving towards the building. I praised my luck and held my two pistols out. I took in a long slow breath, knowing if i messed this part up then it would be over quickly. I took aim and called out to them, they didn't hear me at first, but i called again, this time a little louder. They all stood up, scanning the darkness for what made the sound. One called back, saying a name. Probably thinking i was one of the guys from the other camp fire. They was close enough that a pistol wouldn't be to inacurate, but far enough that i may miss vital organs. I waited, i was praying they would take my bait. Two looked at each other and then started to walk into the darkenss, guns drawn. I crouched even lower, my chin touching the dirt under me. They slowly advance, like one would when hunting deer. They must of realized something was wrong. I wanted to shoot them now, but decided i could get further with my knife. One walked passed me on my left, i froze as they got closer but they must of missed me, there eyes still used to the light of their camp fire. I slowly turned around and crept towards him, grabbing his mouth and slitting his throat. I held him while his life drained away, he was making to much noise, i did my best to muffle them but his friend that follwoed him soon heard it and walked over. I threw my knife at him before he had time to react, hitting his chest. I figured it didn't go in very deep so i ran quickly towards him and jammed the knife in him further, then pulling it out and stabbing still he stopped moving. By now his other friends must of knew something was going on. I pulled out my pistols and crept back down, they was scanning around for me. I decided now was the time and shot at them, empting both guns. They both dropped, one still moaning. I walked over to him and finished him off with my knife. Then knowing i had only moments reloaded my pistols, i walked away from th efire and whent back into the darkenss, quickly realoding as fast as i could. I put them in their holsters and looked up at the sound of running footsteps. The other five men from next campfire came running, they got to the bodys and started to yell commands. I took of my rifle from my shoulder and started to fire, each time moving a few paces. I got three of them by suprise bu tthe other two returned fire. I stopped fireing and waited. They started firing randomly were i was at, which made me praise myself for thinking to move. I pulled out a pistol and shot them both. They didn't go down, instead they fired even more. The sound of bullets filled the air, the ground was getting filled with bullets all around me. The night was no longer quiet. I waited till they realoded anf fired back, this time taking one down and the other fell back, but quickly sat up to fire more. I finished him off with the rifle.

It took me a few mometns to collect ammo and reload my guns, cleaning the my knife of blood and checking myself. I was fine. The adrenaline was puping through me, my heart beating fast almost intune with how fast i was breathing. There was eight left. includiung the leader. By know the entire camp must of known what was happening. I crept back down and waited. The wait was exscrushating, and after some time i knew i should move. I stalked arounf the last campfire, scouting to see if i could find the last few men. There was only three out here, by they to was creeping along in the darkenss. I noticed them when i was sitting still, there movements disrupting the darkenss. They wasn't as low as i was, so they didn't notice me. After a few moments they stopped moving, they all huddled around one area, each one not to far from the other. Im sure the idea was they would be better if they stuck together, able to out gun who ever they was facing. This instead left a majore blindspot, they was all looking in one direction, towards the campfire i just finished leaving. They didn't think to look behind them. I crept up slowly and waited. The closest mans back was not but a few paces from me. One started to get up, i ended him first with the knife and shot the other two. Only ten left.

The next moments dragged on, and was all about the same. Hunting the reaming men and ending them. Each time they seemed to get smarter, the margin for error getting smaller as was the chance to actually kill one of them. I had a few close calls, getting spotted before i could succesivly end them, and having to shoot from the shadows and constantly moving. But soon i realized that every one out side was dead, and i was missing four men. I figured they was in the building at the end of the street, a suitable location for a leader. I snuck around the building, searching for a way in that wasn't the front door with no such luck. Finally i gave up and watched the front door, it was old and broken, a few holes in it but i didn't have enough light to see the through it. I pressed my body against the wall beside and it tried to doorknob. it was open. I slowly turned it and then forced it open, then going back to the safty of the wall. Just in time. Shots broke out, hitting the door and the wall i was at. It seemed to go on forever.