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I walk out into the massive lounge. Horizon is sitting at a desk in the far left corner, just to the left of the doors. He looks over as I enter. “Feeling better?”

I shrug. “Yeah, I guess. Thanks for the outfit.”

He waves his hand dismissively. “The least I can do. Now, if you’re feeling up to it, I have a job for you.”

I make my way across the room. “You don’t waste any time, do you?”

He stands and walks over to meet me. “Not when there isn’t any to waste. I’ve had a new contract handed to me by the committee. One of the utmost importance.”

I nod. “Fine, who’s the target?”

“I’ll send the details to your phone in a moment. They are a very influential and public figure, who has recently ascended to a position of power we would rather they weren’t in. We consider their approach to things… problematic. They do not have a place in our future plans for this world.”

I frown.

Wait a minute.

My mind’s racing, putting the pieces together in my head.

Influential public figure?

New position of power?

Oh, no!

Ryan Schultz!

I close my eyes for a moment, processing the fresh batch of bad luck I’ve just been handed.

He’s going to ask me to kill the new president!

“Getting to them won’t be easy, so I figure you’re the perfect asset for the job, considering your talent for difficult assassinations.”

Shit! He really is!

“Also, as the target is well protected, Mr. Pierce and his team will be on hand to offer any support you need.”

I try to remain calm, and stop panicking. I shake my head. “I see that prick again, I’m gonna kill him.”

“Now, now, Adrian, we’re all on the same side. The Order is more than willing to move forward in our relationship, and it would be in your best interest to do the same. I understand you might still harbor some… animosity toward Mr. Pierce, but you shouldn’t. He was simply doing his job. Just like you will be. He’s here to support you, should you need it, or to keep you in line, should I deem it necessary.”

“Then why not just send him to do your contracts, if he’s so good…?”

Horizon smiles. “Mr. Pierce is a loyal employee, and an excellent soldier. But he’s not an assassin. He lacks the mindset… the finesse required to plan and execute a world-class hit. Something that you do not.”

I’m trying to figure a way around this, or a way I can at least warn him before I leave for Washington, but I’m drawing a blank. There’s no way I’m going after the new president. Unlike his predecessor, Schultz doesn’t deserve it. Sure, he can be an asshole sometimes… and yes, he did authorize my execution, but I don’t hold it against him. He had no choice, and I bear no grudge for that.

Shit.

I need to calm down, accept this is happening, and try to figure out a way to actually pull this off, because if I don’t, I’m dead.

I roll my eyes. “Okay, quit stroking my ego. We both know I’m only going along with this because I have no other choice, so let’s get on with it.”

He regards me for a moment, and then nods. “Very well.” He takes out his own phone and begins typing. “You will be sent details of your target’s schedule. This information will be sufficient to carry out the mission. There will be no more details provided.”

My phone beeps in my pocket. I roll my eyes as I reach for it. “Yeah, yeah… whatever.”

“All I will say is, his recent actions are in direct conflict of our committee’s vision for the future, and he must be eliminated. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of your mandatory compliance, and what will happen should you fail.”

I type in the security code to unlock my phone. “No, you don’t. I know what I have to do, alright? Just let me—”

My words catch in my throat as the file flashes up on my screen. My heart begins to hammer against my chest as the gravity of how much shit I’m in finally hits home.

I was wrong. My target isn’t President Schultz…

It’s Josh!

THE END

Dear Reader,

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James P. Sumner