Baptism by Fire

I lost everything. The world had turned upside down, and the weight of it all came crashing down on me like an avalanche. The past few years felt like a blur of pain, training, and relentless pressure. All the strength I had built, all the resolve I had mustered, seemed to crumble in an instant.

I found myself standing by the lake, the cold wind biting at my skin. The water was calm, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. My breath came out in ragged gasps, my chest heaving as I struggled to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

It was nighttime, and the moonlight cast a silvery glow over the water, making it look almost ethereal. The trees around the lake whispered in the wind, their branches swaying gently. The serenity of the scene felt like a cruel joke, mocking the chaos inside me.

I dropped to my knees at the edge of the lake, my fingers digging into the cold, damp earth. The gun in my hand felt heavy, its cold metal pressing into my palm. I stared at it, my vision blurred by tears. The memories of my family flashed before my eyes—my mother’s warm smile, my father’s reassuring presence, the happy moments we had shared before everything was torn apart.

The tears I had fought so hard to suppress for so long began to flow freely, each one a painful reminder of all that I had lost. I could hear their voices in my head, echoing through the corridors of my mind, and each one felt like a dagger to my heart. My mother’s laugh, my father’s advice—it all seemed so distant, like a dream from another lifetime.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I couldn’t save you. I couldn’t protect you.”

The gun in my hand trembled as I raised it, pointing it at my head. The cold barrel pressed against my temple, and I could feel my heart pounding, each beat echoing in my ears. The world around me seemed to fade, and all I could hear was the sound of my own ragged breathing and the pounding of my heart.

I screamed then, a raw, guttural sound that tore from my throat, a release of all the pain and anger and guilt that had been building inside me. “Why did you leave me? Why did you have to die?”

The tears streamed down my face, hot and relentless. I screamed again, the sound echoing across the lake, a primal cry of agony and despair. “I miss you! I miss you so much!”

My fingers tightened around the gun, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I wanted to end it all, to escape the unbearable pain that seemed to consume me. The thought of being reunited with my family, of escaping the endless cycle of grief and loss, was almost too tempting to resist.

But even as I stood on the edge of the abyss, a part of me fought back. I thought of Alex, of the training, of the promise I had made to myself to avenge my family. I thought of the people who had taken everything from me, the ones who had hired Alex, the ones who had caused all this pain. If I ended it now, they would win. They would go unpunished, and my family’s deaths would be in vain.

I lowered the gun, my hand shaking. The tears continued to flow, but the rage began to burn brighter, fueling a fire deep within me. “I will not let them win,” I whispered fiercely. “I will make them pay. For everything.”

I stood up, my legs trembling but my resolve solidifying with each passing moment. I wiped the tears from my face, taking a deep breath. The pain was still there, a constant ache in my chest, but it was now tempered with a new determination.

The lake was still and silent, as if holding its breath, waiting to see what I would do next. I turned away from the water, my mind set on the path ahead. There was still so much to do, so many battles to fight. But I knew now that I couldn’t give up. Not yet. Not ever.

As I walked back from the lake, the resolve within me grew stronger with every step. The icy wind no longer bit into my skin; instead, it fueled the fire that had reignited in my heart. The image of my family’s smiling faces stayed with me, a reminder of why I couldn’t give up. When I reached the house, Alex was waiting for me, a knowing look in his eyes.

“It’s time,” I said, my voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions churning inside me. “Who’s first?”

Alex nodded, his expression serious. “Leon. He’s a mob boss with a lot of enemies and a lot of protection. He’ll be at La Piazza tonight at seven.”

I took in the information, my mind already planning. “Anything else I need to know?”

Alex handed me a file, his eyes never leaving mine. “Leon has a bladder problem. He gets up to pee every thirty minutes, like clockwork. Use that to your advantage.”

I nodded, taking the file. The weight of the task ahead pressed on my shoulders, but it was a weight I was ready to bear. I went upstairs, preparing for the night ahead. I dressed in dark, inconspicuous clothing, making sure my gun was securely hidden but easily accessible. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw a different person staring back—a person ready to take on the world, no matter the cost.

La Piazza was a high-end restaurant, the kind of place where deals were made and secrets were exchanged over expensive wine and gourmet meals. I arrived early, choosing a table that gave me a clear view of the room but also kept me out of immediate sight. The ambiance was elegant, the low hum of conversation and clinking of silverware creating a sophisticated backdrop for the evening’s events.

I ordered a drink, using the menu to shield my face as I scanned the room. At exactly seven o’clock, Leon walked in, flanked by two bodyguards. He was a large man with a commanding presence, his tailored suit straining slightly at the seams. He exuded confidence, the kind that came from years of power and control.

Leon and his entourage were seated at a table near the back, where they could see anyone approaching but also had a quick exit route. I watched as he ordered, his mannerisms calm and calculated. Time passed slowly, each minute feeling like an eternity. At 7:30, right on schedule, Leon excused himself and headed toward the restroom. I tensed, my mind racing.

At 8:00, Leon stood up again. I felt a surge of adrenaline. This was my moment. I put the menu down, my eyes locked on him as he made his way to the bathroom for the second time. I followed at a discreet distance, careful not to attract attention. The hallway to the restroom was narrow and dimly lit, the perfect setting for what needed to be done.

I waited outside the bathroom, my heart pounding in my chest. Every second felt like an eternity as I listened to the faint sounds coming from inside. The door opened, and Leon stepped out, his expression one of mild surprise as he saw me. Before he could react, I moved.

In one swift motion, I drew my gun and pressed it to his temple. There was a brief moment of shock in his eyes before I pulled the trigger. The silencer muffled the shot, the only sound a soft thud as Leon crumpled to the floor. I took a deep breath, my hands steady as I tucked the gun back into its holster.

I glanced around, making sure no one had seen. The hallway was empty, the soft hum of the restaurant’s music barely audible from where I stood. I stepped over Leon’s body, my mind clear and focused. I walked back into the dining area, blending into the crowd with practiced ease. No one paid me any attention as I made my way to the exit.

As I stepped outside, the cool night air hit my face, a stark contrast to the warmth of the restaurant. I took a deep breath, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and sorrow. One down, nine more to go.

I walked away from La Piazza, the image of Leon’s lifeless body fresh in my mind. The first step on a long, dark path had been taken, and there was no turning back. I knew the road ahead would be fraught with danger and pain, but I was ready to face it. For my family, for myself.

Back at the house, Alex was waiting for me, his expression unreadable. I handed him the file, my eyes meeting his. “It’s done,” I said simply.

Alex nodded, a hint of approval in his gaze. “Good. You did well, Liam. But remember, this is just the beginning. There are nine more.”

“I know,” I replied, my voice steady. “And I’m ready for them.”

Alex placed a hand on my shoulder, a rare gesture of support. “Rest tonight. Tomorrow, we plan the next move.”

I nodded, feeling the exhaustion of the night begin to settle in. As I lay in bed, the events of the evening replayed in my mind. The gun, the silence, Leon’s surprised expression—it all felt surreal. But beneath the exhaustion and the lingering adrenaline, there was a grief feeling I couldn’t shake. I killed a person.

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