9.
Sean
hid behind the tree trunk with the splinters of the trunk at his feet. He had
remained unmoving to avoid the random shooting by the Cartel side. He was
unsure whether the Cartel leader was doing the shoot or by the other guards.
“Sean,
I am moving forward. I need to have a better spot.” Sean heard the call but he
was reluctant to look at where Master Gunner was. The smoke was more intense
with the fire and he was losing his focus. He knew that he had to move to avoid
being caught by the fire or die from the smoke. He went down on his elbow and
knees to crawl away. It was not a silent move but more of desperation to
getaway. He moved towards the hotel and then stopped at the garage. He leaned
on the wall there and looked up at the hotel rooftop.
Sean
had the rooftop seen at an angle but he could not make out the shooter. It had
ended a minute ago but the fire was still spreading. The distance to the hotel
entrance was about two hundred yards. He was contemplating to do the run and get
in. He assessed his situation and decided to do the run.
Sean's
stride was only five steps before he ducked back for cover. He was shot two
times during that run.
“Fuck!
Why did you shoot me?” Sean called out on the radio.
“You
are still my target. I am not giving up as yet.” It was Master Gunner. “I
wanted to tell you I have you in my sight.”
“Master
Gunner, you are mad. We are up to our balls with the fire and you still want to
fight me. Why don’t you focus on the Cartel for once?”
“Sean,
I am part of the Cartel. I kill you and I can even up with Michael.”
Hey
Gringo. Look here.” It was Michael who was calling the two of them. Sean looked
up and saw Michael with the suitcase.
“Gringo,
you want money. I got plenty. Whoever killed the other gets the loot.” Michael
had then kicked the suitcase over the edge. “Come and take it all.”
The
suitcase fell onto the ground and the lid fell opened. It then revealed the
currency notes which billowed into the air from the sweeping wind.
“Money,
gringo.” Michael called out. “Master Gunner, yours to keep if you kill the
traitor.”
“Sean,
it's yours too if you can kill.” Michael’s tone took on a raspy tone when the
bullet. It was a headshot and it did come from either Sean or the veteran
shooter.
“Stop
the battle. Michael is dead. I shot him.” The communication officer called
out. “I shot him.”
Sean
took the chance to do the run into the hotel. He made twenty steps before the
shooting resumed. He did another hundred yards before he hit the front
entrance. He was in the hotel lobby. He ran to the reception counter table and
sprang over it. He stayed down on his haunches holding the rifle. He had not
counted the shots but reckoned there were three before he reached the hotel.
Stark
cursed at his shoots which were affected by the smokes. He was feeling the exhilaration of the drug
inhalation of the cocaine fumes too. He needed an antidote for it. He saw the
bottle of vodka there at the counter.
“What
the hell..” Sean grabbed the bottle and tore at the opening before gulping it
down. The hard liquor burned his throat but it gave him a kick in the head. He
was able to focus on the battle scene although he threw out some of its
contents. He then left the rifle on the flooring. Nearby in the building, he
will use his Glock for the fight. He took off on the run towards the stairs and
then up the flight. He did not pause in his run until he was on the third
level. He approached Michael’s office. The door was opened and he stepped in. He
knew the layout and approached the desk. What he needed was in the desk’s low
drawer. What he was looking for was missing.
“Jefe,
I knew you will come here first.” Sean looked up to the one who spoke. It was
the Communication guy and he was holding the M4 Carbine at the doorway.
“Jorge,
it’s all over. Michael is dead. We can call it quits.” Sean looked at Jorge.
“You can return home.”
“Gringo,
my home is here. I was raised here. I am at home. You walked in here and took
everything away.” Jorge looked at Sean. “I know what you want. Michael’s diary
is with me. You won’t get it.”
“No,
Jorge…” Sean did not complete his explanation. He saw Jorge’s head exploded
from the shot at the rear to the left. Jorge fell knocking on the doorway and
then to the floor.
“Sean,
you are a dead man. I don’t like to see my retirement with you on my back.” The
Gunner Master called out. “It’s only you or me.”
No comments:
Post a Comment