"What!?" John screamed as I told him the news. "What the hell do you mean?"

"It happened so quickly man, I wish I knew what happened my self" I said in a panic, never seeing john in this form before.

The room was dark, as it normally was when he held any type of meeting. Random papers cluttered his desk, covering even more of a mess underneath. A lone couch and a few chairs were all there was to sit on, but I couldn’t sit right now, I was too scared.

"So your telling me he is dead?" John said raising his head form behind his hands.

"Yeah" I let go, it was the only thing I could say after what had happened.

Everything seemed to be going well, or so I thought. Just a typical job, in and out, short and sweet. John wanted Rob to go with me, for the experience he said. Bobby was Johns son, or at least that is what John called him. He has been real close ever since they met. I was never sure when they met, I know it was around the time when I hadda take off for a little bit, to take care of some personal business. All that I know is before they met I was Johns main man, Now I guess I am again.

We drove up to the building with out a hitch, nobody around. Bobby was getting impatient, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "So what’s next man" he asked scanning the terrain, "you want to split up I will take the back you take the front?"

I shook my head at him "No we will stay together until we figure out who is around and what exactly is going on"

His smile left his face as he agreed to my terms.

We got out of the car and looked around, He grabbed the shot gun from the back seat I just pulled out my pistol. Slowly we moved close to the building. A few lights on inside so someone had to be around. Hopefully who we were looking for.

As we entered Bobby jumped to a shooting position, ready for action. I tapped him on the shoulder and told him to step back. He smirked and moved further in scanning the building for life. We knew someone was here but we didn’t know where, or if they knew we were coming.

The building was dark, only a few lights hung from the ceiling and most were blown out. Crates were piled all around, typical of a warehouse. I moved slowly in, moving in and out of the isles of clutter. I just hopped Bobby was keeping his eyes open and tried to keep his cool. The life of a hit squad can be a bit trying at times. You don’t know what to expect or when to expect it. I had experience, Bobby didn’t. It was his first major time out.

I continued to make my way towards the office on the far end of the building when I heard a shot. I wasn’t sure where it came from, but it meant that Bobby found something. Quickly I moved towards where the sound originated, trying not to make too much noise as I ran. I had my gun griped firmly in my hands.

As I sped around one corner there he was, Bobby, laying flat on his back blood pouring form his open mouth. Another man stood over him, a large grin on his face. I brought my gun up and fired, piercing his head. He fell. I ran towards Bobby’s body, worried that he was dead.

"He was." I said with a choke in my voice.

John buried his face in his hands and started to cry. I knew he was mad, but how mad. I was his true brother, I loved him dearly and I knew he had the same brotherly love towards me. But Bobby was his son, the only thing close enough to a son John will ever have, and I let him die. I hope he understands.

"You know man I wish I knew what you had going through your mind. you let him die." John said as he raised his head from his hands. "I love you man but you really disappointed me." Johns hands moved towards his drawer. I knew he was going for his gun. He brought it out and pointed it at me and began speaking once again.

"How should I punish you Rich. You are my brother, my only brother, but you took someone away from me that was a true son." The gun moved in front of me, pacing back and forth in the air. My head started to swell with sweat. "Rich, I think you know what I have to do."

I flinched slightly as the gun was lowered in my direction. I knew I was going to be dead. He pulled his finger slowly on the trigger, moving it closer to the pulled position. Then his finger let go, releasing the trigger.

"I cant do this to my own brother. even if he did kill my son." John looked around and smiled.

"Thank you John, I will never let you down again." I said, my words filled with fright. " I will never disappoint you again. I promise"

Johns smile left his face and he looked up at me. "You are right, it will never happen again" His hands raised again, and a bullet moved out of the gun, hitting me in the head. I started to fall back, death near.

The lights were bright on the street. Bobby sat next to me driving towards the building we were supposed to hit. I looked over at him and smiled. "Bobby, you are gonna stay with me and stay behind me. I don’t want you to get yourself killed."

8/97