The car ride was rough. Jackson was placed on the floor, feeling every bump on the road the van drove over, while his mind kept looping back to Brian insulting him and reminding the reptile of one of the worst days of his life. The murder of his family. Mark sat down in front of him, swirling his tongue around his gums like a piece of lettuce was stuck between his teeth.
He wanted to kill Mark. Break out of his bonds and rip out the assassin’s throat. However, he was powerless. To regain some dignity and to face his inevitable torment, Jackson looked to the floor. Allowing himself the time to dig through his memories to enjoy the time he had spent with his wife and child. He had failed his mission. He had failed to get vengeance for the people he loved. It was something he couldn’t forgive himself for, and it seemed he would struggle to do so for a very long time now that he was captured.
‘Hey, lizard boy,’ Mark said with a full mouth. When Jackson didn’t give him the light of day, the assassin lightly kicked his shoulder. ‘Hey, listen to me!’
Jackson looked up, furious about what Mark had to say. Then, to his surprise, Mark leaned to the side to spit out blood and reveal a bobby pin between his teeth. He carefully positioned his head near his hands and dropped it, giggling with bloody gums as he caught it.
‘Neat trick, huh? I learned that while I was in North Africa. Sure, it hurts to stab a piece of wire in your gums and remove it now and then. But hey, it beats having nothing.’
Mark fumbled with the bobby pin, trying to insert it into his handcuffs. ‘Listen, I know you don’t like talking. But I think you can listen and understand me. Well, I think you do. Blink twice if you understand what I am saying.’
There was no point in entertaining the assassin. For all he knew, Mark could just break out and leave him to suffer. He did, after all, kill his teammates in cold blood and use their deaths as examples. However, he decided to humour Mark and blinked twice.
‘Good, you can understand me.’ Mark smiled. ‘I thought you were smarter than some sort of brute ProTech makes you out to be. Insane as all hell, sure, but smart. Jackson, isn’t it? Well, my name is Mark Esmen. I think you realise I was one of the few hundred people hired to hunt you down by that old man. I never met him myself until now, but I knew he hired me. 700 million dollars! That’s the price for your head. That is a lot of money to deal with you, and hell, it was worth it at the time. Even if it meant dying a horrible death. For months, I thought you were just some sort of mistake, but I think it became clear why you were pissed at the world. The motherfucker killed your wife.’
Mark uncuffed himself, chuckling before crawling over to Jackson with the bobby pin in hand. ‘It isn’t hard for me to get out of here. But they took something valuable from me, and I need it back. Now, I don’t like you, and I am sure as hell know you want to rip my spine out. However, I want to propose a deal. You help me, I help you. That guy fucked me over as well, and I want payback and my gun back.’ Mark quickly examined Jackson’s bonds before turning back to face him. ‘They look easy enough to unlock. I can set you free and get you out of here. But on a few conditions. We work together, and you don’t kill me. Promise me that, and I will let you go and agree to whatever terms you have for me. Blink once if we have a deal.’
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Jackson’s heart calmed. Before, he was annoyed, but then he saw hope to continue his vengeance. Without hesitation, he blinked once. Mark didn’t waste time, making sure to unlock Jackson’s bonds and setting him free. Once Jackson was capable of moving independently, he stood up and approached the front part of the van. But Mark stopped him from tearing it open and taking control of the van.
‘No, let them live. We need a head start to get the fuck out of here and cover our tracks.’ The assassin went to the van door and opened it slightly. Taking a deep breath before jumping out and rolling to the side. Following his example, Jackson jumped out soon after, landing on his side with a hard thud as air escaped his lungs. The un-fun part of jumping out of fast-moving vehicles.
Mark limped over to Jackson, holding on to his side. ‘Come on, you ugly fucker. We should get moving.’ With a sign of goodwill, he offered Jackson a hand. To help someone who was moments ago so eager to take his life. However, as they both have a common enemy and goal, Jackson accepted his aid.
‘Jackson,’ he said to Mark with a flat tone. ‘Names Jackson Abernu.’
‘Well, I am glad to make your acquaintance.’ He said before gesturing for Jackson to follow him into the woods. ‘Thanks for not killing me when you had a chance.’
‘We have something in common. I need you alive.’
‘Yeah, we want to have payback on the guy who fucked us over.’ Mark responded, leaning against a tree to catch his breath. ‘Look, I said I will hear your terms. Spit it out before we go after him.’
Jackson examined Mark’s wounds, trying to see if he was showing any symptoms that required medical attention. However, all he could tell was that the assassin was just exhausted. ‘Brian Leichenberg.’ He said in a harsh tone. ‘He’s mine.’
‘A man of few words, you are.’
‘You’re many.’
Mark chuckled, but put on a serious face as he realised that Jackson wasn’t joking around. ‘Alright, you kill him. All I ask is that woman, Leo. She’s mine. Bitch stole my father’s gun, and I want it back. Hell, the good thing is I know how to get to both of them.’
‘Elaborate.’
‘Let’s just say that I have a thing for taking notes about the buildings I go into and have the know-how to get in.’ He replied before pushing himself off the tree. ‘Come on, Jackson. The sooner we find a place to rest, the sooner we can get our revenge. Fuck, I can even get you a pair of clothes if you want.’
‘Problem?’ Jackson raised a brow as he followed Mark from behind.
‘You look like a half-naked bum, and because you smell like absolute shit.’
