When a Hitman Gets Haunted by a Ghost
Chapter 51: Impulsion

Chapter 51: Impulsion

Kant went after him with a scoff. "What, you gonna kill the dealer?"

Hunter’s lips twisted into a humorless smirk. "Think you can stop me?"

"Are you willing to cross into the Everett’s territory?" Kant inquired.

Hunter paused midway into the driver’s seat. "What?"

"Dealer’s the barman at the Red Tail Hotel. Jefferson Everett’s guy."

"Does Jones know?"

"No."

"Then there’s no problem." Hunter slid into the driver’s seat, resuming with his impulsive plan.

Kant rolled his eyes and walked over to the passenger’s seat. "Is killing your solution for everything? Just shoot first, deal with the consequences later?"

"I don’t give a shit about losing another strike. If Jones wants to cross that line, then I’m crossing this line."

Hunter’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as he slammed his foot on the gas, the tires screeching as they peeled out of the parking lot. The car cut through the snow-covered streets, headed for the hotel.

Kant ran a hand down his face, not excited to see which way the night would unfold.

The drive passed by with some more unproductive bickering that faded to trained silence as they pulled up near the staff entrance.

They got out of the car and scanned the area. By the main entrance a few meters away was a group of three with cigarettes between their fingers.

Kant could hear the basses thrum from the building. There was an event going on. The lobby was packed with people, laughter and clinking of glasses flowing from inside.

Hunter strode towards the main entrance, the dirty snow sloshing underfoot.

The guard at the door stopped him. "Your invitation card?"

"Don’t got one." Hunter was about to force his way through, but Kant yanked him back.

"There are cameras everywhere. You can’t just barge in," Kant hissed, shoving him back towards the car. "We sit and watch the staff entrance, then follow the guy once he shows. Got it?"

"Who are you bossing around?" Hunter snapped back, but didn’t try to go back to the main entrance again.

They got back inside the car, both of them equally annoyed with each other’s company.

"There’s not going to be a shift change this late in the night," Hunter remarked.

"Then we wait for the next one," Kant stood his ground. "Can’t you hold your killing urges for a few hours?"

Hunter rolled his eyes. "I don’t kill for pleasure."

"Sure, you don’t." Kant settled back into his seat, preparing for the long wait. He kept an eye on the staff entrance.

As the hours dragged on, Hunter’s sighing turned into impatient shuffling in his seat. "This is a waste of time."

"You got better ideas?" Kant asked, crossing his arms. He felt himself grow sluggish.

It was cold, dark, and the middle of the night. Being in bed right now would be much better. All warm, under heavy covers.

Then again, he didn’t have a bed to sleep in at the moment. The night would have ended with sleeping in his car, which wasn’t very different from the current situation.

Kant’s mind drifted as he stared at the door, the cold creeping in. Every next minute felt longer than the last. Until the figure appeared. His heartbeat spiked, snapping him out of the fog. The scar. It was him.

Kant sat up sharply and waited for the man to enter the building.

Hunter sat straighter too, squinting. "Is that the barman?"

"No," Kant breathed as the memories shot adrenaline through his limbs. He got out in a blink, going straight for the staff entrance.

"The hell? You said it wasn’t the barman." Hunter tried to grab him on the way out, but missed. "Hey!" He cursed under his breath and slammed the car door shut, his boots slipping on the sidewalk slightly as he followed.

. . .

[FLASHBACK]

Kant stood outside the fence of his old school, lost in thought, when someone behind him called out, "Albert!"

At first, he ignored it, but the voice sounded familiar, so he cast a glance over his shoulder. An unwilling chuckle escaped him.

"Who are you calling Albert?"

"Oh, I’m sorry," Luke punched his shoulder lightly. "I thought we were on a first name basis, but then again, you’re not answering my calls these days. Is Mister Einstein better?"

Kant pulled out his phone to check. "Forgot to turn the sound on." He looked back up. "What’s the occasion? You didn’t say you were coming to visit."

His eyes stopped at a large object behind Luke. A suitcase.

After they finished high school, they had gone separate ways. Luke had moved to the city to chase his dreams, and Kant had stayed in the organization.

But now, Luke was back. His dream had survived all trips and trials, just to be abandoned on the ninth year.

Jaded and burnt out after failing another audition, he quit everything, including his two part-time jobs. When his meager savings ran out, he was kicked out of his shoebox apartment.

"It’s all about connections. I know that, so I tried networking and all..." Luke mumbled, tapping the outdoor table of the convenience store. "But I guess I just sucked at it."

"You’re good at socializing. Shouldn’t networking come easy to you?" Kant questioned.

"I thought so too, but I always got nervous and awkward in front of important representatives. It was just... ugh..." Luke tousled his hair in frustration. "So lame."

Kant leaned back in the plastic chair, watching Luke fidget with his hair. "So what now?"

Luke let out a humorless laugh. "Good question." He leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. A slow, scheming smile crossed his face. "Hey, Einstein, didn’t you say your organization was looking for desperate people? Do they need a new member?"

"No." Kant looked away, taking a sip from his can of iced coffee.

"Don’t be like that. You know I’m agile," Luke pressed, pinning Kant with a pleading look. "I’ve danced consistently for years, so I can handle rigorous training. I’m a quick learner too!"

Kant shook his head and set his can down. "You don’t know what you’re trying to get into."

"I have a good idea," Luke murmured, lowering his voice. "After you told me about the Bears, I did some poking around. I know you guys do illegal stuff."

Kant’s jaw tightened. He glanced around the convenience store patio to make sure no one was eavesdropping, then leaned forward slightly. "Then you know enough not to get involved. This isn’t some backup plan for when life doesn’t work out."

Luke crossed his arms, leaning in closer as well. "I don’t have many options left, okay? I’m broke, homeless, and at rock bottom. What else am I supposed to do?"

"Anything but this," Kant shot back. His tone sharpened. "This thing isn’t a joke. You don’t just sign up, do a little training, then quit if you don’t like it. Once you’re in, there’s no way out."