[Ashford,verden-5:50 p.m.]
As the sun set over Ashford, the city's rough edges softened in the warm, golden light. Located in southern Europe along the Mediterranean Sea, in a small country called Verden, Ashford was a city with a reputation. Crime. Gangs. It ranked among the top three most dangerous cities in Verden.
In the crowded market, Aaron stood out. He wore a black hoodie and carried a black briefcase filled with drugs. He navigated through the crowd and slipped into a quiet alleyway. Ashford's alleys were cold, dark, and alive. Every corner had eyes, every shadow had teeth, and the gangs ruled streets the police couldn't touch.
Aaron walked until he reached an old, abandoned building. The walls were cracked, the windows broken. He stood before the entrance, heart pounding. The doorway loomed like a gaping mouth, dark and menacing. He stepped inside and made his way to the inner room, where two tattooed men guarded the entrance. As soon as they saw him, they opened the door.
6:05 p.m.
Inside, he met his boss, Zeus Augustine...also known as Black I. He wore a white shirt with black trousers, silver chains around his neck, and a matching ring on his left hand. Black I had earned his nickname after losing his left eye in a gang fight five years ago. He wore a black eye patch to cover the scar. Despite his slender build, Black I was one of the most feared gangsters in Verden. He killed without mercy. Cross him, and he'd wipe out everything you held dear...family, friends, reputation. Nothing left but ash.
Aaron approached Black I and handed him the briefcase. He stood beside him, waiting for the customers to arrive. After a few minutes, the door opened. Three heavily built men entered, one carrying a bag filled with money.
"Finally. Let's get this over with," Black I said, opening the briefcase. The other men did the same. They exchanged goods after careful examination. Black I handed the bag to Aaron and turned to leave.
Before he could, the three men pulled out guns, pointing them at Black I and Aaron.
Aaron drew his weapon, aiming at the three men.
"What a childish move," Black I said, his voice dripping with mockery. "I didn't expect you to stoop this low." He turned to Aaron. "I'm really not in the mood for this, Aaron..."
He swallowed the rest when he saw Aaron's gun pointed at his head.
Shock flashed across Black I's face. His eyes widened. His jaw dropped.
"Aaron, what the...?"
Aaron smirked. "Even loyal dogs bite, Black I. You should have remembered that."
The three men exchanged grins, clearly amused. Black I stood frozen, his mind struggling to process the betrayal.
In desperation, Black I coughed twice...a signal to the guards outside.
The door burst open. The two guards rushed in, but the three men didn't hesitate. They shot both guards dead before they could even raise their weapons.
Aaron turned his attention back to Black I, eyes cold and calculating.
"Don't forget me when you reach hell," Aaron said, voice detached.
He pulled the trigger. The bullet struck Black I in the forehead. His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless eyes staring up at Aaron, who stood over him, gun still smoking.
The three men grabbed the briefcase and the bag. One of them opened it, pulled out eight stacks of cash, and handed them to Aaron.
"This is the payment we agreed on," the man said. "You've done your job. We'll go our separate ways. We'll call you when we need your services again."
They pocketed their guns, closed the bags, and turned toward the door.
Aaron waited. Watched.
Just before they reached the exit, he raised his gun and fired. Three shots. Three bodies.
Two fell instantly, bullets through their skulls. The third was hit in the chest. He gasped, clutching the wound, blood pooling beneath him.
Aaron walked toward him, gun still smoking.
"You really thought I'd kill for you for eight stacks?" His voice was cold, but a smirk still played at his lips.
Without waiting another second, he pulled the trigger. The bullet went straight through the man's skull.
Aaron looked at the bodies scattered around him. His gaze settled on Black I.
He'd wanted to do this for a long time.
"In your next life," Aaron said, voice low and menacing, "avoid the Smiths."
With that, he walked out of the building, briefcase in one hand, bag of cash in the other.