[ WP ] An assassin receives an unusual contract : a man on death row already slated for execution .

`` Why do you want me to do this? He's already going to be killed, and soon.'' 
 
 `` It is n't about the death; It's about the message. People have to know that their actions have consequences.'' 
 Something about the way that he said that last statement sent chills down my spine. 
 
 `` Ok. I'll accept the contract.'' 
 
 I started doing my research. He was a sick fuck, that was for sure. A few years back some girls went missing, 5 and 8 years old. Weeks later they were found, starting to decompose, under his front porch. I vaguely remember him being caught on the news, and I have to say that he did n't seem surprised, or remorseful. Just... resigned. 
 
 He had been some sort of bigwig banker, working for Bank of America or one of those institutions that crashed the economy a few years back. Quite the pillar of society, who donated to charity, fed the homeless ( that he put there ) so on and so forth, which is why it was confusing when they found those girls. Obviously abused, it was like something you would expect from a cult. While my business model hinges on some level of anonymity, I felt safe in assuming that my client was a relative of the deceased, someone who had only just been able to save up money for my admittedly large compensation. What can I say, they pay for the best. 
 
 A few weeks later, I was talking to the warden of the supermax prison where he was located. The warden was looking at some pictures from the manila folder I had brought with me. He was as pale as a ghost. 
 
 `` But why him?'' He nervously asked. 
 
 `` That is none of your concern,'' I replied `` The people that pay me want me to see him. And those pictures should guarantee me access to him, right?'' I asked leading the warden, who did n't seem too bright, to the right conclusion. 
 
 `` These are fakes,'' he said, pleadingly. `` You ca n't even prove it's me!'' 
 
 `` You and I both know they are n't fake, and I have more in my possession. Just give me what I want, and you will get the negatives.'' I was lying of course. I did n't know if I would need it, but the leverage offered by those pictures was just too valuable to give away. There is no honor for people like me. 
 
 The warden looked deflated, but I could see a glimpse of relief in his rat-like face `` Ok, you can have access to him, but I want one of my men to be in the room.'' 
 
 `` This guy ca n't be fucking serious!'' I thought to myself, and then out loud `` You are n't in any position to be giving out orders, do n't you think?'' My voice was laced with incredulity, but I was n't all that surprised- this was a man who was used to being the king of his own little kingdom here. `` I want access to the prisoner, and I do n't want anybody to see me. If I do n't get what I want, then those pictures will be released. Anonymous seems to be all the rage these days. What do you think CNN will say when `` Anonymous'' hacked these from your personal computer'' 
 
 `` But You can't-'' 
 
 `` Why not?'' He was starting to annoy me at this point `` I can do what the fuck I want, and there is n't shit you can do to stop me. How do you think you would fare inside of these walls with these men?'' 
 
 He looked scare at this proposition. `` Ok. When?'' 
 
 I stood up `` I'll see you next Tuesday. 10 pm. Make it happen.'' I walked out without hearing the confirmation. 
 
 The next Tuesday The warden was letting me into the cell. `` Be back here in 20 minutes. Any funny business and those pictures are getting released by anonymous.'' The warden nodded quickly, fearfully, and left. 
 
 I looked at the figure on his cot. Startled by the cell door, he was observing me sleepily, almost calmly. `` I thought they would send someone. I've made that exact call before.'' He knew? I ignored him, and started moving towards him, pulling out my silenced 22- it would send more of a message than a knife, but was quiet enough for me to not have to worry about anybody noticing. Well, the only people who would hear me were already dead men, and people tend not to listen to what dead men have to say. 
 
 `` We knew exactly what we were doing. Marcus, is n't it?'' He knew my name? He must have seen the shock on my face in the dim light, because he continued. `` Oh yes, I know who you are. We have a file on you. Military trained, you became a contract killer after you left the service. It's a story so old, it's almost cliché. Did you get in by blackmailing the warden? Hell, those pictures probably came from the company's private investigator. I hired Tommy myself. `` 
 I had my own P.I., completely trustworthy, but I did n't ask him where he got his information from. 
 
 `` You ca n't talk your way out of this. My client wants to send a message, and you are the subject.'' 
 
 `` You do n't think I know that? But what do you think happens after this? Your pay is going to be at the drop, but what about Jackie? When was the last time that you talked to her, knew she was safe?'' 
 
 I froze. I used a fake name, and had severed ties with my old life. How could he know? 
 
 `` You always were sentimental towards her, were n't you? Even after she went and got married. You even have a picture of her in your wallet, do n't you? You do n't know it yet, but they control you now. Do you want to know why they are killing me?'' 
 
 I was still in shock, I let him keep talking. 
 
 `` See, this is bigger than you or I. Bigger than the government. The old banking families have been controlling the world since the Renaissance. I was getting paid a lot of money to keep it that way, but then I made a mistake. I started to see those without as important. My life was saved by a nobody. I found out that this nobody was losing everything he owned because of what we were doing. I tried changing things. First I paid for his house. $ 250,000 really is n't much money. Not for me. Then I tried to do it on a bigger level. They caught me trying to walk off site with the records- the real ones, not the ones that the government is privy to. They fired me, and I thought that was that. Until the police got an anonymous tip, and found those girls. I am not trying to claim innocence- My crimes ruined lives. But not those ones. I could never take such sweet innocence from the world, but the evidence was undeniable. I am not walking away from here, but maybe you can. Walk away, get Jackie, and go to South America. Get a tan and drink beer with an ocean view for the rest of your life. Salvation still exists for you. Just take it.'' 
 
 `` I've heard enough'' I took the 3 steps across the small cell and shot him 3 times in the chest. As the life was fading from his eyes I saw that resignation again, and something else. Was it sadness? Remorse? No, I realized, it was pity. 
 
 The warden walked me out of the prison, and I got into my rented car, driving off as I assured him that the negatives would be delivered to him soon. The fool believed me. 
 
 2 weeks I got the letter, hand delivered by courier. The letter that changed every thing. It just said `` Thank you'' along with $ 25000. I was satisfied with the payment. As I sat down the envelope, something fell out. A polaroid. With dawning horror I realized it was her. Her beautiful eyes, always filled with such life, were empty. 3 holes were in her chest. I started to tell myself that I would avenge her; That I would kill every goddamn person who had anything to do with it, and then I heard the sirens outside. 
 
 
 Any input would be appreciated. This is the first time that I am writing anything that is n't an essay or something for school, so I'm sure there are a lot of flaws.
