Puzzle

Every move, object, person, intention is part of a hilarious puzzle. Slightest decisions can affect the whole game. Winning will always be the best option and getting stuck in it, is your worse. But life doesn't come with a handy recipe to follow. For starters it's either you get the wrong move and realize how to make it work in your advantage. Power ups are hardly recognized, life itself is untrusting.

Nobody can be certain about their own death, can they? If you're so inclined to live,might as well be prepared to die, hurt and survive. Not all people are born in the comfort of a cozy life and a filthy fortune.

Moving against the tide of nature, kill people and live on her own is the path Ace chose to live. In it she feels the purpose, an entity lurking in the shadows. Not fond of the light cause all it does is blind people, and it's a disgusting thought for her.

***

Chasing after a moving target. She could feel the ripples of rain water as each step hits the ground. It's as if they're silent witnesses, turning a blind eye on this.

At full speed she leaped over a busted car, her right leg plunged in as the frail windshield broke into pieces. Pulling it out caused an injury, it cut through her flesh and led to an open wound. Feeling a throbbing pain on her right thigh, but the thought of getting a new pair of jeans annoyed her worse. Besides that was one of  her  favorites.

The cut was nearly at the end of the front pockets. Looking rugged is one of her go to style but that kind of rip doesn’t feel right at all. It’s a crappy job it she let her stay that way. Besides it will only get in her way while running. Might as well make it even. Even though she hates the idea of her doing it but what choice does she have?

"You'll rue the day you ripped this."  While ranting Ace pulls out a handkerchief from her right pocket. Then used it to cover her left hand before picking up  a shard and totally shed off the bitching pants. "Now it's time to get EVEN."  She meant the last word as a declaration not just a warning.

***

Not bad, with those shorts  she could double her pace. Sprinting didn’t even make her break a sweat. The results one can get for a daily intense training. Which she doesn’t fail to do so religiously. Resuming speed  she had caught up with her prey.

"No one has fall victim to me, that lived after the casualty."

She hid near the secluded edge of a building.

Just as I suspected, he's protecting a mob man.

Firing right on the door bell, as he was about to ring it, alarmed the man suddenly twisted the knob and went in for cover.

"I guess running is your specialty, how about I show you mine?"

She whispered through the door , she knows he's listening anyway.  "Here's a memento from me. See you there. Don't be late okay?"  Dropping the silver bullet in the mailbox called the shots.

It means war in her language.

***

Climbing the steel trusted stairs, was a total pain. Even her daily exercise routine couldn’t prepare her for a four-story climb. The steps seemed like an endless course ahead. She is still on the second floor and when she looked up it felt more tiring to move forward. If only she didn’t cut her pants and hurt her damn leg earlier, the stairs would be one less thing to worry about. Besides she loves her daily dose of cardio exercise. But with steep footing that makes it another mountain to climb.

Curse that damn elevator!

Ace shook off the memory and went back to reality, assembling her newest baby. 

DRAG - Dragunov SVDK  large-caliber sniper rifle. 

"Who needs 10 rounds anyways?  One bullet is enough to end a petty fly, " she grins at the thought.

Soaked up in a heavy rain, she took a quick warm shower earlier after the elevator broke down and she had to go up to that specific unit using the stairs. Changing into her cozy clothes. That  meant an oversized black shirt partnered with a white lace panty. Finally for the most badass look ever--- auburn hair tied into a messy bun.

Oh yeah baby! Overkill! 

"Right, that's it move closer to your death spot. "  Steadying her breath, she peeked through the scope leaning both elbows on a cushioning bed, headset on while getting dreamy listening to Fall Out Boy's ' Immortals'.

Aiming for the window across the building. Ready to pull the trigger any moment now. Just a little more. The music stopped.

"Ugh! what now Ed?" 

She knows he’s the only one who calls on a bad timing. Always ruining the mood in her. 

(ROLL OVER)

"What do you think of me, a dog?"

(ROLL OVER)

"Tch! fine," she  tossed over, "what are you so fussed about?" The painting hanging on the wall suddenly fell. Ace grabbed DRAG and move over to the bed's headboard.

(That! is what I'm so fussed about.)

"A newbie sniper, tsk are you mocking me?"

(No I'm not mocking you, I was just babysitting your ass to a kill. You could have been that painting Ace.)

"Whatever! I need to redeem my ass, so if you'll excuse me?" As guns have recoil she'll have her sweet revenge.  "Drag baby,don't fail mommy okay?"

Ace can't rest easy now. Right at the window, peeking through the scope she gently pulled the trigger.

It's as if everything slowed down and turn into a halt, except for the bullet silently piercing through the rain as it dramatically swirls across the distance. As it neared the other window, all of a sudden the rain felt sadder. In a fast paced motion the bullet hit his head. The poor man's lifeless body hit the cushion-like bed too on the other side of the building adjascent to that unit. His blood smeared the immaculately white sheets.

"Too bad that bastard was left unscathed. Anyway mommy's still proud of you Drag."

She kissed and hugged her sniper then slumped back in bed. The door flung wide open and it revealed Ed and Quinn. Leaning on both sides of the door with smug faces.

“What do we do? you passed." Ed wiggling his brows at her, as if asking for a movie date. Makes her want to puke though.

"Yeah, so a kiss would be best to reward you," Quinn confidently added, making her like the idea.

 "Kiss my ass you dorks,”  Ace smirked then hid under the bed sheets. As she guessed, both jumped in bed and started a tickle fight. 

Probably all the bitches who's head over heels inlove with these sons of a gun, will be dead jealous if they found out. I like the thought though.

They went that way for the next  five minutes, acting like kids even though they are full grown adults now. Ace surrendered first coming out of the sheets. Her messy bun already disheveled this time. Glaring at  both her brothers. While both raised  their hands in surrender while shrugging their shoulders.

She crosses her arms while putting up a poker face. “I never thought that I still have to prove myself this late in the game,” her tone sounded sulky.

Both Quinn and Ed just exchanged glances which annoyed her even more. Left with no choice but to use violence in order to make them talk. That’s always been there code to get information. Besides it is a family tradition.

Ace crouches that even earn smirks from both brothers. Because they thought she was just bluffing. When she looked up and met their eyes they felt their bodies move in defensive positions automatically.She lands a straight punch towards Quinn’s face which he stopped mid-way by holding on to her left knuckle. She immediately takes it back. 

Next she flips her body upward and landed her right  feet on Ed’s left shoulder. Which he shields with his right arm too. Then pushes her leg away from his face.

“Are you sure you can take both of us?” Quinn downtalking her. “Scratch that, I mean can you take me on? If it’s Ed I know you’d knock him down without breaking a sweat.” He sounded confident enough and even yawns while crossing his legs and leaning back.

Hearing that Ed’s brows furrowed. “I’m not the lanky boy you left anymore.”

“Really lil’ bro? Then how come you were beat up by my boys not so long ago?”

They were preoccupied bantering that they didn’t saw Ace doing a summer salt in bed. Though they felt the bounce. But they thought it was something trivial. When they came to their senses it was too late. Both of Ace’s knees already landed on their chests as they lie in bed, heads hanging on the edge of it.

“You were saying? How pathetic boys are,” she smirks while crossing her arms looking down on them. 

Letting them simmer in their defeat. Then she went off them. While the two stared at each other realizing the last statement. “Boys?” They said in unison.

“Yes boys because you never grew up one bit. Your bodies and dicks did but your brains have rot. Diversion is one of the key points to face any enemy. You clearly forgot that by underestimating me since I’m outnumbered.” 

She takes off her shirt because she’s already covered in sweat again. She hates that sticky feel on her skin. Then marches on to the bathroom.

 “I can’t become an assasin if I am easily killed on the job right? Whatever bets you have...all of it are mine.” She looks over her shoulder before entering the bath, “that’s not a request boys,” then she went in.

With that both of them gulped with downcasted faces. They are fully aware what she’s capable and they’d rather save themselves from having another trouble. Besides she hates losing to anything and to anyone. She’s a sore loser after all but she can’t be confronted about it unless they have a death wish.