The Coward

"You can't just leave!" Vincent raged at the man before him. "I brought you in, if you desert they will kill us both."

Voice full of fear, Mitchell answered. "I must. I'm no assassin. Killing drug addicts and child abusers was one thing, but the stakes are too high. I need out now, before I'm killed by one of my own marks."

Vincent lost his temper and backhanded the man. "Fool! Six months ago you were eager to move up from contract killings to the big leagues, eager to climb the assassin's ladder. I put my reputation on the line for you. You will not be the end of me!"

Vincent screamed at the coward, "I will kill you myself!" He punctuated each of his words with a blow to Mitchell's body. The final punch sent Mitchell to the floor in a bloodied heap.

Vincent stood over the man, anger flooded through him and he drove his foot into his opponent's stomach. The instant his kick hit home Vincent felt cold fear course through his body.

With fluid grace Mitchell rolled into Vincent's kick, pulling the foot and toppling his attacker. As Vincent crashed to the floor Mitchell continued his roll, relieving Vincent of the switchblade concealed in his ankle holster along the way. Mitchell finished his roll, and sank Vincent's own blade into his chest.

With no trace of fear Mitchell pulled himself off the dying man. Vincent coughed, then spoke "You haven't changed a bit."

Mitchell smiled. "You're right," he said, "not a bit. I still want to climb the ladder. It's a shame that you were the next rung up, I admire your work. And I apologize for using the knife, it would have been much cleaner if you had allowed me to come armed."