Jack Howard: Teenage Assassin

Chapter 1 - The Suspicion Starts

Pictures of Joe on the side -->

"Hey. You wanted to see me?" I flopped down in the ripped, black leather chair that sat in front of my boss' desk. He was standing up, his hand covering a piece of paper, a photo maybe

, as I could see the corner poking out.

"Yeah." He ran his free hand through his shaggy black hair and sighed. "Good job on your last murder. It was clean and quick. Just how we like it. Kid, if you keep it up like this, you could go to an international assassin level."

"That's the aim." I shrugged, my face completely blank. We had a whole network here, unknown to the Government. Of course, if they found out we'd all be put in prison, and Juvie is not a place I want to go back to. Once is enough. I'm the best underage assassin in the continent. Possibly the world. 18 is the age when you can legally (I say legally, but none of this is legal. Murdering people for money? Nothing suspicious about that... Huh.) work throughout the world, you get shipped to different countries for different jobs. I've only worked in my city, but my killings have been so quick after the initial request has been put in, I'm getting bored of this little place. And Joe can see that. Joe coughed and slid the picture towards me.

"Anyway, this is the newest request that's been put in." His voice wavered slightly and I narrowed my eyes at him. Usually he was good at keeping a pokerface but I could see his left eye twitching. He stared right back at me, shifting on his feet.

"What?" He demanded.

"Whatever." I said dismissively and reached over, slipping the paper off the desk. I eyed the picture carefully. It was of a boy, about my age, I'd say. He had long, brown hair that pretty much covered his whole face.

"Does he even have a forehead?" I smirked and Joe looked at me weirdly. "It... It was a joke..? Never mind." I sighed.

"Yeah, don't try humour again, Kid. Doesn't suit you." He shook his head and sat in his chair, the leather squeaking. I just rolled my eyes. He ignored me and clunked his booted feet up on the wooden desk, which trembled under the weight. I went back to looking at the photo, studying it carefully. His eyes were dark brown, chocolates brown. He was quite a good-looking guy.

"How tall?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the picture.

"I don't know, how should I know?!" There was a hint of panic in Joe's voice, something I'd never heard before.

"Woah. Dude. Calm down." I held my hands up in a surrendering motion and he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Sorry, Kid, I'm just a bit... On edge." He kept his eyes closed, letting his head loll forward on to his chest. I decided it was best not to question him. It must be difficult for him, you know, portraying emotion. The heartless freaking robot.

"Any more information?" I looked up, placing the picture in my lap.

"On the desk." He mumbled and leaned over, grabbing the other piece of paper. It was an address.

Logan Secondary School

St Alberts Road

Lincoln

5XOW R42

"But... But Lincoln's 3 hours away!" I protested, standing up. Joe's eyes snapped open, swinging his legs off the table he got to his feet.

"Well you're going there." He hissed, harshly slapping me around the face with the back of his hand. My I stumbled backwards, clutching my stinging cheek.

"And don't come back till that kid's long dead. Now GET OUT." He bellowed and I shot him evils and clutched tightly on to the pieces of paper, swiftly exiting Joe's dark office. I passed Craig on the stairs, trying to ignore the bubbling feeling inside me. Damn superstitions. I threw my dorm room door open and flopped down on to my bed, face down.