Post by Damaged Goods on Mar 27, 2011 20:12:50 GMT -5
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A flock of seagulls fly in unison over a set of poplar trees.
Below, a gathering of men pump their fists, all their eyes focused on the pit of sand just below them. Various shades of blues and reds mix into a sea of hues as the men scream barbaric chants of victory. A concrete border separates the growing testosterone from the action center stage. As the clear blues skies of Brazil offer a hint of freedom un-found anywhere else on the globe, two men battle for very different reasons amongst the stirred dust and debris, just inside the pit.
With fingers lashing out, each man puts on a show for the many around them as if they were trained gladiators. The larger of the two falls backwards, but only for a moment, until he can find his sure footing once more. He then lunges a tightly packed fist out at his opponent, hitting the mark just right and drawing first blood. Instantly, there are chants of victory as the dark red plasma hit’s the dirt below, the receiver stumbling into a barrel roll due to the impact of the strike. Rising back to his feet, he vows to return the attack in kind. Big money is at stake here tonight.
Off to the side, just a bit to the left, a man watches the action through a set of binoculars. He lowers them slightly, exposing a set of dark green eyes. With a casual gesture, he then glances down at his wrist watch, a circa 2010 Rolex. The time.. is 2:00 PM. The winds blow softly against his white silk shirt, slightly unbuttoned around the neck region. Satisfied with the time, he raises the binoculars once more, focusing on a different particular set of men.
Looking down hungrily into the pit, the man whom the binoculars focuses upon tosses what looks to be money into the fray below him. A splatter of blood hits his blazer, bringing a large smile to his face. The Binoculars are adjusted one more time now, focusing on a badge that rests upon the now blood splattered blazer. A name could be clearly made out. It reads..
“Antonio Barrett.” speaks the binocular holding man. “Right on schedule.”
Raising the binoculars one more time, he focuses this time on the people around his target. Men concealing hand guns and automatic weapons secure the area. Satisfied, he lowers the binoculars for the final time, only to tap a small transceiver cleverly hidden inside of his inner ear. “Calvin.. This is Croft. Barrett is right in front of me. Are you in position?”
A short static crackle is the response before a human voice could be made out clearly. “I am on him, Devin. I have a clear shot at him. If I don’t take it now, we may never have another chance.”
“Don’t risk it.” answers the man now known as Devin Croft. “We are doing this as planned. Besides, Barrett is surrounded by quite a bit of bloody fire power. You would be a sitting duck.”
Staring ahead, Devin watches as Antonio Barrett strokes his thick beard. Raising a small glass of tequila to his lips, Antonio Barrett takes a quick swig before handing it to a nearby bodyguard. In the pit, the fighters continue to slug it out, until one man finally falls to a fatal strike. The crowd around the pit begins to scream a blood thirsty cry, excited by the carnage.
“I am going to take my shot, Devin.” comes the voice through the intercom once more.
“Don’t do it! You will blow this whole mission if you-”
“Sorry, Devin.” interrupts the voice. “I have to go with my gut on this one.”
Bursting through a nearby refreshment stand, an armed man dressed in black begins to let off shot after shot from his Walter P38 handgun. The many people in attendance instantly break into a state of chaos as they scurry in different directions, making any sight of Antonio Barrett impossible. Men reveal firearms of all types, as they return fire instinctively.
“Damn it, Calvin!” shouts Devin as he sprints from his position. Sliding his hand into his back, he pulls out a handgun, popping off perfectly aimed shots at various gun man around him. In the middle of the pack, Antonio Barrett glances up from behind a large Brazilian man, driving a thick blade into the side of his human shield’s neck. Both Devin Croft and Antonio Barrett then lock eyes for a moment… and the game begins.
“CROFT!” shouts Barrett to his men. “He is here! The son of a bitch has found me again! Cover me!”
Seeing his target run away through a hole in a fence close by, Devin Croft forgets about the violence around him, breaking into a full sprint instantly. Doing his best to keep his hand steady, he aims his gun in Barrett’s direction, only to have his firearm smacked out of his hand by a very large bodyguard. Croft then ducks under the next strike instinctively, not even breaking his stride. Grabbing his assailant by the collar, Croft then Judo flips his opponent over his shoulder and into the pit below!
Gun shots continue to be heard from behind as Croft heads through the same hole in the fence that his prey had moments prior. Glancing up, Croft then readjusts the hair that has fallen out of place, just in time to have a few more shots fired in his direction. Croft then ducks behind a large wooden crate, hiding behind a pile of lumber, safe out of harm’s way.
“You will never catch me, Croft!” shouts Antonio Barrett, aiming a semi automatic pistol in his direction. “You special agents are so damn predictable. How many have I taken out now, hmm? I think you will be my 6th! Let’s get this over with, shall we?”
Walking slowly with his gun raised, Barrett stalks Croft as he continues to taunt him. “You know, this has been going on now for almost five years. That makes you my longest relationship I have ever had in my life. Don’t you feel special?”
“Of course I do, Mate.” answers Croft now as he glances up at a nearby overhanging crane structure. Searching out the rest of the machine, he plans out his next move as he continues to speak. “Now be a good little boy and put down the gun before you hurt yourself.”
“Very funny, Croft.” answers Barrett with a hard laugh. “It’s just too bad that we have be on opposite sides, yes? We would be quite the team.”
Crawling on his hands and knees, Devin Croft gets a better vantage point as he stares up at the slowly swinging metal crane above them.
“Time to die, Croft.” speaks Barrett now, as he fires off a full clip of ammo randomly around the area. Debris and wood chippings float through the air from the bullets blasting through them. Realizing that he was running out of time, Devin Croft makes a break for it, heading towards the crane controls! Barrett turns to fire at him, only to come up empty. “SHIT!”
Sliding into the driver’s seat, Croft slams his hand down hard upon a large red button, releasing the contents of the crane. They come crashing down hard just to the side of Antonio Barrett. Glancing over to the seemingly missed strike, Barrett laughs. “You need to work on your aim, Croft.”
“Not exactly.” is the answer, as an avalanche of metal pipes tumble in Barrett’s direction! Dropping his gun, Barrett dives just out of the way, landing in a small mud puddle. He plants his hands down hard, rising up out of the fluid only to have Croft come down hard upon his back with a stiff knee! Both men struggle now as they roll about in the mud. Fists are unleashed randomly, striking their targets hard each time.
Kicking up to his feet, Antonio Barrett swings a hard open handed chop into the chest of Devin Croft, sending the man stumbling backwards. Going for the kill, Barrett then drives his knuckles forward, coming up only with air! Croft reacts instinctively, driving his forehead into the other forehead before him! He does it repeatedly, driving Barrett down to the earth once more. After a few follow up punches.. Barrett’s arms fall limply to his sides. Croft takes a deep breath before speaking into the receiver in his ear. “Got him. Head on down here and take this.. Loser away.”
“Devin.. You.. Get.. Him?!!”
Glancing up at the voice before him, Devin stares ahead as his partner “Calvin” enters the area. Calvin is breathing hard as he doubles over and rests his hands upon his knees. “You.. Are.. Too.. Good.”
“Calvin, perhaps now is not the time.” answers Croft. “Go get back up! There are still more of his men out there!”
“What? No, man.. We got them all.”
Looking up through swollen eyes, Antonio Barrett smiles as his hand finally reaches the pistol that laid just out of his reach. Grabbing it, he then aims it up into Croft’s chin, firing it instantly! Croft rolls out of the way just in time, letting the bullet fly into the air harmlessly.. Or maybe not. Ricocheting off of the crane from earlier, the bullet heads to some unknown place. The crane begins to sway back and forth, only to break off from it’s hinge and fall upon Calvin, sending the exhausted man face first into the dirt. Devin Croft can only watch on in horror, as his partner is pinned from under a thick metal machine.
Rising to his feet, Antonio Barrett smiles as he wipes the blood from his lips. He pulls the trigger once more in Croft’s direction, finding out he now has an empty gun for the second time today. Flinging it off to the side, he then sprints out of the area, but not before shouting “THAT MAKES SIX, CROFT!”
Rushing over to his partner’s side, Croft tries to lift the machine off of him but finds it too heavy to budge. He is forced to look on as his best friend.. And partner.. Slowly closes his eyes for the last time. Pounding his hand into the dirt, Croft begins to openly weep as his tears leave streaks upon his dirt stained cheeks. In the distance.. Sirens are heard.
“It‘s never too late to die.”
By Devin Croft
5 Years later. London, England.
“Devin.. Wake up.”
“Devin, baby? Your phone is ringing.”
Dark red silk blankets are pulled back, revealing a woman’s nude body frame. Her large breasts resting to the side, she runs her thin finger along the chest structure of Devin Croft. With a smile, she gently brushes her full lips against his abdominal muscles as she slowly slides lower..
Snapping awake now, Devin Croft’s eyes roll back as he enjoys his morning “wake up”. With one arm darting out to the side, he fumbles a bit as his fingers search out for the phone that has been ringing constantly all morning. With his well built chest heaving, Croft takes a deep breath before speaking into the receiver. “Devin Croft.. here.”
“Hello, Devin. This is the agency. I realize that you are on a bit of a vacation and are probably sleeping right now.”
“Sleeping?” answers Croft. “Not really. How may I help you?”
Sounds of lips slurping could be made out from below as the voice on the phone continues to speak. “You are being called in for an emergency mission. We have received word that a former target of yours has resurfaced once again. Antonio Barrett has left a paper trail leading him to America. You will find out more information upon reporting into to Interpol. That is.. If you do not mind ending your vacation early.”
Glancing down a moment, Devin winks at his female friend before answering. “I will be right there. Give me.. 2 hours?”
“Roger that, Devin.” continues the voice once more. “It’s good to hear from you again. I knew that if we kept out eyes and ears open, Barrett would resurface sooner or later. I can’t imagine how you must feel right now. Well, I will see you soon. I apologize for the morning wake up call. Being woken up out of a deep sleep sucks.”
“Sucks you say?” laughs Croft. “That is exactly how I would have described it myself as well.”
Hanging up the phone, Devin leans back once more upon the pillow. The blankets continue to stir below as his female friend pleasures him. Half paying attention to the treatment, Devin squeezes his eyes tightly. A new chapter in his career.. was about to begin.
