Part Two of My Life; Living.

Isaiah 1:5

Why do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel forever? Your head is injured, and your heart is sick.

'Bang!' 'Bang!' suara timah panas yang keluar dari mulut pistolku menggema di lorongku berlari. Yap, aku dikejar oleh bodyguard milik Blackriver. Untungnya, aku memiliki beberapa pasang mata dan tubuh sekarang.

"Do it now!" kataku berteriak di earpiece telingaku. "Got it, boss." Balas sebuah suara berat dengan putus-putus. "Oi, you wanker! Come back here!" kata beberapa bodyguard di belakangku, diiringi suara hentakan kaki mereka yang banyak.

"Shoot him! Shoot him now!" Holy shit. 'Bang!' "What the fuck?!" 'Bang!' 'Bang!' 'Bang!' "Where did they come from?" "Sniper! Sniper! Up on the roof—" 'Bang!' Fyuh. "Terimakasih, Judas. I owe you one." Kataku berbicara lagi, sambil mendekatkan earpiece ke mulutku.

"Anytime, boss." Aku tersenyum, sambil duduk di ujung lorong.

Aku menatap mayat-mayat bodyguard yang terserak di tanah. Darah mereka berwarna merah muda, bercampur dengan banyak timbunan salju di sekitar lorong ini. Hari sudah mulai gelap, dan aku tak juga menemukan Blackriver. I guess it's time to go back. Mission failed.

"William." Ah. Suara yang tak pernah kutunggu-tunggu. "James." Balasku. "How did it go?" lanjutnya lagi. "Well..." kataku dengan sedikit jeda, "He got away." Reverend James tidak membalas.

"Well, you still got time." Kata James. Oh. Aku kira dia marah. You can never expect this guy. He has only one emotion his whole life. "Where is he now?!" kataku berteriak ke earpiece.

"Ireland Avenue. Bergegaslah."

"Did you hear that, team?" kataku berteriak lagi di earpiece sembari berlari ke ujung jalan. "Ireland Avenue, everyone! Go, go, go!" teriakku nyaring sambil membuka pintu mobil sport hitam. "Copy that, boss." 'Vrooom!' suara mesin menggelegar, memecah kesunyian di lorong tak berpenghuni ini.

Aku memegang setir dengan sangat erat. Mobil ini sangat, sangat cepat. Semenjak beberapa bulan terakhir, I've been pulling strings and making connections, getting me closer to Blackriver. And since I've joined Christ Assassin Service, things have been going quite well.

No longer a lone wolf now.

'Vrooooom!' suara mobil ini bergerak cepat melintasi jalanan North Suisse.

"Apakah kamu menuju Ireland Avenue, William?" telpon James melalui earpieceku. "Tentu saja, James. Are you kidding me? I'm not gonna let him get past me, not so easily this time." Kataku menggebu-gebu sambil menginjak pedal gas lebih dalam.

"Berhati-hatilah. Dia adalah orang yang sangat-sangat penting, berbeda dengan banyak targetmu sebelumnya." Kata James pelan dan pasti. "Yeah. But I've managed to kill them all." Kataku sedikit tersenyum. "I guess you were right. You are exceptionally good at this. But still," kata Reverend James sambil mengambil jeda, "Be very careful." Katanya cepat, lalu memutus telepon.

Thanks for the pep talk. Now for real business.

'Vrooom!' 'Screeechhh!!' Suara rem berdecit keras, berhenti tepat di depan Hotel Elephante, yang berada tepat di jantung kota Ireland Avenue.

Aku menghela napas. "Dimana kalian?" kataku berbisik di earpiece, diiringi deru mesin yang perlahan-lahan memudar. "Arah jam 9 dari mobilmu, boss." Kata suara yang sedikit muffled from a scarf. Suara Judas. Selang sedetik, terdengar bunyi kokang sniper rifle miliknya.

"Copy that. Keep an eye on the top floor, Judas." "Got it, boss." Aku mengambil pistol yang diberikan James dan menaruhnya di sela baju belakang. "Simon?" "Aku di gang seberang, boss." Simon adalah spotter handal. Bermodalkan revolver, Simon bisa mengendus kehadiran orang-orang yang menginginkan kami mati dari beberapa mil jauhnya. The one and only Bubble Boy of the Wall Street of Dark Service.

"Simon, pindahlah ke apartemen usang di kirimu. Amati lebih dalam pergerakan di lobby hotel ini." Kataku melirik ke arah James. "Loud and clear, boss."

"Last one, Saul. Where are you?"

"I'm right behind this—whatever this hotel is called, boss."

"Are you positive?"

"Yeah, boss. I'm not a bat. I ain't blind as a bloody one, either."

"Alright Saul," kataku bernapas sebentar, "Keep a close eye on the back exit. Jump them if you can. Plant a grenade on every exit when I told you so." Kataku berbicara ke earpiece. Hening. Kenapa bajingan ini tidak berbicara? "But why, boss?" I should fucking knew it. This bastard is anything but a lazy potato.

"Just fucking do it, Saul." Kataku dengan sedikit geram, lalu membuka pintu mobil.

"Valet, sir?" ujar seseorang yang tiba-tiba ada di sebelahku. "Holy!—" sampai kaget aku dibuatku. "I am so sorry that I startled you, sir." "No, don't be. It was my fault." Kataku memegangi dada dan mengambil napas.

"Apa aku bisa parkir VIP? Di depan front gate ini?"

"Bisa, tuan."

Great. That settles it. "How much?" "A hundred dollars, sir." Bedebah. Mahal sekali. Tapi parkir di basement tanpa getaway driver hanya akan membuatku menjadi sasaran empuk. Or I can murder this valet boy right here, right now. No, that seems wrong.

"Sir?" "Oh, oh yeah—here's, here is the money." Kataku mengambil dompet dari celanaku, panik. Aku mengambil seratus dolar dan menyerahkannya kepada valet. "Here you go." "Thank you sir," kata valet itu sambil tersenyum, "Do I keep the keys of your car? Or would you like to keep it yourself?" lanjutnya, masih tersenyum. "Kusimpan sendiri saja, terimakasih." Something tells me that this valet boy is somehow a part of Blackriver guards. Am I being paranoid? "You're welcome, sir. Please enjoy your stay." Hm. Kenapa dia ramah sekali?

Now to get in. Front office? Yeah, if I want a fast life. I need to go to the back, but doing it now will only raises suspicion. Guess I have no choice. Front office, it is then. Kakiku melangkah masuk, sambil melihat kesana-sini seperti orang yang kehilangan anjingnya. Let's justify that means. Let's just say I am looking for a dog named Blackriver.

"Can I help you, sir?" kata seorang bell boy, mendekat ke arahku. "Euh...no." kataku menaikkan telapak tanganku dan tersenyum kecut. Bell boy itu tersenyum dan kembali ke belakang. Hm. Must've been the employees room. Could be my way in, if I could slip past it, of course. This lobby is huge. Just ahead of me is pair of lift. In between it, there's a lot of suited men with sunglasses and earpieces. Must've been the bodyguards. In the right is the kitchen? Hell no, I ain't going through the kitchen. Place is small and crowded. Plus, the chef might decapitate me with their needle-point knives. Alright.

In the sides, front of me is the lift. To the right, is the kitchen. To the left, is the employee room, but it is blocked by receptionist desk. At the center of this lobby is a lot of couches and lounging chairs. There are no smoking room. Which I will presume that this building comes with a smoke sensor. Apakah aku harus membuat keributan? Aku butuh tips dari ahlinya.

"James?" kataku memencet tombol di earpiece sambil menuju salah satu kursi di tengah-tengah lobi. "Ah, William. Time is running short, boy. You better bloody move."

"I am moving. Which floor is this bastard been on?" kataku sedikit berteriak. "Top. And by top, I mean the rooftop. By the rooftop, I mean the balcony of the rooftop. The poolside."

"If you know all this, then you could have killed him yourself." Kataku terkesan dengan semua informasi yang dia punya. "Tentu saja. Tapi ada kamu, bukan?" kata James sambil menutup panggilan. Aku rasa dia ada benarnya. Oke, mari menyusun rencana lagi. Dari awal.

Aku sudah di dalam hotel. Akses menuju rooftop akan sulit, menilik tempatku berada sekarang. Lewat air vent? Ini bukan film laga. Lewat lift? Akan nyaris tidak mungkin, melihat para bedebah dengan jas rapi itu berdiri lama di sekitar lift. Aku yakin, pasti Blackriver sudah mengendus keberadaanku. Harapanku yang paling realistis adalah melalui pintu pegawai. Tapi, itupun juga tidak bisa dilakukan, apalagi aku bukan orang penting di sini. Pikir, William, pikir. Aku butuh kekacauan untuk bisa mendapat akses menuju Blackriver. Sesuatu yang mengalihkan perhatian, tapi tidak serta-merta meneror semua orang di sini. Hm. Aku berpikir keras, lalu aku teringat seorang bedebah yang aku kenal. Saul.

Ya. Aku bisa memanfaatkan salah satu bawahanku yang tidak waras ini.

"Saul," kataku melalui earpiece seraya mengambil koran di coffee table di dekatku. "Yes, boss? I'm right where you want me to be, for your info." Katanya berceloteh. "Ya,ya,terserahlah—Look, I need you to make a mess here." "What? I don't follow." Aku mengambil napas sebentar. "Aku perlu sebuah opening untuk masuk ke dalam lift," kataku sambil melihat-lihat bodyguard di antara kedua lift itu. Sial. Mereka masih di sana. "Dan siapa lagi yang berbakat menciptakan kehancuran?" kataku sedikit tersenyum, membayangkan betapa bingungnya Saul. Aku ingat suatu waktu, Saul pernah salah menembak dari revolvernya dan mengenai burung gereja. Burung itu langsung terjerembab ke aspal. Mati. Kaget kita semua dibuatnya.

"Ughh, okay." Kata Saul dengan nada berat. "Terimakasih, Saul. Maybe you'll get promoted soon." "We're a group of killers. If I get promoted, that only means my chance of meeting God face-to-face gets bigger. Nah. I'll—I'll pass. Thankyou." Katanya dengan bersungut-sungut. "Ya,ya. Terserahlah. Pikirkan bagaimana caramu membuat keramaian." Kataku merebahkan diri di kursiku. Oof. This is really comfy. I guess I can get some rest for now.

'Creak!' suara pintu depan terbuka dengan keras. Terlalu keras, sepertinya.

Wah, sepertinya Saul tidak main-main. "Hei, kalian semua! Kalian percaya Yesus?!" kata Saul masuk dengan penuh semangat dan menuding beberapa orang di tengah-tengah lobi. Yah, caranya mungkin aneh, tapi aku tak perduli. Aku harus masuk sebelum Blackriver keluar. "Kalian, orang-orang berjas di sana! Ya, kalian yang di lift! Apakah—apakah kalian pendeta! Kenapa rapi sekali?!" Bodyguard yang sedari tadi berdiri di lift langsung bergerak. Menuju Saul. Okay. This is my chance.

Aku menyelinap ke belakang kursi, berjalan tegap dan cepat, lalu tanpa aku ketahui, aku berpapasan dengan dua bodyguard berbadan kekar itu—dan lewat begitu saja. Aku langsung memencet tombol lift. Kenapa lama sekali? Aku menoleh ke atas. Ya Tuhan. Liftnya masih di rooftop. Takes a good 2 minutes before it comes down. Aku harap Saul bisa bekerja dengan baik, pikirku seraya menoleh ke anak itu. "Hah?! Kalian bukan pendeta?! Tidak mungkin! Aku melihat sinar Yesus di dalam diri kalian! Mengakulah!" kata Saul menuding muka kedua bodyguard itu, yang kelihatannya tidak sabar ingin menutup mulut Saul dengan paksa. This is funny. Go get 'em, boy.

Lift belum juga sampai di lobi. Aku melihat layar di atas lift, 15. Holy shit. Still at fifteenth floor?! Can I make it? Can I really make it? Untunglah sudah banyak orang yang mengerumuni lift, jadi keberadaanku akan lebih sulit dilihat. Setidaknya seperti itu. Orang-orang semuanya melihat Saul. "Hei, kalian semua yang di sini! Bertaubatlah! Kerajaan-Nya akan datang! Jagalah diri kalian!" kata Saul meronta-ronta ditengah cengkeraman para boydguard. Entah kenapa, manajer hotel itu tak juga datang untuk mengantisipasi kegilaan ini. Tunggu dulu. Benar juga. Kenapa semuanya diam? Resepsionis, bell boy, bahkan hampir semua pegawai di sini. Apakah dugaanku benar?

Aku melirik ke bell boy di dekatku. Lipatan bajunya tak asing bagiku. Yup, he's carrying a gun at his wrist. Sial. Saul dalam bahaya. Aku harus memperingatkan timku dan menyelamatkan anak gila ini sebelum nyawanya melayang. "Untuk semuanya," kataku berbisik di earpiece, "Semua pegawai di sini bersenjata. Mungkin semuanya suruhan Blackriver." "Apa?!" Teriak Saul keras-keras. "Apa—Apa?! Kalian, kalian tega menyingkirkan perintah Allah?! Kalian akan masuk di neraka! Kalian semua!" teriak Saul tidak karuan. Sepertinya dia mendengar pesanku. "Okay, boss. Standby. Ready on your command." Kata Judas. "Diterima, boss." Kata Simon.

'Ding!' suara lift berbunyi di lantaiku. "You'll be under Saul command."

"Whenever you are ready, Saul." Kataku dengan tegas.

"Sekarang!" Saul melepas cengkeraman kedua bodyguard itu dan langsung mengambil dua revolver dari belakang bajunya. 'Bang!!' Kedua bodyguard itu langsung terlubangi kedua kepalanya. Sontak, semua orang—semua suruhan Blackriver yang bersembunyi—langsung mengeluarkan pistol mereka. 'Pew!' suara yang terdengar jauh, diiringi dengan terjerembabnya bell boy di dekat meja resepsionis. 'Pew!' Dan sebelahnya. 'Pew!' Dan sebelahnya. "Simon, urusi orang-orang di dekatmu." Kata Paul, berbisik di earpiecenya. 'Bang!' 'Bang!' 'Bang! Bang! Bang!' 'Bang!' Simon keluar dari pintu toilet laki-laki dan menembak semua orang di sisi kiri lobi yang bersiaga. Lantai satu bersih. "Good job, kiddo." Kataku melihat dari sisi kaca lift yang beranjak naik menuju ke rooftop.

"Susul aku. Gunakan lift sebelah. Jangan langsung menuju rooftop." Bisikku.

"Siap, boss." Kata Simon. "Alright, let's fucking go with it already! My blood is hot!" kata Paul berteriak sembari mengisi ulang revolvernya. "Judas, diam di tempat." Kataku melihat ke gedung tempat Judas mengincar targetnya. "Pergilah ke tempat yang lebih tinggi, kalau kamu menemukan satu." Lanjutku, melihat ada banyak gedung yang lebih tinggi di sekitarnya. "Loud and clear, boss." Kata Judas, sedikit tidak jelas suaranya.

"We'll meet at floor 74th. The last one before the rooftop." Kataku mengambil napas.

Aku bersiaga, mengambil antisipasi jika saja di setiap lantai ada bedebah suruhan Blackriver. 'Ding!' Lift terbuka. Aku sontak langsung mengintip. Hm. Hanya lantai kosong berukuran sekitar lobi tadi. Besar sekali. Entah kenapa tidak ada satupun orang di sini. Hanya empat tembok putih dan karpet yang terduduk manis di setiap inci lantai. Aku melangkah keluar dari lift, melihat plakat di atas ruangan ini. Tulisannya; conference room. Pantas saja. Aku bernapas lega sebentar, terduduk di tepi ruangan. Sekarang hanya tinggal menunggu mereka bertiga datang. Sungguh melelahkan rasanya seharian ini.

'Ding!' bunyi lift bergaung keras di ruangan yang sangat sepi ini. Tiga orang berjas keluar sambil memegang erat senjata mereka. Bagus, bagus. Kalian masih ingat semua latihan kalian. Christ really has turned you all into one amazing, superior assassin. To be amongst you as a leader is a feat, does not it, lads? Mereka menurunkan senjata mereka, sesaat saat mereka menyadari ruangan ini kosong. Atau saat mereka melihat aku meregangkan kakiku di karpet ini.

"Squad, rendezvous." Kataku dari earpiece.

Mereka bertiga langsung mendekat dan duduk melingkariku. "So, squad," kataku membuka percakapan, "One thing we know is that they are above this floor. We ambush them through lift, we'd be blown to bloody pieces. Through fire escape? I've thought that," lanjutku seraya memijat bahuku yang pegal, "But I'm open to ideas, gentlemen." Tatapku kepada mereka bertiga. "Maybe I could take them out down here, I'll use my thermal scope and my .50 caliber." Ujar Judas sambil membuka ski masknya. Kaliber 50? Judas, kita membunuh seorang manusia, bukan menuju pertempuran perang dunia.

"Okay, I'll take that option. Anyone else?" kataku mengangguk-angguk sambil melihat Judas. "I think I'll just go frenzy and kill them all." Kata Saul bersemangat. Simon mengusap-usap jidatnya sambil menghela napas. "That's fucking awesome, Saul," kata Simon sambil memegang pundak Saul, "But it is not a plan. It's—It's suicide. You're just, you're trying to get beaten to a pulp!" lanjut Simon dengan mata membelalak.

"Simon benar, Judas." Kataku pelan. "That is not an idea. That is one man loss for us. What—What are you trying to do? Go out there, empty your magazine while screaming out loud?" kataku menaikkan tanganku kesana-kemari, sedikit terganggu dengan opini manusia satu ini. "Exactly that," kata Saul dengan muka sedikit bodoh, "But without the screaming." What the fuck? This lad is mad, that is. "I think it might work." Kata Judas sambil mengangguk perlahan.

"No, it ain't. Now listen closely." Kataku sedikit menunduk, mendekat kepada mereka bertiga. "Top floor is full of guards. Probably a dozen at the entry," kataku sejenak, lalu berpikir sebentar. "We need to break through them. But creating alert makes everything go awry. If we want them to notice us, it should be when we have arrived in his room." Lanjutku sambil merogoh sesuatu dari kaus kakiku.

"Equip your silencers, gentlemen." Kataku mengambil silencer dari kaus kaki.

"Alright, I gon' enjoy this so much!" kata Saul bersemangat, tersenyum lebar dan mengambil silencernya dari dalam selangkangannya. "Ew. Gross. Why'd you put that, in there?" kata Simon jijik. "It helps the circulation." lanjut Judas, membuka maskernya yang bertahan di mukanya sedari tadi. "Shut up, Judas. You too, Simon." Saul menuding kedua orang ini. "Yeah? What you going to do?" lanjut Simon, mengambil silencernya dari kantung jaket, sambil melirik Saul dan tersenyum licik.

"Boys, focus." Kataku berdiri dan mengambil pisauku dari betis.

Lalu memasangnya ke lubang gerigi tepat di bawah pistolku.

"Saul, Simon, kalian berdua ikut aku." Kataku menuding mereka berdua. "Judas, beritahu kami letak penjaga terdekat. Berapa banyak, dan apa yang mereka bawa." "Loud and clear, boss." Kata Judas tersenyum sambil menggunakan thermal scopenya. Sepertinya dia menyukai peralatannya. Sayang, kita bukan agen rahasia. Kita cuma pembunuh idealis.

"Dua, right in front of the door. Carrying a revolver? Magnum? I can't see." Kata Judas sambil mengawang. Seperti melihat bocah bermain VR saja. Hm. Just two? I thought there'd be a lot. "There are three at each of their routes. Left. Center. Right." Lanjut Judas. "Gunakan earpiecemu untuk mengontak kami selanjutnya." Kataku sambil maju. "Oh—yes, how foolish of me, boss."

Aku maju, diiringi oleh Saul dan Simon, tepat di kedua sampingku. Pintu masuk tepat di depan. Aku memberikan isyarat kepada mereka berdua. Aku mengarahkan telunjukku ke pelipis, lalu bergerak seolah aku ditembak di kepala. Mereka berdua mengangguk. Aku menunjuk Saul, lalu menunjuk bagian kiri pintu, dan menunjuk Simon dan menunjuk bagian kanan pintu.

'Creak...' perlahan bunyi pintu terbuka. Kedua penjaga hanya sibuk melihat ke depan, tanpa memperhatikan bagian belakang mereka. 'Pew!' suara silencer dari sisi kiri terdengar. "What—" 'Pew!' Dari sisi kanan. Mereka langsung membereskan mayatnya. Attaboy.

Aku berguling ke depan dan melihat ada tiga penjaga di masing sisi, seperti yang Judas bicarakan. Entah info tentang para penjaga di bawah tidak digubris, atau mereka adalah orang-orang yang berbeda.

Aku memberikan isyarat di bahuku, menunjuk ke pojok yang tertutup oleh tembok. Lalu perlahan bergerak ke sana.

Aku langsung berjongkok, disusul oleh Saul dan Simon.

"Three at each. You know the drill. Saul, kiri. Simon, kanan. Dan aku di tengah. What's difficult is that we have to do it at the same time—almost, at least." Kataku menjelaskan sambil memegang earpiece erat-erat. "How could we pull this off?" tanya Simon.

"Easy," kataku mengangkat pistol, "When you're late knocking off your base, you have a gap of about a second, while the guard sense something off," kataku menjelaskan menggunakan jari-jariku, "That moment, you have to kill him. One shot. Any missed chances will alert everybody." Aku mengisi ulang pistol, lalu mengencangkan silencer. "Any questions?"

Semuanya menggeleng. "Judas, give sitrep every ten seconds." "Copy, boss." Oke.

Alright. Let's do this one more time, with precise. "System compromised! Everybody, system compromised! There's an intruder!" teriak seseorang dari balik tembok, dengan sangat lantang. Oh, fuck me. Aku berpikir keras. "Change of plans, gentlemen. Let's wreak havoc. Cover sides. Move." Aku berdiri, yang langsung disusul oleh mereka.

Aku melihat situasi, mengintip dari balik tembok. Benar saja, semua orang sekarang memasang flashlight dan bergerak ke depan. Ada empat orang, semuanya mengcover orang di sebelahnya. Sial. Aku tidak punya granat. Tidak ada tempat kembali. Guess it's do or die here.

Aku menyelaraskan ironsight pistolku. Menghela napas panjang, lalu mengeluarkannya. 'Pew!' orang terdepan terjatuh. "There!" 'Pew!' 'Pew—Ratatatata!' Aku langsung mendhindar. Shit. Three down, and one is barraging me face with bullets. Mari menunggu.

'Ratatatata!' 'Ratatatata!' 'Ratatatata!'

Lalu tidak terdengar suara. Aku langsung merangsek keluar. "Move! Now!" kataku kepada Simon dan Judas. Aku yakin orang yang tersisa tadi sedang mengisi ulang riflenya. Shit. Terdengar suara kokang senjata. Di balik vas! Pikirku yakin.

'Pew! Pew! Pew Pew!' suara pelan pistolku, terarah ke belakang vas tidak terarah. "Argh!" Benar saja. Dia bersembunyi di balik vas. Terkaget melihatku, dia langsung mengarahkan riflenya ke arahku. Terlambat. Aku mencengkeram moncong kuat-kuat dan mengarahkannya ke udara. "Hrrgghh!" Aku meringis kesakitan mencoba mengalihkan moncong itu dari mukaku dengan sekuat tenaga. 'Clank!' Dia mengayunkan kepalanya menuju kepalaku. "Argh! Fuck!" helmnya yang kuat membuat luka besar di kepalaku. Aku terjatuh ke tanah, pusing dan berdarah.

'Pew!' suara desingan pistol sunyi terdengar. Aku menengadah ke atas. Penjaga itu tersungkur ke tanah, dengan belakang kepalanya terlubangi. Who's that? Pikirku menyingirkan darah dari mataku. Ah, Saul.

Fucking hell. I can't see shit with my head open. "Are you okay, boss?" kata Saul menghampiriku. "I guess not. Where's Simon?" kataku meringis kesakitan. "Simon menuju ke kanan, dia melihat penjaga tadi. He should be back here now, if he's not dead, of course." Kata Saul sambil menaikkan bahunya. Yeah, that makes fucking sense. "Do you have tissue? A wipe, anything?" kataku mengusap tanganku ke kepala, mengelap semua darah yang mengucur saja sedari tadi. "Nah. But there's a fountain. There, up ahead." Kata Simon menunjuk ke depan. Sekitar 5 meter di depan. But I don't knw if this area is clear or not, and Simon is not coming back.

"Nah," kataku melambaikan tangan, "We'll wait for Simon. We don't know if anything comes. You go find him." Kataku kepada Saul. "Hey Judas," kataku ke earpiece, "Anything unusual ahead?"

"Ya," jawab Judas. "Ada satu kompi penjaga di depan." Lanjutnya.

"Aku akan bersiaga dan menembak sesuai perintah." Kata Judas lagi. Terdengar bunyi kokang sniper rifle dengan keras. One whole squad? Bloody hell. My head spins like a fucking carousel, and this is the last thing I need. "Squad, listen up." Kataku ke earpiece lagi.

"Move forward, kill everyone. Judas will give support. And anybody have a bloody tissue to wipe me head off?" kataku geram. Aku sampai harus sedikit memejamkan mata karena darah sialan ini. "Diterima, bos. Untuk yang terakhir, tidak ada." Kata Simon. "Ditto here." Saul langsung menimpali. "Me too, boss. Sorry." ujar Judas melalui earpiece. "Alright then, what the hell. Move out! Go! Go!" kataku mengarahkan mereka ke depan.

Satu pintu besar di depan itu hanya ada tangga turun ke bawah. That means it's going to be packed with guards—all automatic rifles. I need plan. 'Pew!' Aku menembak lampu tepat di atas ruangan kecil itu—melalui kaca jendela di sebelahnya. Semuanya langsung gelap. Saul mengambil geretan dan semprotan kaleng kecil dari sakunya. "Simon, cover fire!" katanya setengah berbisik ke earpiece. "Judas, keep an updated tab on every guard. Take them down if needed. I'll be covering fire too." Kataku sambil mengacungkan pistol ke jendela yang sudah retak itu. "You got it, boss."

I hope Saul really knows well what the hell he is trying to do.

'Floooomm!!' suara semburat api menjilati seluruh selusur tangga yang sempit itu. Terdengar banyak teriakan dan serentetan bunyi senjata saling bersahutan. Saul langsung melempar kaleng itu ke arah tangga, dan pergi berlari meninggalkan tempat itu.

'Blam!' suara ledakan menyusul bunyi jilatan api. Semakin terdengar jelas saja teriakan mereka.

Kami berempat sembunyi. Sekarang yang terlhat jelas di malam ini adalah selusur tangga di ruangan itu yang nampak jelas merah menyala. Seperti melihat api kemah saja. "Judas, shoot anyone who gets out of that fire." Kataku sembari bersiaga. "Loud and clear, boss." Now we play the waiting game.

'Floom..' suara jilatan api masih saja berbisik dari balik ruangan itu. Nyala apinya tak seterang bermenit-menit lalu, tapi aku punya masalah lain. Kepalaku pusing, dan aku nyaris terjatuh berjongkok lama. Darah di kepalaku sudah mengering, tapi aku tetap saja tidak bisa fokus. Satu hal yang pasti; pasti ada pendarahan internal.

Either I get my guns on Blackriver, or I'm gonna die here.

Shit. I am getting dizzy. My eyes are blurry. I gotta hurry up. "Ayo masuk. Cepat! Cepat!" kataku berteriak melalui earpiece. Bunyi geruduk kaki-kaki Simon dan Saul menambah dosis pusingku saja. "Judas, you too. I need the entire team up front." Kataku terengah-engah di earpiece. "Got it. Euh, boss...are you—are you okay?" kata Judas. No. No, I am not.

Selusur tangga menuju ke bawah dipenuhi oleh sisa-sisa hitam abu kebakaran. Beberapa penjaga sudah terpanggang habis, ada satu-dua yang masih bisa meringis kesakitan. "Squad, go! Ignore them!" kataku lantang. 'Blam!' "Oh shit! Are you okay, boss?" kata Saul mengangkat lenganku. Aku terjatuh menyusuri tangga. I'm a total mess right now.

"Ugh.." suara meringis di belakang mengagetkkan semua orang.

'Pew!' 'Pew!' suara tembakan Simon menembak seseorang yang terpanggang habis.

"Ugh..ugh." kata penjaga yang ditembakinya, sepertinya baru saja terkena sakaratul maut. "You okay, boss?" kata Simon, masih bersiaga dengan pistolnya. "I—I guess. Let's just go." Kataku dibopong oleh Saul. "Come on, Judas!" kata Simon berteriak ke arah pintu masuk ruangan. Judas langsung sekelebat masuk dengan pistol di cengkeramannya. "Let's go, squad." Kataku lemah.

Bopongan Saul—dan juga Simon, membuatku bisa bernapas sebentar. Di akhir selusur tangga, hanya tersisa satu pintu aluminum. Judas langsung mendahului dan membuka pintu.

Nothing is here. Just a room with a swimming pool, a pool table, but no one is here.

Nobody. Mission failed.

"Let's go back to Church." Kataku lemah. "Lalu Blackriver?" kata Saul tiba-tiba. "He seen us coming. The moment I catch the lift, everyone already know I was coming," kataku terengah-engah dan setengah terpejam, "We better go now, or his men are coming after us." Lanjutku sambil terbatuk.

"Squad, disassemble. We meet at Church." Kataku separuh berteriak.

"And Saul," kataku lagi kepada Saul, "Can you carry me there?" kataku seraya menyodorkan kunci mobilku. Mari berharap mobil itu tidak diambil oleh petugas keamanan. "Alright, boss." Kata Saul mengambil kuncinya dan mengangguk setuju.

"Bos, kita duluan." Ujar Simon di belakang. "Go. Don't be late." Kataku melambaikan tangan. "There's a lift ahead." Kata Saul menunjuk di ujung kolam renang. "Perfect. I can't hold this pain anymore." Kataku meringis kesakitan.

'Blip!' bunyi mobil soprt itu dari kejauhan, dan lampunya berkedip. Untunglah mobil ini lepas dari pandangan mereka. "Let's go. You drive." Kataku kepada Saul. Saul mengangguk. Mobil itu hanya berjarak sekitar beberapa meter jauhnya.

"Screeech!" bunyi rem mendadak dari sebuah taksi dari arah berlawanan terdengar keras.

That is Church's Cab. What the hell is he doing here?

"Go to the cab." Kataku pada Saul. Seketika itu juga, pintu belakang taksi terbuka. Saul membopongku masuk ke dalam taksi. "Ugh! My head!" kataku meringis kesakitan. Saul masuk dan menutup pintunya. "You doing well there, William?" Yeah. This voice.

"No. He got away," kataku seraya mengambil tisu di tengah-tengah jok depan, "...and I ordered my squad to meet me at the Church." Lanjutku sembari mengelap darah yang mengering di kepalaku.

"So I've heard." Kata James ringan. "Lalu kenapa ada Saul di sini?" tanya James lagi. "I'm dying, James. Might have reached The Surgeon with my car, that is, if you didn't stop by." Kataku lagi.

"I'm taking care of the car." Kata James sambil menyalakan rokoknya. Say what now?

"What?! Why?" kataku berteriak, seakan tak percaya. 'Buzzt!' "Ow! My fucking head!" kataku langsung memegangi kepalaku yang tiba-tiba sakit. "The car is mine, William." Ujar James sambil menginjak pedal gas lebih dalam. Sepertinya dia marah? "And "your" car is full of prints, hair strands, and god-knows-what things that you have thrown inside." Nah. He's not mad. Just being a little bastard-y, that's all.

"Yeah. You throw it away then?" kataku bertanya. "I'll put it on hold." Balas James. "Mungkin lain kali kamu bisa menggunakan taksi." Yeah. In your dreams, James. Last time I drove your fucking cab, the driver looks scary as hell.

Kenapa Saul diam saja? "You okay there, mate?" kataku kepada Saul. "Ya—ya, tentu saja," kata Saul dengan mata berbinar-binar. "It's just that I never meet Mr. Church, that's all." Lanjutnya lagi. Yeah. Of course.Why can't I think of that? This fair chap of mine goes way back with me, but not with me squad.

"So, where are we going?" kataku menepuk jok James. "Getting you fixed. Surgeon himself." Kata James menghisap rokoknya dan menurunkan kaca jendela.

"Is he open now?"

"24 hours. Seven days a week."

"Hm. But could it be the lad taking a good sleep?"

"Then let's bang on his door."

"What if the neighbors hear us?"

"Quit the babbling, William. I guess you really got hit in the brain."

Suara mobil yang semakin keras saja, dan jalanan yang lengang mengiringi taksi ini melaju lebih kencang. The first time I failed a job. What a day to live by, right?

"Come on. Get down." Kata James, mengerem taksinya. "Wha—What? What is?" kataku mengigau, setengah terbangun. "Kita sudah sampai. Untunglah kamu tidak mati dengan bocornya kepalamu itu." Kata James menoleh ke arahku. "Well, the wound's closed already. See?" kataku menunjuk. Saul tidak peduli dan langsung meringkasi barangnya dan turun. Aku kira dia masih canggung dengan James—maksudku Mr. Church.

"Help me, Saul—Saul? Where'd that boy go?" kataku yang menjadi satu-satunya yang belum beranjak dari jok mobil. "Be a man, William. Get a hold on yourself, for pete's sake." Kata James membuka pintu sebelahku lalu beranjak pergi. Di depan ada jalan setapak dari batu-batu ubin marmer.

Aku beranjak keluar dari mobil dengan bersusah payah. "Ngh! Fuck it!" kataku meringis sambil berpegangan pada pintu mobil. "Where are we?" kata Saul di sebelah James, beridir beriringan tepat di dekat jalan setapak tadi. "This is the way to Surgeon. Best doctor in all of Suisse." Kata James menyalakan rokok. "And he has no license. No families or ties. The best doctor, it is." Kataku memegangi kepalaku sembari menutup pintu mobil.

"Let's go. I haven't got all week." Kataku menyusuri jalan setapak.

Deru angin yang kencang dan matahari mulai menunjukkan sinarnya. Shit. It's morning already. "Let's go, Saul. Saul, isn't it?" ucap James sambil membuang puntung rokoknya. "Yes, it's Saul." Katanya mengangguk. "You two seem lovely. Care to help a lad out?" kataku melirik mereka berdua. "On my way, boss." Kata Saul langsung beranjak dari tempatnya. Good. This place is a fucking mountain, and I need someone to carry me legs up there.

Just hope I did not die during the way there. I'm sick as a fucking dog.

"Are we there yet?" kataku sambil terengah-engah, memegangi lututku dan memijatnya. "Ya, itu pintunya." Tunjuk James menuju pintu besar berwarna putih. "Fucking finally! Let's knock on his door and see if this lad has a tap. I'm fucking thirsty." Kataku langsung berlari menuju pintu. "Kau baik-baik saja, Saul?" kata James lagi, menyusul Saul yang masih ada di belakang sedari tadi. "Yeah, it's just—it's just so high, I—I can't, I'm gonna catch a breath right here." Katanya lebih terengah-engah dan berkeringat deras.

"You certainly needs more training. More time on the field, boy." Kata James melihat pemandangan. "You see William there?" lanjut James sambil menudingkan jarinya ke arahku. "Boy did not take any piss. Even when he is hurt and all." Saul terdiam.

"Sir? Sir?!" Dammit. I've been banging his door all minutes long.

"Surgeon! Buka pintu!" kataku menggedor lebih keras. James menggelengkan kepala. "You see, Saul," katanya mengalihkan pandangan lagi kepada Saul, "What that boy lacks in straight head, he makes it up with tenacity." Kata James sembari tersenyum. 'Ring! Ring!' Oh shit. My phone rang.

"Yes?" angkatku cepat. "Oh—Yeah, I totally forgot it. Be with you guys soon."

Ternyata Judas dan Simon. Mereka sudah berada di tempat. Well, I love you guys and all, but I'm thirsty. Not going to spare any of my precious spit on your conversation. "I'll see you. Bye." Kataku langsung menutup percakapan. 'Creak..' bunyi karat khas metal terdengar. "How lovely. Someone with no manners knocking my house." Kata seseorang pendek dengan janggut putih, lengkap dengan suspenders dan kemeja putihnya—dengan beberapa bercah darah yang mengering—menyapaku dengan lembut.

"Yeah, yeah, I need a water." Kataku langsung merangsek masuk. "Surgeon. Lama tidak bertemu." Kata James berjalan pelan menuju daun pintu yang sudah terbuka. "James," balas Surgeon dengan mata memicing, "Siapa lagi anak ini?" lanjut Surgeon, menudingkan jari kepada Saul yang berjalan terengah-engah.

"The members of my clergy, of course." Kata James. "You mean your killer squad." "Whatever works for you, old chap." Lanjut James menaikkan kedua bahunya, sambil melepas jaketnya. "Ya, ya, terserahlah. Come on in." Kata Surgeon mempersilahkan keduanya masuk. Sekelebat sinar matahari sudah memasuki rumah ini. Sudah siang saja ternyata, pikirku sambil menenggak air dari keran dapur dengan beringas.

"So, the famous Surgeon—" "Quit the chit-chat, William. Let's sew that head of yours." Kata Surgeon sembari membuka pintu tepat di seberang dapur. "Well, he didn't become famous for no reason there." Kata James dengan kedua tangan terlipat di dada dari ruang tamu. "No, I guess not." Kataku menyusul Surgeon. Saul masih saja diam seribu bahasa. "Boy, why are you so quiet?" kata James.

"I've never been here before." Kata Saul melihat-lihat sekelilingnya.

"But here you are," kata James menengadahkan kepalanya, "And someday you will be the one sitting in the surgeon's waiting list." Lanjut James lagi sembari menuju ke arah dapur. "Let's not take a bet on that." Balas Saul tersenyum. "Setuju." Kata James mengakhiri percakapan, mengambil segelas cangkir dan menuju keran dapur.

"This place is huge." Kata Saul lagi-lagi melihat sekelilingnya. "Well, becoming a notorious surgeon for the underground world of ours sure has it's benefits." Kata James santai, lalu menyeruput air dari cangkirnya pelan-pelan. "Here boy, have some water. You must be thirsty." Kata James seraya mengambil cangkir.

"Now, William..." kata Surgeon menyalakan saklar lampu, 'Click!' Dan ruangan langsung menjadi terang benderang. There is only a chair full of things I don't want to know, circling around it. "Bukankah seharusnya ruangan doktor bedah gelap, dengan penerangan hanya di tempat seharusnya?" kataku heran. "True," kata Surgeon berlari kecil menuju ke kursi merah di tengah itu, "But I ain't no doctor, boy." "Yes, you're a wanker." "William, shut up and get your bloody arse here." Katanya muak dengan semua tingkahku—sepertinya. Alright, you're the boss.

"If you can sit now, it would be lovely?" kata Surgeon mempersilahkan aku duduk di tengah ruangan. "And if I do not?" "Now I doubt the idea that you're having a brain damage. Sit down!" kata Surgeon marah. Orang tua satu ini sepertinya suka sekali marah. Akhirnya aku duduk dengan wajah bersungut-sungut. "This is not bullet wound." Kata Surgeon. "Say what now?"

"When did you start your clergy, Tuan James?" kata Saul penasaran. "Best you did not know that," kata James menyalakan rokoknya, "Saul—Saul, is not it?" balasnya lagi. "Ya, benar." Saul mengangguk. "Why did you start all this, all—all these assassins?" kata Saul lagi. James mengambil napas dalam-dalam. "Since you were so curious," kata James membuang puntung rokoknya ke bawah dan menginjaknya, "Then I will tell you."

"This—this clergy, I guess, that goes with the name Christ Assassin Service—was never a thing about clergic, lest alone being religious or cultist." James mengambil napas dalam-dalam, "Rather something I've built to punish the devils. To be fair without rules, without boundaries. In this world, is there such things as ideals?" katanya panjang lebar, membuat Saul terdiam. "No," lanjut James menggelengkan kepala, "And I intend to do that. Only that."

"You'll know better someday," kata Christ pergi menjauh, menuju balkon, "That William boy over there, even he has gone through a lot. Maybe you can seek the answers from him." Saul memandang James, lalu berpikir dalam. Is Saul looking for thrones? In this world, that would be kidding as hell. But as an orphan kid knewing nothing but to kill, it was everything. It was his world.

But maybe we need to seek answers and began thinking thoughts we never had.

"I said, this is not a bullet wound. It did not penetrate." Kata Surgeon. "You're just scratched, and by the way you looked moments ago," kata Surgeon dengan teliti melihat-lihat kepalaku dengan scalpelnya, "I would say that this is poison." Lanjut Surgeon, mengambil sesuatu dengan tang doktornya. "What? You mean to tell me somebody poisoned me?" kataku mencoba memahami hal ini. "Ya, benar." Balas Surgeon.

"Did Blackriver goons really put a poison to me?" kataku setengah tak percaya.

"Your target is Blackriver?" tanya Surgeon dengan mata terbelalak. "Kamu beruntung bisa keluar dari tempatnya hidup-hidup." Lanjut Surgeon seraya beranjak berdiri. "Yeah, I guess so," kataku juga beranjak berdiri sambil memegangi kepalaku, setengah tak percaya. How could they? I mean, I was going to murder Blackriver, but still, how could they?

"William lama sekali." Ujar Judas di markas, telentang manis di sofa living quarters. "Kamu harus bersabar, Judas. After all, boss is sick. Bloody sick." Kata Simon yang duduk di sebelahnya, kesempitan karena kaki Judas memenuhi seluruh sofa. "Yeah, but still—" "Who is it that you guys were looking after?" kata seseorang tinggi tegap, lengkap dengan rompi anti peluru dan balaclavanya. "Ah, Thomas." Kata Judas. "We were after Blackriver." Katanya lagi. "For real?!" kata Thomas seraya membuka topeng skinya. "Why is that everybody say that?" kata Simon lagi.

"Yeah well, being a high-profile target and all, you're lucky to get out alive." Kata Thomas sembari duduk di seberang kami. "Ya, tapi kami mempunyai William." Kata Simon tersenyum. "Yet you still fail." Lanjut Thomas, melepas silencer dari pistolnya. "Time for a full-scale assault, or send somebody with a higher rank." ujar Thomas mencoba rasional. "Siapa yang mempunyai posisi lebih tinggi dari William?" balas Simon, kembali bertanya. Thomas menghela napas dalam-dalam, lalu menggeser kursinya lebih dekat.

"Ever heard of someone called Messias?"

"Here. Take a few pills before you rush into action...or your crusade, whatever." Kata Surgeon sembari mengambil botol berwarna oranye pekat dengan beberapa pil di dalamnya. "Crusade's cool, though. Thanks, doc." Kataku mengambil sodoran obat itu, dan menaruhnya di kantungku. "It's just a painkiller—and antidepressant, and everything else...combined into one, I guess. I'm—I'm not even sure what it is. It's bloody strong is what I know it is." Kata Surgeon dengan banyak gestur tangan. Entahlah, aku kurang memperhatikan. Aku sibuk melihat label botol obat ini. "Is this some sort of superpower pill?" tanyaku. "If you think being a junkie on acid is a superhero, then yes." Jawab Surgeon, menaikkan satu alisnya.

"Great. This��ll work." Kataku senang, sementara Surgeon menutupi mukanya.

Surgeon mengambil napas dalam-dalam dan melihatku seolah aku adalah orang bodoh, "Yah, aku kira itu sudah semua, William. Aku akan mengirimkan pembayaran pada Christ." Katanya mempersilakanku pergi dari ruangan ini. "You think I'm some bimbo, huh doc?" kataku sembari keluar dari ruangan ini, berjalan beriringan dengan Surgeon. "Well, either that, or you are a bloody tough lad is what I think." "Well, doc..." kataku melihat Surgeon dan membuka kenop pintu,

"Maybe I am both." Kataku tersenyum lebar.

"Sudah selesai?" kata Saul di luar. Sepertinya dia menunggu sedari tadi. Not that it's that long, though. It's just that he can keep his naughty hands off is what surprises me. "You've been waiting?" kataku menghampirinya. "Ya, bos. Tentu saja." Katanya tersenyum. Wait. Is this sarcasm? Pikirku sembari berpikir keras. Maybe a piece of me brain fell off and Surgeon just bodge me right in the wee nook of me head. "Okay...where's James—I mean Christ?" kataku melihat sekeliling.

"Dia tadi menuju balkon." "To smoke, I believe." Tukasku cepat. "Jika dia sering-sering melakukan ini, maka dia juga akan sering-sering ke sini." Kata Surgeon dengan muka masam. "Doubt it, doc. Lad has lungs tougher than any crook in the entire Suisse." Kataku menyusulnya ke balkon. "Yah. Aku rasa. Mari kita tunggu saja nanti akhirnya." Kata Surgeon mengangkat kedua bahunya. Aku tersenyum. I guess this old coot likes to play the waiting game, after all. Well, that's what define a jolly good doctor, perhaps.

Aku berjalan menuju balkon, menaiki tangga-tangga yang menjuntai panjang di ruang tamu. Surgeon has got an ivory tower built and bought his silver spoon, huh? What a pleasant house. "James," kataku melihat sesosok yang selalu saja merokok, "James!" teriakku lagi. James menoleh. "It's finished. Let's go." Kataku menunjukkan kepala. "Ah, wonderful. Come on then, I need to speak a few words with everyone." Kata James langsung mematikan puntung rokoknya. To scold me, I guess. Well, I guess I see it coming.

Aku turun dan memanggil Saul. "Saul! Saul!" kataku lantang, menggema di rumah yang megah ini. "Coming, boss!" "Pack your things! We're going!" teriakku lagi. Aku membuka pintu besar itu. Tiba-tiba taksi milik James berbunyi. James membuka kunci pintunya, ternyata. Aku menoleh dan melihat Saul berlari di belakang. "Thanks a lot, doc!" Kataku berteriak lagi dengan lantang. Surgeon mengangguk. James membuka pintu mobil dan mulai menyalakan rokoknya lagi.

Well, it's been a hell of a surgeon. Time to go back to murdering people.

'Screech!' bunyi ban taksi James berdecit kencang di sebuah gereja yang ditinggalkan di Suisse. Mungkin gereja yang paling besar di dunia ini. Bayangkan, gereja mana yang di bagian bawah tanahnya—mempunyai lahan parkir, tempat untuk beladiri, dan bahkan sebuah zona tembak-menembak menggunakan peluru balistik? And I've grown to question this man; James. Mungkin pertama kalinya beberapa hal itu muncul di benakku. Tapi aku bergerak tanpa tujuan, sama seperti kebanyakan orang di gereja yang ditinggalkan ini. To simply do, not to question. To obey, not to say your mind. Perhaps maybe someday I can find an answer for my—"Hey! Get down, now!" teriak seseorang di pintu kaca jendela. Aku langsung menoleh. What?! Fucking Benedict? What the bloody hell is this lad doing here? "Oy, wanker!" kataku sembari menurunkan kaca jendela, "The fuck you doing here, mate?" lanjutku lagi.

"You don't hear the news, don't you?"

"No shit. I don't have a phone."

"Blackriver declared a national emergency—just fucking get off the cab, will you?!" kata Benedict terengah-engah. "Apa? Apa itu artinya bagi kita?" kataku membuka pintu taksi dan turun.

"Means he'll triple his security, raises—raises law enforcements everywhere,and—and, and will be hunting us down, until the last of us dead—remains, yeah, yeah." Katanya terbata-bata, berusaha mengambil napas.

Wow. That is some bad news.

"And what will we do next?" tanyaku seraya menutup taksi. "What?! You're the assassin! I'm just an intel somehow dropping by the church!" kata Benedict berteriak-teriak dengan muka masam. "What will we be doing," ujar suara yang selalu ada secara misterius, "I will explain it to you. Gather around at the living quarters. I will deliver our next plan. Of course, by everyone, that means you too, Benedict." Kata James pelan dan pasti.

Intel too? He must have planned something massive then. Well, no time for regrets. Let's just go then. Pikikrku sembari mengikuti James dengan langkah gontai.

"You are as good as dead, William." Ujar Benedict di sebelahku.

"Would you give me the details—What, how come he knows it us?" kataku bertanya.

"He knows somebody is after him," kata Benedict melambatkan langkahnya.

"And lobbied the Prime Minister for a national emergency." Lanjut Benedict lagi.

"What? Sick lad actually contacted the Minister himself?"

"Yeah. And the whole Royal Family. Everyone."

"Well, I couldn't care less about the family, is what it is."

"Nevertheless, you get my point, do you?"

"Yeah. Kill Blackriver before he lays eggs and build a sinful den."

"Not quite what I had in mind, but okay, I guess that will do."

"Let's carry on then. James—Christ must've had a plan going on."

"Agree. Shall we?" kata Benedict mempercepat langkahnya.

Well, I don't know shit, but apparently this emergency must've caught up to everyone's ears. Our connections, the city whole organized syndicates and even outside the walls, they must've been cautious. If something can really bring down the sinful ones—especially politicians, we need something of a bigger size. Something that involves the whole city, every district and every rat tunnels, maybe—just maybe—we can bring him down. Or we'll die in the process. Either way works for me, actually. Aku mulai mengikuti Benedict dan mempercepat langkahku.

"Everybody here?" kataku membuka pintu living quarters. "Bos! Akhirnya datang juga." Kata Judas dari sofanya. Sekarang Simon yang tidur terkapar di sofa. Yes, living quarters is where all gets lively. Hence the name. "Where is Saul?" tanya Judas lagi. "What? He's not here? But he got away first. He's maybe still with Christ." "Mister Christ, huh? I am jealous." Kata Judas, tersenyum kecut. "Don't be sour, Judas. Next time?" kata Thomas dari ruangan sebelah.

"Thomas! Lama tidak bertemu, man." Kataku berseru sembari duduk di sofa di sebelah Judas, tepat di samping muka Simon yang tertidur pulas. "Halo, William. I heard you missed Blackriver?" lanjut Thomas, menuangkan whisky ke gelas kecil.

"With every bullet and brass." Kataku menatap Thomas dalam-dalam.

"Good then. Use that hate." Kata Thomas, menyeruput whisky. "Ah. Feels good." "Gimme some of that then, mate." Kataku mengambil gelas di meja besar di tengah-tengah.

"One shot?" tanya Thomas, memegang botol whisky tinggi-tinggi. Aku tersenyum, dan mengangguk. Beberapa menit kemudian, nyaris semua orang sudah berkumpul di sini. Except for the main act. Saul dan Christ.

"Where the bloody hell are they?" kataku dengan muka yang sudah memerah.

"Is it possible that they forgot?" tanya Benedict kepada seluruh ruangan.

"Bollocks. James did not forget meetings." Lanjut Thomas. "Don't—"

"Don't drink, lad. You've had enough." Thomas menghampiriku dan mengambil sloki dari wajahku.

"Lighten up a little, you bastard." Kataku dengan mabuk.

"Boss, please just sit down then." Kata Judas menahan badanku.

"Judas...or is it Simon? Ah! You're Saul! Where have you been?"

"Can you help me lay him down?" kata Judas kepada Simon yang sudah bangun.

"I'm alright. Go ahead." Kata Simon tersenyum.

"Fuck you to hell, you ungrateful swine."

"Whoa, a little too far there."

"Then help me, or else, Simon. Boss is drunk as a barrel."

"Somehow, he do looks a bit of a tipsy lad there."

"Simon!"

"Alright,alright mate—I'm coming. Wee bit of chap jokes ain't getting you, huh?"

"No, it ain't." kata Judas—dan Simon, bersama-sama mengangkatku ke sofa dan menidurkanku.

"Now we wait—I can't believe we're waiting for Saul." Kata Simon kepada Judas. "Well, boss always take care of the kid, maybe Christ is giving him a few pointers." Balas Judas. Simon mengangguk setuju.

"Where is he, though?" ujar Levi—agen intel, sama seperti Benedict, yang sedari tadi hanya duduk di belakang. "Oh, shut up, Levi! We don't know!" kata Simon membalikkan badannya, melihat Levi. "Alright, mate. Just asking, that is all. Because I need a good sleep right here." Balasnya, sambil menenggak air dari botol. "Aren't we all, Levi?" balas Thomas. "Yeah, but I'm worse." Kata Levi lagi. "We are all tired and all, Levi. Just so you know that." Balas Benedict. "Yeah, Levi!" balas Simon tak mau kalah. Semenit kemudian, living quarters berubah menjadi tempat yang penuh dengan teriakan-teriakan yang tidak jelas.

"Shut up, boys." Ah. Ini dia sosok yang kita tunggu-tunggu. "Bos! Bos!, Bangun!" kata Judas dan Simon mengguncang-guncangkan badanku. "Eh? Wha—Where am I?" kataku setengah terpejam. "I told you to hold his liquor," kata Thomas setengah berbisik sembari mendekati kami, "Poor lad doesn't know when to stop." Katanya lagi sembari menamparku. "Ey, what the—what the fuck, Thomas?" kataku langsung terbangun. "Good. Stand up, mate." Kata Thomas memaksaku berdiri.

"Everybody here?" kata Christ melihat semua orang. "Messias tidak di sini. Begitu pula dengan John dan Luke." Kata Benedict. "They're in West Suisse." Lanjutnya lagi. "On a mission, right? Taking down Richard Fent." Kata Christ. Benedict mengangguk. "Alright then, this'll will do," kata Christ melepas coatnya, "I'm sure all of you has heard of the recent news," kata Christ sembari duduk di bangku, "and what's worse, is that, almost all of us is listed—as assassin or potential assassin." "Even our names?" kata Levi.

"Even our names, boy." Kata Christ memandangnya dalam-dalam.

"However, one person missed the list," lanjut Christ, membuat semua orang penasaran. "This boy right here." Katanya menunjuk Saul yang sedari tadi diam. "Whoa. That is some news." Kata Benedict. "Based on this alone, I am appointing Saul to be my second-hand for the time being." Lanjut Christ, mengagetkan semua orang.

"What the hell just happened?" kata Thomas bingung.

"You heard me right, boy." Kata James menyalakan rokoknya. "Saul akan mendampingiku sekarang. However, we still stand on the same schedule and making the same ripple waves. As per se." Lanjutnya lagi. "I guess everyone can lives with that." Kata Simon. "Not Thomas, apparently." Kata Levi tersenyum jahil.

"Well, Thomas...you heard the man." Akhirnya Jehova angkat bicara. Well, you're the man too, lad. Jehova adalah salah satu orang yang berkuasa di Assassin Service ini. Profisiensi senjatanya—dan bertarungnya—setara dengan sekompi pasukan. Kepintaran dan intuisinya, serta pembacaan situasinya, everything's perfect. Some says he is Messias's equals. Although nobody ever seen the two of them in action.

"Are you jealous, Jehova?" tanya James, menghisap rokoknya dalam-dalam. Jehova menggelengkan kepala. "Bagaimana dengan atasan Saul, where—where is William?" tanya James lagi. "Euh, boss is...passed out." Kata Judas menutupi badanku yang terbujur lemas di sofa.

"Is he been drinking?" tanya James membuang rokoknya.

"No—Yes, yes! He, is, uhh—uh, he's been feeling sick." Lanjut Simon, menutupi tubuhku juga.

"Since when?"

"Since all you three got home from the Surgeon.

"Oh. That makes sense." Kata James bernapas lega.

"Anyway," lanjut James lagi, "The hammer has fall down, and I abide by it. Anyone disagree?" kata James menantang seluruh ruangan. Semua orang terdiam. "Good. Back to work then." James keluar dari ruangan, didampingi oleh Saul.

"So what's next? Boss is out cold." Ujar Simon. "Mungkin besok saja kita bicarakan lagi." Balas Judas, mengambil sloki dan menenggak whisky. "Who said you could drink it?" tanya Thomas di belakang mereka. "Oh come on, lad. A bit of a whisky is all you mad about?" Judas langsung menoleh ke belakang. "I'm just kidding, mate. Drink. You've been through hell lately," kata Thomas tersenyum, "In fact," katanya juga mengambil sloki dari meja, ��Let's drink together."

"You're drinking?" kata Levi dari belakang. "Shut the fuck up, Levi." Balas Simon menoleh ke belakang. Levi tersenyum jahil dan meminum air. "I'm out. I need to finish that fucking singer job." Kata Levi lagi, melangkah menuju ke pintu luar. "Yeah, shoo. Nobody gives a shit, mate." Jawab Simon lagi.

"Teman-teman," kata Jehova, "I will be leaving too. Tell William I said hi, eh?" "Sure thing, Jehova." Jawab Thomas. "Are you sure you're not sticking around for a few pints?" lanjutnya.

"Nah. I need to shoot someone in the head." Kata Jehova tersenyum.

"Yeah, sure. Wish you luck then." Kata Thomas lagi. Hanya orang-orang berpangkat tinggi yang berani berbicara pada Jehova. Apalagi Messias. Tak terkecuali, Christ. "Where's your boys, Thomas?" tanya Judas. "Mereka di zona tembak." Kata Thomas meminum slokinya.

"Huh." Kata Judas mengangguk. "Begitulah," lanjut Thomas menuangkan whisky, "You should be grateful of your guv'nor. He's a fine chap, alright." Thomas menoleh ke sofaku terbujur kaku. "He's a leader, someone I look up to. I hope you do too."

Simon dan Judas bertatap-tatapan. "What the—what , where am i?" kata seseorang dengan suara parau. "Oh. He's waking up already." Kata Simon melihatku yang bergerak perlahan seperti zombi. "Well, better now than minutes before. James would've kicked his ass." Lanjut Thomas. Masuk akal. Tidak ada satu orangpun di sini yang tahu rupa Christ ketika marah. Dan mencari tahu adalah langkah yang buruk.

"I'm—I'm okay, man. Judas? Is that you, boy?" kataku dengan suara yang berat. "Bollocks, boss. Come and get a rest already." Kata Judas membopongku. "Let's get this old man to rest and call it a day, shall we?" kata Simon membantu Judas membopongku juga—menuju ke salah satu kasur di living quarters.

"And have a shot with me?" kata Thomas tetap di meja, mengangkat slokinya. Judas dan Simon tersenyum. Well, to call it a day is one thing, to be able to go through a day without skipping a single beat of it is another thing. Especially after something so difficult to bear with.

Aku tidak ingat banyak tentang hari ini. And let's just leave it at that.

"Oh God, i'm so thirsty." Kataku bangun dari kasur dan memegangi tenggorokanku. Must have been the whisky the day before. I knew I wasn't that good with liquors.

Apakah ada minuman di sini? Ada puluhan manusia yang tinggal di sini, tapi tidak ada satupun jejak cairan. Sungguh miris. "Yo, William," kata Benedict di kasur seberang. "I thought you left already." Aku bertanya dengan suara parau. "Nah. Figured I took a good night's sleep." Balas Benedict menaikkan kedua bahunya. "And you get it. But still, Suisse needs recon, is that not?"

"Well, it does. Levi did it for me." Kata Benedict menatap meja makan. Well, Levi can't do shit. Boy hasn't gotten through a phase as one of ours. Maybe it was because he had a parents and an easy life before. "Look at that." Kata Benedict menunjuk ke meja makan.

Aku menoleh. Simon, Judas dan Thomas semuanya tersungkur lelap di sana. Well, they turned into lads then. "I don't see what's wrong." Kataku menuju meja, mencari segelas air. "They were your boys, drinking with another boss. Did it not irritate you?" "Not a tiny teensy bit." Lanjutku sembari mengambil gelas air di meja. Dan langsung meminumnya.

"I don't get it." Kata Benedict menyilangkan kedua lengannya.

"Get what?" aku bertanya seraya menaruh gelas air kembali ke meja.

"Didn't we supposed to the best at we do?"

"I see you've been taking motivation classes, mate."

"And—and you're seemingly calm, given the fact that someone might surpass you."

"Goin' a little rough there."

"What about this whole life we've been living? Is it nonsense? Is it—is it bollocks?"

"Mate—"

"Is it that our life—our life, this life, is just a big pile of bullshit?!"

Benedict terengah-engah. Well, kejadian terpilihnya Saul sebagai tangan kanan James jelas mengagetkan banyak orang. Apalagi orang-orang yang sudah mengincar posisi itu sejak dahulu kala. This life is the life we knows best. We were brothers, but deep down...we are all but envious of one another.

"Benedict, listen to me." Aku menatapnya dalam-dalam dan menghembuskan napas panjang.

"You did not have to be the best." Aku melihat ke Thomas, dan anak-anakku yang tertidur pulas. "At the expense of others, of course," aku lalu melihat Benedict, "Life is not pointless, given the circumstances of our living right now." Aku mulai berjalan ke arah Benedict.

"You give your life a meaning. You kill people? Sure—it might've sounded like you are waiting for hell, or maybe purgatory—anything evil, yes." Aku berhenti berjalan, dan melihat sekeliling ruangan ini. "But only you can give it meaning. To wipe away evil people? Yes. To reach titles, to show off to your fellow friends here? Yes. Are you capable of thoughts, of holding nothing back, and to leave? Yes."

Aku melangkah menuju pintu keluar.

"Only you can define the life of yourself, Benedict." Aku meraih gagang pintu dan memutarnya.

"Let's hope you can find it before the death arrives at your door." 'Click!' Pintu terbuka, meninggalkan Benedict menjadi satu-satunya orang yang terbangun di sana. Well, let him be then. Lad needed a thought—and who doesn't? Killing people seems to be rather a profession, a job that we bear—but not the one that we chooses to be. We seek of our own ways to perceive the world, and that is given. That is nature. That is humane. Just hope I can find mine, too, before all of this murderous profession gets the best of me. 'Click!' Aku menutup pintu, dan mencari rompi antipeluru beserta beberapa senjata. Sudah tiba waktunya untuk kembali ke luar sana. Masalahku sendiri belum selesai.

"Hey, wake up." Kataku sembari menenteng tas berisikan peralatan. 'Whoomp!' suara tas yang menghantam meja sontak membangunkan mereka bertiga. "Wha—What?" ujar Simon linglung. "Wake up, boy. Take a shower and sober up." Kataku lagi seraya mengeluarkan peralatan-peralatan.

"Dimana Benedict?" tanyaku melihat sekeliling. "He went out." Balas Thomas dengan mata mengantuk, mencoba berdiri. "Well. He still have things to do." ku membangunkan Judas. "Judas, boy, wake up." "Hmmm?" kata Judas berdengung. Well, this kid has been knocked out cold. "You have someplace to go?" tanya Thomas.

"Blackriver." Kataku padat dan jelas.

"Huh. Apakah kamu butuh bantuan?" tanya Thomas lagi. "No, thank you." KU tersenyum kecut. "You know you couldn't handle him alone. Especially after this mess." Lanjut Thomas. "Grow up. You need some help." Hmm. Dia ada benarnya juga. "Alright then." ku mengangguk. "It's a deal then."

Only one thing left; Saul. Is he now supposed to be our second-in-command? Can he still join my team, or I need to train someone else? I didn't really follow the situation before. "Thomas," kataku memanggil. Thomas menoleh. "Did you happen to know where Saul is?" "Probably at James's office." Woah. Boy is moving up in the world, huh? Well, better speak now than never. Who knows he could replace James in a matter of seconds. Pikikru sembari menuju ke kantor James. "Pack up your things, boy." Kataku sedikit berteriak kepada Judas dan Simon. Padahal Judas masih tertidur.

"Let the kid have some rest. He's also one of the people that helped you get sober, mate." Kata Thomas lirih sembari mengusap kepalanya. Hm. Thomas ada benarnya. "Alright then. Keep him safe for me, will you?" kataku menuju pintu keluar. "Where are you going?"

"To tell Saul, of course. I need full team going on this mission." Kataku serius.

Thomas mengangguk. Well, I doesn't need his agreement actually though.

"Saul!" kataku membuka pintu kantor James. "He's not here, William." Kata James di kursi empuknya. "And next time, knock, will you?" Aku melihat-lihat sekitar. "Wait. I thought he was here." "No, he was never here," kata James menggelengkan kepala, "What makes you think of that?" lanjut James sembari menaikkan alisnya. "Well, uh—you know, people has been saying—" "He may be my right hand, but that was for indefinite time. For the time being, he is still under your command." Kata James beranjak berdiri.

"Except when the time arrives." Katanya lagi, mengambil rokoknya.

"Yah, bahkan aku sendiri tidak mengerti bagaimana maksudnya, James." Kataku bingung. "Dia berada di atasku dan juga di bawahku secara bersamaan. I don't get your style of leading us—where, what, I mean, what will he be doing then?" lanjutku lagi, sedikit meracau. "He is your boy, William. Nothing will changes that. Even when he becames a boss, he is still your boy." Balas James, menyalakan rokoknya.

"Then where is he now?" kataku bertanya.

"Figures." Kata James mengisap rokoknya. "Maybe he's saying goodbye to—to Levi, I guess? Boy has been with him since academy." "Yeah, Levi is probably jealous." Kataku tersenyum—sedikit bangga atas pencapaian Saul. Walaupun semua didapatnya secara tidak sengaja. "Everybody is jealous. But it is not the time to tell everyone what is neccessary, what needs to be done." Kata James mendekat ke arahku, "Being the leader, you only needs to give orders. The right one, of course." Katanya lagi, semeter di depanku. Lalu James membuka pintu. "And I order you to leave my room."

Way to go, you old coot. "I think you're just punishing me right now." Kataku memicingkan mata. "Mungkin, William," kata James membukanya lagi sedikit lebih lebar, "Tapi aku atasanmu." Hm. I guess you were right. Rather than spending time with this old coot, I'd rather find Saul and just fucking get Blackriver. "Oh, and William," kata James lagi, memegangi pintu—kali ini dengan aku di luarnya, "Make sure you do your job properly this time."

Aku mengangguk. Seperti yang aku katakan sebelumnya, di pekerjaan ini,

Kamu hanya bisa patuh.

"Hey, Saul." Kataku melihat Saul di pintu keluar gedung ini. Sudah kuduga. He's sharing a few words with his bestfriend back from the academy, Levi.

"Boss! Didn't see you there." Kata Saul langsung tersenyum sembari membalikkan badannya. Levi tersenyum kecut—not that I care though. "Come on. Go to quarters. I have finished packing up stuff. We leave at noon tommorow." Lanjutku, memegang pundak Saul. "Just a second, can I? I need to talk with Levi." Aku menaikkan kedua bahuku. "Okay then. I'll see you at the quarters, boss."Aku mengangguk dan melambaikan tangan, lalu pergi kembali.

Well, compared to others, Levi must have been the one particularly envious about the current situation. He is, Saul bestfriend at the academy. Come to think of it, I never went to an academy. James just picked me up during my father funeral, and just—just like that. Recruited me. I wonder if all the other were picken up just like me. Maybe Messias? I never met him, actually. He's like a legend down here. Nevermind—I'll, I will just focus on what I need to do. Pikirku sambil berjalan lamban.

There has been a lot of things. I wonder what will happen next?

"Saul, are you sure about this?" kata Judas dengan muka marah. "Relax. I've planned the entire assassination already." Kata Saul tepat di belakangnya, juga dengan langkah hati-hati. Aku yang berada di baris paling belakang merasa gontai. Langit-langit mengucurkan air yang baunya tak keruan. "If that piece of shit has the wrong intel, I'll cut his dick off, I swear on me mum." Kata Simon, di depanku seraya menutup hidungnya dengan lengannya.

"Relax. Benedict says that Blackriver is on Maximus Hotel, here on Ruby Avenue. Aren't we on Ruby Avenue?" kata Saul menghibur semua orang di sini. "Ruby Avenue sewers, to be exactly." Balas Simon tiba-tiba. "You just have to ruin the entire mood, Simon." Timpal Saul lagi, sambil menghela napas panjang.

"Boys, be quiet. And walk the walk already." Kataku berbisik di belakang. And if Benedict really is wrong with this entire plan, not only his dick is cut off, his neck too. "You arrived already?" ujar seseorang di earpiece. "Not yet. The road to there is full of adversaries." Balasku.

"Well, hurry up lads. Time is of the essence." "Shut the fuck up, Levi." Balasku lagi di earpiece. "I'm at the lobby already." Balas seseorang lain di earpiece. "Thomas is in position. And yet, you all still on the way there." Balas Levi. "Levi—you wanker, try to get down here and try to be on position. It's not a cakewalk, mate." Balasku sedikit jengkel dengan anak ini.

"I'm not an assassin, though." Balas Levi lagi. This boy has done it.

"Which is why I need you to shut up." "And I need you to hurry up!" 'Beep!' Sialan. Dia memutuskan koneksi. "Like it or not, Levi is a bit of a wanker." Ujar Simon. "Let it slide. Lad has been through a hard mission already." Balas Saul. Well, wish I could back up my boys this time, but the smell of this place makes all my mood goes into the dumpster.

"There's the exit ladder!" ujar Judas, menuding ke tangga di depan. Fucking finally.

"Then let's go then. I want to puke." Ujar Simon. Well, you're not the only one, boy. "Hold position. I want to check the ladder." Kata Judas lagi. "Copy." Kataku dan kedua anak yang lain, nyaris berbarengan. Judas langsung berlari kecil ke arah tangga, lalu menyiagakan pistolnya ke arah atas dan tangan kanannya memegang senter. "Clear!"

Judas langsung naik menuju ke atas, disusul oleh Saul dan Simon. Aku mengecek ke belakang. Hm. Sepertinya kita tidak diikuti, pikirku. Aku langsung menaiki tangga cepat-cepat. Aku tidak tahan dengan semua bau ini.

"We're in position. Benedict, are you at the rooftop?" kataku di tengah tangga. "Yeah. I'm in position." Balas Benedict melalui earpiece. "Good. Tell that good-for-nothing Levi to turn on his goddamn earpiece." "Roger that, William." If that Levi kid can't do anything right in this high-risk mission, then it's all over for the rest of us.

"Boys!" kataku nyaris di akhir tangga, "Yes, boss?" suara Simon terdengar keras, "I need you to some recon." Balasku lagi, mencapai anak tangga terakhir. "Simon, you and Saul get to the kitchen and check if there are any guards there." Kataku menuding mereka berdua."Okay, boss."

"Judas, you check the bathroom." kataku lagi. "On my way, boss." Aku langsung mengambil silencer dan bergegas menuju fire escape. "Thomas, aku sudah di lantai dua. Lanjutkan." Kataku dengan separuh berbisik.

"Okay then. Do you see me?" balas Thomas. "Black suit, black hair, black shoes. Annoying face, hard to miss." Balasku lagi. "God bless you too, William."

"Alright. Are there any guards, boys?" kataku lagi.

"Bathroom is clear."

"So does the kitchen, too. But the food is delicious."

"Saul, focus." Kataku sedikit membentak. "Thomas. Semua sektor aman. Tentukan arah masukmu." "Kitchen is full of sharp utensils, and the bathroom—how can I reach the top floor through bathroom?" tanya Thomas. "Uhh—the vent?" balas Judas. "Benedict." Kataku memanggil orang yang ahli dan perencana semua ini. "Actually, that is impossible." Balas Benedict.

"Through the stairs, then." Balas Thomas lagi.

"Copy. Boys, do recon and watch over us at the second floor. Try to be one floor ahead of us." Kataku melalui earpiece. "Copy that, boss." "Got it, boss." "Copy." "Good then. And Benedict," kataku lagi. "What? Why me? What did I do wrong?" balas Benedict sedikit panik.

"Where in the goddamned world is Levi?!" tanyaku beringas.

"Oh. That fella is probably down at the lobby right now. You see, he has trained as an assassin and—" "What?! In the lobby? Do he has plans?!" kataku berteriak. "You better take care of things, William." Kata Thomas mulai terdengar panik. "Levi?! Kenapa dia ada di lobi?!" teriak Simon. "Apa kau serius?" tanya Judas kepada Simon di sebelahnya. Saul yang mendengar juga ikut panik. "Levi? Oy, mate?! You in the lobby? Why are you there?" Saul mulai berteriak di earpiece. "This is bulshit!" teriak Thomas tiba-tiba. Aku yakin semua orang di lobi pasti terkaget-kaget.

"Tuan, aku akan meminta Anda untuk pergi." Ujar seseorang—yang aku yakin seorang satpam, menyuruh Thomas untuk pergi.

Now you've done it, mate. Plans hatched perfectly, now we need to botch it.

"Now what?" ujar Thomas separuh berbisik. "Tuan, anda berbicara dengan siapa? Pintu keluarnya di sana." "Calm down," kataku sembari mengusap-usap kepala. "We only need to—" "Fuck you all!" teriak seseorang tiba-tiba, mengagetkan semua orang di earpiece.

"Levi?!" Sekarang giliran aku yang panik. What the fuck is he doing there, randomly doing things not according to plan? "Saul, you need to make your bestie here behave." Kata Judas dari lantai tiga. "Agree." Jawab Simon. "Wait a minute here. I didn't do anything wrong! He did it!" jawab Saul. Sepertinya lantai tiga di atas hanya dipenuhi oleh teriakan sekarang. Tinggal menunggu waktu sampai penjaga juga mencekal mereka di lantai tiga. And I really need to think.

"Where is Blackriver now?!" kataku panik. "Rooftop. Always. He's on the edge of the pool, surrounded by guards." "I have a plan. And I need you all to follow up." Kataku serius sekarang. Oh. It is on right now.

"I am listening, William." Kata Thomas. Semua yang lainnya diam. Aku asumsikan mereka semua mendengarkan, kecuali Levi, tentu saja. "Begini," kataku berjongkok, "Semua orang langsung menuju lantai teratas. Kita akan menghadapi mereka secara langsung." "That's not a plan, that's a suicide." Balas Benedict. "Look, they don't know that we are here yet. The guards are busy sweeping the streets for us. That means there will be less guards than ever protecting politicians," kataku serius, "And we have the element of surprise."

"That makes sense, actually." Kata Thomas. "I'm in." Lanjutnya lagi. "Aku juga." Kata Saul. "Can anyone tell me where is Levi?" tanya Simon. "But I'm in, obviously." Katanya lagi. "Aku juga." Kata Judas. "Me too." Kata Levi, tiba-tiba.

"Fucking hell! Where have you been?" kataku berteriak di earpiece. "I am doing recon, alright? And people should never notice I have an earpiece. The floors starting from fourth to the top has guards swarming around the room. I suggest taking the fire escape." Kata Levi menjelaskan. Oh wow. This boy is good, after all. "Wah, bagus sekali, Levi." Kata Saul. Hanya anak ini yang sanggup memaafkan Levi secepat itu. "That—doesn't mean anything though." Balas Simon tiba-tiba. "Come on, Simon. Can you do a better recon?" balas Saul lagi. "Girls, don't fight over the connection." Kata Thomas, menengahi pertengkaran.

"Oke, semua setuju? Mari kita langsung menuju fire escape." Kataku kembali ke topik awal. "There are two fire escapes. One on the far left and one on the far right. I suggest you split up." Kata Benedict, memegang binoculars. "Okay, me and Thomas take one on the left," kataku menuju tangga darurat, "You boys use one on the right. Meet up one floor before the rooftop."

Semuanya menyuarakan setuju. Then let's see where this plan leads us to.

Aku berlari menuju tangga darurat, bertemu dengan Thomas di tengah jalan. "You sure of this plan?" tanya Thomas, menutup earpiecenya. "Kamu ada saran lain?" kataku menaikkan satu alisku. Thomas menggelengkan kepala. "Then let's carry on then." Kataku mempercepat langkahku.

"We're on position. No guards seen, just as Levi says." Kata Saul. "Good. Carry on. Don't forget to steady your firearms." Balasku. Kita tidak boleh terlihat berlari, tapi kita juga harus cepat. I hope Benedict can spot any alerts before we blow this one too. "Guys, we need to speed up." Kata Judas. "The guards seems to be reducing. Fast."

"Then we better move our feet fast then. This is why you leave academy years later." Kataku separuh memotivasi. 'Clunk!' 'Clunk!' 'Clunk!' suara lantai besi tangga darurat yang bercengkerama dengan sol-sol sepatu ini menambah riuh suasana. Apalagi karena semua orang bisa mendengarnya dari earpiece.

Kita sudah berada di lantai lima belas. "Guys. Time out—'pant' 'pant' I need a rest." Kata Simon terengah-engah. "Granted. Sit down, people." Kataku juga tersungkur di lututku. "Guys, is it neccessary?" kata Benedict dari earpiece. "Benedict, you're not running, you piece of shit." Kata Simon lagi. "Well you're the assassin though." Balasnya lagi. Well, everything seems to be a little bit blurry. Is Surgeon fixing me head right? "Five minutes. Then we make a run again." Kataku lagi. "Done deal." Balas Thomas di sebelahku, terbaring lemas di akhir anak tangga.

"He is still there, though." Kata Benedict. "Who?" "Blackriver, of course. Who else?" "Well, I am thinking of your mom." Kata Saul. Aku bisa mendengar Judas dan Simon yang tertawa. "Yeah. Fucking funny. We are all orphans, though." Kata Benedict merusak suasana. "Guys, cut it out." Kataku. "Benedict, is he guarded?" "Very much. Three people at his sides, bulletproof vest. As usual, by the roof. Two people by the exit, two people by the entrance. And another three along the gazebo. Plus a sniper by the arch." Kata Benedict panjang lebar. Memang, kita membutuhkan intel sejak dahulu kala.

"Possible entrance?" lanjutku. "Nothing else than what you have right now. Good thing they are not guarding the fire exits." Balas Benedict. Bagus. Di situlah kita bisa masuk menyergap, dan kita harus memaksimalkan kondisi ini. Lenyapnya Blackriver bisa membuat keadaan kita semakin baik—atau buruk. Well, that's not up to me to decide anyway. I'm just here to do my job—and possibly become a good person in the end.

"Let's move out!" kata Thomas memimpin, sambil sigap berdiri dan mulai berdiri.

That is, I guess. Kataku ikut berlari. I just hope this is the right fucking way.

"Guys, equip your silencers. We don't want to go with a bloody bang." Kata Thomas, seraya mengambil silencernya. "I don't taking one out will make others less aware of it," kata Benedict, "Rooftop is pretty fucking small." Lanjutnya lagi. "Better safe than sorry, son." Timpal Thomas. It seems Benedict is right though. We take down one guard, others will be immediately alerted. If we need an element of surprise, it better be not one of those tiny surprises—we need to come to make a bang.

"We arrived." Kataku di bawah rooftop.

"Five minutes, boss." Kata Simon langsung membalas.

"Oke. Kita berkumpul di tengah ruangan. Ready your equipments, boys." Kataku di earpiece dengan dekat. "Benedict, recon. Tell us if something goes wrong during our rendezvous." Kataku lagi. "Afraid, William?" kata Thomas melihat mukaku. "I'm afraid it'll be like last time, Tom." Balasku melihat lantai. "Am I fucking good enough? Or will I die here, with no reason?" lanjutku lagi, mencengkeram pistol pemberian James dengan erat-erat.

"William," kata Thomas sembari berjalan mendekat ke arahku,

"Some things were just out of control,yes." Lanjutnya lagi. "Like your life. Or mine." Katanya tersenyum. Aku ikut tersenyum dibuatnya. "Do we have a reason to be like this? No. But we carry on. Not always about finding a reason," katanya juga mengeluarkan pistol yang persis sepertiku, "But sometimes it's just about living life. As it is." "Boss, we're here." Tiba-tiba kata Saul, Judas dan Simon sudah di pintu darurat sebelah. "We'll put this on hold." Kata Thomas. Aku mengangguk setuju.

"Ada banyak orang di atas, dan kita butuh rencana yang bagus—yang cepat." Kataku membuka percakapan. "Speaking of plans, we have one." Kata Levi. "And by us, you mean you." Balas Simon. "Simon, sudahlah. Biarkan dia berbicara." Kataku, lagi-lagi mengakhiri pertengkaran anak kecil mereka.

"The entrances are guarded, and they are close, which means we should eliminate them almost instantly." Kata Levi serius. Jarang sekali melihat anak tengil ini seserius ini. "You all ever heard of—flamethrowers?" katanya lagi, sambil tersenyum. "What?!" kata semua orang nyaris bersamaan. I thought he's all grown up already. I was wrong then.

"Then tell me—how it would work?" kataku mengusap kepala. "More importantly, who has a flamethrower?!" kata Simon. "Kita bisa membuatnya." Balas Levi. "Look. I am done." Kata Simon. "Aren't you with me, Judas?" Judas hanya diam saja. "Judas?" "You know, he has a plan. It might work if we could just hear it." Kata Judas. "Thankyou!" kata Levi. "Oke, aku menyerah. Mari kita dengar." Kata Simon mengangkat tangannya.

"We don't need to craft one," kata Levi tersenyum picik, "Because I borught one." Katanya membuka tasnya. "What—why?" kataku bertanya, kebingungan. This wasn't supposed to be here. It doesn't even belong here. This is lethal, heavy and unnecessary. "Kamu membawanya kemana-mana?" kata Thomas. "No," kata Levi menggelengkan kepala sembari membuka tasnya, "I know we need it for today's mission." "How so?" balas Simon tiba-tiba. "Karena aku pintar." Kata Levi lagi.

"You really think would work? This, this plan?" kataku lagi. Aku cuma tidak sanggup membayangkan apa yang akan terjadi. Usually we'd do this quiet and nice, and going aflame in hellfire is just so—how can I put it? So majestic.

"Yes. I really do," kataku menganggukkan kepala. "Guys, hurry up already. If you need a window, you'll about to have it. Then he'll leave. So chop chop." Kata Benedict melalui earpiece.

"So here's the plan." Kata Levi menyibakkan rambutnya.

"I only have one flamethrower." "Way to go for a plan—" "Shut up, Simon. He didn't even say anything yet." Kata Saul menutup mulut Simon dengan tangannya. "Yeah, right." Kata Levi melihat Simon dengan jijik. "So, I only have one flamethrower, but we are forgetting one thing." Katanya mendekat. "It's fire. It spreads. It doesn't need that much of a gas, actually." Lanjutnya sembari tersenyum. Sepertinya dia seorang psikopat.

"So we're just wreaking havoc?" kata Thomas. Levi mengangguk. "Isn't that a little—umm, you know, overstretched?" kataku sepemikiran dengan semuanya di sini, aku rasa. "Fire gives havoc, but it provides cover, and opportunity to attack them if they aren't ready—" "And us, too." Kata Simon tiba-tiba. "Jesus Christ, Simon." Sela Saul lagi. "Yeah, us too. But we are ready for it. We know the fire is coming." Katanya lagi. Hm. Masuk akal, pikirku sembari mengangguk.

"All I need is you guys to cover me, and pronto! Everyone is crisp to death." Katanya lagi. Well, I don't know if everyone would vouch for you, but the plan alone is good enough. "Anyone disagrees?" kataku sambil melihat sekeliling. Wah. Ternyata semuanya setuju. Judas hanya diam saja sedari tadi, dan Simon—yah, mungkin dia sudah dipaksa oleh Saul, but still, a plan's a plan. "All right then gentlemen," kataku seraya berdiri.

"Let's make some noise."

Aku berdiri disusul oleh semuanya. Levi menenteng flamethrower miliknya—yang tampaknya sangat berat—dan tersenyum licik. "Everything's ready, gentlemen?" kataku bertanya. Semua mengangguk. "Benedict, situasi." Kataku melalui earpiece. "Sepertinya aman-aman saja. Tidak ada pergantian penjaga. You're facing the same threat I said minutes ago." "Okay then. Fellas, let's go. You lead, Levi." Kataku melihat Levi dengan penuh semangat.

Aku berjalan beriringan di sebelah Thomas dan Levi, bersiap untuk menyergap para orang-orang yang tidak menyadari ini. Ada dua penjaga di sisi pintu satunya. Untunglah mereka melihat ke sisi sebaliknya. Aku menoleh ke Thomas, dan menunjuk kepalaku—memberikan gestur mennembak. Thomas mengangguk. "One, Two..." bisikku, "Three!" teriak Levi, menendang pintu sekuat tenaga.

'Crash!' Dua penjaga itu langsung menoleh. 'Bang! Bang!' tembakku dan Thomas langsung. "Move! Move!" kataku memberikan gestur ke belakang. Aku dan Thomas langsung berlari sekuat tenaga ke depan. Ada penjaga di kiri dan kanan. 'Bang!' Penjaga di kanan tertembak. 'Bang!' Di kiri juga. Thomas memang bisa diandalkan.

"In the name of God, be cleansed in hellfire!" teriak Levi menuju gazebo, didampingi oleh anak-anakku, dengan bersemangat.

'Frooommmm!!' suara jilatan api yang membesar karena membakar seluruh tanaman itu membuat sekujur atap ini dipenuhi cahaya yang cukup menyilaukan—this got to have consequences. Aku sontak berlari ke kanan, melihat ada dua penjaga di sana berlari dari pintu sebelah. "Cover, Thomas!" teriakku. 'Bang!' Aku jongkok dan menembak penjaga di kiri. 'Bang!' "Ugh. Fuck!" kataku meringis. Pundakku terkena peluru. 'Bang!' Penjaga yang menembakku langsung terjatuh.

"Are you okay? I'm a little late." Kata Thomas memegangiku yang memegangi pundak kiriku yang mencucurkan darah segar. "I'm okay. Coast clear?" kataku bertanya. "I don't know, but your boys seems to be doing fine." Kata Thomas melihat ke belakang. "Good. Let's sweep upfront then." Kataku mencoba berdiri. I hope Blackriver didn't get toasted by the flamethrower.

"Let's carry on." Kataku mengisi ulang pistolku, dan menoleh kepada Thomas.

"Are you sure?" "Sure. It's a scratch, look." Kataku melihatkan lengan bajuku yang tersobek, dan luka luar yang terbentuk karena peluru tadi. "Okay then." Kata Thomas menyiagakan pistolnya lagi. "Clear!" teriak Simon di belakang. "Wait. The sniper,guys!" teriak Benedict. Fuck! I totally forgot that. Pikirku seraya langsung berbalik. By the arch, Judas has replaced the sniper's position, just by his corpse. "I said, all clear." Sela Simon, sedikit sombong. Aku tersenyum lega. "Good job, lads."

Aku bisa melihat Blackriver di ujung atap, tepat di pojok depan sana.

"Tuan Blackriver?" kataku mendekat. "What—what do you want from me?!" teriaknya dari jauh, panik dan bergerak kocar-kacir di pojok atap seraya sesekali melihat ke bawah.

"We need to talk. And by talk, I mean finish you off." Kataku keras-keras.

"What did I do to piss you guys off?!" kata Blackriver tetap panik. "Itu tidak penting sekarang, bukan begitu?" balasku sambil berjalan mendekat. ���No! Back off! I'm—I'm warning you! Back off! Now!" kata Blackriver panik, menudingku dengan jarinya yang bergetar hebat.

"Goodbye, Tuan Blackriver." Kataku menudingkan moncong pistol ke arahnya.

'Bang!' seketika itu juga mayatnya terkapar, terlempar ke belakang, dan jatuh terserak ke lantai. Darahnya tercecer di kaca pengaman dan seluruh lantai. 'Vrrrrrrr!' suara mesin bising terdengar di belakangnya. Beserta lampu yang menyilaukan. "Special Forces! Hands where I can see them!" teriak seseorang dari bullhorn helikopter. Ya, di belakang muncul sebuah helikopter yang lengkap dengan machinegunnya dan penembak jitu. Fuck.

"Move!!" kataku berteriak lantang, lalu lantas berlindung di balik mayat penjaga tadi. 'Ratatatatatatata!! Ratatatatatatatatata!!' desingan peluru terdengar sangat hebat dan di mana-mana. Aku melindungi kepalaku sembari mencari celah untuk membalas. Oke. Kebisingan berhenti. Aku membidik helikopter sembari berlindung. Uh oh. That sniper is still at siege. But he's not looking at me. Now's my time. 'Bang!' suara mesiu tertembak memecah keheningan sementara. Tapi pistol kami sudah dilengkapi silencer. Which can only means one thing.

"Saul!" teriak Simon keras. 'Pew!' tembakku, tepat mengenai supir helikopter. Helikopter itu langsung tidak terarah, nyaris mengenai kami, sebelum akhirnya membanting setir di pojok atap, dekat dengan mayat Blackriver. 'Vrrrrrr!' deru mesin masih terdengar, sebelum akhirnya helikopter itu menabrak ujung gedung, 'Crash! Bang! Suara tabrakan yang hebat, sontak membuat gempa seluruh atap, membuat ujung atap sampai runtuh ke bawah, bersama dengan mayat Blackriver yang terlempar ke bawah.

Aku sontak berlari menuju arah Saul. "Saul! Hang on, mate!" teriakku keras-keras. "Let's get down now! Judas, you carry Saul! Me and the others will sweep down first! Move!" kata Thomas lantang. Tidak banyak berpikir, aku langsung mengangguk. "Goddammit, guys!" teriak Benedict dari earpiece. "Be careful down under! There's a lot of guard—I, I will provide support from here!" kata Benedict gagap. Aku tahu, dia pasti khawatir dengan kondisi Saul.

"We better move fast." Kataku berbisik pelan, seraya memimpin dari depan seluruh tim ini. Oh God, I just hop he's okay. Seluruh langkahku dipenuhi kekhawatiran akan anak itu. "Take the lift!" bentakku ke belakang. "Me and Thomas will handle anything comes to our way." Lanjutku lagi, sembari menoleh ke belakang. Semua menganggukkan kepala. Aku melihat Saul, di dalam pelukan Judas mengerang kesakitan. So this is how it feels.

"Carry on, mate." Kata Thomas memegang pundakku dari belakang.

"You're right. We should move on." Kataku mencoba membuat pilihan yang tepat. Just hope it's the right choice, because lately, I've been running out of luck, pikirku sambil berlari menuju tangga daruarat dengan banyak asumsi yang membebani kepalaku sekarang.

"Guard!" kataku berteriak sambil melihat ke depan. Aku langsung menembak. 'Pew!' Pew!' 'Pew! Pew!' Dua tersungkur, satu masih hidup. Sial, peluruku hanya mengenai dadanya, pikirku berlari ke arahnya tanpa pikir panjang. "Heargghh!" kataku mengerang sambil menendangnya ke tangga. 'Pow!' 'Crash!' penjaga yang tertendang itu terpental ke tangga bawah. Aku langsung menembak lagi. 'Pew!' "Urgh." Erang penjaga itu, setelah dilubangi kepalanya.

Aku langsung mengisi ulang pistolku. Dammit, we don't have much time.

"Come on! I'll cover!" kataku kepada orang-orang di belakang. Mereka mulai berlari kecil, seraya aku langsung menuruni tangga dengan cepat. Aku tahu akan ada lebih banyak penjaga di bawah sekarang, jadi kita harus pergi sebelum teman-temannya datang.

'Tap! Tap!' suara berisik lariku menyusuri tangga tidak menghalangi langkah cepatku. Aku harus melindungi Saul, bagaimanapun caranya. "There he is!" kata penjaga menudingku di depan pintu masuk tangga darurat. Aku langsung menembak tanpa pikir panjang. 'Pew! Pew! Pew Pew!' bunyi peredam memuntahkan timah panas. "Urgh!" "Fuck!" semuanya terjatuh, tapi tidak ada satupun yang mengenai kepala mereka.

"Fuck..." kata salah satu penjaga meraih pistolnya yang tercecer. Aku menendangnya ke bawah tangga, lalu memuntir lengannya. "Argh!" katanya mengerang. Aku langsung menendang dua orang temannya di sebelah, lalu meraih pistolku lagi. 'Pew!' "Urgh." Tepat di kepala. Aku langsung membalikkan badan dan menembak lagi. 'Pew! Pew!' Tepat dua di kepala juga. Aku merogoh kantong mereka, mencari amunisi. Ah, ada rupanya.

Lalu aku langsung turun tanpa pikir panjang. This is a very tall building, so I need to hasten things up.

"Benedict! Call for backup!" kataku berteriak di earpiece. "What? Am I going to call Christ?" jawab Benedict. "That's him!" kata penjaga di depan. Fuck. Aku langsung berlari ke depan. Penjaga itu meraih pistolnya, tapi tepat sekali—aku meninjunya di perut. Kedua temannya langsung menendangku. "Fuck!" teriakku lantang, terbanting ke tanah. 'Pew!' tiba-tiba terdengar suara. "Ugh." Orang yang tadi menendangnya tersungkur. Aku langsung memegangi kaki kedua penjaga dan menariknya kuat-kuat. 'Blam!' Mereka terjatuh. 'Pew! Pew!' suara itu terdengar lagi. Aku menoleh ke atas.

"Are you okay?" kata Thomas. Di belakangnya, Judas menggendong Saul, diiringi dengan Levi—dan juga Simon di sebelahnya. "I guess I am." "I guess we cannot take the fire exit again—Judas legs is about to give out." Katanya menoleh ke Judas. "Then give him to me." Kataku dengan tangan terbuka. "You sure, boss?" kata Simon. Aku mengangguk. Judas pun menuruni tangga dan mengoper Saul ke pundakku. Wajahnya sudah pucat pasi. "You're going to be okay, boy." Bisikku pelan.

"Bagaimana dengan Christ?" tiba-tiba ada yang berbicara di earpiece. "Call HQ, Benedict. Tell 'em we got a man down." Balasku. "You're asking for reinforcements?" tanya Thomas seraya menuruni tangga. "I am calling for backup." "But you know, Christ hates giving a hand on a mission...especially the ones that must succeed." Aku menghela napas, lalu melihat Thomas dengan serius.

"Look, all I care about is Saul right now." Kataku pelan.

"If that means my life, my career, or anything else, I'd be damn willing to give it up." Lanjutku lagi.

Thomas mengangguk. "Sepertinya pembicaraan kita kemarin masih belum selesai?" katanya lagi. "Mungkin," kataku. "Yang terpenting adalah kita keluar dari sini sekarang." "So, what about HQ?" kata Benedict. "Ask them I need backup. Didn't I tell you that before?" "Yeah, but then you guys got into a talk, so I'm not sure whether to call or not." "Call it, Benedict. And get the bloody hell out of your position." "Copy that." Kata Benedict mengakhiri percakapan. "Carry on, now." Kataku menoleh kepada semua orang. Semuanya mengangguk.

'Tap!' 'Tap!' 'Tap! Tap!' lagi-lagi suara berisik kakiku menghiasi drama epik penyelamatan Saul ini. "Shit!" kataku tersentak melihat tangga di bawah. Ada sekitar setengah lusin penjaga di sana. Aku mengambil langkah kembali, menunggu yang lain.

"Oy!" kata Thomas tiba-tiba. Aku terkejut dibuatnya. 'Bonk!' Kita berdua bertabrakan. Untunglah badannya yang kekar mencegah kita berdua jatuh tak karuan. "What the bloody hell are you doing? Why falling back?" kata Thomas sembari mencengkeram seluruh tubuhku dengan satu tangannya. "There's too many of them. I need all of you."

"Perhaps a flamethrower might come in handy." Kata Levi. "Shut the fuck up, mate." Balas Simon.

"Guys, knock it off already." Kataku sedikit jengkel dengan tingkah mereka belakangan ini. "Benedict," kataku merapatkan tangan ke telinga. "Ya?" "Apakah mereka sudah di sini?"

"If by them you mean the whole Suisse police and army looking for you, then yes. If you mean reinforcements, then no." "Shit." Kataku menutup panggilan dengan kesal. "We need to go back upstairs, see what we can do." "We can only hold them off, though." Ujar Thomas. "Lebih baik daripada hanya mati konyol di sini, aku rasa." Balas Simon. "Yeah, but Saul, though." Kata Benedict melalui earpiece.

"Look, I get it! Okay?" kataku menyudahi semua ini. "Let's run back up and see what's what. We need a plan, still." Kataku lagi. "Copy." Kata Thomas. Oke. Mari kita kembali lagi ke tempat kita berasal. 'Tap!' 'Tap!' 'Tap! Tap!' Once again, my shoes made noises, and it's a little louder now that everybody is making the same noise too, but I can't comprehend it. I got way too much things around my head.

"So what's the plan?" teriak Thomas, tepat di belakangku sambil terengah-engah. "I don't know!" balasku keras, sambil menggeleng. ��What the?!—You got a deathwish?!" "Oh, you're mocking me now? What is your plan, then?!"

"Guys, be quiet. Help is on the way." Kata Benedict tiba-tiba, membuat kita semua langsung menghentikan langkah. "Dan mereka datang dari lobi. Pretty convenient, huh?" katanya sambil—aku rasa—tersenyum. Hm. I guess. I never called a reinforcements before. "Look, if this is not a done deal, I will come at them guns blazing." Kata Levi. "But you're not trained to use guns." Balas Simon. "Mate, we are all in academy back then." "But, still. Untrained." Ugh God, here they come again. "Guys, shove it, please. I am begging." Kataku menoleh ke belakang dan meremas tanganku.

"Oke, bos." Kata Simon pelan. Man, it was a nuisance to bring these babies. "So, you got a plan, Benedict?" telponku kepada si Benedict yang sedari tadi tenang-tenang saja di sana. "Well, you guys didn't get ambushed, right? And still in the middle of the fire escape?��� balas Benedict santai. "Yeah, carry on." "This help only knocks off a few guys. You gotta be guns blazing. Estimated time of their arrival; maybe a couple minutes." Aku terdiam. Kami semua terdiam.

"Did you hear it, mates? We have a plan, alright." Kata Thomas, mengisi ulang pistolnya.

"Scared, mate?" katanya lagi, menepuk pundakku. "Bloody hell if I'm scared." Balasku menepis tangannya. "Sepertinya keinginanku terpenuhi." Kata Levi, tersenyum bangga. "Did you intels have these sorts of telepathy thing?" ejek Simon. "Guys, move it. Saul is silent these past minutes. I think he's out cold." Kata Judas sembari melihat Saul yang pucat pasi di pangkuannya. "Then I suggest we hurry up. Our couple minutes window is now out. The next thing to do is to guns blazing." Kata Thomas, memimpin jalan ke bawah. Aku menghela napas, lalu menoleh ke belakang. "You heard him, boys." Ketiga pria di belakangku mengangguk. Aku melihat Saul. I hope this is the best choice we had. Pikirku sembari menyusul Thomas, menyiagakan pistolku. But to be honest, this is the only choice we ever had.

"Three guards. Cover me!" kata Thomas serius. "Got it." Kataku lirih, menargetkan pistolku menuju penjaga-penjaga itu—yang masih membelakangi kami. 'Bang!' Fuck! Thomas melepas pengamannya! Orang ini gila. "Hey, what was—" 'Pew!' 'Pew! Pew! Pew!' "Ugh.." It even took me several bullets to take down the last one. "Thomas! What the bloody hell was it?!" teriakku lantang sambil menuruni tangga, tepat di belakangnya. "Focus, William!" teriaknya. 'Bang!' 'Bang! Bang!' tembaknya ke depan, sebelum berlindung ke tembok sebelah. Aku menoleh sebentar—'Bang!' "Crack!"—Nyaris saja. Aku langsung kembali berlindung ke tembok. Peluru tadi menggores tembok dengan dalam. "You have a grenade?!" teriak Thomas. "What?!" "Grenade!" "What?! Louder?!" "Grenade!!" teriaknya benar-benar keras. "Wha—grenade?!" "Grenade, cover!" teriak penjaga itu. Aku dan Thomas bertatapan—lalu, dengan secepat kilat langsung keluar. 'Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!' 'Bang! Bang!' 'Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!' 'Bang!' kita berdua langsung memberondong lobi dengan muntahan timah panas di sana-sini.

"Where the fuck is the backup, though?" kataku di sebelah Thomas, berlindung di balik sofa.

"Hell if I know, they can—" "There they comes!" teriak Benedict. "Holy shit, William." Kata Thomas, menurunkan pistolnya. "Here they are! Shoot him!" kata penjaga di seberang. "Thomas, bergeraklah! Kau mau mati konyol?!" kataku berteriak sembari bersembunyi dibalik sofa. "Thomas!" teriakku lagi. Apa yang salah dari orang ini? "They're coming, mate. Would you take a dear fucking look at that?" What? What could be possibly happen—holy fucking shit.

"Would you take a look at that?" kata Judas, membopong Saul yang lemah—melihat ke depan terkesima.

A helicopter comes in, and special forces rolling down through the ziplines, and the guards fall back, letting the people with their bulletproof suits and their riot gears—they come inside, and they wants our head.

This is a fucking Armageddon.

And again, where the fuck are the backups?

"Surprised, boy?" kata Thomas, menepuk punggungku. "Don't call me boy. We enrolled at the same age, boy." Kataku menoleh. Cahaya di depan sangat membutakan. Suara helikopter, dan banyak teriakan—dari pihak kita, atau bukan, entah—kita hanya bisa menunggu mereka masuk saja, sepertinya. "We enrolled against our will, boy."

"I thought you liked it back then." Kataku bertanya, menaikkan satu alisku.

"I do. It's just—"

"What? You got bored, mate?"

"We are not born assassin, William. We are not."

"That I know. You're having those midlife crisis, don't you, boy?"

'Tch.' Senyumnya simpul. "Come on, William. This might be our last."

The lights became even more bright, accompanied by the sounds of those bullhorns. One of the speakers spoke. "Put your hands in the air where we can see them!" they shouted. The special forces arrived at the door and held us all at their gunpoint. The riot shields gets deployed, and a couple red dot lasers aiming at our chest. "To be honest, Thomas," I said very plainly,

"I hate this life too."