Free Cross Roads: Pick a Path by Janaath Vijayaseelan

my door, I watched as our elderly
driver attempted to flee. His attempt fell short as he received an
immediate piercing bullet to his head. Closing the door behind me I
started walking towards the masked men, with a gun in my hand,
blazing. Without any training, I really just fired at will; looking
forward in the direction of Marona’s vehicle I noticed that the
henchmen had already taken down a few of the masked men.
Unfortunately for them they’re pure flesh wasn’t bulletproof; I
tried shooting down the surrounding masked individuals but, the
henchmen fell to their deaths.

    I could hear Remone calling out to me,
pleading to take cover behind the SUV. I ignored him, continuously
pacing towards Marona’s Range Rover; at this point I did not even
know if Marona was alive, but he called me his son. Emptying my
clip, I brought down three of the unidentified men; only one
remained. Through the tinted rear window I could see movement; it
was Marona! He was fine, but if I didn’t think quickly, the last
remaining foe would have surely got him. Dropping the empty gun to
the ground I began to sprint in the direction of Marona’s vehicle;
“ARRUN! Watch out,” Remone shouted. I was in a clear aim for the
masked man; he could end my life right there, or maybe he’ll miss.
I was willing to take my chance with him; racing straight for the
man, I heard the bursts of rapid fire.

    Remone managed to take down the last man;
turning in his direction I playfully said, “Nice shot bro,” he
didn’t seem to be pleased with my methods. Marona stepped out of
his vehicle, unharmed. He was furious; it was probably his
disbelief that someone actually tried to take him out. But the poor
soul Remone shot didn’t die just yet; Marona walked over and
unmasked the covert man. “Tell me who sent you, and maybe you’ll
live to see another day,” he whispered. “Shekhar Khan,” responded
the man in hopes of being spared, but sparing the man who tried to
kill him was the last of Marona’s belief. With mighty force Marona
clomped down into the mans face, merely using his foot.

    “Remone! Call one of those idiots to come
pick us up,” ordered a furious Marona.

    I stood beside Remone as he made the call,
and before you knew it there were vehicles hammering in left and
right. Seeing the amount of back up rolling in I could not stop but
wonder why these fools couldn’t just be with us in the first place.
The lives of the innocent drivers could have been spared; I wonder
who’s going to support their families now.

    “Arrun! Come over here, I want you to meet
some people,” called out Marona.

    I began walking towards Marona, and I
watched as he began gathering all his men in a crowd. As I stood
side by side with him he began to speak; the way everyone stood
around him, you would think he was a politician or something.

    “ I am your king, there is no denying
that; nor will there ever be any change in that. Starting today
along with Verone and Miran, you’ll be listening to the orders of
Arrun, my third son. He’s saved my life on two occasions now;
something you idiots should’ve been doing. While were talking about
that, would anyone of you idiots like to explain to me why the
these two dead henchmen were sent to protect me?”

    “Remone, saved your life too,” I
interrupted.

    Marona and the other men immediately turned
their head in my direction. “Remone’s the one who shot down the
last man,” I said calmly; I don’t think these guys respect Remone
enough to be such a big piece of their kingdom, and it bothered me.
Remone running next to me spoke, “Sorry Marona, I don’t think he
meant to interrupt you.” I stood confused; I don’t understand why
he watched as I was given all the credit.

    “Are you serious, with all this bullshit,”
intruded a voice in the crowds.

    “ Verone and I are you only sons. You
bring some pampered kid from Canada and throw him in to the deep
waters, thinking he could swim? You’re