Elliott's face turned ashen in an instant, but his reflexes were sharp. He sprang to his feet and bolted forward with everything he had.
BANG.
His legs gave out, and he crashed to the ground. Without hesitation, he twisted around and blindly fired his gun.
Click. Click. Click.
The pistol was empty—only the dry snap of the trigger echoed in the air. Defeated, Elliott lowered the weapon as David's figure loomed closer.
Spotting the phone in David's hand, Elliott growled, "How did you know? Did you—my girlfriend… What did you do to her?"
Suddenly, as if fueled by sheer rage, Elliott launched himself at David. David stumbled back in fear, but before Elliott could reach him, someone else struck him down.
Once Elliott was subdued, David crouched beside him, tapping Elliott's forehead with the barrel of his gun. "That bitch tasted real good," he sneered. "Never thought you had it in you, Elliott. Every time with her got me so damn excited."
Ignoring Elliott's furious glare, David chuckled. "Oh, and guess what? It was her who gave me your number. And don't think your boys will avenge you—once you're gone, they're mine. This whole place? Mine. And that sweet, innocent girlfriend of yours? She came to me. Hah…"
Elliott writhed in disbelief, but David only grinned wider. "Gouge his eyes out first, then finish him. That's what the bitch asked for." Elliott froze. So she still remembers that night.
"Boss, it's done."
David, who had been waiting to hear Elliott's screams, cursed at his underling. "You idiots! He didn't even make a sound! How the hell is that 'done'?" He lashed out, beating the man until he cowered in silence.
"B-Boss," the man stammered, "I just took his eyes. He's still conscious—just… didn't scream."
David's anger flickered into surprise. He leaned over Elliott, confirming it—the man's lips were shredded from biting down, yet not a single cry had escaped. A grudging respect crept into David's voice.
"Elliott… I've been in this game for years, but you? You're the first man I've seen with this kind of steel. I'll give you that. Say your last words. I'll make sure they're done."
Elliott's hollow, bleeding sockets fixed on David. "You're better than me," he rasped. "Just didn't have the right second-in-command. Mine's sharp—use him well. And that woman… If you love her, treat her right. If not, give her enough to live quietly. That's all."
David hadn't expected that. But the weight in Elliott's voice was undeniable. "Fine. I'll handle it. Now… go."
Elliott exhaled, his body going slack. David watched, knowing even if he spared him now, Elliott wouldn't want to live in this world anymore.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Rain began to fall. Thunder cracked, lightning splitting the sky. David raised his gun.
BANG.
Elliott's body went still. "Bury him properly," David ordered, leaving three men to handle the corpse.
Once the grave was dug and Elliott laid to rest, the trio descended the hill—
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning struck straight down, splitting Elliott's grave open at the crown of his skull. A wisp of smoke curled upward… then vanished into the storm.