the kill

i am bent over my rifle on top of the 40 storey building. with my scope i can see everything that conspires before me below. the driver of the CLS 350 picking his nose. the teenager at the traffic light pulling up his jeans and boxers, then pulling down his jeans again. i can see the smoker flicking off 50cm of ash from his cigarette; the ash dropping to the ground and breaking up. "marlboro" and 3 green stripes. methol lights.

the target is scheduled to pass in 10 mins. the route down is clear, my weapon will be taken care off. i have a 1 min window to fire the shot. this is what i have been training for. this is what i have been playing out mentally over and over again. release the safety and breathe in. centre the target, progressively apply pressure on the trigger... ... click. breathe out slowly, take 2 steps back and drop the rifle on the ground. escape through the fire escape and walk one block down. a yellow taxi with a driver wearing a camo cap. get in and im free.

1 min. i focus on the spot where the target will enter the kill zone. i wait. soon, the target and his entourage enters the kill zone. i take aim, release the safety and breathe in. i centre the target and place my finger on the trigger. i gradually apply pressure. i... ...