Chapter 41: Perfect Loop
Adam looked at Sophia’s sleeping form one last time. Not a word was spoken. A slow stand from the bed was followed by a silent exit from the room.
The door was quietly closed and locked from the outside. A move to Anastasia’s room was next. Her door was also locked.
Walking towards the stairs the mind was a whirlwind of calculations. I have their skills and a gun now, Adam thought. But I am still not in a position to neutralize all three of them without any losses. Not yet. The greatest weapon had to be used. The most powerful advantage was the ability to return by death.
This loop would be used. As many as it took would be used to find the perfect path. A path was needed where victory could be achieved without any casualties. A path where Sophia’s family would be safe.
The top of the stairs was reached. Just before descending the soft thump from downstairs was heard. Sophia’s mother. In this loop she was dead again. A pang of guilt shot through the chest but it was pushed down. She could not be saved yet. The larger plan required focus.
The stairs were not descended. Instead a crouched position was taken on the landing just as before. The small wall provided concealment. The wait began.
The events of the loop started to unfold just as they had in the previous one. The frantic pounding from Anastasia’s room began. It was soon joined by Sophia’s own desperate cries. The noise created the perfect distraction.
One of the assassins was heard running out the back door to check the perimeter. And then the remaining two were heard rushing up the stairs.
But this time there was preparation. The silenced pistol was in hand. The cold metal was a comforting weight. The skills of a professional assassin were ingrained in the very being.
How to aim was now known. How to control breathing was now known. How to make every shot count was now known.
They were seen coming up the stairs. Two dark figures moved with a deadly purpose. There was no waiting for them to reach the landing. The moment the second assassin’s head cleared the top step a shot was fired.
The silenced pistol made a soft spitting sound. The bullet crossed the short distance in an instant. It struck the second assassin directly in the head. A collapse without a sound followed. The body tumbled back down the stairs.