Wes hates the mob.
Wes hates the murky smell of blood and gun powder and heart-wrenching fear flooding the humid air as gun-barrels tentatively kiss wet skin. He hates the grim, shadowy atmosphere that hovers gingerly in the air, mixing unpleasantly with sweat and warm breaths. Wes hates the soulless, possessed looks in henchmen's eyes as they zero in on their targets, their missions. He hates the frightening amount of power, of inhumane control that is rendered by simple gun-handling.
Wes hates and fears so many things about the mob. But there is one thing he hates and fears most.
His father.
When his father says a word, one word, Wes has to obey it. He has to. It was his father who had ordered him. And everyone obeys their father.
Kill, his father says. Wes pulls the trigger with a heavy heart.
Strangle, his father says. Wes tightens his grip around the man's neck with teary eyes.
Kidnap, his father says. Wes secures the knot around the frantic girl's wrists with a wounded conscience.
Wes has tried to say no. He's tried to form that two-letter word whenever his father uttered a bidding. But once the tip of his tongue is curled against the roof of his mouth, once he's formed that letter and had just one more left, his father's eyes stare into his and seep into his soul and spill its hatred and maliciousness into Wes' otherwise untainted heart. His breathing becomes ragged, his heart pounds helplessly against his chest, his hands shake and sweat violently.
Wes wants to say no. But he can't. It was his father who had ordered him. And everyone obeys their father.
So Wes continues to be part of the mob. He continues to spill blood, but makes sure that they clean the messes. He continues to cut skin, but does it as precisely as possible so that it doesn't look so grotesque. He continues to strangle necks, but does it as quickly as possible so as not to prolong the torture. He continues to pull triggers, but once and only once will he shoot the same man.
Slowly, the pure light in Wes' eyes disappear completely, but it doesn't go without resistance. Wes makes it a point to contribute small acts of rebellion in each of his missions.
After all, Wes just hates the mob.