Hot damn ! I am cranking these chapters out fast as hell , I don't think I've ever written so many chapters in such a short span of time . Granted , a lot of these past chapters have been written in a rush . I need to seriously work on my fast writing skills if I want to start publishing more long term stories . Though then again , that could result in a severe drop of quality .
What was I even talking about again ? Oh yeah right , the chapter .
So Hansel and Gretel are finally ready to leave Roanapur , but Balalaika is coming after them . How will their meeting go this time around ?
With that said , let's get right into the chapter !
Hansel shifted car into park as they finally arrived at the docks , they both get out of the car , grabbing their luggage along the way . Walking down the pier , they can see Abas's boat and Abas himself getting the boat ready for departure , untying the rope to the pier .
Abas turned to them , noticing their approach " Oh you two are here already ? "
" Yeah , we decided to come a bit early . Is the boat ready yet ? " Hansel asked .
" Give me a couple minutes to get the boat ready and we'll be ready to get out of here " Abas said walking back onto the boat " Like you both requested , I'll drop you both off at the one of islands close to the border of Thailand . You both should be able to make your way to Malaysia from there "
" Thank you for this " Gretel nodded in appreciation .
" Don't mention it kid , just make sure you got the money ready " Abas climbed down one of the hatches of the boat , presumably to make some last minute preparations .
Hansel and Gretel just waited on the pier , both of them sitting down on some nearby crates as they waited for the boat be ready .
Hansel let out a sigh " Almost hard to believe that we actually made it , huh sora mea ? "
" Yeah ... this is definitely going in the book as one of the most intense jobs we've ever taken " Gretel nodded .
" Going after two major mafia bosses ... surviving a city wide man-hunt for us ... helping take down our former employer and essentially save the day " Hansel leaned back " Yeah , this has definitely been a wild job for the two of us "
" At least , we'll be able to lay low for a couple months " Gretel shrugged . With the money they got , they should be able to live comfortably for a little while without taking any jobs .
" Amen to that sora mea ... "
They both sat there in silence for a few minutes , neither of them really saying anything . Hansel distracting himself by reading a book he had kept in his coat while Gretel was busy looking up at the beautiful sky and counting the birds in the air . It was the brief moments like these where the twins could just feel ... peaceful . Not having to worry about getting shot or killed , or thinking about the next job or target . Just two kids sitting on a pier , waiting for their ride to be ready .
It was awfully peaceful for the two .
" What do you know ? I guess my hunch was right ..." A voice cut through the silence of the pier and the twins quickly turn to see the familiar sight of Miss Balalaika standing on the pier . Dressed in her usual red business attire .
Without a second thought , Hansel went for his gun and pointed it at her , while Gretel reached for her BAR doing the same . They don't know how the hell Balalaika found them , but it couldn't mean anything good . She may have pulled the contract ... but that didn't mean she didn't have a bone to pick with them .
Balalaika quickly held up her hands in a non-threatening manner " Wait , wait , wait ! I'm not armed ! I came alone ..."
Hansel and Gretel looked at each other , uncertain if she's telling the truth or not " How did you find us ? " Hansel questioned .
" Well ... I was doing some thinking in my office when I realized that you two couldn't have possibly have gotten out of town through the border . Buying an airplane ticket was out of the question . So that left the only option for you two was to leave the city by sea " Balalaika answered truthfully " And I knew there was only smuggler good enough to get people in and out of the city so ... "
Balalaika shrugged " I took a lucky guess ... and I was right "
Both Hansel and Gretel eased up , but they both kept their guns pointed at her " What do you want with us ? "
" Just take it easy ... I'm not here for a fight " Balalaika slowly approached " In fact , I came to make an offer ... "
Both Hansel and Gretel raised eyebrows at this " An offer ? " Gretel repeated .
" Yes , an offer. Can I ... approach you both ? " Balalaika asked , hoping they would let her .
Both Hansel and Gretel looked uncertain , she may be unarmed but she's still Ex-Special forces who they no doubt has been trained in the art of killing people with their bear hands .
" Look if you're worried I'm gonna try something , there's no way I can take both of you down by myself " Balalaika reasoned .
Hansel and Gretel thought about it for a moment , before lowering their weapons , giving Balalaika the clear to approach . Balalaika let out a sigh , its good that they aren't instantly shooting at her . Which she doubts she would survive if they did , the fact that they are lowering their guns and letting her get close means they have at least some level of faith in her .
Balalaika walked towards them , taking a seat on one of the crates , both Hansel and Gretel sitting side by side with her . In case , she tried anything of course , they could respond quicker to her movements .
" So what's the offer Miss Balalaika ? " Hansel asked , cutting straight
Balalaika took a deep breath steadying herself " I was quite impressed by both of your skills . You had both managed to not only evade and escape my best unit , but you also managed to figure Verrocchio's intentions and take him down by yourselves . Something even me and my men failed to do "
" For that ... I thank you both " Balalaika gratefully nodded to the twins .
Gretel gave a small smile to her " It was nothing Miss Balalaika ... we just thought cleaning up our mess was the least we could to make up for it "
" Yes ... and while I can't forgive the deaths you bestowed upon my men ... thank you for at least ending their suffering quickly " Balalaika was honestly still a little pissed about the twins killing her men . But she put those emotions aside to have this talk with them .
" We don't like causing suffering Miss Balalaika ..." Hansel said out of the blue , making her turn to him . Hansel had a serious look on his face " We don't like to draw out our targets suffering anymore than we have to ... its not right "
Balalaika sadly smiled " I suppose so ... "
" Anyway , after doing some thinking about it ... I was wondering if you two ... would like to join me "
Balalaika's offer made both Hansel and Gretel look at her in surprise .
" What do you mean ? " Hansel questioned .
" You would both work directly under me ... taking care of whatever tasks I give you ... you'll be paid handsomely of course ... I give you my word I'll never give you any job that is outside your skill set . " Balalaika closes her eyes and speaks the absolute truth " You will both live with me at Hotel Moscow ... and if you both ever decide you wish to leave this life behind , I will let you both go without a the least bit of resistance "
Hansel and Gretel both looked at each other ... the offer almost sounded too good to be true , a roof over their heads , good pay and the ability to leave anytime they wanted . But there was one question that was bugging both of the twins .
" Why ? " Hansel asked .
" Hmmm ? " Balalaika hummed .
" Why would you make this offer to us ? " Hansel repeated the question " Forgive me for being rude , but I find it a little hard to believe that the mafia boss whose men we had been killing for the past month , suddenly would want to take us under her wing . There's something else at play here , isn't there ? "
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Balalaika let out a humorless chuckle " Would you believe me if I said I just want to help you two ? "
Now it was the twins turn to look like a deer caught in headlights , as Balalaika continued " This is just hypothetical of course ... but after seeing both of your history ... I guess you could I say I related to both of you in some sick little way ... "
" You ... saw the videos ... " Gretel somberly said .
" Yes ... I'm sorry you both had to go through that " Balalaika patted Gretel's head .
Balalaika lit up a cigar and put it in her mouth , blowing out a puff of smoke , " God knows ... I've made my ... fair share of fuckups and mistakes ... I can't help but wonder if I could've lived a different life full of peace instead of all this shit . " Balalaika let out a sigh " It may be too late for me ... but it isn't too late for you two "
Both Hansel and Gretel were silent for a moment , before they both did the unexpected and leaned on Balalaika . Resting their heads on her lap .
" I don't know if there's a god out there ... but if there is , maybe ... just maybe he'll see fit to give you a second chance " Hansel calmly said , looking up at the sky .
" Yeah ... this may be naive for me to say but ... I don't think anybody is beyond redemption " Gretel added .
Balalaika let out an amused chuckle , patting the two vampires on the head .
" Hey kids ! Get aboard the ship ! We're ready to leave ! " Abas called out from the control room .
" Sounds like your ride is ready ... " Balalaika and twins stood up , getting up from the crates " So I take it you two aren't coming with me ? "
Both Hansel and Gretel shook their heads " Sorry , Miss Balalaika , but I'm afraid we'll have to decline "
" I understand ... thank you anyway for hearing me out " Balalaika gave the twins a pat on the head " Parting words of advice kids ... its true that nobody lives forever ... however , we make a living until we die "
Balalaika walked away with the twins watching her back " In case , you're wondering what it means ... it means to make the most out of your life while you still have it "
" Have a safe trip " Balalaika gave a small wave , as she walked away from the pier and back towards the car .
Both Hansel and Gretel looked at each other , both of them looking uncertain .
Balalaika let out a final puff of smoke , as she threw away her cigar , crushing it underneath her foot as she walked back to the car Boris was waiting in for her . She had to admit she was a little disappointed that the kids didn't want to come with her , while she may have made it come off as she just wanted them because of their skills and abilities . Some stupid part of her , wanted them because maybe deep down she wanted her own kids .
Even if they are not by blood ... Balalaika could sense a connection between the twins and her .
Balalaika chuckles ... she , a crime boss wanting her own personal assassin kids . It sounded ridiculous in her head , yet at the same time another part of herself agreed with her .
Hearing the sound of boat whistle blowing in the distance behind her indicating that it was leaving shore . Balalaika shook her head , there was no point in wandering about such pointless things now , the twins have finally left Roanapur . Now all that was left was for Balalaika to go back to her usual dirt and shit filled existence .
Managing territory , drug deals , reporting to the higher ups of the Russian Mafia , keeping any stragglers from encroaching on her turf ...
Balalaika let out a sigh , as she saw Boris's car across the street . Deciding not to think about the twins anymore , she walked to the car , Boris rolling down the window to look at her.
" I take it the twins didn't accept your offer Kapitan ? " Boris asked .
" Let's just get out of here Boris " Balalaika averted the question , walking to the backseat door .
" Yes , Kapitan "
Opening the backseat door , Balalaika's eyes widen in surprise as she sees the familiar white hair of the twin Vampires . Hansel and Gretel sitting there with a particular smug ,yet semi happy look on their faces .
" What the - I thought you were both on the boat ! " Balalaika says in surprise as she gets inside the car .
" More importantly , how the hell did you both get in here without me noticing !? " Boris was just as shocked as Balalaika , he was a trained soldier and he failed to detect two children sitting in his backseat !
Gretel smiled at the two adults " We have many abilities . They don't call us the vampires for nothing you know ..."
Hansel turned to Balalaika " We did a little thinking about your offer for 5 minutes and ... we decided that if you think that it isn't too late for us , then we believe you "
Balalaika was shocked for a moment , before her eyes soften , patting both kids on the head " Thank you both ... " Balalaika turns to the still shocked Boris " Sergeant , get us out of here "
" Y-Yes , Kapitan ! " Boris snapped out of his stupor and started the car . Driving away from the docks .
Both Gretel and Hansel let out a yawn , they had both awaken earlier than usual to catch their boat . They were planning on catching some sleep on the boat , but since that plan is now scrapped ...
The twins leaned on Balalaika , using her as a sort of makeshift pillow for their heads .
Balalaika chuckled at she heard the twins snore in their sleep " Sleep well , my deti ..."
She may not have realized it ... but both Balalaika and the twins had found some essence of peace .
And that is a goddamn wrap ! I got to say , I've really outdone myself with this story . That being said , I do apologize if this chapter and ending seems a bit rushed ... since it is . But I just hope you all enjoyed it regardless .
I would like to thank everybody who has been following this story , I really appreciate it !
The next chapter is the epilogue , which I guess you could consider the final conclusion to this story . So stay tuned for more !
With that , Angel Out .