Disclaimer: I don't own Human Target and intend no copyright infringement.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!", the young woman screamed.
Judging from her outfit she was working for a law firm or some high-end real estate company. It was clearly designed to demonstrate ambition and professionalism, just like her strict yet attractive French pleat of blond hair. She probably used her midday break for a visit to the gym and regularly brushed aside the warnings on the leaflets that came with the various diet pills she consumed instead of lunch.
"I didn't reach anyone! I swear!"
Foolish thing had tried to use her cell phone. Of course the robbers had noticed. Now she was pleading for her life.
Philippa saw Ash stir from the corner of her eye.
Oh no. It was one thing asking him to suffer the humiliation that came with captivity himself… so far he had dealt with that well. His father and grandfather had done a good job training him. Not to mention Guerrero's significant contribution. But when other people were affected, it was a completely different story.
"Don't move!", Philippa hissed at him. She used a special hiss, a sound she had cultivated ever since he was born.
Ash froze and she momentarily relaxed a little. Never underestimate the power of lessons learned in early childhood. On the run from Chance's enemies silencing the child on a moment's notice had been essential for their survival in the first few years after Ash's birth. She had taught him from the very beginning, when she hissed "Be quiet" or "Don't move", she meant it.
Yes, she had often wondered how much damage to her son's psychological development she was causing with these lessons. The question still kept her up at night. Some of the things Ash had done in the past year… the car accident, the shooting of the dog, the badly injured boy… more than once she had asked herself how much of it her fault was.
On the other hand… back when Ash had been merely a year old, Chance's enemies had almost gotten to them. They had chased her and the child deep down into the bowels of the Vienna subway system. In the end she had curled up in a dark corner with him in her trembling arms and just waited, hidden in the darkness, hoping they'd pass them by.
They did pass them by… she could see their legs, their combat boots, only inches away from their hideout. The echoes of their steps in the eerily silent tunnels.
If Ash had screamed or even so much as struggled there…
But he didn't. As small as he was, he obeyed her orders. She had taught him well.
Today, however, that goddamn foolish woman with her ridiculous attempt to act the part of the heroine was seriously endangering that deeply ingrained lesson. The woman's screams had reached a new octave now, she was on her knees, crying, shaking with fear. The robber with the raccoon mask was aiming a gun point blank at her.
Ash stirred again.
Philippa took a deep breath to hiss more forcefully at him…
Too late.
"Leave her alone!", Ash snarled.
For a brief moment Philippa hoped the robber simply hadn't heard him over the noise the idiot woman was making, but then he wheeled around.
"What did you just say?" Raccoon man came stomping towards them.
"Don't pay attention to him, he's just a teenager, you know how they like to mouth off", Philippa hectically interjected, scrambling to her knees, trying to get between her son and the thug. It earned her a painful kick against the shoulder.
Ash was on his feet in no time.
And found himself face to face with a gun, pointing straight at his face.
Now this was a first. He had learned a lot about guns ever since the fiasco with Gus the Rottweiler. Lots of target shooting with different calibers. Of course he had also cleaned weapons. And his father had taught him how to quickly dismantle certain types of weapons, so that they fell into pieces while still in the aggressor's hand. Uncle Baptiste loved that move. However, it was a circus trick, reserved to be used on amateurs.
Raccoon man was definitely no amateur.
Ash had never directly been threatened with a gun. He had never been this close to anyone actually willing to shoot him.
Put him at ease. Make him underestimate you, said Guerrero's voice in his head.
Knowing when to swallow your pride separates the pros from the amateurs, son, said the Old Man's voice. You can always make them pay later.
Most shooters have a tell; a brief signal that lets you know a decision has been made. Look out for that tell; it might give you the edge that you need to survive, said his father's voice.
Ash let his shoulders sag and his lip tremble, giving himself the appearance of a fifteen year old who had just realized he had gotten himself into a deep mess and desperately wanted to go home. He wondered if he maybe should throw up, too, but the robber interrupted him before he could make up his mind.
"That your son?", raccoon man asked his mother.
Philippa nodded.
"Punish him", he told her.
Both Philippa and Ash froze.
"Go ahead, punish him thoroughly, or I'll to it!" Now raccoon man was clearly enjoying himself.
Ash watched his mother press her lips together. A clear sign that she had made up her mind about something. Then she slowly got to her feet and turned towards him. What was she….?
WHACK.
She had slapped him. An open-handed, resounding slap in the face. As if he was a five year old.
"You've been an idiot. Now lie down again", she hissed at him.
"Well done, Lady. Maybe you should have taught him manners earlier." Chuckling, the thug walked off.
At least he didn't pay attention to the foolish woman anymore.
Face burning, Ash lay down on the marble floor again.
… … …
"We'll touch ground in thirty minutes, dude", Guerrero told Chance, who had started pacing again.
"The special unit got clearance from the governor", Winston added. "They'll arrive about the same time."
"A friend of mine sent them the most accurate ground plans there are of the bank. Even better than the official ones", Ames said. She was relieved she could finally contribute something useful.
Chance rested his hand on her shoulder. For a moment he said nothing. Then he nodded. He was not alone in this. Ash was not alone. This would work.