“In a deadly game of revenge, every move could be explosive. Your past can ignite your present.”
Watch the original version of The Specialist
Prologue
She had always been in the periphery, watching. Never fully seen. Never fully understood. The world moved so swiftly around her, like an intricate tapestry of life unfolding in fast-forward. She existed in a realm of constant thought, of endless obsessing. May Munro, a woman of beauty and brains, was trapped in the prison of her tormented past.
The rain was beating relentlessly against the windowpane, playing the melancholy symphony of her life. She looked at the worn-out photograph; the lines of time were etched on their faces. It was a family portrait, a memento of what once was, and what could have been. Her parents smiled back at her, their eyes sparkling with life. A life that was cruelly extinguished when she was just a child. Murdered in cold blood, their death was the turning point of her life. The days of laughter and unfiltered joy turned into a quest for revenge.
She traced her finger along the edge of the photograph, her heart heavy with mixed emotions. They say time heals all wounds, but for May, time seemed to have stood still. The wounds were as fresh as ever, oozing with the venom of bitter memories. Her existence was a living testament of the past, the tales of love, loss and vengeance embedded deep in her soul.
Chapter 1: The Haunted Past
The city’s skyline was muted, the brightness of the sun unable to penetrate the heavy blanket of grey clouds. An atmosphere of solemnity hung heavy as May walked into the cemetery, the gravestones standing still like silent sentries guarding the souls of the departed. Her heart pounded against her chest, a painful reminder of her loss. She stood before the tombstones of her parents, her emotions caught in the quiet turmoil of grief and anger.
“Vengeance is a path I never chose, but a path I must walk,” May whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she placed a bouquet of peonies, her mother’s favourite flowers, on the wet ground. Each petal was like a memory, a piece of her shattered childhood that was murdered along with her parents.
As she left the cemetery, her determination intensified. Justice was a long way away, a blurred line in the vast horizon. But she had started walking on the path, and there was no looking back. It was time to seek the answers she had been waiting for all these years.
She remembered every detail of that fateful day, the day her world came crumbling down, buried beneath the debris of a shattered family. The smell of her mother’s perfume, the sound of her father’s laughter. The screams, the gunshots, the silence that followed. It was all too vivid, the memories imprinted on her mind like a movie playing on repeat.
Her parents were murdered in front of her eyes, their blood staining her innocent childhood. The murderers vanished, leaving behind two dead bodies, a traumatized child and a life filled with echoes of revenge.
May lived her life on the fringes of normalcy, consumed by the ghosts of her past. She spent her days meticulously researching, trying to piece together the puzzle of her parent’s murder. An unsolved mystery that gnawed at her conscience. The faces of her parent’s murderers were etched in her mind, their names a constant reminder of her loss. They were out there, leading normal lives while she lived in the shadow of her past.
It was then she knew what she had to do. Her search led her to Ray Quick, a man of few words but with a reputation that preceded him. An explosives expert, retired yet still infamous, Ray had the skills she needed. As she reached his doorstep, her heart pounded in anticipation. It was a step towards vengeance, a step towards justice. She wouldn’t rest until her parents’ murderers faced the explosive end they deserved, and Ray Quick was her only hope.
Chapter 2: “Quick’s Resurgence”
The relentless squeaking of the rusty swing set echoed across the deserted park. The wind seemed to be the only living entity there as it swung the swing, the chains shrieking in protest. At the far corner of the park, seated on an old wooden bench, was the solitary figure of a man lost in his thoughts, Ray Quick.
Once a highly skilled explosives expert, now a retired recluse, Ray had mastered the art of blending into the mundane. His weathered features reflected the turmoil of a lifetime filled with violence and destruction. He lived in solitude, haunted by the ghosts of his past, slowly slipping into oblivion. But, the past had a cruel way of resurfacing, of pulling him back into its chaotic whirlpool.
Ray’s gaze was fixated on the rusted swing, his mind spiraling back to an era when bombs and explosions were his second language. He vividly remembered every single blast, the ear-splitting noise, the blinding flash, the potent smell of gunpowder, and the chilling silence that followed.
His reverie was broken by the disruptive chirping of his old, battered phone. It was a message from a number he didn’t recognize, but the content sent a shiver up his spine. He was needed again, not by a government agency or a high-profile client, but by a woman hell-bent on revenge.
May Munro had lost her parents to brutal murderers, and she wanted justice. Or perhaps, it was more than justice. Ray could hear the familiar strains of vengeance in her voice when they spoke, a tune he had danced to many a time.
Yet, he was hesitant. Ray had promised himself a quiet life away from all the bloodshed and chaos. But May’s desperate plea resonated with a part of him that was buried deep inside, long forgotten but never truly dead – a part that still thrived on danger, on the thrill of the hunt, on the perverse satisfaction of exacting revenge.
The park was slowly fading into the twilight as Ray made his decision. He dialed May’s number, his heart pounding in his chest. The tension hung thick in the air, heavier than the impending storm. As May picked up the phone, Ray uttered the words he had vowed never to say, “I’m in.”
Flushed with the adrenaline of his decision, Ray undertook the task of preparing for his return to the deadly game. He knew he had to be cautious, meticulous, and unforgiving. He dusted off his old equipment, pouring over explosives manuals, and sketching blueprints late into the night. His mind was ablaze with strategies and counter-strategies.
The scene was set, the actors were ready, and Ray could feel the familiar excitement coursing through his veins. He was out of retirement, back into the very world he had tried to escape, drawn into a web of revenge and rivalry.
As he launched his comeback into the world of explosives and retribution, Ray Quick was keenly aware of his decision’s gravity. Yet, he was undeterred. For in his heart, he knew that it was not the fear of death that drove him, but the hunger for justice.
And thus, began the resurgence of the specialist, a phoenix rising from the ashes of his self-imposed exile, ready to once again tread the perilous path of action and thrill, of life and death, of justice and revenge. Ray Quick was back, and the world he had left behind would soon feel the tremors of his explosive return.
Chapter 3: “The Unlikely Alliance”
May Munro stalked the silhouette of the man she had been told was Ray Quick, the man who could help her exact the revenge she had been burning for since she was a little girl. From a distance, his tall frame was silhouetted against the descending crimson sun; a lone figure immersed in a solitude of his own. His reputation, his physicality, and most importantly, his abilities intrigued her. Yet, the air about him was a strange mix of danger and normalcy. She could see how this man used to be an explosive expert in the past.
His home was a secluded cabin perched on the edge of the forest had the rustic charm of an old-world painting, far removed from the stained landscapes of revenge and treachery. It looked peaceful, a stark contrast to the war that was raging within her.
Summoning her courage, she called out to him. He turned, his sharp gaze finding her instantly. He looked her over, a heavy silence hanging in the air before he finally spoke. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said, his voice gravelly and stern.
“I have nowhere else to go,” May returned evenly, her eyes never wavering from his. She knew that if she wanted to convince him, she had to be strong.
Ray Quick didn’t welcome strangers into his life, let alone his home. But something about the woman standing before him spurred an uncontrollable curiosity. Her eyes bore an unspoken pain, mirroring the darkness in his past, a past he had been trying to forget. The fire of revenge that flickered within her was all too familiar to him.
With a sigh of a man who has seen too much, he led her inside. His cabin was sparsely furnished, a reflection of its owner’s solitary existence. He offered her a seat and a cup of tea. The silence was uncomfortable, teetering on the edge of uncertainty.
May broke the silence, “I need your help, Ray.” And with those five words, she unveiled her tragic past to him, the tragic murder of her parents and her desire for revenge.
He listened to her, his face unreadable. When she was done, he got up and started pacing around the room. His past was not a secret, everybody knew about his history, his expertise. But could he return to that path?
“So, I’ll ask you again, will you help me?” May repeated her question. Silence filled the room once again as Ray considered her request. He looked at her, really looked at her for the first time. This was not just a woman standing in his living room; it was a girl whose life had been stolen from her, who had grown into a woman molded by revenge.
“Alright, I’ll help,” he finally said, his voice barely a whisper. The air seemed to shift, filling with a palpable tension. A pact had been formed. A deadly alliance had been created. The hunted had now become the hunters.
It was clear that the path before them was treacherous and filled with uncertainty. But Ray Quick and May Munro had made their choice. Revenge was a dish best served cold and they were ready to serve it. Their lives were about to venture down a road of treachery, deceit and danger. Their unlikely alliance was just the beginning of a war they were ready to wage, not knowing that a bigger storm was looming on the horizon.
As the sun set and the shadows lengthened, the once peaceful cabin became the centerpiece of a plot of revenge and retribution. The echoes of their pact resonated through the walls, giving birth to a deadly alliance. And thus began the dangerous game of cat and mouse with fate.
Chapter 4: “Trent’s Treachery”
The heat of a Florida afternoon clung to the city like a shroud, eliciting a thin sheen of sweat from the crowd moving along the sidestreets. Yet, amidst this sweltering milieu, a man sat unfazed in a dim bar, nursing a glass of whiskey neat. His gaze was cold and unreadable. This was Ned Trent, a man hardened by the world’s cruel games, an ex-operative now turned protector of those he once targeted.
Ned’s past was marred by betrayal. He had, without hesitation, thrown himself into the underbelly of society, dealing with underhanded tactics and dirty politics. That was until he partnered with Ray Quick, an explosives expert. Their partnership, rather than being built on mutual respect, was fueled by visceral rivalry. They had seen the worst of each other – the ruthless treachery of Ned and the unyielding stubbornness of Ray. It was a toxic partnership and their eventual fallout was inevitable.
The distance from the explosive world had not dulled Ned’s thirst for power. He remained an influential figure in the criminal underground. His new assignment had rekindled the spark he thought he had lost: the chance to protect one of Ray’s potential victims. Yet it was not the thrill of the mission that ignited his blood, it was the sweet prospect of once again pitting himself against Ray.
He savored the thought. A twisted smile played at the corners of his lips as he finished his drink. Having Ray Quick as the enemy made the game more thrilling than it already was, only this time the rules were different. Ned was no longer the predator. He was the shield, the guardian angel in the treacherous world of quicksand and backstabbing.
Over the days, Ned set about his task with a grim determination, his every move dictated by the necessity of keeping his charge safe. He spent hours going over security details, scouting potential attack sites, and analyzing Ray’s previous modus operandi. He had to think like Ray; a task that was as thrilling as it was dangerous.
But Ray Quick was no simple foe. His operations were never predictable, his methods never conventional. Ned understood, better than anyone, the deadly unpredictability that lay beneath Ray’s calm demeanor. This ignited the rivalry anew. A deadly cat and mouse game had begun, where the hunters became the hunted, and the price of failure was death.
In the heart of Miami’s vibrant nightlife, the assignment took a dangerous turn. An unexpected explosion at a popular nightclub, while Ned’s client was present, rattled the city. Ned smelled Ray’s signature style in the chaos, and in that moment, the stakes of the game soared.
Post-incident, Ned was a whirlwind of calculated fury. He tightened the security around his client, even as he lost himself in thoughts of Ray. His mind was a puzzle, pieces of his past intermingling with the present. He began to question every decision he made, every plan he laid out. He thought of May Munro, the woman who sought Ray’s deadly skills. Was there a deeper connection between Ray and May than he initially assumed?
As the chapter drew to a close, Ned Trent found himself trapped in a precarious situation. His past was returning to haunt him, spiralling into a volatile mix of revenge, protection, and obsession. He was no longer just a protector but a pawn in a deadly game orchestrated by May and Ray. The ghosts of his past had returned, and with them, an old rival determined to turn the tables. The dangers were mounting, the plot was thickening, and for Ned Trent, the game was far from over.
Chapter 5: “Cat and Mouse”
The midnight shadows cast an eerie glow on the unsettling cityscape of Miami. Tension fueled the humid air. It was in this nerve-wracking ambiance that Ned Trent found himself, engrossed in an enigma that demanded a solution. He pressed his back against the cold brick wall, his senses heightened, his grey eyes furtively scanning the desolate alley. Somewhere out there, his former partner, Ray Quick, was laying traps. Traps that were not just explosive but also personal.
Ray had come out of retirement, and for what? To assist a vengeful woman in her pursuit of justice? The thought made Trent’s jaw clench – a raw reminder of their shared history and the bitterness that still lingered. It was a lethal game of chess, with human lives hanging in the balance.
Across town, May Munro was already ahead, stashing away a packet that held the fate of her parents’ murderers. She knew the score. She also knew that Ray was the only person who could tilt the game in her favor. Little did she know that they were sharing the playground with a forgotten adversary.
Back in his den, a room filled with blueprints and bomb schematics, Ray Quick was the wizard who controlled the strings. His past had given him the tools, and his present wielded them with precision. He was constantly aware of Ned’s pursuit, his ex-partner’s presence was like an irritating itch, a ghost that refused to fade away. Ray respected him, but that respect was edged with a lethal dose of caution. Ned knew him too well, he was the only one capable enough to defuse his bombs.
Ned prowled the city all night, his instincts leading him closer to the threat. Yet, each step he took was a roll of the dice. He couldn’t second-guess Ray, he couldn’t afford to. Dawn was breaking when he finally found the first bomb. It was cleverly disguised, a testament to Ray’s genius, and Ned’s discovery had set the countdown in motion. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he began the delicate task of defusing it.
At the same moment, Ray’s phone buzzed, alerting him of the disturbed trap. He sighed, a mixture of frustration and admiration coloring his features. Ned had found the first one. The game had truly begun.
The day wore on, a tense silence hanging over the city. Ray was hunched over his worktable, meticulously preparing for the next move. May arrived just as he was finishing, her eyes reflecting the storm within. Their mission had hit a snag, but they were far from done.
Meanwhile, Ned was grappling with the aftermath of his close shave with death. He was now more determined than ever to protect his assigned target and capture the elusive Quick. A part of him couldn’t help marveling at Ray’s handiwork, but the larger part was consumed with a fierce desire to win.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long, sinister shadows on the city’s skyline. The game was far from over, the moves were unpredictable, and the stakes – unbearably high. This deadly game of cat and mouse was only just beginning. Both Ray and Ned knew they had to anticipate each other’s moves or risk losing everything. For both men, this was not just a game; it was a defining moment in their fates.
As another day dawned in Miami, the city unaware of the covert warfare being waged in its belly, the players took their positions once more. The dream of revenge was taking shape for May. Ned’s relentless pursuit to outwit his former associate was rekindling old flames of rivalry. And Ray? He was the puppeteer, the mastermind, preparing to pull the strings once more.
Amid the chaos of their intersecting paths, one thing was certain—the hunted was not always the prey, and the hunter could easily become the hunted. Their lives, teetering on the edge of uncertainty, were governed by the deadly game they were playing. Each twist and turn was but a part of the labyrinth they had willingly entered, from which only one could emerge victorious.
Chapter 6: “Explosive Preparations”
Retired but never weary, Ray Quick was slowly but surely getting drawn back into his past life as an explosives expert. He had seen things change and people fade; yet, the art of precision he had mastered remained static. May’s pain had rekindled a part of Ray he thought he had buried deep within.
The chapter began with Ray in his secluded workspace, a room filled with bare essentials from his past life; wires, circuits, timers, detonators and various paraphernalia lay strewn everywhere. Fleeting memories assaulted him as he gazed at the tools that had previously defined his existence. Now, they were merely ghosts of a life left behind. But the task at hand demanded he summon these ghosts, one last time.
Ray collected his thoughts and focused on the job. He started by studying his targets, gathering as much information as he could. He was meticulous, leaving no room for error. Determining their daily routines, familiarizing himself with their habits, every minuscule detail was crucial. He knew that one wrong move could cost lives, the wrong ones at that.
As his research progressed, he began the process of crafting his pieces de resistance. His hand moved with practiced ease, connecting wires to circuits, sensations of déjà vu washing over him. He was creating lethal marvels, that when placed strategically, would perfectly execute their catastrophic function.
Meanwhile, May was growing anxious. She had hired the best but was unprepared for the waiting game that followed. The longing for vengeance had consumed her for so long that the lack of action felt agonizing. She visited Ray, her restlessness evident. Ray, however, assured her that the wait would be worth it.
Rays’ explosives were sculpted to be innocuous, cleverly hidden amidst everyday items. He was a craftsman, his explosives a paradox of absolute chaos and artistry. An old toy, a car’s brake pad, innocuous items ingeniously armed with an explosive surprise – he knew that to be successful, his devices needed to blend in, to become a part of the environment they were placed in.
He field tested them, ensuring they worked to his expectations. Each successful test was a step closer to fulfilling May’s longing for justice. However, as the day of the strike neared, Ray felt an odd sense of unease. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about the entire scenario felt off-kilter. He suppressed the feeling, attributing it to the rustiness of being out of the game.
The chapter ended with Ray making one last survey of the targets, confirming May’s worst enemies’ patterns, and double-checking his work. He had done this before, hundreds of times. It was methodical, mechanical even. But this time was different. This time, they were on a mission of vengeance for a woman who had lost everything, and it was personal.
Ray Quick, the retired explosives expert, was back in the game, preparing for an explosive showdown that was laden with anticipation and uncertainty. Little did he know, the true explosion was yet to come. An explosion of secrets, betrayals, and a face-off with an old friend turned enemy, Ned Trent.
The countdown had begun.
Chapter 7: “The Failed Strike”
The air was thick with tension, heavy and laden with the smell of impending danger. Being no stranger to such an atmosphere, Ray Quick’s senses heightened, his pulse quickened, and his gaze locked upon his target sitting blissfully unaware in a Miami skyscraper’s plush office.
The plan was straightforward, at least on paper. The target was Alfredo Morel, a cruel man whose hands were stained with the blood of May’s parents. His demise was to be quick, painless, strategically executed by a master of the craft; an explosion that would ripple through his office like a howling wolf on a moonlit night.
Ray found himself at a nearby café, a simple disguise of a patron having a late lunch at his disposal. His eyes, however, were not on the menu or the plate before him, but on a small remote resting discreetly on his lap — the final piece of his explosive orchestra set to play out in Morel’s office.
As he sat, every tick of the clock echoed, matching his rhythmic heartbeat. With each passing second, the moment of truth drew closer. The city’s bustle felt like a backdrop to an elaborate play; a play that held life and death in its balance. Ray took a deep breath, his hand enveloped the remote, his mind etching the memory of this moment. He pushed the trigger button.
A sudden silence fell over the café as patrons instinctively felt the vibration from afar. They looked around, startled, as nothing happened. Ray’s heart pounded in his chest, his calm facade threatened to shatter. There was no explosion. No screams of horror, no shock waves rippling through the city, no triumphant exit scene. The strike had failed.
Time seemed to stand still for Ray. The taste of failure was bitter and foreign. He was a specialist; his expertise lay in the art of precise destruction, a dance with detonators and explosives, and this performance had fallen flat.
Retracing his steps was impossible, as Ray had laid every precaution to not leave a trace. The materials used, a sophisticated blend of explosive compounds, were untraceable. The timing device, a Swiss masterpiece, was designed to melt into an unrecognizable blob after triggering, not to mention the hundreds of contingency plans Ray had in place for any conceivable failure. Yet, the unthinkable had happened.
He had to act and fast. If Morel became aware of the assassination attempt, the element of surprise would be lost. Moreover, Trent, who’d been lying in wait, would be on to him. The stakes had never been higher. His mind raced, searching for the mishap in his immaculate plan but found none.
Meanwhile, at the skyscraper, Morel sat undisturbed. Strangely enough, his phone rang. A grim looking man entered his office, “Sir, there’s been a security breach.” Chaos unfolded, but unbeknownst to them, the failed strike had only marked the beginning of a dangerous game.
Back at the café, Ray had disappeared into the crowd, unseen, unknown, and untraced. The taste of failure was indeed bitter, but it only fueled him with a newfound ferocity. As the saying goes, “the show must go on”. And so, it would. The failed strike was not an end but a dramatic twist, raising the stakes, spurting the adrenaline, and setting up a perilous path soaked in the thrill of revenge.
The chase was far from over, and the deadly dance of the specialist had only just begun.
Chapter 8: “Unwelcome Surprises”
Ray Quick was a man of few words, but when he did speak, his voice was steeped in the kind of calm that came from a lifetime of honed expertise; a life of nail-biting moments, ticking clocks, and diffused bombs. And yet, unearthing May Munro’s secret had left him speechless. His typically unwavering hands trembled slightly as he put down the damning dossier he’d just sifted through.
Records, newspaper clippings, photographs of a young May at crime scenes — May wasn’t just the victim of a horrific crime. She was also the daughter of notorious mafia kingpin, Luis Munro. Ray took a deep breath. This information changed everything. In the world of explosives where he belonged, secrets were the deadliest devices.
Meanwhile, May was in her hotel room, looking at a photo of her parents. The pain of their loss had never faded. It only dulled over the years, like a blade left out in the elements. But the desire for vengeance was her whetstone, keeping her heart sharp and her resolve intact. Unbeknownst to her, the secret she had kept was no longer a secret.
Across town, Ned Trent, the embittered ex-partner, was brooding in his office. A stack of cold case files littered his desk, like a graveyard of failures. But one name in a faded yellow file caught his eye ― Quick. His thin lips curled into a bitter smile. Perhaps, his chance at redemption was closer than he had thought.
Back in Ray’s safehouse, he was at war with his mind. His gut told him to walk away, but something about May’s fiery spirit had ignited a spark in him. He thought of Luis Munro ― a man he had helped bring down in the past. Ray knew the kind of ruthless brutality he had displayed; no child should have to pay for her father’s sins.
Suddenly, his phone rang, shattering his reverie. It was from an unknown number. He picked it up, only to hear a familiar voice on the other end. “Hello, Quick,” a smoky voice rang out. A shiver ran down Ray’s spine. It was Trent, calling for the first time in years.
Across town, in his office, Trent held the phone, his gruff voice echoing in the stifling silence. “Your secret is out,” he said, a smirk on his face. “We have a mutual acquaintance, I believe. A Miss… Munro.”
Ray was silent. His poker face intact, his mind was a whirlwind. He now had to protect May from more than just her parent’s killers. They were walking on quicksand, and Trent had just made the ground a little more shaky.
Back in May’s hotel room, she was oblivious to the unfolding situations. She had just one mission – Revenge. A knock on the door startled her. She moved swiftly, pulling out her gun from her purse. She questioned through the door, “Who is it?” A voice replied “Room service.” She opened the door revealing the hotel staff with her dinner. She thanked him and closed the door once more. But something was off. She hadn’t ordered anything. As the realization dawned, the room exploded in a burst of fire and smoke.
Ray’s phone rang again. It was the hotel. His heart pounded in his chest. He knew before he answered what had happened. May was in danger, and the rules of their dangerous game were about to change. This chapter of unwelcome surprises had only just begun.
Chapter 9: “The Final Countdown”
A bead of sweat dripped off Ray Quick’s forehead, his aging but agile fingers expertly assembling an explosive device. His mind was racing, haunted by the illumination of May’s startling secret and their imminent danger. Only hours left until the culmination of their vendetta, the urgency in the air was almost palpable.
May Munro was pacing restlessly, her normally bright eyes were now clouded with worry. Her lifelong quest for avenging her parents was on the brink of completion, but the road was proving to be more treacherous than she’d anticipated. She felt a strange mix of fear, anticipation, and regret.
Meanwhile, Ned Trent, filled with malevolent anticipation, marshaled his resources. His hatred towards Ray had simmered and seethed over the long, bitter years. Now, it was ready to explode, just like one of Ray’s meticulously constructed bombs.
Ray delicately armed the explosive. Each movement was a well-rehearsed ballet of precision and expertise, honed through years of dangerous assignments where even a millimeter’s error could mean instant death. This was his world, a world where wires, circuits, and timers danced to his command, a deadly symphony that could obliterate objects, memories, and even lives. His mind was crowded with information, procedures, escape routes, and contingency plans.
He paused. His eyes met May’s. He saw his own anxiety mirrored in hers. The stakes were colossal. Not just their lives, but their past, their purpose, their identity hinged on this single unflinching quest for justice.
The countdown began. Ray’s heart pounded in his ears as each second squirmed away. Everything was in place. The climax of their deadly game was upon them.
Simultaneously, Ned received an anonymous tip-off. A cruel smile curled onto his lips as he decoded the message. He knew the final act of their game was due. However, he was ready to turn the tables, to become the cat that cornered the mouse.
On a dark, desolate alley, May watched as Trent’s henchmen surrounded the building, their faces obscured by the cold night. The target was inside, unsuspecting of the death that was ticking away inside a seemingly harmless package.
A sudden burst of conflict cut through the tension. Trent’s men started shooting wildly into the building. An operation that should have been smooth was now spiraling into chaos. The sudden burst of gunfire shattered the silence of the night.
In a desperate attempt to control the situation, May decided to bait Trent’s men, drawing them away from the building. The chaos was a storm of bullets and blood, but amidst it, she found a strange calm. The calm one finds in the eye of a tempest.
Ray, hearing the gunfire, realized their plan had gone astray. With a curse, he watched May’s retreating figure. Ray knew it was up to him to ensure their mission didn’t fail. He amplified the timer, reducing the countdown.
The seconds ticked away like a metronome, each beat pulling them closer to the climax. With a sudden burst of adrenaline, May managed to lure most of Trent’s men away from the building.
Finally, the countdown ended. An earth-shaking explosion echoed through the night, reducing the building to rubble. The blast was seen miles away, a beacon of their deadly retribution.
Ray was nowhere in sight when the smoke cleared. Exhausted and wounded, May looked at the remnants of the building, her heart heavy but her resolve unbroken. She had avenged her parents, but at what cost?
Unbeknownst to them, Trent watched from a distance, his face etched with shock. This was not the end he had envisioned. But he was not defeated. Not yet.
Thus, the final countdown ended, leaving a trail of destruction and unanswered questions. The aftermath promised another round of the deadly game. The cat and mouse were ready to strike again, their hunger for dominance and revenge still unsatisfied.
End of Chapter 9: “The Final Countdown”
Chapter 10: “The Aftermath”
The sun tinted the sky with a blend of exquisite colors as if trying to mask the somber mood that hung over the city. Ray Quick, the man known for his expertise with explosives, found himself looking at the dawn of a new day with an overwhelming sense of loss. He had plunged into the whirlwind mission of revenge spurred by May Munro, but now, shrouded in the aftermath of their climactic confrontation with Ned Trent, nothing felt victorious. The weight of the havoc they’d wreaked sat heavily on Quick’s heart, stirring waves of regret within the depths of his conscience.
May Munro, on the other hand, a woman who’d spent her life cultivating a thirst for revenge, found herself standing at the crossroads of satisfaction and emptiness. Her parents’ murderers were eliminated, but the vindictive fire that had driven her slowly smoldered, leaving behind a hollow void. She was free yet chained to the ghost of her obsession.
The city was in turmoil, awash with the shockwave from the final confrontation. News of the death of notorious criminal and power monger, Ned Trent, had sent ripples across the underworld. Trent’s unexpected demise and the obliteration of his syndicate exposed the rotten underbelly of the city’s power dynamics, leaving a power vacuum certain to spur chaos and bloodshed.
Ray and May had retreated to the shadows, their alliance hanging by a thread of shared guilt and remorse. They were champions in the eyes of some and villains to others. Quick, in particular, found himself regretting the path they’d chosen. He had come out of retirement, succumbed to the thrill of the chase, and now faced the brunt of the consequences. He found himself reflecting on his old mentor’s words, “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.”
Soon, the city’s law enforcement was on their trail, spurred on by the chaos from the final showdown. Each corner they turned, each safehouse they sought, the shadow of the law was never far behind. The city they once knew became a maze of danger and uncertainty.
At the same time, remnants of Trent’s syndicate began to regroup, vowing retaliation against those who had brought down their leader. Strains of their whispers reached the ears of Ray and May, hinting that their fight was far from over.
Unbeknownst to them, a figure from Ray’s past was also watching from the sidelines, his shadowy presence an ominous portent. Eying the unfolding chaos, arms dealer Joe Leon, once Ray’s nemesis, saw an opportunity to settle old scores.
Meanwhile, a rookie cop named Sam was entrusted with the task of tracking down the vigilantes causing havoc in the city. His idealistic heart, beating for justice and law, found itself conflicted as he unraveled the truth behind Trent’s tyranny and the reason for May’s vendetta. His quest for justice began to blur the lines between right and wrong.
Between the law, vengeful criminals, and old enemies, Ray and May found themselves encased in a circle of threats, their positions increasingly precarious. The peace they’d hoped to find in the aftermath of their final takedown seemed an unreachable dream.
Amid this, their relationship evolved, bound by shared dangers and guilt. They became each other’s reluctant sanctuary, their connect deepened by the shared understanding of the costs of their actions. Their alliance, born of revenge, was now a bond of survival.
The chapter, and thereby the novel, concluded with Ray and May disappearing into the sunrise, leaving a trail of questions. They were armed with new identities, a new purpose, and the determination to face whatever lay ahead, together. Their journey had begun with the desire for revenge, but it had sown seeds for a complex narrative of redemption, a quest for peace, and an exploration of the ambiguous nature of justice. As the city awoke to a new day, Ray Quick and May Munro became characters etched in its history, their tale both a cautionary warning and an beckoning call for those that opposed the tyranny.
Some scenes from the movie The Specialist written by A.I.
Scene 1
INT. MAY’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
May Munro, mid-30s, sultry and tough as nails, sits alone in a dimly lit room, old black & white PHOTOS spread out in front of her.
INSERT: OLD PHOTO of young May with her parents, smiling during happier times.
May’s eyes are filled with a mix of sadness and rage as they move from photo to photo.
FLASHBACK TO:
EXT. MUNRO FAMILY HOME – NIGHT
YOUNG MAY (8) watches hidden from a closet as two SHADOWY FIGURES brutally murder her parents. Tears roll down her innocent face as she muffles her sobs.
BACK TO:
INT. MAY’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
May clenches her fist, CRUMPLING the old black & white photo. The pain is still fresh, even after all these years.
Suddenly, May’s computer dings, breaking the silence in the room. She turns to the screen where an EMAIL blinks.
INSERT: EMAIL. SUBJECT: RE: Revenge.
May opens the email to reveal a MESSAGE from a certain RAY QUICK, confirming their meeting.
MAY (V.O)
(reading)
“Meet me at the old pier at sunset. Bring no one.”
May shuts her laptop, determination lighting her eyes. She stands and walks towards the window, looking out onto the sprawling city below.
MAY
(softly)
We’ll get justice, mom and dad.
FADE OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Scene 2
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
A bell CHIMES softly as the door opens. MAY MUNRO (30s, fierce, brooding) walks in. She surveys the room, her gaze stops on RAY QUICK (60s, worn but strong), sitting alone in a corner.
May approaches him, takes a seat opposite him. Ray’s eyes remain on his coffee.
MAY:
You’re hard to find, Ray Quick.
Ray raises his gaze, meets her eyes. He gives a small nod.
RAY:
I prefer it that way.
May slides a folded newspaper across the table. The headline screams – “UNSOLVED MURDER CASE REOPENED AFTER 20 YEARS.”
MAY:
I need your help.
Ray flicks the newspaper back towards May, uninterested.
RAY:
I’m retired.
May persists, revealing her parent’s picture from her wallet.
MAY:
I’m not asking you to build a bridge, Quick. Just to blow one up.
Ray looks at the picture, then back to May. His stern expression softens.
RAY:
This isn’t my fight, kid.
MAY:
Well, it’s mine.
Ray stays quiet, May continues.
MAY:
And I believe you’re the only one who can help.
Ray takes a deep breath, looks at the picture again. A beat.
RAY:
I’ll help you, Munro. But remember, once we start, there’s no going back.
FADE OUT.
Scene 3
INT. SEEDY BAR – NIGHT
Ray Quick, late 50’s, grizzled but fit, sits alone nursing a whiskey. May Munro, mid 30’s, attractive but hard-edged, spots him from the entrance.
MAY:
(softly to herself)
Ray Quick…
She crosses the room and takes a seat next to him. Ray doesn’t acknowledge her.
MAY: (CONT’D)
I know what you do… what you did. I need your help.
Ray finally glances at her, skepticism in his eyes.
RAY:
And why would I help you, miss…?
MAY:
Munro. May Munro. Because they need to pay for what they did.
Ray’s eyes narrow slightly at this.
RAY:
You’re talking about revenge. That’s a slippery road, Miss Munro.
MAY:
I’m aware. But my parents’ killers are still out there, living their foul lives. I can’t let that stand…
Ray looks at her for a long moment and then sighs, slugging back the rest of his whiskey.
RAY:
I’m retired. I don’t do that kind of work anymore.
May looks at him, determination in her eyes.
MAY:
I’m willing to pay. Whatever it takes. I’ve got nothing to lose, Quick.
Ray stares at her for a moment, then finally nods.
RAY:
Alright, Miss Munro. Count me in.
FADE OUT.
Scene 4
INT. DINGY BAR – NIGHT
NED TRENT, late 50s, rugged and battle-hardened, sits alone, a drink in hand, his eyes glued to the TV news report – a picture of May Munro flashed on the screen.
TV Reporter (V.O.)
(Inquisitive tone)
Who is this woman? And why would someone want to blow up targets related to her past?
TRENT
(Murmurs to himself)
Quick… It has to be him.
A WAITRESS comes over to refill his drink. He shows her the picture of Ray Quick on his phone.
TRENT
(With a forced smile)
You seen this guy around?
WAITRESS
(Shrugs noncommittally)
A lot of folks come through here.
Trent’s phone rings. It’s his boss, JOE LEON. He quickly picks up.
LEON (V.O.)
(Authoritative tone)
Trent, we’ve got a new assignment for you. One of the guys related to May’s past needs protection. Guess who is after him…
TRENT
(Gritting his teeth)
Ray Quick.
LEON (V.O.)
Impressed tone
Bingo.
Trent slams down the phone and chugs his drink. He stares at the image of Ray Quick, his eyes filled with bitterness and determination.
TRENT
(Whispers to himself)
This time, Quick… You’re not getting away.
FADE OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Scene 5
INT. LUXURY MIAMI APARTMENT – NIGHT
Ray Quick, in his late 60’s, fit with a grizzled beard sits lonely at his tech-laden desk analyzing the blueprints of a building.
RAY QUICK
(V.O.)
This is where it gets tricky, May.
CUT TO:
INT. MIAMI HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
May Munro, in her early 30’s, beautiful yet hardened by grief, stares at her laptop screen showing the same blueprints.
MAY MUNRO
(into the phone)
Ray, we’ve come this far. We can’t back out now.
RAY QUICK
(V.O.)
I’m not backing out, May. Just saying this isn’t a game of checkers.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESTIGIOUS MIAMI OFFICE – NIGHT
Ned Trent, a once-handsome man now marred by bitterness and age, glares at the digital surveillance feed showing May’s hotel room.
NED TRENT
(to himself)
Think you’re playing me, Ray?
CUT TO:
INT. LUXURY MIAMI APARTMENT – NIGHT
Ray’s experienced fingers typing rapidly, manipulating the blueprints.
RAY QUICK
(V.O.)
I’m thinking two charges. One at the front entrance as a diversion…
MAY MUNRO
(V.O.)
And the second?
Ray zooms into the blueprints, highlighting a weak structure point.
RAY QUICK
(V.O.)
Here. It’s the building’s weak point. Trent won’t see it coming.
May’s eyes glint with new-found hope. Ned’s eyes, on the other hand, flicker with dawning realization, and a deadly game of cat and mouse officially begins.
FADE OUT.
Scene 6
INT. RAY’S SECRET HIDEOUT – NIGHT
A dimly-lit room, filled with tools, blueprints and various types of explosives. RAY QUICK, in his 50s, focused and meticulous, starts to assemble a bomb.
RAY
(Voice over)
Every piece, every wire… has a purpose. Precision is key.
A KNOCK on the door. May enters, looking anxious.
MAY
We’re running out of time, Ray.
RAY
(Without looking up)
It will be ready.
May walks over and watches as Ray works. His hands steady, despite the tension in the air.
MAY
Have you ever… made a mistake?
RAY
(Laughs softly)
With explosives, there’s no room for mistakes.
May swallows hard, visibly nervous. Ray finally looks up at her.
RAY
(Reassuring)
Don’t worry, May. It will work.
The camera zooms out, showing them in the silent room, surrounded by the lethal precision of Ray’s world. The danger, the tension, the urgency, it’s palpable. The stakes have never been higher.
TO BE CONTINUED…
FADE OUT.
Scene 7
INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – NIGHT
Ray (60s, grizzled, meticulous) hovers over a table laden with various mechanical parts, slowly assembling an intricate bomb.
MAY (30s, fierce, haunted) watches from a distance, her eyes reflecting the glow of the weapon’s deadly potential.
RAY
(preoccupied)
The trick is to ensure the trigger is sensitive yet stable…
MAY
(interrupting)
And what if it fails?
Ray glances at May – a moment of silence.
RAY
(slow grin)
Then we improvise.
EXT. CITY STREET – DAY
A black tinted car pulls up in front of a tall office building. The TARGET (50s, ruthless, cruel) steps out, surrounded by bodyguards. Among them – NED TRENT (50s, cunning, vindictive), scanning the area.
INT. SURVEILLANCE VAN – CONTINUOUS
Ray and May watch from a parked van, May clutching a small detonator.
RAY
(nods at May)
You’re up.
May presses the button – a small EXPLOSION rips through the street. Chaos ensues – but the target remains unharmed. Trent and the bodyguards quickly usher the target back into the car.
INT. SURVEILLANCE VAN – CONTINUOUS
Ray and May watch as the target escapes – the first signs of defeat on their faces.
RAY
(determined)
We’ll be ready next time.
MAY
(bitter)
There might not be a next time.
The camera pulls back, revealing Trent watching them from a distance – the game of cat and mouse continues.
FADE OUT.
Scene 8
FADE IN:
INT. RAY’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Ray is lost in deep thought, going through records and pictures. He finds an old newspaper clipping, his eyes freeze at a specific detail – a familiar face.
RAY
(whispering to himself)
May…is that…?
He pulls out a picture of May and matches it with the newspaper clipping. It’s her.
CUT TO:
FLASHBACK:
INT. MAY’S PARENTS HOUSE – NIGHT
At a dinner table, YOUNG MAY is having dinner with a MYSTERIOUS MAN, smiling and laughing. The man’s face is hidden.
BACK TO:
INT. RAY’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Ray looks at the picture again. A torrent of emotions crosses his face.
RAY
(sotto, to himself)
She was part of them…
Suddenly, a KNOCK at the door snaps Ray back to the present. He quickly hides the pictures and documents. Opens the door to find MAY standing there.
MAY
(confused)
Ray?… Is everything okay?
RAY
(struggling to hide his emotions)
Yeah…everything’s fine.
They share a long, tense look. May nods slowly, sensing something but not knowing what.
FADE OUT:
TO BE CONTINUED…
Scene 9
INT. SECRET HIDEOUT – NIGHT
In a dimly-lit room, filled with blueprints and bomb-making equipment, RAY QUICK, a stoic man with piercing eyes, and MAY MUNRO, a determined young woman with a vendetta, discuss their final plan.
RAY:
(Examining a blueprint)
This is it, May. Our final shot.
MAY:
(Fiercely determined)
I can’t wait for this to be over.
Ray looks at her, his eyes showing a glint of empathy.
RAY:
(whispering)
I understand, May. Let’s make sure they pay for what they did.
Suddenly, the room is filled with a LOUD BEEPING SOUND. Ray pulls out a device – it’s a tracker.
RAY:
(Alarm in his voice)
We got company. It’s Trent. He’s here.
May looks at Ray, her eyes widened with fear. Suddenly, the door bursts open. NED TRENT, a ruthless man with a grudge, enters.
NED:
(Smiling wickedly)
Thought you could hide from me, Quick?
A tense silence. Then, Ray reaches for something under the table.
RAY:
(Grinning)
I was counting on it.
To Be Continued…
FADE OUT.
