Cydene

Cydene

I walk into the small store and the counterman looks up from behind his wire cage. I approach the counter not looking at the discarded goods lining the shelves. The proprietor stubs out his cigarette and stands up as I approach. Cydene makes love with me as though we had just met. She looks deeply into my eyes

"You need something?"

"Yes"

"Yes"

I tell him I want the 9mm on the wall behind him. Cydene cries as I ask for her hand.

"Sorry pal, there's a five day waiting period on all handguns, and a background check besides." I take out a thousand dollars beyond the purchase price and place it on the counter. The shopowner quietly takes the money and slides a gun from beneath the counter in front of me. Cydene is holding the ring between two fingers and smiling. The single diamond reflects the love in her eyes. The weapon is blued and catches the light dully as I hold it. Cydene's bright eyes look into my own.

"It ain't got serial numbers."

I nod my understanding and leave. Cydene was excited to be moving into the Bereoken Arms. She pulls me into the elevator from our suite. She wants to celebrate tonight. I take the gun from my pocket and load the clip as the elevator rises. We kiss as we descend to the ground floor. I imagine what the barrel would feel like, if placed in my mouth. Cold. Hard. Dead. Cydene's kisses are warm and soft. The clip is full and I return the gun to my pocket. The elevator stops. The doors slide open. Cydene pushes the lobby doors open, and sunlight dazzles us both. Four large men sit on couches in a waiting room.

They die.

I burst into the next room.

Rival bullets fly like burning hail.

Blood pools.

A man walks to where I lie.

He looks me in the eyes. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Love"

The man's eyes dull, and blood wells up from his chest.

A ring with a single diamond lies in blood.