The book of snippets

Shadows of Future Past

The Goat drabble no one asked for...

Contains Spoilers

Like major spoilers

Norway
Some normal quiet town

A bleak beige diner stood on the shore of the dark sea. It was empty save for a middle aged Indian who fashioned a burgundy suit and a seasoned beard.

He tapped impatiently on the rim of  his large half empty coffee cup. Enough for him to fidget but not even shuffling the saucer.

Gandhi was used to do the job. He'd grown up in it and for a long time had expected to die in it. Anu would have his head if he ever admitted that out loud. Even when she was angry with him, she never loved him less.

He loved the job. But until recently it's reminder disgusted him.... Mocked him. Of being oh so great but not being able to save his first born. As it turned out, even his own self loathe was a wasted pursuit.

His fingers froze mid tap as the silent diner rung out with measured footsteps.

He ground his teeth, years of practice making it palpable for anyone who was looking at him, but the slight sting ever present to make him control the onslaught of  emotions.

"So I reckon you wouldn't want a hug!"

Goddd! His voice. So young! It had more baritone than the damned clones but still so damn young.

Jeev- No Sanjay! It was better to think of him as Sanjay. Made him want to crucify himself a little less.

Sanjay dropped into the chair with a lazy slouch that was nothing like Jeevan.

"So how does it feel to see the fuel of your nightmares?" He said with a grin that truly held no emotion or perhaps hid a couple. Gandhi couldn't tell over the barely hidden mist in his eyes. He thought he was over it

"More like an annoying prick in my pillow" Gandhi managed to say hiding the turmoil inside.

He dreamt of his son every night. The sweet sweet boy he'd almost raised and the cold blooded killer who almost destroyed his life.

"Just a prick, huh?" Sanjay mocked, "My clone told me what you did when you thought you finally found me again! You fell to your knees, you begged. Pathetic!"

"Did he tell you how I shot him dead in between his eyes?" Gandhi said in a completely neutral tone, "Oh wait! He's dead!"

Sanjay's grin fell into a smirk.

"So, what's this little impromptu about? Another grand plan?" Gandhi asked. In a hurry, lest he say something he desperately wants to but knows that the criminal sitting in front of him doesn't deserve to hear.

Sanjay merely tilted his head narrowing his eyes, "You know you almost sound like a dad asking his fishy son to fess up."

Oh this little bastard!

"Well if he could still talk" Gandhi voice had a bite to it as he spoke, "your 'dad' would tell you I specialise in throttling elaborately made plans."