A Bloody Smile In The Dark

It's hard to imagine but one day you'll end up like me

Too chill. Too smooth. Too...have you ever eaten a steak so dry that it stuck to the roof of your mouth like gum, ruining your appetite out of disappointment? Yeah well, I've been chewing for the past ten months now and though my jaw's gone numb, the meal in front of me still looks edible. After all, I always enjoyed expired foods.

"Truth be told the Heat aren't even that much anymore; place it on the Cavaliers. The revenge of the ex is always a good trend. I'll catch ya tonight, motherfucker. Muah"

"Moving really"

"When I love someone, I can't contain myself"

Perfect clouds above and a warm breeze all around. It's should be mandatory for the weather to be like this all year round. I'm taking a break from rebuilding the trace lab at a fancy restaurant on Collins with Jim. The vibe it gives is that of a fairly safe haven in comparison to the corner of town I spend most of my days in. The spacious patio and elegant setting just outside the arched entrance remind me how much looks can be deceiving. Time traveling to a sixteenth century diner to eat one single asparagus with no bread and wash it down with white wine tasting of cold lime ale is horrifically not worth it.

"At least the view's great"

"Jim, honey. The gate is too high and the wall at the edge of the cliff is quite dangerous for kids. You can barely see the sand and personally I just can't relax. Nor can my stomach"

"Normally I'd be bummed out by your words but fucking hell this place is a fraud"

"Why did you insist on coming here then?"

"Juds' been talking about it for so long I figured we could try it out. Ugh"

"Dude. Stick to your style"

Some suspicious men are slowly pacing around the patio. They sort of look like bodyguards and this is Miami, so it might be innocuous. Go tell my nerves.

"Are you even listening?"

"I'm so sorry. Please go again, I'm focused"

"You know, I think this job is changing you. Anyways..she mentioned buying a twelve acre site in the desert area outside the metropolis. We're hoping to turn it into a farm or something"

"A farm in Miami. It's a lot of space too. Do you plan on conquering the land?"

"And rule mercilessly, girl. Absolutely. No really. We both traveled our whole lives and never really savored the fruits of our hard work"

"You don't seem the type of guy to settle down"

"Eh. Times are strange. Plus this would be a fun exciting way to do so"

"Actually I just pictured you milking a cow and it might be hilarious in the end. I'd pay cold hard cash to watch you domesticating a pig or chasing chickens"

"That's it. We're doing it. Judith? Yes babe, call that stiff sorta man and tell him we're buying. Now"

"Babe...dude. Wait"

Eddy and Cal appeared out of nowhere from behind the short wall gesturing me to load my gun. I look around only to find Ry to the restaurant's far left and Flint opposite him at my shoulders. I must be inheriting Anya's guts. There's no celebrity in sight.

"Jim do me a favor, please. Go inside and don't come out until I tell you so"

"Why? What's going on?"

"Go please. Avoid the windows. Go"

There's no logic during shootings and no specific target. Everyone and anyone must die, preferably before you. It's nothing but a storm of bullets and bloody rain in a background of mutual alternative compliments. Legs heavy, eyes glassy and muscles straining; it's over faster than perceived.