Excerpts From Stories That Got Lost Along The Way

4

She held the gun as steady as her shaky hand would allow. Her finger stayed poised on the trigger as she walked down the alleyway. She heard sirens in the distance, but in her dazed state she didn't register the danger.

I was born to do this, I was born to kill.

She knew that she should be alright with this. That she was born and raised for this purpose only.

I am a ruthless savage. Grown men see me and cower in fear.

Her target was in range now. She could hear his footsteps around the corner.

He was talking on the phone by the sounds of it, something about missing car keys. It didn't matter. He was no longer a person in her eyes but an objective, an obstacle, assignment, call it what you will. When it all boils down to it, this man is her first human kill.

She sat back for a moment, breathing deeply. In her head she counted the footsteps, listened carefully as his voice drew closer.

Five, four, three, two...

Right as he was slightly visible she had the cold metal barrel pressed to the man's head.

He didn't jump or flinch. He seemed totally unaffected, a stoic look on his face.

"I'm going to have to call you later." He said calmly, ending his phone call.

He turned slowly, raising his hands up ever so slightly, his palms facing her.

Her hands shook and she prayed he couldn't feel it.

"You know why I'm here," she murmured.

He chuckled. "Well, I suppose so. I mean you do have a gun pressed to my temple so I have to go with murder, cold-blood."

She grimaced, the word murder sending a shiver down her spine.

"Get on with it then, we don't have all night." He spoke so easily, calmly, as if they were discussing the weather.

"I don't want to do this you know," her voice shook but she tilted her head up, clenching her jaw.

"It's alright. I know. You have to, you have no choice. Blah, blah." He started to sound almost bored.

"But seriously if you don't hurry up I'm either going to walk away or take the gun and do it myself."

She took a second to strengthen her resolve. With another deep breath she inhaled, and-

"I'm so sorry brother,"

Click

"Me too sis, me too."

BANG