Crooked Man

F I F T Y F I V E

"I pray you never take a breath without remembering the breaths you took away." I say, exhaling with so much hate. "Those girls had too much to live for!"

"Oh girl. You can't kill me. You won't. You aren't as bad. And the mirror is always right. I'm always right."

"Well, guess what? YOU WERE DARN WRONG! Because I'm not dying any time soon!"

And I don't kill her. She must feel it. The souls of the dead, right behind her neck. Breathing. I hope she remembers every each of them.

I turn to Rick.
"And as for you. I'm not dying today." I say. "Not today." I whisper again.

I hold the gun as confidently as possible. But I can see my hand shaking like crazy.
"Calm down" I say to myself. "If I don't kill him, he will kill me."

Staring at the barrel of the gun, he falls to his knees.

"You don't have to do this."

Tears sting my eyes once more. I breathe deeply. Aiming the gun at his skull,
"I wish that were true."

"I'm sorry Monica."

"No...thank you, Rick."

And he was gone. This time, forever. And he looked me right in the eye while he went. He loved me. He truly did.