Vargas was awoken late in the afternoon by the ting of the doorbell as a new customer entered. An unaccompanied child. He stood only just above Vargas's waist with short chestnut hair full of golden flakes, a beige complexion and curl of hair on his right fringe that – much like Vargas's own curl – just didn't want to fall in place with the rest of his bangs.
One look and Vargas closed his eyes. Just in case.
"Evening, young man. What can I help with today?" He inquired, interlocking his fingers and resting his arms on the oak desk.
The boy was silent, glancing between Vargas and the damaged teddy bear which he held tight to his chest. He mumbled something at the bear before looking up, supposedly to answer, "Open your eyes. You look stupid when they're closed."
Vargas was taken aback by the statement, but nonetheless, he did as was asked and opened his eyes to see the boy's expression fade from bilious to discomfort within seconds.
"Would you like me to cover them again?"
"No. You look stupid with them closed, remember bastard?"
Again, Vargas was taken aback. What a mouth the kid had. "...yes of course. Apologies. Now, do you need anything-?" He cut himself short. What time was it? A quick look at the clock above the entrance. His face became grim. Glancing between the boy and the door, Vargas quickly assessed all his options. They'd be at his door any second. Only one option came to mind.
"Hey, arsehole! Are you even listening—!" The kid started but Vargas near leaped over the desk to place his hand over the boy's mouth. A glance to the front of the shop. He placed his finger over his own lips and removed his hand from the boy's.
"Young man—,"
"—Lovino."
"Lovino, I am supposed to be closed and packing up for the day. I'm expecting someone that would not take kindly to your presence."
"So? What's he going to do? Shoot me?" Lovino chuckled because, who would kill a child? Vargas didn't find it funny, rather, he found the mere thought terrifying. Lovino looked at him quizzically, "What?"
"Young man- Lovino. I need you to hide in the desk until they leave."
"'In'? You mean behind, right?"
"No, in. There's a large drawer you should be able to fit behind. The desk is hollow so there should be enough space." Vargas gestured for him to come to his side of the counter. Lovino shuffled around to to see that the lower most drawer had been pulled out. He looked inside and Vargas pushed his palm against the left wall for it to open up into the rest of the desk. Lovino looked up at him just as Vargas looked up to the door. "You need to get in, now. Hurry."
"Is he here—?"
"Hurry." Lovino attempted to glance around the desk, only for Vargas to pull him back, turn him around and push him into the compartment. He looked at him with pleading eyes and spoke with a shaky voice, "Do not come out until you are completely sure they're gone."
Lovino nodded and closed the secret door just as Vargas replaced the drawer. He crawled to the other end of the desk and leant back on the wall. He heard the ting of the doorbell as Vargas's visitor entered the shop. Lovino didn't hear them move, so they must have been looking around.
"You were supposed to close an hour ago." They said in Italian. A man that, Lovino assumed, was older than Vargas. He sounded rather disappointed in him.
Vargas responded in Italian, "Yes... I know—."
"—So why aren't you?"
"I..." He mumbled the rest. There were footsteps and a pause right in front of the desk. A low chuckle. Hands slammed onto the desk top and the chuckle morphed into full-blown laughter.
"You scared of little old me? Heheh, come on Luciano, speak up. Tell me: why haven't you closed up for the day? You knew I was coming over and... God forbid the dolls see what I'm going to do with you."
Lovino's stomach dropped. Was this guy going to cut this shop keeper up into tiny pieces and eat him!? Just like the stories his cousin used to tell him. He should help him! No, Vargas had told him to stay here until the guy left.
"Sorry, Sir, I fell asleep on the job as I was awake most of last—."
"—No, don't explain why you did it. Try again, Luciano."
"...I was—."
"From the top, Luciano."
"...Sorry Sir, I fell asleep."
"That's a good boy." There was a clap and Sir strolled around the shop, "Now. What will we do about all these?"
On the other side of the desk, Vargas fidgeted with his hands, inspecting every inch of the room but Sir. "...You could help pack them away."
"Tch. That's not what I came here to do."
"But-."
"No buts. I didn't come here to do work."
"Yes, but the dolls-."
"'But the dolls' what? What is it with you and dolls. Always 'dolls this' and 'dolls that'! Could you shut up about your dumb pieces of wood for once in your pathetic life?"
Vargas sat, silent, staring at his hands, tears pricking his eyes, contemplating an answer. He was hesitant to speak but the words floated out eventually, "...why not just use the back room this time..? To save any hassle..."
Sir was silent a moment, then spoke as if he'd had a revelation, "Ahhh, you're too attached." Staring Vargas in the eyes, he reached into his pocket and light glinted off an iron barrel.
Click, boom.
Wooden debris flew across the room. Vargas pulled his hands to his mouth to stop himself from screaming or gasping. In the new found silence, Sir admired his new creation. A doll in a red ball gown had had its head blown to heaven and beyond.
Vargas couldn't help it, tears started rolling down his cheeks.
Lovino jumped when he heard the shot. Nearly hit the ceiling of the compartment. Nearly screamed. But the shock was enough to keep him quiet.
Step.
Click.
"You're obsession isn't healthy."
Boom.
Another doll, gone.
It was quiet, but Lovino could vaguely hear Vargas whimper, "...Please stop, brother I-" click, boom. Another shot, much closer. Hitting the wall behind the counter.
"Ah-ah-ah, it's Sir to you, Luciano." He was at the counter, "Now, from the top."
He gulped.
"...Please stop, Sir I spent months—years even—on these dolls..." he paused momentarily to sniffle, refraining from wiping his eyes, "...they are my life..."
"Well, I guess you need a new life." Click. He pressed the barrel to Vargas' forehead, "out from the counter."
Vargas did as told, shuffling out and standing by the door to the back room. Sir glanced between the entrance door and the backdoor, keeping the gun pressed firmly against the man's head. "Where're the keys?"
"...Top drawer... on the right."
Sir flicked his gun to the backdoor, "you go and wait. I'll lock up, understood?"
"...Yes sir."
"There's a good boy. Run along now." He moved back and waited as Vargas disappeared behind the door.
Lovino held his breath. Tightening his hold around his legs. He was alone in a room with a crazy, gun wielding, doll murderer.
Scenarios flooded his head and try as he did to push them away, one stayed burnt into his mind. Phantom pain plagued his temples and regret weighed in his heart.
Sir stepped to the desk and opened the drawer just above the entrance to the hidy-hole. He riffled through the contents of the drawer before shaking out a pair of keys. Hurriedly moving to the front of the store, Sir left to close off the window, giving Lovino a brief moment of silence.
Loud silence.
The kind that screamed in his ears and banged pots and pans around to the beat of his heart.
In those few moments, he did what he knew best: Lovino made the sign of the cross; folded his hands and prayed.
In the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit,
Dear Lord,
Please don't let him shoot me.
I don't want to die, I'm sorry.
I just wanted to help.
Amen
As he finished, the ting of the door bell signalled Sir's reentry. Locking the door, he marched into the back.
Lovino was left alone.
Seconds turned to minutes.
Minutes turned to an hour.
That hour turned to three and he wondered if he would ever leave.
