FLOWERS

Petunia

The wind blew harder than expected that day. It seemed relentless in its push, knocking over signs and trash cans. Basically anything that wasn't bolted to the ground was thrown feet to yards away from its home location. And in downtown New York, something like this was extremely dangerous. Seeing as cars and people were everywhere, the flying debris made them good target practice. No matter where you stood, you weren't safe from Mother Nature's wrath. Everything would be destroyed by her one day, but a little test drive of her future destruction was a good example of the weakness, humanity held towards her. Most men and women spent their whole lives doing as the weather instructed. If it rained, you stayed inside and read a good book. If it was sunny, you needed to go out and do something. And if it was storming, you sat in fear, hoping the loud noises would eventually cease.

Most of the time they did, but now and then, Mother Nature would make an example out of us all.

Alonzo remembered watching the news as Hurricane Katrina swallowed nearly two thousand people. He watched it like the super bowl. Not wanting to miss a single moment of the experience. That was the day he knew how much he enjoyed nature. The birds chirping, the oceans waving and the earthquakes breaking and destroying everything in their path, causing massive cracks and holes that would swallow everything around it. Alonzo prayed for that day. When everything would be swallowed up and Earth could start anew.

Of course, nature was great, but mankind could do it so much faster. 9/11 had killed nearly 3 thousand people. The Holocaust had cost the lives of between 6 and 15 million people. And if the Cold War had worked out, Alonzo wouldn't even be able to stand here and thank these thoughts. The world needed to be rid of the little pests that invaded it. The human race had served their time diligently, but in the end, their survival meant the lives of so many innocent creatures. The living things that mattered. Animals.

But that didn't matter right now. His Carnival of Horrors could only do so much during the day. For now, he could only do what he had to do.

"CARLOS! Get the HELL IN HERE!"

Alonzo physically shook with rage at the near mention of his real name. But he had no choice but to follow the commands given. Alonzo slammed his locker shut and sighed. He placed his purple top hat on and smiled as wide as he could as he walked into his boss's office. "What can I do for ya, sir?"

"Drop the shit-eating smile and shut up." Mr. Stallis said in his demeaning, gruff voice. Jefferson Oliver Stallis had been a heavy smoker his whole life and that fact showed true in the sound of his voice. Every word he spoke sounded like he was forcing his vocal cords through a funnel. "Now I, Jeffrey Stallis; your boss and friend, have had your back for years and years. I mean you know how much Jeffrey Stallis loves you." That was the other thing about Alonzo's boss. This cocky son of a bitch loved his name so much, that he almost only spoke in third person. Alonzo assumed that the reason for this was to get his name tattooed to the nervous system of your brain. You could never forget the name Jeffrey Stallis. He would never leave your mind. Like a brain tumor, slowly eating your humanity away until all that's left is a corpse and a terrible smell. "Jeffrey knows your capabilities, Carlos. I always have. You're a talented bitch, I'll tell you that." Jeffrey walked around his cluttered desk with crossed arms. He looked like a disappointed father about to ground his 16-year-old daughter. He sighed and put his face in his hand. "But how the hell is that supposed to mean anything when you DON'T SHOW UP TO YOUR DAMN JOB!" He walked up to Alonzo and slammed him against the door behind him. "YOU COST JEFFREY STALLIS MONEY YOU SON OF A BITCH! And I'll tell you something about that... JEFFREY DOESN'T LIKE THAT TO MUCH! This isn't some HIGH PAYING JOB, YOU LITTLE RAT! I run a scummy talent business. That's it. I'M A PIMP FOR MORONS! I'M MEANT FOR SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT!" Jeffrey backed away from Alonza and wiped his mouth. He pulled a gun out of his belt and examined it closely. He looked up at Alonzo and smiled deviously. His old wrinkled face nearly cracked as if Jeffrey had never smiled before and the simple act would rip his delicate skin. "Do you wanna die, Carlos?"