Don’t wish too hard. “So how about it?” “I don’t know, Cal. I don’t- it won’t work…” “It will! I’ll make it work! I’ll take care of you. ” “Really?” “I promise. We’ll be okay.”
David was scared. David wasn’t brave – not like Cal, who had come from faraway America.
David waited for a long time after Cal disappeared. Alone, abandoned; he couldn’t find it within himself to be happy for Cal.
And then Cal came back. Cal came back different. David had changed too.
If he hadn’t changed, he might have apologised. David wouldn’t have made it had they left, but Cal might.
Have you got it in you? “Do you know what’s wrong with training people like you, David?” “No.” “No?” “No sir. I do not.” “Don’t get me wrong, David – I like you, I really do – I think you’re spectacular. You’ve been trained to handle anything; even our most skilled mindreaders can’t get past your defences.”
A skip of a heartbeat.
“You know better than anyone how important that private rolodex inside your head is.” “Yes sir.” “But no one can see your secrets either.”
The most intimidating set of eyes made it impossible for David to avert his gaze.
“Is that going to be a problem, David?” “No.” “No?” “No sir. It won’t be.” “It’s always the ones closest to us, David. You’ll never see it coming.” “I understand, sir.” “Do you? Do you really? Because when the time comes, you’ll be the one pulling the trigger.” “I’ll do it sir.” “Good. Good liars live longer.”
I’m sorry, did I do the wrong thing? “Your colleague went too far. I took care of her.” “David, you shot her in the face.” “It was instant. Painless.”
Cal stared at his friend-cum-brother-cum-unflinching-killer, half-expecting – half-hoping – that the stranger in David’s skin would reveal itself so he could put a bullet in its face.
No such luck.
Those trapped in a violent world either lose themselves in the underbelly and die, or stain their hands trying to live, trying to save fragile dreams.
“What have we become.”
David, master of masks, managed a weak smile in response.
“I’m sorry Cal. But I’m treading as softly as I can.”