207 - Control
Eyes closed, he pictured the target. He imagined the way the man moved, the way he was always looking over his shoulder to make sure he wasn't being followed. He pictured the man stopping at the corner and waiting for traffic, waiting for the light to change colors so he could cross without being run down. In his mind, the man walked into the coffee shop two doors down from the corner. He stood in line and waited for his turn. He ordered a non-fat latte with two shots and double whip cream. He pictured him taking a sip and sighing happily as the hot, sickeningly sweet liquid hit his tongue and throat. He pictured him walking out of the coffee shop and started back the way he'd come. He was busy sipping his latte and no longer looking over his shoulder. The coffee made the paranoia go away. He disappeared back into his building and up to his apartment, intent on checking his chemistry set.
Grady opened his eyes and looked through the scope on the rifle. Right on time the target came out of his building, on his way to get his latte. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. As he opened them and exhaled, he squeezed the trigger. The target sagged to the ground in the middle of his step. Grady sat back and started to disassemble the rifle. He packed it up and put it back in its hiding place before walking out of the room and into the Boston morning.
(262)
Grady opened his eyes and looked through the scope on the rifle. Right on time the target came out of his building, on his way to get his latte. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. As he opened them and exhaled, he squeezed the trigger. The target sagged to the ground in the middle of his step. Grady sat back and started to disassemble the rifle. He packed it up and put it back in its hiding place before walking out of the room and into the Boston morning.
(262)