[[ milliways, upstairs ]]
[ "long day." ]
She's running on the lake trail, hard and fast, and nearly stumbles over two body-shaped lumps covered in clear, blood-spattered plastic.
Paul and Reza.
No. Not here.
Half-dizzy, she backs away. She has to get back to the bar, where it's safe.
Running again, ignoring the stitch in her side, she staggers through the back door.
No. Please, god, no.
Cotton-mouthed and trying not to tremble, Kate's world shrinks to the tiny lever beneath Marie's thumb.
"Don't."
Marie smiles, cold and empty.
"I tried to tell you."
There's a quiet click as she thumbs off the safety.
"You think you'll be safe out there. You won't be."
Kate's chest is tight, tighter than a piano wire.
"But Marie, this - "
She swallows, watching the barrel of the gun press harder against Bill's pale, sweat-streaked cheek. His brown uniform is already dark with blood at his shoulder and stomach, and he's slumped in the wooden chair, Marie's fist at his collar keeping him upright.
"Kate ... "
She tenses next to Bill, one hand fisting against his chest.
She's running on the lake trail, hard and fast, and nearly stumbles over two body-shaped lumps covered in clear, blood-spattered plastic.
Paul and Reza.
No. Not here.
Half-dizzy, she backs away. She has to get back to the bar, where it's safe.
Running again, ignoring the stitch in her side, she staggers through the back door.
No. Please, god, no.
Cotton-mouthed and trying not to tremble, Kate's world shrinks to the tiny lever beneath Marie's thumb.
"Don't."
Marie smiles, cold and empty.
"I tried to tell you."
There's a quiet click as she thumbs off the safety.
"You think you'll be safe out there. You won't be."
Kate's chest is tight, tighter than a piano wire.
"But Marie, this - "
She swallows, watching the barrel of the gun press harder against Bill's pale, sweat-streaked cheek. His brown uniform is already dark with blood at his shoulder and stomach, and he's slumped in the wooden chair, Marie's fist at his collar keeping him upright.
"Kate ... "
She tenses next to Bill, one hand fisting against his chest.