otherways - late night/early morning

[saint_aequitas]

[after this]

Blood and cards flying
shots ringing out
smoke wafting lazily upwards

He feels the tear of a bullet driving its way through his shoulder
it doesn't stop him firing at the shooter
watching the impact
and the other man falls without a word.

Making his way across the room
just like before,
(but there's a stranger standing off to the side
watching as if he wasn't really there
and in fact, no one else seems to notice him)
looking down at the man he's killed

but the face is changed
from old and grizzled
to young and dear
blue eyes staring sightless

He can't breathe
(no)
can't think
(no)
can't look away
(God please)
from this vision of his dead twin-

-until his eyes snap open, breath still caught in his throat.