He leaned against the signpost on the crossroads that suddenly appeared before me. Looking every bit like the embodiment of a bad idea on payday night and drawing on his cigar like it would quench feverish and hot-blooded thirst. “Hey Girl… where ya headed?”
I came to a full stop in front of him. I suppose I should have shown more manners, but fuck it. I’m just following his lead. I eyed him up and down like I was considering drinking what he was pouring before rolling my eyes in rejection. “Lemme guess. Not to take care of [The Fucker of Son’s] request.”
He bounced off the sign with unusual quickness and took my arm with excessive gentleness. “Girl, you’re so sharp, I’mma cut myself.”
“Where am I dancing tonight?” I knew the touch was deceptive. I yielded to his grip and felt his cold hand testing my biceps.
“How’s your military bearing? Still got it?”
My military service is still a sore spot with me. Even though those few years gave me the ability to withstand what came after. “… Why?”
“Got some new… recruits… Heh. They think [death] is going to be easy street for them. Arrangements, you see. They got ‘em.”
“The way Horatio got his?”
He held on to me for balance as he howled his agreement. His laughter started warm but chilled as he let the sound drag. “Yea. Something like that. Anyways, I want you to be an observer for their welcoming moments. I don’t want you to slap any of them upside the head. Yet. Just… lurk.”
I tried to pull my arm away, but his strength revealed itself just enough to remind me who I was talking to. I had a second of insanity and considered what fully bucking him would be like, but when I blinked to clear my thoughts, I saw him as he truly is. No, there’s no bucking him. No matter what game he allows me to play, he always wins in the end.
That’s an odd thought to have, though… Games…
“Observer? Referee? Or scout?”
He leered obscenely. I almost felt sorry for the newly interred. “Are you trying to guess my game, Girl?”
“Don’t I always? Since you’re holding me so close, might as well have fun with it.”
He pulled me into a tight embrace. I could not tell if I was feeling his enthusiasm, or the worms that feast in graves. Both prospects were frightening. I refused to show fear.
“I can always hold you closer.”
“Don’t fucking tempt me. You know I still have a suicidal streak.”
His face stank of ashes. I recognized tobacco, pepper, and salty tones. I recognized other scents lingering on him as well. Such is the fate of all that live.
He held me there until I realized my body was the only source of heat, but I was hot enough for the two of us. An obscene need raced through my nerves, reminding me how I am still very much alive. I was not here for that. He had asked about my military bearing on purpose. Time to demonstrate it.
I straightened up in his hold the best way I could. “Sir. Requesting my mission details, Sir.”
He leaned his face forward and whispered his request in my ear. Simple enough and well within my abilities. I nodded in acceptance.
He released me as gently as he had seized me. I wanted to ask why was he delaying [the Fucker of Son’s] request. But I have already pushed my luck enough. I saluted and took the required step backwards before performing an about-face.
“Wait.” He pulled the shadows together around me and cloaked me in them. “There. I don’t want them to get a whiff that you’re still alive. Not yet. So be as menacing as possible to keep them at arm’s length. Tell me later what you see, and we’ll talk more then.”
I knew from his tone I had been dismissed, but I was going to make him play along as much as I can. He dragged on the cigar and blew the smoke in my face. When I did not react to his disrespect, he broke out into deep peals of laughter.
“Dismissed, you fucking bitch.”
I saluted him once more, took the step back, then departed towards the path waiting for me. Of the “recruits”, all I’m going to say is what I’ve already said before.
He always wins the game. Always. And he always takes what was promised him. Always. Be careful what oaths you swear to him, because he always receives what is his to receive.
Always.