Suicide Is Painless – Johnny Mandel
Frankie sat on her bed. The lights were off, dousing the room in darkness. It was silent, no one else home except her. Hand shaking, she ran it through her hair, messing it up. It only helped to expose her frazzled nerves and jumbled thoughts. She chewed so roughly on her lip, she could taste blood. Her heart pounded harshly in her chest, and she could feel the sting of hopelessness in her eyes. She was screwed. No matter what she did, she'd lose.
Vanessa knew something was up. She'd confronted Frankie and told her to do her job or else. She was brought here for a reason – seduce Bianca Montgomery. Well, she'd done that. But, she'd fallen in love with the amazing girl at the same time. There was no way she could go through with what Vanessa wanted. She wouldn't hurt Bianca like that. God, Bianca loved her. She actually said that. No one ever said that to her. No one. Knots formed in the pit of her stomach as she thought about those enchanting brown eyes that looked at her so tenderly. It was what she always secretly dreamed of but knew she'd never get.
If she didn't hurt Bianca, though, Vanessa would. She'd hurt them both. Her aunt was a sadistic nut case if there ever was one. If Frankie turned on her, it was as good as death. Vanessa didn't take lightly to betrayal. She was supposed to be free. Vanessa was going to set her up with a new life. She could make something of herself. All she had to do was ruin Bianca's life.
She'd lose either way. There was no winning this time. Either she'd turn on Vanessa and lose it all, or she'd ruin Bianca and lose it all. Stretching out an unsteady hand, Frankie felt the cold metal of the gun. Swallowing thickly, she curled her fingers around the handle and lifted it up. It was heavy in her hand. Inhaling sharply, she slowly raised it up. She pressed the barrel against her temple. She could do this. It wouldn't hurt. Not like losing everything the way she would. It would be painless next to losing Bianca.
Gritting her teeth, Frankie squeezed her eyes shut and put her finger on the trigger. All she had to do was pull. It would all be over. She'd finally be free. She wouldn't have these feelings and thoughts. Then, a vision flashed in her mind. Bianca, smiling face and twinkling gaze, walking in to see her dead on the floor, blood surrounding her.
With a painful sob, Frankie jerked the gun away from herself. She couldn't do that to her.
She was screwed.