Disclaimer: I wish I did, I wish I did, I wish I did… Dang! That lucky train that could!
Bullet in the Dark
Chapter 8: Free at Night
Author's Note:
Okay, I'm doing pretty good. Trying to update weekly, or at least once in two weeks, and it's been working pretty nicely. Thanks for understanding, everyone! You guys are the best! Oh yeah, if you have time, please join my Yahoo group, called Cyborg Fanfictions. I also have two mailing lists for people who want to know when I update. Both can be found at my bio! Enjoy the chapter!
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Françoise sat on the couch, the lights turned off, leaving her to think in the darkness.
She faced the balcony, the fluttering curtains hypnotizing her mind.
The clicking of the clock set her breathing into a pattern.
It was near 12, and she knew that he would be home.
Home?
No, he would be back.
She had to talk to him.
But about what?
About how cold she was when she woke up, how the night before seemed like a dream that just faded?
About how she felt about the innocents he killed, and how she wanted him to stop, but she knew he wouldn't listen to her?
And how about how she just needed him to tell her…?
Tell her what?
Why?
How ironic the word seemed.
If only it weren't there, then the world would be so much simpler.
If only.
The grandfather clock chimed.
Once, twice, thrice…
It withered away, the sound that rung in her ears.
The door opened, as silently as possible, but possible was still heard by the girl.
He watched her still form in the dark.
She was unmoving.
Something was wrong.
There was no blood on him, but he felt dirtied.
He shut the door and went next to her.
"You should be sleeping," he said. It was the only thing he could think of.
"Thank you for your concern, but I'll be doing whatever I please."
What was wrong with her?
A moment of awkward silence followed.
"You killed someone again," she said quietly. She seemed oddly separated from the world.
He didn't answer, didn't lie to her.
She turned to look at his face, his face that was shadowed by the dark, hidden, so all she could she was his glowing eyes.
"Who was it? Another child?" her voice was rising in anger.
He didn't know if he was happier to see her angry or not.
At least she seemed human again.
She was his connection to the world now.
She was allowed to express every emotion he wasn't: happiness, anger, sadness…
"No." His answer was simple, and he could see her chest fall in relief.
He expected her to leave now that he'd been used.
She didn't.
They sat in almost companion-like silence.
Finally, "Why are you doing this?"
He didn't know how to answer. "Because I can't turn back now."
"So you listen to everything they tell you to do?"
"I have to."
"Why?"
He fell silent, thinking about the girl, the questions…
When he didn't answer, she asked a different question.
"Why do you kill?"
"Because I have to. Because it's all I can do." He spoke without thinking.
She hesitated for a minute.
"Who are you?"
In his mind, he tried some ironic humor: A grown man who has made a lot of mistakes, little girl, a lot of mistakes.
"An assassin."
"What's your name?" she pressed.
He sighed. What did he have to lose? "Joe. Joe Shimamura."
"Joe…" The name tasted strange on her tongue, not unpleasant, but different.
She decided to stop.
Then, "You're different at night. You listen to me. You answer truthfully. What it is about the night that makes you what you are?"
He stayed silent.
"Is it because you can't see anyone? Or rather that they can't see you?"
She paused for a reaction.
There was none.
"Is it because they can't see your guilt?"
He mentally screamed, 'YES! YES, YES, YES!'
Without thinking, her hand rose and brushed his face in a comforting manner.
"You don't have to do this…" she whispered to him.
A car honked in the background; the balcony window was still open.
She stopped.
"You should go to sleep," he repeated.
This time, she heeded.
"Good night…"
Good night?
Pah. Don't make him laugh.
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Françoise dragged herself into bed, her eyes fixated on the on the ceiling.
She closed her eyes, not the least bit tired.
She was too busy thinking of the man, no… Joe.
How strange… she thought he was just a heartless machine.
A machine --a weapon-- made for killing.
It was the life he had chosen, and this was what that life gave him.
She wondered why --and how-- he got to this point.
How?
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His eyes flashed in the dark.
The girl… She…
Who is she to do such things?
Once, twice, thrice…
The clock chimed like a wake-up call.
He remembered everything.
Everything they did to him, to her… to the world.
The only question was, what would --what could-- he do about it?
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Finished! Not really my best chapter, although I wished it would be. Next chapter will be really good, though, with lots of plot! Hope you like it! Please review!
Responses to Reviews:
Sesshomaruwuzhere: OMG! Happy early birthday, girl! I will so sing "In Da Club" for you! I will also update Red Lantern (which I am being really lazy on), and dedicate the chapter to you! You're the best!
GoldAngel2: When a writer as good as you approves of my story, I know I'm doing something right. It was great that we got to talk, and I would love to have another conversation. I wish you the very best of luck with your sequel (which I cannot wait for), and know that you will meet everyone's standards and more. The invite for the Yahoo group is sent, and I hope to see you there!
Sweet Dark Angel 009: Feel the love! You're story is doing wonderfully (from the looks of the reviews and fans), and I wish you loads of luck and success! I'm so glad you liked this story, along with the chapter. Thanks for all the support!
Aria Zephyr: *beams* I love making people happy! Our 'if you don't like it, then beat it' philosophy, and GoldAngel2 agrees with us! Yes, people are weird, not noticing how much they take other things for granted when they really shouldn't. About your e-mail dilemma… You can register for a free e-mail account at yahoo.com. It's what I use, at least. Why am I saying this? Well, I would love it if you joined my yahoo group. It's for Cyborg 009 and I would love your input!
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Serene Faerie: You're too modest! Many people (I'm sure) think that you are a wonderful author! This chapter wasn't dark? Oh no! Must… Get… Angsty!
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