My Preciousssssssss...
~A The Polar Vortex Returns! Special Chapter~
He booked a flight and packed his bag. The plane took off just before the airport was closed due to snow. He needed to get away. The emptiness was too loud now that the news had spread. Stephanie was carrying another man's child and he felt like a fool. All is fair in love and war. So why did he want to scream his throat raw like a mad man and smack his fist against a concrete wall? So much frustration. So much anger. So much disbelief. So much pain. Yeah, it was too much to bear. He now wore the ring* around his neck. He always dreamed about Stephanie and her dark skin child. Would it be a boy? He always, always wanted a little boy. He would be a good father. He wouldn't end up like his Dad. He looked out the small window. He could barely see anything in the darkness and the woman next to him snored like a horse. He raised his hand to feel the scar in his brow. He'd just started growing a beard. He deserved this long due vacation. He worked too hard. Grandma Bella had put the Eye on almost everyone and his mother's face was so thin and grim. Every time he drove past the boring-looking 7-floored building he wanted to step on the brake and pull out his gun. He wanted a duel. He wanted a chance. He wanted his revenge. But Stephanie—Stephanie—
He let out a sigh. He just wanted to ask her why. He hadn't heard anything about the wedding. He hated the smile on her mother's bright happy face. Why, Cupcake? Why couldn't it be me? Why it had to be him? He closed his eyes. He didn't want to fall asleep. He didn't want to wake up again. The world was a cruel, cruel place and the food served on the plane tasted like bitter memories. The flight attendants smiled at him. The plane landed. He breathed in the salty air of Hawaii. He couldn't remember any of his sad chaotic dreams. He couldn't wait to swim in the open sea.
Ordinary Joe. Clueless Joe. The bluest sky. The golden beach. On the other side of the Pacific, heartless soulless Japanese fishermen were killing hopeless helpless dolphins and the weeping ocean was tainted red. He felt sad. He felt angry. From time to time he drove past the local animal shelter but he'd never ever stopped to save a life. It would be too much burden. It would be too much work. Besides, he already had Bob. Selfish humans. Meaningless killings. Shameful feeble excuses. Who was he to disagree? He'd just lost his dream. He'd just lost the game. He'd watched too much news. Kill. Destroy. Cry. And die. The fucking circle of this fucking life. He was the dangerous stranger here. Tall. Dark. Mean. Moody. He smiled back at a curvy blondie. And still attractive. He was going to get laid here. He would satisfy someone's fantasy. Then he would go find a pawn shop and sell the ring. Who would the next fool be? Would he be luckier? Would he be happier? Would his sweetheart gasp and burst into tears? Would his sweetheart say yes and kiss him on the lips?
Whatever.
He didn't care.
He wasn't interested.
He took off his clothes and changed into his swimming trunks. He walked into the salty water. He closed his eyes. He listened to the waves. He loves this gentle night.
He never saw the shark** coming...
Author's Note:
* A special thank to the talented sweetdreams-sunnymornings for Stephanie's broken tooth.
** Because 18-wheelers are so boring?
*** SNICKERS.