These Deepened Wounds

I laze around in bed like a contented cat, watching the morning sunlight play over the floor, feeling absurdly pleased with myself. Eric is coming over later and we have the whole day to play. Maybe we’ll hit the beach and then he’ll come back here for dinner and maybe . . . Well, I don’t know, but after I shower, I make sure there are fresh sheets on the bed. I poke through the refrigerator and I realize I need to pick up a few things before he gets here, besides, shopping will be a good distraction until he arrives.

I’m getting into the truck when my cell phone goes off. Eric. I flip it open, “Hey you!”

But his voice stops me cold. “I’m sorry Karl, there’s been a break in at the store, they trashed it. I can’t make it over there today.”

( “What? What happened?” )

Getting Answers (Hugo/Karl)

The sun rises on another hazy day, the sky darker than before. I slide out of bed before Eric wakes up and call Hugo, to make sure he’s around. I tell him I found something interesting that I want to show him. I figure that orc blade ought to get his attention, and hopefully he’ll spill without me having to put on a temper tantrum. I shrug. Either way works for me, I’m in the mood for a fight after yesterday. I find an empty feed bag and wrap the blade in that on top of the plastic. I don’t understand why the thing offends me so much, but it seriously creeps me out.

Eric has to meet the insurance adjuster at noon, so we head back into town about ten thirty. I drop him at the bookstore and he kisses me. He stares at me for a minute. “You’re angry.”

“Damn right, I’m angry!” I gesture at his store. “The people who did that? They’ll pay and I’m gonna make sure of it.”

“Karl . . . be careful.”

“Don’t worry, answers first, then payback.” I wink at him and hug him tightly. “Everything’s going to be alright.”

He lets me go and I turn the truck around, heading for Hugo’s. I park the truck and I’m yelling for him almost as soon as my feet hit the ground. I pick the orc blade up out of the truck bed and make straight for the door.

( “Hugo! Open up, mate!” )