Book 3: Sirens

"Please, pay for the beer you just slid into your backpack just now," I politely asked the burly man adorned with tattoos who recently barged inside the store I have been working in for a month.

"What beer?" the man stopped from trying to exit the store and stared right back at me. His eyes were red, and his breath just reeked of alcohol.

I took a step back, but I have to ask since the man has stolen from the store before and it was unjustly deducted from my pay.

I got scared by how deranged he looks. But I was desperate to help Jiro, at least with the payment of the house rent. He has suffered far too much and endured too much overtime just to make ends meet.

So I raised my voice despite the fear that clutched my heart.

"Please return it, you have to return it or pay for it," I pleaded in desperation.

The man took the can of beer from his backpack and gripped the can fiercely. "Is this what you are looking for, young miss?" he asked.

"Yes, sir that will be two dollars and fifty cents," I bravely said, not backing down.

I had no clue what he was about to do. The man opened the can of beer and drank from it, then spilled the rest of its contents on the floor.

"Please sir, just pay for it, or it will be deducted from my pay," I tried to rationalize and plead for mercy.

But instead of listening to my desperate plea, he laughed, his maniacal laughter filling up the store.

He yanked my shirt and said, "And who gave you authority over me?" he asked, making fun of me as he boxed my stomach.

I fell to the floor, feeling the sudden pain that radiated to my stomach's cavity.

Then I saw him reaching out for his pocket for something, and slowly he let out a pistol.

It was a genuine one, I have never seen a real gun before but I know it's the real thing, something about the look of the metal and the way it clicked when he loaded it.

And yet, despite knowledge, I froze right there. I was unable to move and stared right at its nozzle.

I heard the loud sound of the bullet whizzing through the air, my ears hurt from the sound, but not as much as my head did.

My head felt like it has been whacked a million times, the sharp agony radiating to the rest of my body.

It was painful, too painful to move. No, even breathing was hard, even inhaling the air just caused my head to feel like it is about to explode.

"Bitch, you are finally dead," I heard the burly man speak as I heard his steps, he was probably walking out of the store, for the sound slowly faded.

So, I lied there, unable to do anything. With the nerve-wracking pain that made me think of the bullet that must be now lodged somewhere past my skull. I imagined how the bullet has now crushed my skull and has embedded itself somewhere in the brain's fascia.

And yet... 'I can't even raise my hand, to see my blood, that is sure to be the thick cascade of liquid pressing down on my temples.

The unbearable pain was searing my consciousness away. It was all that matters now, the only thing accompanying me in my tragic end.

The last thing I heard is the sound of sirens, the distinct sound of police mobiles.

'They came... did Jiro come for me too?'

The blinding light of the ceiling is comforting to look at, it reminds me so much of eyes with specks of gold... the beautiful eyes that belong to Jiro... My Jiro.

My eyelids are drooping, I tried to open my eyes for I wanted nothing more but to look into his eyes or at least be reminded of them, but the light started to fade.

No matter how hard I try to open my eyes, I was unable to.

Instead, I was forced to focus on the insurmountable pain until I have not one coherent thought.

Until the sharp pain that radiated into my body becomes a dull ache. Until there is nothing left but darkness.

But even then, all I can think of is Jiro.

The only one I ever loved.

The love of my life.

My best friend.

Jiro.

Even when the darkness pulled me in, all I can think of is... Jiro.