Under a Summer Sky
2nd February, Story #33#366
He always struck me as a man not to cross. I've never seen him fight, never heard him raise his voice. He has this way about him. A quiet confidence, cloaking an iron will.
He's nondescript. Most wouldn't even look twice at him. That's part of what makes him so dangerous and so good at his job. But I know what he is.
Over these months working together, things have grown comfortable between us. I know no more about his personal life than he does mine, but there's been something easy and companionable in the silences. Quiet moments over a pint where I feel I've earned his respect. I still remember, though, what he is. I've wondered how many men he's killed.
There's a softness in his eyes now, and I recognise it: regret. I know two things. First, I have earned his respect. Second, I'm about to die.
I know too much, of course. It has to be done. And he's the man for the job.
I ask, "Do I get any last requests?"
"That depends."
"Outside." Where I can look at the sky.
He tilts his head in a gesture of acquiescence.
"Tell- tell-" My voice cracks. I swallow hard.
"Consider it done."
Something in me unclenches.
I touch the back of my head. "Here."
He gives a brief nod.
"But..." I don't know how to say it without sounding a coward; that I don't want to feel the gun metal against my skin. That I'm too craven to stare death in the face.
His voice stays steady.
"I'll stand a few paces back."
How does he know? You'd think that a killer must be compassionless. Perhaps it depends how many, and what manner of man you are to start with.
I step out onto the grass and tilt my face to the summer sky, set on fire by the sinking sun. I think of Sarah, and only Sarah. Certainly not of how much I want her to know that I'm thinking of her now.
The sky really is quite, quite beautiful-
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Word count: 366
Submitted on 2nd February at 16:37
* * Quick Author's Note * *
Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment so I can reciprocate. Your thoughtful engagement is appreciated. If you enjoyed this, the best compliment you can give is to share it, or read another.
The story behind the story: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one makes a 33 day streak. You can find all of them in my Index post. It's also pinned to the top of my profile.
If you're joining me on this "story every day" madne adventure, please leave a link to yours in the comments. Whether you're on a creative bent, like me, and writing mostly microfiction/stories, or whether you have your own, self-imposed criteria, I'd love to see what you come up with for today. I'll try to come back and edit this to link to your piece at the bottom.
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Comments (16)
The first rate quality that you pack into these daily stories is stunning, LC. The empathy for your characters that you demonstrate in your writing is its secret power (but obviously not to you). When I was a soldier, I heard many philosophies regarding the terrifying reality that our business was killing. Even in peacetime, that is what all of our training focused on. The only philosophy that I found palatable, was that of the professional. Professionals hate war and everything to do with it. They take no pleasure in killing because they understand its ramifications. The killer in your story outwardly models that code. Without further development of his character, it’s impossible to know how he feels about killing outside the compassion he demonstrates in granting your protagonist’s last wish. Full disclosure, although I served 22 years in the military (Army, infantry). I was never deployed to a combat zone. So, thankfully, I do not know how it feels to kill another human being.
I like this one, how it ended was perfect. Great writing once again.
Liam Neeson would be the killer. Felt very real.
Completely gripping LC. Loved your characterisation of the assasain and the stoic acceptance of the protagonist -seemed very British overall!
When there's nothing more to be said....
I aspire to be a polite empathic murderer like him hehehehehheehhe. Loved your story!
Beautifully done -- mysterious and sad. Love how you can pack so much into such a short piece!
The sky really is quite, quite beautiful- I absolutely love this line… (and the rest of the story) - I definitely want to know what led up to this though, maybe Star Wars prequel style!
Beautifully, suspensefully sad! ‘ I step out onto the grass and tilt my face to the summer sky, set on fire by the sinking sun. I think of Sarah, and only Sarah. Certainly not of how much I want her to know that I'm thinking of her now. The sky really is quite, quite beautiful-’🥹
Wonderfully written!!! Lovely but sad ending!!!♥️♥️💕
At first, I thought it was going to be a vampire story. Glad it went in the direction it did. Better than Bond. I could see this as a serial. Perhaps tomorrow's story could be how these two met? I'd love to read more!
Wow leaves lots to the audience
That abrupt ending. Very nice.
Well, this poses a lot of questions! Like it.
Compassion can be found in the strangest of places at times - Beautifully told LC!
Nice micro! Very well written and a situation I can’t imagine being in.