Heart and Darts
The neon sign of the broken anchor buzzed with a low, irritating hum casting a sickly green glow over the scarred mahogany bar. Outside, a torrential Chicago downpour slicked the downtown streets, but inside the air was thick with the scent of stale beer, cheap whiskey, and unspoken malice.
Lena swirled the remaining ice in her glass; her eyes were locked on Marcus. He was standing by the dart board at the back of the room, his broad shoulders square as he lined up the shot. He looked exactly like he did 3 years ago, confident, untroubled and entirely unbothered by the lives he had ruined.
“You’re staring.” Carrie murmured from the stool beside her. She didn’t look up from her phone, but her thumb stopped scrolling.
“I’m remembering.” Lena corrected, her voice cold. “There’s a difference.”
“Just make sure you remember the plan.” Carrie said finally turning her head; er face half hidden by the dim shadows. Her sharp, unblinking gaze pinned Lena in place.
Lena rolled her eyes.
“We don’t get a second chance at this. He leaves through the alley, we follow, simple as that.”
Thwack.
Marcus threw another dart, its metal point buried into the center of the dart board. He let out a loud, booming laugh cutting through the low murmur of the bar. He lifted his beer to a group of people nearby who could care less.
He was celebrating a promotion brought by stolen data. Data that had cost Lena’s career and Carrie’s brother’s freedom.
Lena stood, smoothing out her jacket, “I’m going to buy him a drink.”
“Lena, no.” Carrie hissed reaching out to grab Lena’s wrist.
She walked to the back, stepping into the harsh light. Marcus was collecting his darts when he noticed her. He blinked twice as a flicker of recognition crossed his face followed with his trademark oily smile.
“Lena? Well damn, small world.” Marcus said, his voice dripping with false warmth. “What brings you downtown?”
’Just looking for a little justice, Marcus.” Lena said, offering a tight smile. She shrugged then gestured toward the board. “Care for a game? Just one shot… for old time’s ssake.” Lena tilted her head slightly. “If you win then I’ll buy you a drink of the good stuff, and if I win… I’ll leave you alone.”
Marcus chuckled tossing the single steel tip dart between his hands. “You always did have a gambling problem Lena. Alright, sure. You go first.”
Lena stepped to the line, held her hand up steadily, but her eyes were not focused on the board they stayed on his brown eyes. She threw the dart. The loud thud showcaseing she had hit furthest from the center.
Marcus laughed. He stepped up to the line shaking his head. “Classic.”
Lena took a half step back, slipping her hands into her pocket. She didn’t need to win. She just needed Marcus distracted from the shadows and Carrie who waited quietly at the exit.
The loud thwack of his dart landing a direct bull’s eye seemed to echo alongside Marcus loud shout. He turned toward Lena to gloat, but the smile died on his face when a small prick of realization hit him. A knot began forming in the pit of his stomach as visions played like a movie reel of him choking life out of Lena. Yelling at Carrie to climb into the grave next to Lena’s dead body before pulling the trigger.Marcus tried to swallow but found his entire mouth was sandpaper.
Lena was no longer facing Marcus; her attention was directed to the opened back door. Marcus looked past her to see that Carrie stood waiting with the door to the alley wide open; a dark hole set in the center of her forehead. The Chicago rain forced itself in with the howling wind. Fear crept up Marcus’ legs, paralyzing him as he noticed dirt on the back of Lena’s jacket.
“You win Marcus.” Lena said. “Time to pay for the game.”
