The young man’s heart skipped a beat. Shoot himself? He took a deep breath, and tried not to show the shock on his face. He had been asked to shoot himself. Not through any emotion, just calm talking. There was no malice or hatred there. Was he really expected to kill himself? They both knew the chamber contained a live round, he had loaded it himself.
Slowly, to cover up his hand’s minor tremors, he raised the revolver to the side of his head, and pressed the still-warm barrel to his temple. He closed his eyes. He saw Tina there, staring at him, and guilt overcame him.
She had been kidnapped three days ago from their home. Lake was out working, and when he arrived back, the house was ruined and all that was left was a note with a figure on it for the girl. A large sum, one he could not even hope to earn in his lifetime. Desperation filled him, and he tried for loans. None were accepted, so he went into the darker parts of town. Parts where even cocaine and women were considered hard currency. Here he heard about Tark. A man that would give you one thing you wanted, in return for a small test with few rules. No one knew anymore about this mysterious offer, and now Lake knew why. They were all dead. How could he look after the child he swore to raise if he was dead? Opening his eyes, Lake felt a tear stream from one. His face reddened, blushing at the embarrassment. Tark’s face hadn’t changed. Lake pulled the trigger.
The sound of the click echoed into his mind.
He stayed there for a few seconds, confused. He didn’t realise Tark had started talking.
‘Thank you for your time, Lake. The money you asked for will be deposited to your account, and you will be escorted home.’
Lake looked down at Tark’s outstretched hand. His mind caught up. He wanted the revolver. Shakily, he gave it back to the older man, and nodded his thanks.
Tark watched the young man hand over the gun shakily, and nod. His eyes followed him as he turned and left the office, and he could hear the voices beyond. His eyes lowered themselves to the five cards on the desk, face down and untouched.