Dead Trigger

With each metallic clink a round was loaded into the revolver. I tested the weight in my hand once the last one was in, seeing if it felt heavier. It didn’t, but I knew when I pointed it at the sleeping soldier it would be the heaviest weight in this world. Of course, it wasn’t me who was pulling the trigger anymore, it was her. She was there with me and I could feel the coldness of her touch as she guided my hand to point the barrel between his eyes.

​He was the first of many that were to follow, but the most important was definitely him. Each time I pulled the trigger the gun felt a lot lighter. After the first shot there was a scramble as they began to wake up, they didn’t know who was the enemy and who was their friend. However, I knew that everyone who wasn’t me should not be moving. Once the last shot sounded there lay six dead soldiers and six rounds. I left the same way I entered and followed her white dress in the distance. She was leading me to the next monsters that needed a long sleep.

The walk wasn’t long and I soon reached the main encampment. There was a strange stillness in the air. I knew then that they were expecting me, no doubt the word of shots fired had set every soldier on their guard, but it didn’t matter. If I died in the process I would still be a fitting end to me.

Once over the fence it was easy to navigate my way through the camp. She guided me through sharp corners and what seemed like dangerous, open areas till eventually I was standing behind one of my targets. I knew well enough that shooting him would alert the rest, but I didn’t care. I had other plans for them if things went wrong. Without hesitation I lifted my gun and centered the back of his head. I think perhaps he sensed me, because the moment I pulled the trigger he turned his head slightly. Unfortunately for him it wasn’t far enough to avoid the bullet.

In the next few moments I was fleeing for my life into the forest, pursued angrily by the handful of soldiers that remained. Each took their shots at me, but it wasn’t too difficult to avoid their bullets as I weaved through the trees. What did cause me alarm however was one soldier who seemed to be catching up. If he didn’t shoot me he would tackle me to the ground and that would be the end of that.

His heavy steps thumped behind me and I knew then that I wouldn’t make it to the estate. However, that was when she stepped in. Appearing out of nowhere, slipping past me and centering herself between me and him. He didn’t know what he was looking at, but he paused all the same to focus on the deathly woman. That is when she disappeared and all he could do was focus on the end of my gun. It roared like the canon it was and another one fell by its barrel.

Reaching the estate was no problem now, moving between the broken fence within sight so they would follow me. I danced between the tufts of grass, knowingly, all the way back to the large building. I could hear the cries of agony as two stepped into the bear traps and knowing they would have either lost their legs or the others would stop to help them. I watched from the window of the estate as they did, three others, try to help the two injured. Of course, it was not meant to be for one of them, who tried to stand his injured leg, but crumpled, falling onto another trap face first. That would save me a bullet.

I entered the house in full view of the remaining two soldiers I made my way to the stairs, running as I heard one enter the house after me. My steps echoed, letting both know I was climbing until the stopped as I entered the attic. Only one followed me into it, with an axe in one hand and a gun in another.

It didn’t serve him well, because within moments he lunged towards the sound of a mouse right into stray glass, shattering it with his collision, hiding my footsteps as I stepped forward and snatched the axe from his hand, finishing the job.

The general waited on the floor below, sitting in an antique chair looking out at the grounds. It wasn’t difficult to walk right  up to him and point my gun at his waiting forehead.

“I remember this place,” he murmured, starting up at me. His eyes darted between the gun and my eyes, he was unsure of which he would rather stare into. I saw them widen as she appeared behind me. “Didn’t we..?”

The hammer clicked as I cocked the revolver and centred him perfectly for an execution deserving of him. He fell to his knees, he ripped his stripes, he begged, he wept, but as he spoke her arm snaked around mine. Slowly her cold hands flet over mine and her breath graced my neck. Her finger joined mine on the trigger and together we pulled.

With that last shot, as his head shot backward from the bullet’s force, the world changed to what it once was. I felt the warm light of my home once more and the once cold skin of my wife felt warm. I turned to face her and we embraced. She slowly took the revolver and placed one more bullet in the chamber. She began to walk away, leaving me with the sight of her as I realized my final task.

The gun cocked, the trigger was pulled and then I joined her outside. Her hand slipped into mine as we walked into the warmth of the valley. I felt home once more.