LACK OF MAN (part 3)

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“Is that what I think it is?” Hunter asked.

“Sure is,” Leerna replied. “My father had pictures of them that I’ve seen. Would go on about them for hours.”

“And you just found it?” he asked.

“Just sittin’ there,” Sulli replied, not even letting his eyes leave the device, like it had encapsulated his mind with a hypnotic reverie that refused to refrain.

“That’s unbelievable,” he said picking up the Martian device.

“Careful,” Sulli sighed, full of concern, his eyes still stuck.

“Don’t worry,” he said, just wanting to hold it, be part of what his friends had brought him in on.

 

                The device was an antique as far as the model. Great value to Martians and humans alike, but for vastly different reasons. It could cure all diseases if loaded, which this one was fully. Despite the tireless efforts of humans, they were unable to synthesize the medicine to be suitable for their race. All subjects died in great pain before the testing and trials were shut down. Not even Leerna could benefit on account of her half-human DNA. Some would want this for human testing in hopes of finding the bridge on the radiation immunity only the Martians shared. Others for inflicting great pain upon their enemies. These three friends could easily make over 7,000 credits, possibly even 10,000 due to the full chamber of pellets.

“So…what’re you doin’ with it?” Hunter asked.

“Sell it,” Sulli replied, chuckling a bit, clearly hiding his overwhelming excitement. “What else?”

“To?” he asked, unable to think of any place that would buy such an item outright.

“There’s a pawn shop not far from my place,” Leerna replied. “I’ve seen one in there before.”

“This is unbelievable,” Hunter said. “Never seen one these this close.”

“My father told me how it works,” she replied, taking it. Sulli leaned to see her hands, holding in a deep breath. She held it up to her chest, aligning the end to her heart, and effectively concerning Hunter with its proximity. “You line it up, and then these little blades come out and wedge open the skin and muscle         then it basically drills in and releases the pellet into one of the chambers of your heart.”

“That’d fuckin’ hurt,” Sulli exclaimed.

“Well, yeah, without anesthesia,” she giggled. One particular form of laughter Hunter deeply enjoyed hearing from this particular person. He watched her delicately place the device back into the shoebox and lean back into the couch. With a smile from her as she blinked those pretty eyes that made him uncomfortable in so many amazing ways, he had to move from it.

“I just need a drink before we go,” he said, getting up and headed for the kitchen. The previous thoughts flew from his head. He began to notice that the fictitious colours had started to fade; not by much, but enough to be noticed. His mind told him to break out the small bottle of corn whiskey Vanessa had gotten him over a year previous. Even that did not stir his memories.

“So, Hunter,” Leerna smiled. His eyes quickly shot to hers from behind the short cup.

“What’s up?” he asked, setting down the glass.

“I was bored last night and started thinking about us,” she replied.

“Us, eh?” he said, doing his best to keep his mind clear though he didn’t know why.

“Yeah…are you still with Vanessa?” she asked.

“Vanessa?” he replied, finally having her return to his mind and the wall crumbling. “Oh, yeah…but I think she’s had enough.”

“Why?” she asked, holding back her delighted smile.

“Ever since she stopped doing Goo she’s been all high and mighty about it,” he replied, touching the rim of his glass.

“That’s too bad,” she said, extending a half-way mix of concern and insincere consolation. “Think you might break up?”

“Long time coming if we do,” he replied. “We’ve been fighting like crazy.”

“That sucks,” she said, using her insincerities to touch his arm.

“Yeah, wouldn’t even talk to me earlier,” he replied.

“It’s her loss,” she smiled.

“Mine, too,” he sighed.

“You’re great, sweetie,” she said, touching his arm again, rubbing it this time. “There’s plenty of girls for you.”

“You mean you?” he smirked.

“Maybe,” she smiled, glancing down to the floor when a bit of nervousness hit her stomach. “We both think about each other.”

“I know…” he said, turning his sight to the ceiling. After a quick inhale she wrapped her arms around him, enjoying his warmth and epidermal scent.

“I’m always here for you,” she replied, offering so many things other than an ear.

“I know,” he said, keeping in the words he wanted to say.

“What’s this?” Sulli asked, entering the kitchen. Leerna didn’t even bother to back away.

“Oh, nothing,” she replied, smiling at Hunter before turning.

“Okay…” Sulli said slowly, giving them both a crooked eye. “You ready to go?”

“Just lemme finish my drink,” Hunter replied.

“Mind if I get a little?” he asked.

“Of course,” Hunter replied, handing him the bottle.

 

                They sat as before, each pressed into the couch. Hunter became concerned when Leerna sat further away than before, resting an elbow on the armrest while twirling her light-brown hair in her fingers. He wasn’t sure of it, whether he had put her off by not responding the way he knew she was hoping for or if she had simply given up. Leerna had grown the feeling of being watched. Her suspicions were realized when she saw Hunter’s eyes stuck on her face. They quickly shot to his glass as he sprang forward to pick it up. Sulli was holding the device, inspecting each inch of it again and again, running his fingers along the edges, bumps, and small screws.

“What is that?” Leerna asked, placing her hand on Hunter’s leg while leaning over, squeezing a bit.

“What?” Sulli replied.

“On the bottom of the handle,” she said, leaning more and adjusting her hand upwards.

“It’s just scratches,” Sulli replied.

“No, let me see,” she said, grabbing it from him to inspect the handle.” It’s two circles and a line.”

“So it is,” he said, eagerly taking it back.

“I’ve seen it somewhere before,” she said, looking at Hunter. “Can’t remember from where.”

“Not sure,” Hunter replied, with a slight smile. He had seen it, too, many times. He knew what it was, and why Leerna had seen it as well. It was a tag from a member of a gang that ran a section in the west side of town. The same guy he procured his Goo from.

 

To be continued…