"My Dilemma," Part III: "Foreseen Consequences"

Early in the morning, the day after Lavernius’ death and the morning that Aaron and Johnny would meet for the first time was a very industrial morning. The clouds dotted the sky as the lights shined washed colors all around. This was the morning that James left his wife wondering, and it was the morning that James felt the strangest. As if there was an antagonizing force in his own life, James can only take his mind off of things when endlessly shopping.

There is this hardware store that opens at absurdly early hours of the morning, thus it was the spot that James set his sights for as it was too early to go to work. James didn’t end up putting on his uniform back at home, he simply grabbed it and hung it on one of the interior handles in his car. He was wearing a really casual button up shirt and some slacks with some tennis shoes. Nothing out of the ordinary for him to be dressed in for a routine occasion.

Walking into the hardware store, one might be amazed at the magnitude of the amount of items that are displayed about. However, for James it was nothing of the sort. It was just another store.

Heading into the power tools aisle, James thinks to himself about small home renovations. The kitchen could do some reworking and same with the crappy wallpaper that sits in one of the upstairs bedrooms. Not knowing what exactly he might need, James spots a nail gun. This tool catches his eyes. He doesn’t own one and never owned one before, maybe it would help with nailing efficiency for any woodworking he could have planned. It could be used to renovate the dull kitchen.

James walks up to the tool for closer inspection. He looks deeply at the display model and takes notice of the boxes below that contain the consumer version for himself to purchase. He falls in love with the simplicity of the design and the deep red color that isn’t such an eyesore such as the bright yellow that many tools are beginning to be colored these days.

As James looks at the tool, he remembers that he has a gun concealed on him already. The nail gun almost reminds him of his own firearm and brings a strange sense of comfort to continue to observe. James reaches for the tool to touch with his own eyes before he is interrupted.

Nero and Marcus are walking down the same aisle toward James, “Oh great.” James says to himself as he straightens his posture to meet with the two men in front of him.

The two halt in front of James and Nero puts his hands on his sides, “Morning James,” Nero speaks casually, “What are you doing here at four in the morning?”

“Yeah,” Marcus adds. Marcus then shifts his attention toward the nail gun display that James was observing early, “Holy shit James,” Marcus picks up one of the boxes for the nail gun, “A nail gun? What might you be planning to do with something like this?” Marcus places the box back where he picked it up.

James rolls his eyes at them while crossing his arms on his chest, “You two are always reluctant to tell me your business, why should I share mine?”

Nero then shakes his index finger in the air, “Oh James,” he says while chuckling, “That’s a mistake on your behalf.” Nero looks toward the ground with soft maniacal laughter.

“You know James, we should go for a drive together.” Marcus suggests the idea, “I think we need to cool off some of this tension that I am sensining.” Marcus looks at James with a more serious expression and crosses his arms in the same manner as James.

James drops his arms and speaks softly, “I should really be going now–”

Nero blocks James’ path as he tries to walk past the two men, “I personally think that Marcus’ suggestion would be best for both of our interests,” Nero speaks to James with almost a whisper as he uses an arm to guard the aisle from James, “We need to cool off–too much tension–and there is no better way to do so than a nice little cruise with some acquaintances.” Nero grins at James who bears a look of fear in his eyes.

“What do you want Nero?” James raises his voice, “Is this your grand plan to get Sirius’ attention?” James waves his arms in the air.

“How could you assume such a silly thing James.” Marcus places his hands on his side and leans his head at James.

James glares at Marcus, “I’m not talking to you,” James then looks at Nero, “if this is what you really want, then why don’t we settle things here.”

Nero grows a maniacal expression on his face and begins to grin widely. James steps back in anticipation and places his hand on the right side of his lower stomach where he carries his handgun.

Marcus calls out for Nero, “Nero.” Nero does not pay no mind.

In the matter of seconds James makes a quick sudden movement which prompts Nero to unholster his weapon at lightning speed and take a shot nearly point blank directly into James’ guts.The content of James’ anatomy splatters onto the floor where blood, flesh, and bone fragments can be seen scattering as the bullet tears it’s way through James’ anatomy to find its final resting place on the concrete floor just below. Nero stares deeply at James as James falls nearly lifelessly onto the cold concrete floor.

Nero grins with an everlasting smile, and Marcus looks on in absolute terror at the situation. Marcus then attempts to shake Nero out of his bloodlust trance to no avail. James falls onto the floor unconscious and lays as if he is a lifeless body, Nero lets out a menacing giggle as he watches the scene unfold in front of his eyes.

The few people who populated the store can be heard in the background either screaming, panting, or running around frantically at the sound of the gunshot. Marcus continues to shake Nero.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here Nero!” Marcus cries out, “Come on!”

Nero then turns slowly toward Marcus and Marcus stands back in a state of disbelief. Nero places the gun back in his holster and turns around. The two then casually head toward the exit without exchanging a single word.