Page 868 of Coal Hearts

Tightening the belt around my leg, I slammed the trunk closed and walked.

The sunshine was my enemy as I cut across the farmer’s field and did my best to stay in the shadows of the windbreak trees. I managed to traverse most of the vineyard on some other person’s land.

Sheep came to sniff me.

A blackbird took off cackling.

My steps grew heavier and slower the higher up the hill I climbed.

But I didn’t stop.

Death whispered on the edge of my mind.

All that darkness gathered behind me to push me the final way.

Panting hard, I cut across the rock wall and took a deep breath.

They’d be able to see me from here. They’d see a bloody, exhausted man bristling with weapons traipsing uninvited across their garden.

Human instinct to survive made me shrink back into the shadows.

But bloodlust and eagerness to have this whole life over made me step boldly into the sunshine.

I waited to be shot.

I begged them to take the chance.

When nothing tore into me, I frowned in disappointment.

Walking to your own funeral was easy when you were ready to die, but it still took energy to fight against the stupid animal inside howling to stay alive.

Fisting a revolver and the grenade, I marched right up to the house.

Fate once again cloaked me in protection, keeping me invisible even when I wanted to be seen.

Ripping open the patio doors leading to the lounge, I stood framed in sunshine and held my breath.

Come on...

Come on...

Fucking nothing.

Jesus Christ.

What’s a man got to do around here to get someone to murder him?

My leg gave out as I stepped into the gorgeous country home. Huge artwork of olden-day winemaking graced the high whitewashed walls. Sculptures of grapes and big oak barrels used as side tables hinted clearly what this estate grew.

And still nothing.

A discarded coffee cup sat on a side table, a curl of steam still twirling.

Huh...

My eyes narrowed

An ambush then.