Part 506 – Always A What If?

Ambrose walked into Raven’s house and bee-lined for the shower. He shed all of his clothes and made the water as hot as he could endure.

He arched his back into the hard falling water and let his arms just hang in limp lines. “Mmm. Feels so good.”

Well.

I got that done and over with.

They’ll call me in 3-5 business days with the results.

Three to five business days.

Three.

To.

Five.

Days.

That’s one hundred and twenty hours.

One hundred and freaking twenty.

Hours!

Why? Why does it have to take so long? Why can’t they just tell me now?

Why do I have to wait?

“I want my answer now!”

But at least it’s done. Whether the results will be good or bad, it’s done. It’s done.

I don’t have to undergo any more testing.

I just have to wait for the results.

And then?

He shampooed his hair and leaned his head back to let the water pound it out. The shampoo cascaded down his shoulders and back.

All I can do is hope for the best. I am not going to worry over every little thing. I’ve done that too much as is.

Still.

What if?

He shook his head and water sprayed every which way.

There’s always a what if.

Still.

What if the results are all manner of bad news?

What will I do?

He thought about Barbara.

What will we do?

He soaped himself up and rinsed off.

What will she want to do?

He shut the water off and got out of the shower.

What if?

He toweled himself off and got dressed.

What if?

He strolled into his bedroom and flopped onto his bed.

What if?

What if?

What if?

He sighed.

I’m going to hope for the best.

All of those what ifs can go roast in Hell.

***

Mark Caten picked up his revolver and pulled the trigger.

Again and again and again.

Until the last bullet was fired.

His target stood completely unscathed in a whole  bullet hole ridden scene.

He swore loudly and threw the revolver into the corner.

He picked up his machine gun and fired like mad.

The target stood completely untouched.

Preyuna sighed. “Are you quite done?”

“Not yet.” He picked up his assault rifle.

“I don’t know why you’re bothering. You have no marksmenship abilities.”

“Shut it, fey.”

“Why are you doing this? Vampires can’t be killed with ordinary weapons. You know this.”

“I told you to shut it. Believe it or not, that wasn’t a suggestion.” He aimed at his target. “Besides, I’m not aiming to kill Ambrosia. I’m venting out my frustrations.”

“Obviously.”

“I am aiming to kill Elsie, though, if Hildreth fails me.”

He pulled the trigger.

The target remained unscathed.

He looked down at the weapon. “Maybe I should get myself a rocket launcher.”