Strange

Gunfire. The one thing that made Becca uneasy was gunfire. Once a week, ever since Felix and her moved into the leaning one-story, she would hear guns go off a few houses down. The thought of drunks and gangs lurking in the mucky streets had finally taken its tole on Becca.

”Felix,”

she announced,

“I’m moving to the city. I can’t stand the murders and screaming every other night. I don’t feel safe.”

Felix had nodded. He sighed, held her tight to him and whispered in her hair,

” Rebecca, you are my one and only love. I would never let anyone harm you, but if you insist on moving, I won’t stop you.”

Two weeks later, Becca had rented an apartment in the city for Felix and her to move into. The house was almost fully packed by the third week. Felix had helped when he could. When he wasn’t at the house he was working night shifts as security for an old shipping company. Becca missed him, especially at night when the guns could be heard. She would curl up against his chest and sleep with his arms around her. Now there was a cold empty space where she would curl up into a ball and freeze. One morning when she woke, Felix wasn’t there. She called for him but he didn’t respond. She checked the entryway. His boots were missing along with his keys. Did he ever come home? Wondered Becca. Panic squished her like a bug. She ran to the bedroom and pulled out her phone. She called the shipment office.

“Hello? Hi, my name is Rebecca Kliff. My husband Felix Kliff works as night security. I was wondering if he was still on his shift.”

The gruff sounding man said,

“Felix Kliff? Hmm. Well it says here Mr. Kliff resigned his post as security guard over a month ago. Would you like me to find his letter of resignation?”

Becca swayed on her feet, over a dozen questions filled her mind. She didn’t know what to say or even what to feel. Finally she swallowed hard and said in a weak voice,

“No, but thank you. Goodbye.”

She ended the call and collapsed on her bed.

Over a month! Thought Becca, Where has he been for over a month? Where is he getting the money?

Her mind swam as is flooded with possibilities.

Was he seeing someone else? Was he selling drugs illegally? Why wouldn’t he tell me?

Just then the door opened and Felix called,

“Rebecca are you awake?”

She swiftly slid under the blanket and pretended to snooze. She listened as he took his boots off and put his keys on their hook. He walked into the bedroom and rubbed Becca’s shoulder.

“Hey honey.”

He said. She opened her eyes and stared into his.

“That must have been some serious traffic.”

She smiled. He smiled back apologetically. She didn’t want to hear his excuses.

Their last week in the small house, Becca worried over Felix. By the end of the week she decided she would confront him about it. After dinner she tried to talk with him but he was in a hurry. He kissed her forehead, grabbed his keys, and drove off to heaven knows where. She would confront him in the morning. As she started taping boxes shut, she heard a small chime. At first she ignored it but as she walked around in grew louder. Finally she opened Felix’s box. In it was a few of his things he wanted to keep, and on top of it all was a phone. His old phone. It chimed again. When it did so, the screen lit up with a new notification. Becca grabbed the phone and read the notification from Messages.

Killer, you there?

Killer? Becca though, Who’s Killer?

“Chime!” Went the phone.

Hello? Where are you? You got the switchblades? I’m tired of using these damn letter openers.

Becca’s heart threatened to break out of her rib cage.

“Chime.”

Did you hear we were changing the spot tonight? Killer? Hello?

Should she reply? Should she leave it in the box? If she did it would go off all night, and freak her out even more then the gunfire. She decided to reply,

I’m here.

“Chime.”

Good, what took you so long?

I didn’t notice you until I got to where I thought we were gonna meet up.

“Chime.”

Ya we are now supposed to meet by the river just past the factories.

Damn. I’ll be there in a minute.

“Chime.”

Good. The gang is getting restless. Teeth almost drank all the beer. You better hurry.

Ok

. . .

There were no more messages. Becca sighed. She was scared that Felix wouldn’t get there in time. She set the phone back into the box but didn’t tape it shut. When she finished taping all the other boxes, she got ready for bed. Right as she sat on the bed she heard another “Chime.” She went over to the phone.

Who is this?

Shit. Thought Becca. She waited until,

“Chime.”

I know your not Killer. He forgot his phone. Who are you?

Becca shuddered. She felt like a trapped animal. She wanted to throw the phone and be done with it , but Felix would find out eventually. Would he hurt her?

“Chime.”

Answer the goddamn phone or I will find you myself.

She swallowed hard and typed,

Yes?

“Chime.”

There we go! Now, who is this?

I don’t know. I just found this phone in the street. I thought it would be a good practical joke.

“Chime.”

Hmm. You are many things but a liar isn’t one of them. You are also easily distracted.

What do you mean?

Becca was shaking. Suddenly she realized she wasn’t alone. A cold hand was placed on her shoulder.

“Rebecca? What are you doing with my phone?”

Felix asked. She stiffened. She turned with the phone in her hand.

“Chime.”

🙂 You know what I mean.

Felix, with little effort, took the phone from Becca. He was holding her wrist now. His face held no emotion. Her eyes were suddenly wet. Felix slowly let go. There was a large red mark from where his hand had been. She sat down on the couch. She wrapped her arms around herself. Felix sighed and set the phone down on the counter top. He then walked over and sat with Becca. She cringed at his touch.

“I..”

Becca didn’t even know what to say. Felix looked at her.

“Explain.”

She said simply. Felix rubbed the back of his head.

“Well, what would you like me to explain first?”

“Your job.”

She said stiffly.

“Oh. Uh okay. I had to quit the security job in order to be in the gang.”

He shrugged. She rolled her eyes in anger.

“What do you do now? Where does the money come from? Are you seeing someone else? Why didn’t you tell me?”

The questions that were bottled up inside Becca, came spewing out. She was angry at Felix. Angry and scared. Hot tears ran down her cheeks. He tried to wipe them away but she flinched when his hand was near.

“That’s easy. I didn’t want to hurt you. I still care about you. I still want you safe. And of course I’m not seeing someone else. Why would that effect my job?”

“Your not gonna try to change the subject. Where does the money come from? What do you do?”

Becca pointed out. She tried swallowing the lump in her throat.

“Are you a..?”

Becca couldn’t say the word. Criminal. It tasted bitter in her mouth but she couldn’t spit it out. Felix’s answer, however, made her words backtrack into her stomach.

“A Murderer?”

He asked. Becca turned pale. Felix realized that a Murderer is not what Becca had in mind.

“Or something like that.”

He tried to make her feel better. He waited for her to say something. It was silent for a long time, until Becca finally said,

“Your a… Murderer?”

Felix stiffened. He knew he would have to tell her at some point, but he wasn’t prepared.

“Well, umm. Sort of. I mean I don’t kill innocent people.”

A little color returned to Becca’s cheeks. Had she thought I was that cruel? Wondered Felix.

“You still kill people though.”

Becca whispered.

“I kill men and or women who are already Murderers or worse. I guess you could call me an assassin. But I kill the bad guys. I’ve really been meaning to tell you..”

Felix’s voice faded.

“Why? What caused you to do this?”

Becca asked. She was hugging her knees to her chest.

“Your safety in a neighborhood like this. I want you safe. I will do anything to keep you safe.”

“So I’m your weakness? Others that want to get to you have to go through me?”

Becca’s mind was spinning. Her fear had overridden everything else, and now that’s she was calmer, she was making connections. Felix, not meaning to, made her a target. She was now in more danger than she would have been in.

“Why do you want me safe so bad? Bad enough that your willing to kill people for me?”

Felix faced Becca and grabbed her chin to make her look at him.

“Rebecca. I love you.”

He pressed his lips gently against hers. I’m kissing a Murderer. Thought Becca. When Felix let go, Becca rested her head on her knee.

“I think I need some time to think about this alone.”

Becca said. Felix nodded. He stood up and left the room. Becca thought silently. She was thinking of calling the cops or telling someone about Felix. It scared her to think that she was now a walking target. What also scared her was how far was Felix willing to go to keep her safe. She shuddered. The only thing she could do was play Felix’s new game of mistakes. After that night, Felix stayed home. With his help, they moved into the new apartment three days later. Felix never let Becca out of his sight. He would never let her go shopping for groceries but he never brought back anything she liked. It was all mostly junk food. Every thirty minutes or so, Felix would yell,

“Rebecca? What are you doing?”

This would make Becca frustrated and annoyed. It was like he put her in a box and she had limited air. He had her wound so tight that she might pop. One night she did. They were walking down the hall an towards their room, when Felix puts his arm in front of Becca, and makes her stop mid step.

“What is it?”

She whispered. His behavior lately was making her edgy.

“Footsteps, on the roof.”

It took her a moment to register what he just said. She blinked.

“Of course there are footsteps on the roof. We live in an apartment. Other people live upstairs.”

Becca stomped down to the apartment and threw the door open. Felix had to run to keep up. She then locked herself in their room.

“Rebecca open the door.”

Said Felix. She didn’t answer.

“Rebecca?”

Panic gripped Felix. Before he could act, Becca came out all dressed up.

“Where are you going?”

Felix asked.

“Out. I’m going shopping because I’m tired of the junk food.”

Becca snapped. Felix blocked the doorway.

“I can’t let you go.”

She rolled her eyes. She tried to shove past him but he wouldn’t budge. Becca’s angry mood switched into a soft sadness.

“Felix..”

She couldn’t stop her tears.

“You want me safe?”

He nodded.

“But do you want me happy? What is with you? I’m hungry and I feel sick. Your not bringing home food I normally eat. My body is confused and upset. This lifestyle isn’t healthy. I’m not happy being called on every thirty minutes give or take. Just will you tell me what’s wrong? Just tell me.”

Felix wiped her tears away. He sighed.

“I’m sorry.”

He said.

“The truth is, my gang is a group of assassins that kill anyone. We are part of a system. If we get distracted, we can get the entire gang killed. I kill the criminals that we hunt down. I’ve always been a Murderer. I’m sorry. I still love you.”

Becca backed away. She felt trapped. She loved a Murderer.

“You are the only woman I will ever love.”

Said Felix.

“If you need time, to work things out I will let you go. Just remember I will always be here.”

He looked around the apartment. Becca’s breathing was unsteady. She felt faint. Then the ground rushed up to meet her.

***

When she awoke again,she was at her sisters house. She had been staying with her for awhile. To be honest, Becca hadn’t thought of Felix for a year. She was cleaning up from breakfast when the doorbell rang. She was not expecting who would be at the door. Felix. She remembered there last night. She felt uneasy.

“Hello.”

She said. She wasn’t ready to tell Felix her decision.

“Hello, Rebecca. Have you decided?”

Felix looked anxious. Becca sighed.

“Look I know you left the gang but that doesn’t change the blood on your hands. Felix, I love you. We’ve been partners for a long time and now… well… yes, yes I will marry you.”

Felix grabbed Becca up in his arms and kissed her. When he did so, her anxiety melted away. Yes he may be a Murderer. Yes he may have scared Becca. But he made her feel alive. She never knew that before. He was her missing piece, no matter what he did. Becca loved him. Felix loved her. They will always be together forevermore.