by Ryder Stacy
The assassin broke away toward the door and Rockson rushed after him, grabbing up the sword from the floor. He took one huge step and swung the singing fire-blade down with all his might. The blade entered the killer’s skull and continued down through his body, exiting from the groin and continuing its downward stroke until it was buried sideways in the floor. The assassin’s body, cleanly split in two spouted a wall of blood and fell to both sides, all the inner organs, the heart and lungs flopping out onto the floor where they writhed and pulsated like fish out of water. Then all was once again silent. Rock felt himself growing dizzy and glanced over to see that his burning clothes had set the bedsheets and bureau on fire. He felt himself passing out and somehow managed to crawl on his hands and knees toward the door, which he somehow pulled open. The smoke alarms in the hall went off just as he passed out.
When he awoke Rona was standing next to him holding his hand. He was lying in a hospital bed, the stiffly starched sheets smooth and cool against his aching flesh.
“How do you feel?” she asked softly. He pressed her hand.
“Fine,” he said weakly, but he sounded hoarse, his throat burned.
Dr. Johnston walked over, hearing him speak. “I’m glad to see you’re back among the sordid world of the living,” he smiled. “You really do have nine lives. I saw the man you killed. And the fire squad had a hell of a time putting out that fire. It consumed the entire room before they extinguished it. You’ll have to tell me what the hell happened in there.”
“Some other time,” Rona said firmly.
“Yeah,” Rock joined in. “Some other time. Say doc, could we—Rona and I have a little privacy.”
Doctor Johnston whistled: “Well, it might be the best medicine—something to get your blood going—clear out your passages. I’ll write out a prescription of “Do Not Disturb” and put it on the door.” He turned and left the room as Rona followed closely behind, locking the door as soon as he was gone. She turned and stripped off her clothing as she made her way slowly, seductively, back to Rock’s bed.
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