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As she watches the fireflies, I watch her.
I’m captured in a chokehold by the way her shoulders relax and her lips fall open. And the way her eyes reflect the yellow lights like a mirror.
They’re shining, brighter, faster, and I don’t think about it as I pull out my phone and take a picture.
Commemorating the moment feels like a need instead of a mere action. It’s not impulse either; it’s much fucking worse.
She doesn’t even focus on the flash, still engrossed in the fireflies. “They’re so beautiful. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this place.”
“It’s our college’s property.”
“Did you bring a lot of your victims here?”
“So that’s what you are now, my victim? I like that. And no, this is where I come to when I want to be alone, so you’re the first.”
“I’m a lot of firsts.”
“I’m surprised by that, too. Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
“Told you that you would. I figured an artist would appreciate the dark beauty of nature.”
She finally focuses on me. “How do you even know I’m an artist?”
“I know a lot of things about you, Glyndon.”
“Why? Just what do you want?”
“I want a lot of things. What context are we talking about now?”
“This, bringing me here. You must have some purpose.”
“Told you, so you can trust me. I thought this place would appeal to you.”
Her eyes turn into slits. “That’s it? You’re not going to do anything funny?”
“Define funny.”
“The fact that you’re even asking means you will.”
“I’m just considering my options.” I sit on the edge of the dock, letting my feet dangle, then retrieve a cigarette and light it.
Glyndon approaches me but stops and waves away the smoke. “Why am I not surprised you’re addicted to poison?”
“I’m not addicted to anything.”
“The cigarette hanging from your lips testifies otherwise.”
I pull it from my lips and hold it in the light of fireflies. “It’s a habit I use to keep my hands busy.”
“Does that mean you’ll quit if you want to?”
“I’ll quit if you take their place and keep my lips and hands busy.”
“No, thanks.”
I lift a shoulder and tap the spot beside me. “They look better from this angle.”
