a rose is still a rose Quickly slitting the back of Lilly’s right leg, Brian watches as her blood spills down her bare leg and onto the carpet. Smiling to himself, he is somewhat thankful that she is pregnant, because he remembers Lindsay telling him once that pregnant women not only bleed easier, but bleed more than woman who weren’t. Obviously, this little tid bit of information appeared to be true. Standing back up, he presses the gun against her forehead as he listens for the approaching footsteps climbing up the stairs. “Lilly? What’s taking so long? Did you like any of the baby names I circled?” Squaring his shoulders, Brian stares straight ahead at the bedroom, waiting. He needed to stay focused, detached. He imagined the look of terror on Thomas’ face. He needed to imagine that expression so that it wouldn’t affect him once he actually witnessed it for real. This wasn’t him, Brian told himself. He wasn’t pressing a gun against a pregnant woman’s head. He wasn’t about to cause a couple’s life to spin into chaos. No, not him. He was just some guy, watching it all. This was a movie. Keep telling yourself that, Kinney. The doorknob turns and Brian swallows hard, maintaining his cool and collected stature. He was ready for anything. “Lill?” Thomas asks as he opens the door. He stops, staring at the sight before him. His mouth open, eyes wide, trying to process the vision in front of him before falling onto his knees in shock. “Get up,” Brian demands in a calm, but cold, voice. “Lilly…” Thomas whispers, his eyes unable to leave his wife’s unconscious and tied body. “She… she’s bleeding…” he says softly, staring at the bloodied carpet. “Yeah, I know,” Brian states the obvious, “I cut her. Now get up.” Finally his eyes reach Brian’s. He’s still in shock. Obviously he was unaware that anything was going on between him, his wife and Jerry. He slowly stands up, “Is she…” “She’s still alive, for now.” Brian states evenly. “Jerry wants you two dead.” “Jerry..?” Thomas asks, still somewhat dazed. “Why… why is she tied up?” Brian rolls his eyes, “Okay,” he tries again, “Asshole, you and your wife have a hit out. Jerry wants me to kill you both,” he explains in a tone that registers between annoyance and impatience. “You still need me to tell you why Lilly is tied up?” Thomas blinks slowly, allowing the news to set in. Brian exhales slowly. He wasn’t sure what to do next. He had never done anything like this before and wonders if someone is ever taught skills like this, or if it just came naturally. “You… you fuckin’ bastard,” Thomas barks, his eyes narrowing towards Brian. “Oh good, you’ve woken up,” Brian replies with a smirk. “Now I can shoot you.” He pauses for a moment as he lifts the gun up, pointing it at Thomas. He didn’t want to shoot him. He kept telling himself on the drive over here that he would shoot his arm… but what if he missed? He never fired a gun before! “Wait!” Thomas shouts suddenly, lifting his arms up, “Please, before you kill me!” Brian tries to hide his relief, “What?” “Don’t kill Lilly. Please, I’m begging you. Do whatever you want to me, but please don’t hurt my wife.” Brian tries not to smile. It was obvious that the man loved his wife. He seemed like a decent guy. Brian wasn’t sure why Jerry would want them dead, but at the same time, he was pretty sure that ignorance was bliss. “Please,” Thomas says again, “I’m begging you.” Slowly, Brian puts his gun down, a new plan forming in his head. “How about we make a deal?” Thomas swallows loudly. Looking back at his wife, he slowly nods, “Okay.” Brian smiles. Yes, this would work. “How about I let you two live?” Thomas stares at him for several seconds, unsure if he heard him correctly, “Pardon?” Brian shrugs, “How about I let you live?” “How..? What…” Thomas frowns, not sure what to say or do. “But you have to do something for me.” Brian adds. “Like what?” Smiling, Brian knows he must sound and look like a madman, but says it anyways, “Bleed.”