Section 4 – Flashback: Wolves & Whiskey
242 Words
Three nights ago — a dusty bar outside El Paso, 11:47 PM
The jukebox played old country, crackling like a dying fire.
Neon signs buzzed: LONE STAR BEER.
Kael Wood slammed a shot of tequila, lime wedge flying.
“So I’m driving from NYC, right? Bandits on the border. Had to learn to shoot to protect my camera. Now I shoot for justice!”
He spun his Glock on the table like a toy.
Lin Zhao sat opposite, calm as still water.
Black shirt unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled to reveal a faint scar on his forearm.
He poured another round with steady hands.
“And you, Mr. Wood? Why Texas? Not exactly the Hamptons.”
“Tourism! Beaches, BBQ, and—” he winked, leaning in “—beautiful mysteries. Like that wolf howl last night. Sounded close.”
Lin raised his glass, eyes unreadable.
“To mysteries.”
“To mysteries.”
Outside, a wolf howled — long, mournful, too close to the bar.
Kael’s hand went to his holster.
Lin’s smile didn’t falter, but his voice dropped.
“Don’t worry. The wolves here… answer to someone else.”
A shadow passed the window.
Kael laughed it off.
Lin stared into his glass.
Back to the gala — present.
The crown gleamed above Ruoxi’s head.
Maria’s eyes filled with tears.
Isabella’s fingers twitched.
Kael whispered, “James, you seeing this?”
James nodded. “Very, sir. Very.”
- Writer
