Suicide Room

3

    ‘‘Do you have any?’’

 Linda looked around before leaning closer. The smell of cheap perfume made Vitalij cough. He took a step back and covered his nose.

    ‘‘No.’’

    ‘‘I have money.’’ 

Linda took out a tiny purse and opened it. The inside was filled with banknotes. ‘‘I need it. Now.’’ Vitalij shook his head and turned around. He wasn‘t lying, he didn‘t have any stuff she would be interested in. Vitalij liked Linda, she was the closest person he knew on the street. They never really talked, but secretly, they were taking care of each other.

    ‘‘You don‘t understand. You can‘t imagine...’’

 Vitalij stopped at the sobbing sound coming from Linda. Tears were streaming down her face, ruining her makeup. ‘‘You can‘t imagine the feeling when they touch you.’’ Linda looked straight through Vitalij. Her empty green eyes had seen things he‘d only heard about. ‘‘When they want more, I always feel filthy. I stand in a shower, hot water running down my body, trying to wash it off. But it never works.’’ Linda wiped away the tears, smudging her makeup, and wrapped her arms around her waist. Vitalij stood there, not knowing what to do or say. He couldn‘t help her now, he would never be able to help her. And that thought was killing him.

     ‘‘Have a nice evening.’’ 

He nodded and walked away, ignoring the sadness gripping his heart. Vitalij put his hood on and concentrated on his task. Come inside, take the package, get home. There were a few more blocks to go. The screech of tires filled the silence. Vitalij stopped for a second, checking on Linda. She unbuttoned her shirt and put on the sexiest smile she had. The car window rolled down, and a hand reached out to touch Linda. The loud music coming from the car muted their conversation. He knew, Linda would earn a nice coin today, which will let her buy h****n. Could he say he was proud of her? Happy? Linda leaned closer and kissed the passenger on the cheek. Vitalij smiled and kept going, leaving the scene behind.

     ‘‘How much, beautiful?’’ 

A young guy with blonde hair caressed Linda‘s face. She knew these boys were wealthy and looking for an adventure. The expensive car, designers‘ clothes, and gold chains on their necks screamed that they had enough money. Linda swallowed back disgust, she knew this type of people. Rich people thought they can do anything to you as long as they pay. And there was money to be spent. Linda counted a total of six of them in the car, she felt nausea filling her guts.

    ‘‘£200 each for an hour.’’ 

Linda checked her surrounding, looking for any late-night runners. The streets were empty and quiet, she couldn‘t see Vitalij‘s silhouette anymore. She hoped for the best.

    ‘‘Come closer.’’ 

The blondie grabbed Linda by her neck and pulled her closer. He pushed his tongue into her mouth and made her gag. Linda wanted to slap him, but she stopped with her hand in the air. The cold metal was pressed against her temple. ‘‘Don‘t play with me, baby girl.’’ Linda closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She never experienced a near-death situation, but she felt ready. She opened her eyes and met a pair of blue ones, filled with hatred.

    Vitalij arrived at the meeting place. He reached to press the intercom when the gun fired. The gunshot made him jump and drop his phone. The world around him froze. Vitalij saw his reflection in the door, his body started shaking, acknowledging the situation. He dared to take a look back. The beautiful face laid on the pavement, eyes taking a last glimpse of the clear night's sky. Blood rushed from the hole in her bare chest. He wondered for a second what she has done to make them upset. Was the price too high or did she declined?

    Then he met those eyes. The blue eyes staring hungrily at him, filled with a hater, ready to kill. When the passenger of the car smiled creepily, Vitalij swallowed back panic. He called his friend through the intercom, waiting patiently, not taking off his eyes from the car.

‘‘Hey, dude! Finally.’’

 A friendly voice came out of the metal box.

‘‘I need you to open the door, now.’’ 

Vitalij didn‘t waste his time by talking, he knew the guy wanted to kill the only witness.

‘‘No rush. I‘m coming down.’’

‘‘Just op...’’ 

Vitalij heard his friend closing the door behind him. His heartbeat became the only sound he could hear. Vitalij turned around and pressed his back to the door surface. He watched the black car coming closer, the loud music piercing the silence. Vitalij knew he didn‘t have any chance to outrun the car, there was no place to hide. The only escape route was behind the closed door, but his friend decided to annoy him. He could see the gun pointed at him, he could almost feel the pain he was going to experience in just a second.

Vitalij turned around in time to see his friend coming downstairs, waving at him. The car was few meters from him, Vitalij squeezed out a smile when the sharp pain pierced his stomach. The last thing he saw was the horror on his friend‘s face, the car taking a turn, and the stars in the night sky.

‘‘Melissa, I love you.’’

 He whispered before the darkness swallowed him.

The sun was sipping through the brown curtains, waking up Vitalij. He opened his eyes and looked at the white ceiling above him. The sharp pain reminded him that he got shot. He tried to sit down, but his body didn‘t agree with him. He heard someone‘s quiet snoring near. Melissa slept on a hospital chair near his bed. Her peaceful face was hidden under the messy hair. Vitalij smiled at her sight before realizing where he was. Memories started coming back one after another. The bullet piercing his flesh, his body hitting the hard pavement, and the squeak of a leaving car.

‘‘Mel,’’ Vitalij whispered, trying to reach Melissa‘s body. ‘‘Mel, wake up.’’ 

He called out louder, making her shift in the chair. Melissa yawned and stretched her arms. She blinked the sleep away and stared at him with her sleepy eyes. When Melissa realized that Vitalij was awake, she jumped from her seat and pressed her fragile body to his. Vitalij felt her warm lips on his forehead and cheeks. She didn‘t talk, he could feel the pressure between them. She was happy he woke up, but she wasn‘t excited about him lying in the hospital bed.

‘‘I told you to be careful. You promised you won‘t do anything stupid. You silly boy.’’ 

Melissa slapped his arm lightly, not wanting to cause him any more pain. Vitalij saw the pain in her eyes. Her eyes were painted red from hours of crying, she looked older than the night before. ‘‘I was so worried.’’ Tears streamed down Melissa‘s cheeks. She covered her face with her hands, sobbing loudly. Vitalij pulled her closer, locking Melissa in his hands. He kissed her hair, whispering how much he loved her.

‘‘It won‘t happen again. I promise you.’’

 Vitalij squeezed out a fake smile. He couldn‘t promise her he will be safe. His job wasn‘t safe, he could be long dead by now. Vitalij was lucky the bullet didn‘t do much damage. ‘‘I‘ll be alright. Like always.’’ Melissa looked up at Vitalij. Her face was red from crying, but she smiled. The sweetest smile he has ever seen.

‘‘I know. I was... I was just so worried when they called me.’’