Half Sick of Shadows

10

Shilo wished she had a backpack or even a small suitcase, to sort of make things feel more final. As it was, all the earthly possessions she had were the clothes on her body, the cameo of her mother around her neck, and the handgun strapped to her thigh. She might as well have just been walking to the corner for a newspaper.

She’d gotten tough, she’d gotten smart, but even after all these years, when she looked in the mirror, Shilo still only saw a sheltered little girl with a lot to prove.

She could feel herself starting to be happy with this life, starting to put down roots, and it terrified her. It had been like this ever since the Genetic Opera; moving aimlessly from place to place, only knowing that when she started to get attached to any particular life she made, it was time to abandon it. Any reason to stay was a reason to flee. She wouldn’t be a prisoner again, even of herself. Her freedom was just too precious.

“I’m leaving.”

The Graverobber was sitting on the couch, his head down, a thick book laid open across his lap. He didn’t even look up, just lazily raised a hand in acknowledgement.

Shilo furrowed her eyebrows. Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.

She walked around until she was standing right in front of him, and sank to her knees. Only then did he look up from what he was reading, one eyebrow quirked curiously.

“I’m leaving the city.” Shilo told him.

For a fraction of a second, his face betrayed his dismay, but then it was gone to be instantly replaced by a look of cool resignation. “You ever coming back?”

“When I feel like it.”

He frowned down at her, revealing nothing. Shilo felt like one of them ought to fill the silence with something. She didn’t know what it was, exactly, that she had with the Graverobber. It was small, and it was honest. His gaze was not hurt or accusing, and of that she was glad. He understood why she had to leave, and he didn’t resent her for it.

Shilo leaned forward, taking him gently by the shoulders and pulling down towards her. She kissed his mouth, soft and slow. When she pulled away, his face hadn’t changed.

“See you around, Lancelot.”

Shilo stood up and walked away without another word. When she reached the door, she did not pause with one hand on the doorknob or spare a final glance over her shoulder. She opened the door, stepped out into the hall without hesitation, and was gone.

The End

Many thanks to those who have expressed their appreciation of my meager offerings in reviews. I had no bloody idea where the image of older, tougher Shilo reuniting with everyone’s favorite drug dealer would take me, but I hope you all enjoyed being there. I also hope the ending wasn’t too much of a downer, but it’s what the Shilo in my head told me she wanted to do.

-Zippy