2

It's been hours and the doctors say Lucy is gone. Jimmy looks at his watch, it is now Sunday morning and life has started all over again. The earth has ceased its rotation and the day feels infinite. Jimmy stares aimlessly out the hospital window; he catches glance of a park bench across the street. Lucy’s image comes to mind as he recalls a memory of them joyfully walking through their local park. They ended up sitting on a bench by the park lake. Lucy reads a few excerpts from a poem she rather endeared:

No one wake me

I just want to stay in bed

No one move me

I just want to lie right here

Right in my warm bed

           ‘Cause I don’t want to see tomorrow 

She really enjoyed this certain poet’s work. Even though she never found out who the author was she always felt a strong connection to them. It feels like that brownie bottom sundae from years past . . . Jimmy’s thoughts get interrupted by a doctor. Lucy's doctor comes up to Jimmy and leaves him a note; the doctor explains that somebody called the "Checkered Demon" wanted him to pass the note along to Jimmy. The note reads, "The devil loves you. Meet you back in the states mate. How about sunny southern California, in a city nobody knows about. Let’s say Temecula." Jimmy doesn't book any flight; he flies his own aircraft. Jimmy flies faster than a jet on heroin. He lands at the French Valley Airport with a head full of steam. The back of the note mentioned meeting at “the” sports park.

            At the sports park. "I can't believe you actually went and did it mate." The Checkered Demon says with great revelation.

"You officially pissed off Jimmy and his Beard. Haven’t you heard what this guy has done? He’s not ordinary. The stories I’ve heard are extraordinary. He actually found the underground jungle of Afghanistan! Who knows what he’s capable of? I'm not excited about this assignment!" Whines Yurf as he shrugs his shoulders.

"Just shut your mouth and open your eyes Yurf Rendenmeim." Says the perfectly figured lady. "There. Jimmy is approaching."

Jimmy arrives at the park and spots the only two people. He brought his legendary katana out of sheer anger. Never did he ever think he would have to use the weapon again. Jimmy walks slowly towards the two figures. The midnight sun glows vibrantly through the shadows of the night. The gust flows through the night air conveying shivers into every creature. The trees huddle collectively to fight off the cold night air. Jimmy now stands face to face with the two strangers.

            "Why have you summoned me here?" Jimmy demands. He observes the two strangers with great inquisitiveness. The man on the left wears a checkered patterned tuxedo. He has slicked black hair that mirrors the moon. "He must be the Checkered Demon". The stranger to the right appears tall and lanky. He has gorgeous "scene" hair that is complimented with a black tuxedo.

"You lost somebody very dear to you recently didn't ya? But look around and you will see what our world has grown to be, we are the now, not the past mate. We require you to search for a specific item for our organization. It's called the Miseria Cantare. It has great power and has been rumored to even be able to revive people. Like Pokémon." His obnoxious Australian accent pierces the ears of anyone in an audible distance. Jimmy hesitated to even think about reviving Lucy. He knows one’s soul cannot be revived, just the body.

"You'll be taking a ship we have selected for you; it’ll be in Lake Elsinore just north from here. Oh yeah, this Miseria Cantare is located on an island that hasn't been found in over two-hundred years. Good luck." Says Yurf. Jimmy pauses for a long and awkward period of time. So awkward in fact that the Checkered Demon and Yurf glance back and forth to one another in utter confusion because of Jimmy's extensive pause. Jimmy's eyes appear dim and ice cold. His beard begins to glow red. The air around them begins to feel profound and damp.

"I will search for this island and this-so called Miseria Cantare. But not for you insolent people. Thanks for the tip, if I find it I'm keeping it. And who is the moron controlling you two?" Jimmy demands with little patience.

"Our leader does things in her own way. We don't ask questions." Yurf replies.

“Just like a good f*****g dog following orders.” Jimmy spits out with much distaste. Jimmy begins to retract his katana from it’s sheathe.

"What are you doing?!" The Checkered Demon exclaims!

"OH MY GOD! MY GOD THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING?! GOD TELL ME THIS ISN'T REAL! I CANNOT FOR A SINGLE SECOND STAND THE WAY I FEEL! Jimmy screams. He sprints in the direction of the two men with inconceivable anger. The night goes hushed and the air has retreated back to its ordinary state. Before Checkered Demon could scream in terror, he was already dead. Yurf falls to his knees whimpering like a dog cowering. His mascara becomes smeared from his fearful tears.

"I knew we messed with the wrong guy!" He exclaims in a helpless tone.

Jimmy clutches Yurf by his gorgeous hair. "I will find this island and retrieve the miseria cantare. Now you go tell your boss lady that I'm coming for her and everyone else who aided with the assassination of Lucy." Jimmy tosses Yurf to the side. He runs away with an abundance of trepidation. As Jimmy goes toward his purpose he only has his thoughts. "Once felt so warm, now I'm f*****g freezing. Never have I felt so dead."