Inhale, Exhale

One shot, do or die.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Breathe slow. Fill your lungs. Blink; do it quickly. Hands twitch. Fingers itch. Boot digs into the dirt. Bird caws for its mate. Cold, unforgiving steel rests against my shoulder. One bullet rests inside, like a child inside a mother. Its life will cause death.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Oppressive heat. A drop of sweat beads on my forehead; ultimately, many more follow. Warm Kevlar crushes against my chest. Sweaty palms slide along the inside of insulated gloves. The air, virtually palpable, is pulled tight. Any stress against it, and it will snap. There will be no more oxygen.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

  The dull whir and roar of an engine. A bee buzzing by my ear. Dirty, rancid exhaust. Cold steel gripped tight. Far-off chatter in a foreign language. Loud shouts of greeting. Index finger twitches; no, not yet. A dirty blue car door opens. Dull black boots. Shining gold medals. Balding gray hair. My target.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

The air is on the verge of snapping. I will lose all ability to breathe. Oxygen will be a fond memory. Fill my lungs once more, as deep as I can. Warm, dirty, exigent air. It is delicious. Target takes one step, two, a hand extends.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Every muscle tenses. Every muscle is on fire. A lion before the pounce. Heart races, breathe easy. Listen to the beat. Heart beats once, twice, three times. Heart beats again. Beat, stop, beat, stop, beat, stop, beat, stop. Wait for the stop. Wait for the calm before the storm. The air is too tense. It will break, I will stop breathing.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Wait for the stop. Beat, stop, beat, stop, beat, stop. Crushed gravel, shoes in position. Beat, stop, beat, stop, beat, stop. Beat. Stop. Beat. Stop. In position. Receding hairline. Beat. Stop. Beat. Stop. Pull.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Snapped-back head. Red Sea covers my pupils. Red foam. Red spray. Cold steel, aching shoulder. Aching body. Muscles tense. Air gains slack. Muscles gain slack. Finished. Done. Home.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.