Wild Flower

In the fall of 2013 I was in the hospital, this is the story I wrote while I was there.

Sweat beaded down his neck as he took another drag from his cigarette, the wind blew the sand into the window.  Through the light of the moon he could just make out the silhouettes of the pyramids, their shadows dancing.  The night was hot; he wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned away from the window.  In his bed lay sleeping a women of the desert, he met her three hours ago.  She came into ‘The Jackal’ tonight while Ulsan was gambling with some friends.  Covered in scrapes and bruises, she had been running for a while.  No one would take her in, no one cared.  Ulsan didn't care what her story was, frankly he didn't know. All he knew was his wife died two years ago, and ever since he’s been drinking his misery away.  That moment three hours ago when this girl stepped into the bar it was irresistible how he felt, an unspeakable attraction he could not ignore.  She said very little as he tended to her wounds; she slept fast in his bed.  He continued his painting in candle light, a ship lost at sea.  He tried nothing he did nothing, he couldn't even keep painting.  There was something about her, he hadn't felt this way in over two years, and he couldn't stop staring at her.  Extinguishing his cigarette he turned off the lamp, wiping his forehead he thought, ‘Maybe I’ll feel different in the morning’.  The light went out and he gave her some space in the bed, he fell slowly to sleep for his mind wouldn't give up on the simple context of why?
The morning came, the sun was bright.  Opening his eyes he sat up, she was gone.
“Damn it, I’m such an idiot why didn't I say something”?
No note no nothing; looking at the clock it was only eight, he a sometime before work.  Calming his nerves, he decided to not dwell on the topic.  Maybe just make some breakfast, he grabbed his pans and made some eggs.  With some toast and some tea, his view was one of the best views he had ever had.  Before heading out to his porch he slipped some gin into his tea, carrying his tray he set it on the table.  People were busy in the streets; the sun was close to noon.  The sounds of dogs barking and people chattering echoed off the street walls, he picked at his food.  He couldn't help but dwell on the girl, despite his effort to not think about it he couldn't.  Where did she go?  Where did she come from?  Why didn't I bother to ask?  Smacking himself in the face, he felt so foolish.  Thank god nothing was missing she could have easily robbed him.  At the thought he immediately stood up and ran into his apartment checking everything, nothing was missing.  In the warm sun he dozed off on his porch chair.  
Waking abruptly to the sounds of birds chirping he looked at his watch, it was ten minutes past 1.  He was late, his eyes grew wide and he ran into his apartment grabbing his things.  Throwing his shoes on grabbing his bag and heading out the door.  Jumping down the staircase he made it to the bottom and sprinted toward the street.  It was hot, bright, and the streets were thick with people.  Five minutes later he made it, opening the door and closing is as quietly as possible.  The door gave away the tiniest sound as it shut.  
“Ulsan”! A loud voice rang through out the building.
Ulsan shook in his shoes, yep he was in trouble.  He slicked his hair back and stood up straight, fixing his glasses.  A small bald man in a casual suit stomped up to him, looking up at his sweaty face.  
“You’re a stubborn drunk you know that?  This is the third time this week you are late!  One more time and I’ll throw you out of this agency and I’ll make sure your not hired again”!
“My apologies, I have no excuse”, Ulsan said feeling smaller than his employer before him Mr. Ledwick.
“You bet your a*s you have no excuse”, Mr. Ledwick said attempting to calm himself.  “Now we have come upon a new project, please I need all of your focus this, it’s a big one”!
The little man led Ulsan into the next room where a pile of neatly organized and polished bones laid on the table.  Ulsan’s eyes grew wide, they had a new find!  Just before his superior spoke a voice interrupted, with a Spanish accent.
“Excuse me, I am terribly sorry to intrude”.
Mr. Ledwick puffed out his chest like an emperor penguin; his face grew red with impatience ready to burst.  With a forced smile of a lion ready to pounce he simply regurgitated, “May we help you”?
“I am a Bounty Hunter, one of the finest.  I've been sent here in pursuit of one person, would any of you be able to recognize this person”?
He pulled an inked drawing of a young girl on a small piece of parchment.  Ulsan and his employer both responded no, than Ulsan stopped.  “Oh s**t”, he mumbled under his breath.  
“Something to say Ulsan”, Mr. Ledwick said tapping his foot, the bounty hunter waiting eagerly for Ulsan’s response.
“I’m terribly sorry sir but I have to run back to my apartment”, Ulsan said with his eyes darting around the room.  Mr. Ledwick had steam coming out of his nose, before he spoke Ulsan interrupted.  “I forgot my diagrams; we’ll need them to compare the bones.  I’ll only be five minutes”, Ulsan’s wrists shook.  “Five minutes and no less, or I’ll be re-reading your contract”, Mr. Ledwick turned swiftly clenching his fists.  
“Thank you sir”, Ulsan accidentally turned into the bounty hunter.  “Oh very sorry, ah good luck on your case”, the bounty hunter looked at him uneasy.  Ulsan sprinted out of the door and began to run for his apartment, looking behind every now and then.  He slipped and tumbled at one point running into a traveler, “So Sorry”, Ulsan said quickly picking his things up.  Looking over his shoulder, the bounty hunter was at the museum door peering at him.  Without putting his things in his case he grabbed everything in a big pile and ran, hitting and bumping into people as he did.  Jumping up the stair case he fumbled for his keys, dropping all of his papers.  He looked down the railing nervously, no one.  Throwing his key in the lock he turned it, opening the door he kicked his papers and suit case in the apartment then he slammed the door behind him.  Turning and locking the door from the inside, he breathed heavily.  
“Ulsan”?
“Dah”!  Ulsan turned and lost his balance falling over and breaking his lamp.  
“Oh are you okay”, hands covered Ulsan’s face as he was helped up.  Disoriented he tried to focus.  “What are you, what are you doing here”? Ulsan took a step back.  Before him stood the girl from last night, she was wearing a different outfit, a long dress, sandals, and a veil over her face, looking as if she was trying to blend in.  Taken the veil off she readjusted a piece of damp cloth on her shoulder, it was stained with blood.
“Are you hurt”, Ulsan said approaching her.  She winced as he lifted the bandage; it wasn't bad looked as if a knife was thrown at her.  
“I wanted to thank you for last night, and I was wondering if you could help me”, she said fixing the bandage. Before Ulsan could answer a heavy pounding came from the door.
“Dah S**t, um you have to get out of here”, Ulsan said leading her to the balcony.  
“Get out of here, I came here in hopes you could help me”?
“Don’t worry I’m doing you a favor right now”.
“What are you talking about”?
“I ran into a man, who claims to be a Bounty Hunter, he showed me a picture of you.  I’m very sure he followed me here and is behind the door right now”, while Ulsan lead the girl to the balcony a gunshot came from behind the door.  
“You've got to go, get out of here, go”!  Ulsan opened a compartment underneath his desk, throwing away a piece of wood he pulled out a sword.  Unsheathing it he looked at the blade, he grew nervous.  
“Do you know how to use that”?
“Nope, but at one point I think I did.  What are you doing go”!  He turned to the door; she gave a smile and hid on the side of the balcony doorway.  Another gun shot rang in the door way, the lock came loose than a swift kick followed.  There was the bounty hunter, with a gun and sword in hand.  
“Hiding something are we”?  He whipped his sword at Ulsan; the metal rang and made Ulsan take a step back.  “Do you know what she is”?
“No, actually I don’t”, Ulsan said grasping his sword with both hands.
“She’s here to destroy the world one city at a time”, throwing his sword he scratched Ulsan’s shoulder as he knocked over his painting.  “There is a Demon inside of her, she’s already destroyed three other cities”, throwing his sword to the ground the bounty hunter swiftly knocked Ulsan’s sword out of his hands and pinned him against the wall.  “Do me a favor step aside so I can do my job, so you can keep living and so this world can keep going”’;  he let go and approached the balcony. Ulsan laid there on the floor in his pile of books.  Blood dripped from his shoulder, his hair and glasses a mess.  So many thoughts running in his head as this man approached the balcony to where she took off.  Time was running out, he had to do something.  
“No”!
“Did you say something”?  The bounty hunter turned.  
“I said No, I can’t let you do this”, Ulsan stood in his pile of rubble stumbling to grab his sword.  The Bounty hunter shot the sword out of his hand and sped toward him.
“What does she mean to you?  You don’t even know her”.
“Everything, she means everything”, Ulsan said hands shaking.
“You’re a good man I know that, by the way you act I know you’re not being persuaded and you’re not lying.  It’s your simplest actions that give me reason to believe this.  Which is why I know what your intention is, and I’m sorry”, the bounty hunter shot Ulsan in the chest twice.  Ulsan hit the wall then sunk to the floor his eyes wide with surprise.  The bounty hunter shook his head and headed to the balcony.  Stepping by the girl unknowingly he jumped down and searched the streets.  When it was clear she walked back in, and saw Ulsan lying there on the floor.  She couldn't believe it; walking over to him she kissed him on the forehead with a tear running down her cheek.  Then she looked to the door and fled into the night. The warm desert breeze blew the loose papers around the open apartment as the floor filled with blood.
Ulsan woke up a week later at a hospital, close call but he was all stitched up and sent home.  After what had happed he fell back to his growing weakness, he went to the bar.  Sitting there drinking his misery away a man sat next to him.  Fancy for the climate the man smiled looking at Ulsan.  “Excuse me if you don’t mind me intruding but you look as if you could use another drink”, the man said.
“I could, thank you”, Ulsan said.  The bar tender set down another pint in front of Ulsan, he took the drink and turned toward the man.  “And to whom am I thanking for this thoughtful drink”?
“I’m not very popular amongst these crowds but many people up north call me Cromwell, but you can call me Rasden if you like”.  Ulsan went to shake the man’s hand, something was strange. His comfort left him as he found the man’s hand to be a claw.