| Fiction | A.C. Hall |
A Saga of Revenge
Part One: Bixby versus Knifeguy
Bixby stopped suddenly in the middle of the street, aware that someone was watching him. He turned slowly, seeing a dark haired man standing a few feet behind him. He had long, punk rock hair and a t-shirt with a design of a panda bear on it. He was a bounty hunter, through and through. Their eyes met and through that impossibly intense stare everything that needed to be said was said. Bixby smiled his slight, crooked smile. The bounty hunter reached into his pocket and pulled out an oversized switchblade. He flipped it open with expert skill, then tossed it end over end into the air. He snatched it out of the air with his other hand, still spinning and manipulating the knife. All the while, his gaze stayed ever focused on Bixby. He began twirling the knife faster, the movements a blur to the untrained eye. Bixby was far from untrained, however. While never breaking eye contact with the bounty hunter, he saw every movement of the knife. Every twist, every spin, every toss, all executed at a superhuman speed with superhuman skill. The bounty hunter’s eyes focused hard and Bixby knew he was ready to make his move. The knife spun in the air for one last second, spinning and flipping its way back into the bounty hunter’s waiting hand. Bixby barely twitched, but in an instant he had his revolver in his hand and had fired, catching the bounty hunter directly between the eyes with his shot. They still didn’t break the stare. The knife clattered onto the street as the smoke from Bixby’s revolver wafted up into the air. Just as quick as he had drawn it, Bixby replaced his weapon in its concealed holster then turned and continued on his way. He heard the bounty hunter’s lifeless body thud onto the street, but he didn’t bother to turn and look. His mind was already on the next fight. The one he dared not win.