The Burning Man

5

Ruth’s hair was stirred occasionally by the light night breeze so that it gave the illusion of life. Beside her, the Libertarian sat in the dust, studying her face, pondering on what he saw there. He scooped up a handful of the dry earth and slowly let it dribble out of the bottom of his fist.

‘There is nothing left for me here,’ he said eventually. ‘Without you, the Brothers and Sisters of Dragons cannot achieve anything meaningful. Indeed, this is the beginning of their end.’ Throwing the remainder of the earth away with an incipient anger that puzzled him, he added, ‘Back to the Otherworld it is, then. There are cities to raze, and genocide to complete. My days will be pleasingly full. No more of this sickening rat-hole. Good riddance to it.’

He made to get up, and then paused to study Ruth’s face again. After a few seconds, he kissed her quickly on the lips, and then marched away without once looking back.