The Nowhere Man

27 Six in Total

Evan lay on his back in the darkness, waiting for the gas to hiss through the vent and knock him out. He was tired enough to sleep without the encouragement, but there was no way René could know that.

He had just drifted off when a distant gunshot woke him. And then another. They kept on at regular intervals, one after another.

Six in total.

The vibration of the final bullet held the air for an extra few moments, unwilling to let go. At last there was complete silence.

Evan stared at the ceiling.

To Alison, to the boy, he sent a simple thought: I’m coming soon.

Then he fell asleep on his own.