He kept his eyes open. Slowly seeing the numbers change, with hope that once it reaches zero, all things will come to an end, and his peaceful life will be somewhat restored.
"The nightmare ends… finally…"
9…
He looked around, seeing his old chamber, the rack with his weapons all shining from the light, given by a bright magic lamp floating in the air.
8…
"I need to finish my painting…" He scratched his chin then, with swift hand movement, all items he had on display, disappeared into nothingness.
7… 6, 5, 4…
"Maybe I will start playing this… what was the name?... Barrage? Aberage."
3, 2, 1.
"Time to work."
0…
The bullet raged out of the barrel with the speed and force of a charging bull. Then the next 8 came right after. They flew, leaving a mist of color behind them. The man could not believe his eyes, it was like a masterpiece being created by god himself, right before his very eyes. Blood of the woman swiftly mixed with colorful dust that the bullets left behind, exploding insides turned into velvety ruby, spiteful orange and blissful pink roses, brain swiftly danced around on the floor painting an image of blood that could not be described by words, due to lack of shapes that could resemble anything reality could own. The man sat there in awe,impressed by the beauty… Such massacre turned into a painting full of emotion and ecstasy, bliss and joy. But even the beautiful and colorful roses couldn't hide the awful stench of human insides, reality swiftly became recognizable again, and the beautiful flowers vanished leaving only gore behind. Then that soft laugh, such monotone voice and yet full of happiness, or rather delight. What slowly approached the man, was the incarnation of a true virtuoso. With a red cape covering his left hand, a carefully crafted mask resembling a horned demon, and something that looked like a broken crossbow, without any strings… or was it a violin? With swift yet elegant step, the murderer aproached downed person, looked him in the eyes and with a deep and somewhat crispy muffled voice asked.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
-Would you like to stay for the Encore?
-W-What are you…- asked the man, shaking in his boots, covered in spray of blood as if he just finished painting. The masked man sighed and with overreacting posture put his left hand on his forehead, and it turned out his left hand resembled a wooden skeleton rather than a human arm. Then with a little muffled voice he answered…
-That is not what I asked you…- and the Encore started. Blood and insides exploded on the trees, the smell of urine and shit toxicated the nearby land, but the encore continued. Violet lilies covered the grass with sapphire orchids scattered around the painting, and emerald tulips giving it life that was forcefully taken from the owner. At the end, the gunman bowed as if he was receiving applause from all the living trees and animals. The forest filled that day with magical music, colorful art, beautiful masterpieces, and the acidic smell of human guts.