They returned to the parking lot of the Wallflower diner, crossing under fake little spiders dangling from the awning of the restaurant. Kazimir put his cigarette out in the handmade ashtray, smiling at Samantha as he admired the festive Halloween decorations. Black was her favorite color. When she dyed her hair purple, he was so happy. It was like she was starting to open up to all the other lovely colors of the world.
Heat rose in Kazimir cheeks when Samantha met his gaze and grinned back at him. Imagining those pretty pink lips of hers pressed against his own made his heart almost burst out of his chest. His feelings for Samantha had developed around the time they started painting graffiti together in an old tunnel she showed him, and then when she helped him with his drug fix. Kazimir loved being around her, no matter what they were doing.
Samantha swiped some candy from a plastic jack-o-lantern. “I need to grab something from my jeep real quick. Then we can get going, okay?”
Kazimir nodded. “Okay.”
Jordy nudged his side when she was out of earshot. “Are you finally going to ask her out?”
“Keep your voice down,” Kazimir whispered. “I don’t even know if she’s interested in me like that.”
“Oh, come on. It’s obvious she has the hots for you,” Jordy insisted. “Take a chance on her. Trust me. She’s a wonderful person. Why do you think we’ve been best friends since middle school?”
“I can’t argue with that. Samantha’s amazing and everything I’d want in a girlfriend.”
“You won’t know how she feels about you until you try. So, go over there and get your girl.” Jordy patted him on the back. “I’ll see you when you get home.”
As Jordy walked off to his car, Samantha and Kazimir headed toward his bike. She fell in step with the artist, brushing close enough to him that their shoulders touched. They were close to the same height, with Samantha just a tad bit taller than him.
“I’ve never rode on a motorcycle before. I trust you to keep me safe.”
“Just hold on tight.” Kazimir interlocked their fingers together. “You know I’d never let anything happen to you.”
Kazimir handed Samantha his spare helmet when they reached his motorcycle. He expected her to be nervous once they hit the road, but she seemed to enjoy it.
New Syracuse was swathed in silence that evening. Kazimir steered aimlessly through the labyrinth of streets, passing many dilapidated buildings. Streetlamps guided them down the narrow road as he drove them downtown.
Viper Lounge, an LGBTQ nightclub, was the only place that glowed with life. A drunk couple staggered across the street, giggling and paying no heed to the traffic light.
“I think we’re in Black Viper territory,” Samantha whispered, tightening her arms around Kazimir’s waist.
She was right. Kazimir was supposed to take a left turn a street back to circle around. As long as they didn’t encounter anyone, they should be alright. What would the gang members want with them anyway?
“Snakes never scared me.”
“You’re so brave, Kazimir. Can we pull over there for a minute? It’s just... I need to ask you something. It can’t wait.”
Kazimir pulled over into the vacant parking lot of an old drug store and killed the ignition. His heart thumped in his chest as they both pulled their helmets off.
“Is something wrong?” Kazimir asked as he climbed off.
Samantha hesitated when she rose from the seat and brought her hands to Kazimir’s face. She took a moment to stare into his eyes before pressing her lips against his. They felt so soft and warm to Kazimir amid the chilly fall night. He loved the way Samantha’s body melted into his as their kiss deepened. Wrapping his arms around her, Kazimir savored the sweet moment of their first kiss.
“Mmh, Kazimir. Do you want in on a little secret?”
“What is it?” He pressed his lips against her neck.
“I really like you. A lot.” She arched her back slightly. “That’s why... I hate having to do this.”
The pain that sliced Kazimir’s upper arm was unpleasantly warm. His eyes watered as he blinked fiercely at Samantha, focusing on the bloody knife she’d sunk into his shoulder. Her sweet smile morphed into one more sinister. She yanked the knife out and sprinkled his blood all over them.
“Why..?” Kazimir clutched his bleeding shoulder as tears stung his eyes.
Samantha pushed herself off his bike then grabbed his chin, tilting it up toward her. She kissed him again and bit down on his lip until he could taste his own blood. When she pulled away, she brought the bloody knife to his mouth as if she desired to shove it down the back of his throat. Kazimir pressed his lips tightly together and squeezed his eyes shut until she moved it down to his chest.
“Don’t play stupid. You’re working with the Voiceless Rebels!”
“What are you talking about? No I’m not. I-I thought you liked me.”
“You’re a cute little horny bastard. I know what you were planning to do. Thought you were clever with this bike ride. You were gonna kill me for that bastard.”
Kazimir kept pressure on his bleeding shoulder, wincing. “What? You’ve got it all wrong. Samantha, I’d never hurt you. I really like you. That’s why I brought you out here. I wanted to ask you out...”
“Don’t fucking lie to me. One of the vipers saw you plotting it out with Emmett.” Samantha pulled her backpack off and retrieved a zip tie. “Just admit it. You stabbed me in the back for that fucker!”
“I swear, I didn’t. I have no idea what you’re talking about. This is insane. Please, you have to believe me.”
“You’re better than this.” She seized both of his arms. “Hold still. Liars like you deserve to be punished.”
The zip ties stung Kazimir’s wrists as she tightened them to ensure he wouldn’t escape her. Only the moon and stars borne witness to the artist’s sudden kidnapping. Kazimir tried to pry the zip tie apart by tugging it, but that didn’t help.
“What are you gonna do to me?” Kazimir whimpered.
“I’ll force you to confess.” Samantha led him toward the old drug store. “You’ll learn to never betray me again.”
Emmett had been right all along.
As Samantha wielded her bloody blade, she laughed like a maniac. A new personality seeded from the lovely young woman Kazimir had fallen for. Samantha was a Black Viper, and he was her feeble mouse to prey upon.
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