RAE’S REVENGE September 29, 2513

Early, the morning after, Matthew sat in the back room of the shop running his fingers over the mythological stone now in his possession. Stupid bitch never had a chance. Now it’s mine. Later today, I will go on the cortex and put out the word. Maybe I will get lucky and find an on-planet buyer. I don’t want to have to go off world and raise any suspicions with Marcus.

As Matthew sat with his back to the door, he didn’t hear Marcus enter the room. Marcus walked over to Matthew, peered over his unsuspecting shoulder, and was just about to ask him what hell he was doing sitting on his pigu again, when he suddenly realized what was in his brother’s hands. “Oh God, Matthew, please tell me that is not what I think it is! You didn’t? You stupid son of a bitch!” Before he knew it, Marcus picked Matthew up by the collar, twisted him around so they were face to face and slammed him hard up against the nearest wall. Through clenched teeth, Marcus glowered, “why?”

Matthew struggled to free himself but realized quickly it was fruitless. His brother’s grip was that good. Settled with his back against the wall he replied with a smile, “why not?” Marcus filled with red. He glared at his brother, and said, “Give it back. Now.” Matthew was just about to respond when he saw metal. A split second later, he heard the female voice of controlled fury coming from over his brother’s right shoulder. “Yes Matthew. Give it back. Now.” Click.

Marcus realized quickly what was happening and turned his head at a snail's pace to the right, the barrel just grazing his forehead. “Rae, calm down. He’s giving it back.” He released his brother and raised his hands, slowly in a non threatening manner. He turned back to his brother, “aren’t you, Matthew?” Matthew looked at his brother and back at Rae. She was standing in front of them, a gun in each hand, a barrel pointed at each of their temples. No words could describe the look of anger in her eyes.

I will not be shown up by this white trash. No ruttin’ way. He taunted her, even though he knew he shouldn’t. It was already over. She had him. She had them both. He looked at her again, a nervous smile painted on his lips, “Why should I? What are you going to do, kill us b…” Before he could finish that sentence, she lowered her right hand, still holding his gaze, and shot him in the right thigh. Matthew collapsed into his brother and screamed in agony, “You stupid pofu!” For a moment, Marcus stood there, horrified at what just happened. He then laid his brother down on the floor, and Rae stepped back a few paces to give him some space, still holding the guns at both men.

Marcus saw the necklace still clutched in his brother’s fist. He held out his hand, “give it to me, Matthew.” Defeated, Matthew gripped his bleeding leg with one hand, and gave the necklace to Marcus. Marcus took it, stood up and turned to face Rae. In complete silence, he held out the necklace for her to take. She stood there and stared at him. After a few moments pause, a look of understanding passed between them. She lowered both her guns and walked toward Marcus to retrieve it from his non-threatening hands. Rae looked at it with longing just for a moment, and then turned her gaze back to the brothers with a look of hurt and disgust. She turned on her heels and walked out the door, knocking over a pile of books off the counter in one last angry explosion. Marcus turned to his brother and shook his head in frustration, “Now look what you did!”