• I stood across the street and looked through the window. He didn’t see me yet. Yes, I have to do this. I approached the door with clambering hands.
    Don’t do this, you can do this! I convinced myself. After wiping my perspiring hands on my pants I entered the shop. Here it goes.
    I didn’t bother to say anything, I didn’t have to. He peered up at me from his lather strop. He did seem to have that gleam in his eye, and he was clearly capable of what I came here to find out.
    I removed my belt and holster and placed it on the rack, leaving myself open and unarmed. I wanted to turn back, but I had to stay strong. This was when I felt ithe was weakening. Now was as good a time as ever; Let’s see if he’ll do it.
    “It’s hot as the devil, I want a shave.” I hadn’t shaved in some time. I was prepared when I first talked myself into this, so I planned a good excuse to see him.
    I took my seat and clenched the arm rests with my strongest grip, sending pain jolting through my fingers. He didn’t notice, he was too busy with the soap. I was alone with my thoughtsProve me wrong, you are loyal!
    I began by making small talk, but it felt weak. I moved on to our prisonersI only had a few precious minutes. He asked how many we took, no flaws uncovered in his voice.
    “Fourteen. We had to go pretty far in to find them. But now they’re paying for it. And not one will escape; not a single one.” As I lay back I heard him open a drawer. I forgot all about the sheet. Was he going to strangle me with it? No. it was tied just right.
    I would have to try harder, so I began to brag. I tilted back my head and closed my eyes. This was it, shave me, good man. Shave my head clean off like they said you would.
    He had begun to lay the first coat of lather. He really isn’t going to do it. I felt a tinge of regret for the mistrust of this man, but I had an objective; I had to push him farther. I mentioned the partyit caused him to pause, probably considering the opportunitybut he continued to lather. This time his hand shook a little.
    He had selected the best blade. I knew it was on his mind now. I heard the scraping as my beard was being almost peeled away like an orange. Once a patch was clear I opened my eyes, reached up, and rouched my face. I waited for the blood to pour, but nothing; just lather and nothing else.
    I watched as he wiped the blade clean and began to strop it one more time. I would get him now, but how?
    “Come at six o’clock this evening to the school.” The words spewed out of my mouth before I could suck them back in. He continued to speak with me, but when he asked me what we planned to do…
    “I’m not sure yet. But we’ll have a good time.” By this point he seemed utterly horrified. I felt sick to my stomach. I was torturing my own. No matter how badly I had treated him, he unrelentingly continued to shave me. Once he reached the throat line however, he tensed. You wouldn’t, you’re trustworthy.
    The Adam’s apple bobbed when I swallowed, but I tried to hold still. This was it; the moment of truth. But he would not murder me; no, he wouldn’t dare!
    But so many people would. Even I would, but he didn’t. the blade went down for the last time, cleaning my facial hair away completely. I ran a hand over it.
    “Thanks,” I retrieved my belt and holster. I wanted out, and I wanted out NOW. I pulled out some money from my pocket and paid the man; even tipped him. My thoughts raced, but on the threshold my legs seized to move. What was this about?
    I stood there, thinking as I looked out the door.
    “They told me you would kill me.” I rubbed my clean shaven throat as if he didn’t shave me, but did decide to kill me. I was brought back to the real world and continued, “I came to find out if it was true. But it’s not easy to kill. I know what I’m talking about.”
    Before he could answer me I left frantically and one of the customers from the store across the road came out.
    “You’re alive!” he whispered in a raspy, uneasy voice.
    “Like I said, we can trust him. That’s done, and we have business to tend to, now come.”