Flumes Vol. 2 Issue 2 Winter 2017 | Page 71

the CEO. Strolling into the lobby, he flashed fake IDs and smiles at every bureaucrat in his way until he was in the elevator, ascending to the penthouse atop the heavens. The office was large, impressive, wood paneling everywhere, framed photos everywhere else. The man was equally formidable. A decade battling peers to usurp the throne had whittled him down to a streamlined weapon, armed with pearly whites and a strong golf swing. His smile melted a heart faster than his eyes could freeze it. He was perfect. Then, reaching out for a firm handshake, he was gone. The man with no shadow placed something in his pocket, and then returned to the elevator, descending back to the inescapable mortal coil.

The next acquisition was a surprise, blindsiding the man with no shadow as he arrived at the grocery store. Traversing the canned vegetable aisle, he passed a woman pushing a cart. Her hair straggled from a limp scrunchie, lipstick and eyes faded, but she cooed like a dove to her small child, her bizarre sound effects orchestrating a symphony of giggles. She was perfect. He hadn’t had time to prepare, to study, but he couldn’t miss this chance. Perhaps she didn’t live nearby. Maybe she had tried a new store for the first time and would decide she preferred the produce section at the store closer to home and she’d never come back. He had to act now.

Turning, he approached her. The child squealed in excitement, but the mother didn’t have a chance to locate the disturbance before his hand was on her shoulder. And then, placing something in his pocket, the

58