Unstable

Lucy stared at the barrel of the gun while I watched. Her eyes widened in horror and mine did too. Move, I screamed at her, but she didn't seem to hear me.  Both her and I stood frozen, as Brian shouted mutely. His hand shook even as he held the gun, frantic. I couldn't remember what had led to this. Brian and I had always been best friends, never more than that. Occasionally I'd give him money when he needed help paying his rent, or buying his groceries.

Then I lost my job. Brian kept coming over for money, which I didn't have. I told him.

"You don't understand. I need that money." He told me on the third day of no money.

"I  told you I don't have any. I have bills to pay too, you know." Lucy told him.

"Please, Lucy. I don't want to do this."

I noticed for the first time that his eyes were bloodshot, and retreating into his skull. Dark circles hung from his eyes, as if he hadn't slept since the last time I gave him any money. "Do what?" Honestly, I didn't want to hear his answer. I knew it wouldn't be good.

His hand reached behind his back, and I heard the friction the fabric made as a heavy object was pulled out of the back of his pants. The sun caught the steel barrel and flashed right into my eyes. I blinked. Then I opened my eyes and saw into the depths of the gun. Somewhere in that inky black rested a bullet just waiting for a quick escape. "I really don't want to do this."

Lucy searched his eyes frantically, searching for a bit of Brian that had waned over the past few months. I thought he had started to resemble more and more the mug shots on tv rather than her best friend. "Then why are you holding the gun?" She asked him.

"I have to get the money, Lucy." He told me, his eyes wavering.

"I told you I don't have it. I don't have a job either. Though, unlike you, I'm actually looking for one." I knew better to question the lifestyle of a guy with a gun in his hand.

Brian swallowed, and Lucy mirrored him. A lone bead of sweat slid down his right temple. "I'm sorry." The safety clicked off.

"My answer's still no." I saw his life before my eyes, everything from getting sick from his sixth birthday cake to the day when Lucy first saw circles under his eyes.

His slick finger had trouble gripping the trigger. Finally, Brian found the hold he wanted, and he pulled the trigger back.