Duel

A heady scent that summer evening glorified a lady much adored; musky premonitions of an unrequited love, a passion much too deep to be ignored. All-consuming frenzy, reason did not rule his fevered mind. She had said, 'no more!' yet he can't accept her condemnation, won't endure a heartache that would cut him to the core. Another man vies for her favors, she answers in kind with a vow to be faithful for evermore, sealed with a kiss, what obstructions would hamper her now? The two men met at dawn with pistols drawn, back to back they readied for the fray, their seconds stood at hand to ensure a fair result, one man would lose his life that fateful day. Gardenias filled the air with the fragrance of desire; two men at odds, emotions frayed, yet resolute. Two shots resound through early morning light, one man lies dead, the other's hopes are moot.