She gasped, taking in a breath as if to scream.

“I’m warning you. Don’t do it,” I said, through clenched teeth, pressing the gun harder against her back. She whimpered. I looked around, continuing to guide her towards a stand of trees.

The park was mostly empty, except for a group of high school kids playing football and a few other pedestrians going about their own business—all a good distance away. I was afforded some small comfort, knowing that to them I’d appear as nothing more than a devoted boyfriend with an arm around the woman he loved. And, I did love her.

As we disappeared behind a large maple, I threw her to the ground and stood with the gun still poised in her direction. Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at me. “James, why… why…” she stuttered, her eyes wide with terror.

“Why what, Alicia? Why am I doing this? As if you didn’t know.” I paused to let my rage build. “If I can’t have you, then…”

“Cut!” The director suddenly screamed for about the hundreth time.