Fluorescent lights flickered overhead, in sync with the furious patter of raindrops falling on the roof. Vibrant billboards of small and failing businesses competed amongst each other for a mere passing glance, only to be ignored by determined eyes, focused on their destinations. The automated voice announcing the arrival and departure of trains got mixed with the constant chatter and rare laughter. Urgent words and silent whispers reminded you of how eager everyone is to get over with their day, another round of the unending rat race. In the midst of all the chaos, there was a hint of darkness, minds with dejected and dastardly thoughts, some more ghastly than others. It was only about who would regard and pay notice to their sordid notions. Perhaps, it was my turn to switch off the saintly and righteous part of me and let reprobation rule the roost, so I did just that.
“Where are you, you little sewage rat? Show up, please show up…..” I plead, overwhelming terror and unwavering resolve coursing through my veins.
Nothing in the world could ever make me regret the decision which I had taken. Even though, it was one made purely out of fury and wrath, I did not question it twice. I scanned the metro station once more, nearly overlooking the all black ensemble in the throng, camouflaging with the hundreds of shadows in the area. But I could never miss that sinister smile and those corrupt eyes.
***
“It was Grayson, Ellie. It was Grayson. I know it was him. I remember it; I remember it all too well. You have to believe me. Please, please, please….” Ava begged, barely able to talk, her body hooked to innumerous machines, her face covered with big bruises and marks, her eyes red with pain and tears.
Ava had repeated the same words over and over until it all went silent, just a high pitched beep which haunts me every night. Since then, I have followed, stalked and memorized his every single movement; from the places he visits to the blink of his eyes. My hurried footsteps dashed in his direction. I fixed my hood one last time and pulled him aggressively into the pitch black tunnel. I didn’t wait for his reaction, just pushed him against the wall, my left elbow held him in place while my right hand reached for the gun in my back pocket. “No means no, remember that in your next life.” I whisper before emptying the magazine in his body. His pained scream dissolved in the wind with the echoes of frightened shouts and racing feet.
***
The cold and stark silence of the cell pressed against my ears, the bare concrete my home for the next few years. Yet, the quite wasn’t oppressive and the walls weren’t haunting. Rather, there was something almost liberating about one less monster in this hell of a world even if it meant me turning into a fallen angel.