“Right through the red light. Good job.” I could never forget those words. Those cruel, cruel words. The fact that it escaped the mouth of a heartless man just made it worse.
Back then, our relationship seemed so innocent and sweet. We were just orphans that our parents gave up for adoptions. Everyone would tease us about how cute we were. But, I couldn’t blame them. If I had to admit, I would agree. We seemed like the best of best friends. And everyone would still be giving us “aw”s if our relationship had stopped there. It’s not like you can blame me.
Growing up comes with new feelings. Since my 14th birthday, I started to see her in a different light. I started to love her in the “I want to marry you” kind of way. Whenever my name rolled off her tongue, I could feel my heartbeat speed up ten times faster. When I was in a bad mood, all it took was her sweet soft voice that reminded me of a melody. But, I learned the harsh reality of the world. Our love was forbidden. Only because we shared the same parents.
But, as if that wasn’t enough, heaven just had to rip her away from me. It felt like a dream at first. I wish it was a dream. I wish everything was just some horrible nightmare and that I could wake up soon. I wish that the horrible screeching of the car when it tried to stop was my imagination. I wish that my eyes were deceiving me when I saw her lifeless body on the street. Her funeral was on a rainy day and I made sure to bring my black umbrella. How cliche. Raining on a sad and gloomy day. I stayed by her coffin before the ceremony began. Our first and last kiss was a cold one.
Although her loss was horrible, what I hated the most was when those truck drivers got out of the hospital alive. They said they couldn’t remember anything. I felt bad for them. At first. Then, the police showed them the video of their truck speeding by. Everyone’s eyes were fixated on the flashing T.V. screen. “Right through the red light. Good job.” No way in hell did he just say that. I turned my head and glared at the man. The man looked nervous and tried to focus back on the video. Yeah, I heard you whisper that to your friend. Before I had any control, my balled up fist had already connected with his cheek. But, how could you blame me. He didn’t even regret killing her. I kept yelling “let go” to the police that were holding me back. But, they wouldn’t let me go.
Revenge can be a terrible thing, spreading death and destruction across nations and generations. But in the eyes of a single man, it can be a strangely beautiful thing that takes a firm grip at that dark place just behind the heart. I had been a man who had felt the overwhelming desire that is vengeance brewing in my veins. I had felt it every waking moment for the past four years—and often in my dreams too. It pestered my soul, eating away at what remained of my sanity.
Everything changed that evening. I remember it clearly. Dark clouds obscured the stars and the moon, and a fierce breeze whistled through the streets. It was at a business party. I can’t believe someone like him would have his own successful company. I had offered him a drink at a party. He gladly accepted. I bet he doesn’t even remember my face. He probably doesn’t even remember the incident either. I led him out of the party hall and into another room to have a little “chat” about his stocks. No one noticed and there wasn’t a soul outside of the hall. I had offered a toast. “Congratulations on your new business success,” I said. I felt like my tongue was burning as I let the friendly words slip off my tongue. He gulped down his drink with content as he set the empty glass down on a nearby table. I slowly sipped mine as I waited for the drugs to tear through his system. Soon, his body fell to the carpeted floor with a small “thump”. I felt adrenaline rush through my veins. I had been waiting so long for this chance. I walked around his foot and stopped next to his head. In a split second, I had driven the knife through his heart. That moment, I felt the weight on my soul lessen.