The Blade

The blade was perfect.

Not quite large enough to be considered a dagger but enough to inflict a mortal wound. I should be able to execute this plan rather easily with a blade this size.

But the snow will present a problem as the crimson will show up quite easily on the ground. Maybe I should do this in a more secluded area. No, the target will become suspicious. I have a hard enough time blending in as it is, this has to be done in the market where the confusion will allow me a chance to escape.

But doesn’t that mean there are more chances for me to be caught in the act? I’m really not good at this. Calm your nerves James. Look out the window and focus. You are unseen in this second floor window, keep looking for your target. For this is the man that took it all from you. So you will take it all from him.

The scene below was typical for London this time of year. Long trench coats and top hats were abound as men would casually walk from stand to stand bargaining as they saw fit. An occasional carriage passing through denoting the presence of an upper class individual. These carriages rarely stopped, for as much as this market appeared to be a place for people with status the upper class knew better.

I continued to stare and bide my time. Thanks to this man I now had all the time in the world. Every Wednesday he comes to see the latest selection of pocket watches. I hope he enjoys this last look.

The light snow fall began to cease and I could only see this as a sign that the time was near. I reached down and touched the blade hidden on my left hip as a chill went up my spine. Is this doubt I’m feeling? Looking down at the street again there was a girl that would be about Elizabeth’s age begging her father to get the most expensive doll on the rack. There was no need to hear words as the facial expressions told the whole story. Bargaining for the toy was not going so well. It appeared the seller was not willing to accept the fathers offer. Sternly grabbing his daughters arm he began forcefully walking her further down the street. I’d kill to have any moment with mine again.

As the hours ticked by my resolve only grew. This man has forced me to this point. Who puts a man’s family out of their home while he is away? To leave a woman and child with no place to go. I told him I would be back with his money. He promised me he’d wait!

A glint in the distance.

The familiar ring, a thin silver line lacing around the brim of his top hat. Barely seen under his trench coat was a hint of the red velvet vest he always wore. His arrogance always on display. A silver cane as his walker only for show. He moved with an air of self-importance as he briskly walked towards his favorite watch dealer.

I just now realized I had been standing this whole time. My legs suddenly becoming heavy as I knew the moment had come. I will take from this man his life as he took everything that mattered in mine. I turned around and began my descent towards the street from the stairs at the back of the empty shop. Opening the back door, the air was warmer then I anticipated.

There are gaps between the workshops on this side of the street. Judging by his walking pace if I cut into the street two shops ahead from where I am now, I’ll meet him before he reaches his destination.

The snow being soft wasn’t helping things. Walking with a renewed sense of resolve and impending closure to everything I’ve endured I made the right turn between the shops. What do I do with my hands? I can’t just hold the blade now. What about my pants pockets? No, my weapon would easily show. 20 feet until the street.

Outside coat pockets. Casual and non threatening. 10 feet.

With hat slightly pulled forward and head lowered I stepped into the street. I looked to my right and there he continued to walk, oblivious. 18 feet and closing.

There was only him. The people on the street became blurs of insignificant value, as my eyes begin to water from focusing so hard. But there he was clear as day. A flushing in my face as a single tear welled in my right eye. Hate. Hate is what I felt. It felt like my body was radiating it from its pores. The scent would send any creature running in fear but not this man, no, not this man.

10 feet. We locked eyes.

One step forward, then another, and another. My target was frozen in place. His eyes began to widen as he processed who I was and what I had come for. Never breaking his gaze I removed my right hand from my pocket. He never moved. 6 feet.

I reached to my left hip. I remembered last summer when Elizabeth and I were in the meadow, having a race to see how many dandelions we could get before the sun went down. She never seemed to run out of energy. Her pigtails swaying from side to side in her favorite blue summer dress. We would never make it until sundown, Helen calling us both inside for dinner. And of course, Elizabeth always won.

“DIE!”

And then I was stopped. 3 feet. Silver showing just at the bottom of my vision as a sly smile crept across his face. Pain in my chest. I slowly lowered my gaze to see the crimson I had yearned for so much soaking into fresh white. All of a sudden screaming, a yell of police, and other things I couldn’t make out. Weakness, I felt…weakness. This was not the plan.

I missed our long talks. Helen and I would talk of how we would leave this little patch of grass and move to the big city with our daughter so she could see it all. How I would give her the best pearls and jewelry money could buy. She would always smile and support me despite her doubts. I loved her for that. It would all be made right soon, just wait until I returned.

I dropped to my knees. I felt a release of pressure as the blade was pulled out of me. This can’t be it. Is it so easy to kill a man? A man with no resolve to take a life. I moved to one knee, a pool of ruby beginning to form where I knelt. I lunged.

His head was my target, I got his throat. We lay side by side in the snow. This time Elizabeth, I’m going to win.