As I walked up to the group, the Man in the middle approached me and said welcome back. I asked the members if that had seen you. They told me, that you walked into the forest with a serpent. The man then stood in silence as if waiting for my reply. Smiling with his eyes closed, such a joyous look on his face, but something in me triggered my anxiety. A serpent? I questioned. What is that? I did journey over there with a animus that moved on its belly. Is a serpent what we decided to name him. The man stepped closer, has he always been this tall. I’m a decently sized man at about 6’4”, but this guy is towering over me at the moment. Is it my imagination making him bigger, I rubbed my eyes, then when they reopened we were eye to eye. He was looking into my eyes as if he was peering into my soul, which he may have well been doing. The man then stepped a bit closer and sniffed me,

"is that a hint of fruit that I smell on you. When you were out in the forest did you happen to eat anything."

No, I answered.

Really he said in a bit of shock. We have many edible objects out in the woods, you must have at least tried one. After all their fragrance is really enticing. We often eat from there. Maybe you were worried that you didn’t know what it was.

I felt as if he was beginning to trust me again, seeing at how he went back to using these vague expressions.

I see next time, I wonder over there I will be sure to try a few.

Yes, you should. Now shall we get back to the group, they seem to be making a breakthrough. You naming the first animal, dog was it? Has led to them to begin naming another.

As we walked back I recognize the snake slither over. It was the same snake that showed me the fruit. It was similar to rainbow colored snake which was rare even in my world let alone here. In fact now that I’m thinking back on it, this is the only animal of that type I have seen in this world so far. I’ve seen multiple variations of every other animal, but why only a single snake. It slithered towards the Man and went up his leg to his shoulder. The man stopped for a moment and it looked as if the snake was whispering something in his ear. The snake finished slithered down and looked over at me. I swear I saw a grin appear across his face. The man stood there for a minute. I was scared to ask him what it was the snake mentioned. I didn’t know what to do the man simply stood there not moving. Finally I cracked.

Ok, I ate the fruit that was on the altar, I just couldn’t take not knowing, it was driving my head wild. It felt as if my mind was going to split open seeing all these things I knew, but couldn’t say. I was curious, if you want me to I will leave everyone alone and live in the forest myself.

The man still did not turn around. Next thing I know I blinked and he was suddenly right in front of me, both of his hands on my shoulders and his eyes were wide open yet they were pitch black. The man spoke and his words echoed throughout my entire head.

“You will live in the forest, is that a promise. You see the snake did not tell me of your miss deeds. He simply said if I stand still for a couple minutes, I will be told something shocking. It seems as though he was right. I guess, guilt is one of the things that you now remember.

I was paralyzed unable to move or fight back, I felt blood coming from my eyes, my mouth, my ears. I couldn’t take it, but I couldn’t scream. As if my mouth was welded shut. The man continued.

Since you want to know so much and you dream of living in the forest don’t worry let me assist you.

I blacked out, next thing I know I was in a world that resembled earth. That resembled the land that I am from. Perhaps the man took pity on me and decided to send me back to land. If he was going to do that anyway was such a severe punishment truly necessary. I began to look around at my scenery, I was in a forest, it seems he kept his promise. I began walking, it was good to feel the breeze again, the warm sun shining on me. I have not felt such at peace in a long time. It is unfortunate though, even though I remember so much of my old world. I can’t remember who I was then. I have no memories specific of my past life. My family, friends, children. That old couple on the bench I wonder what their relation to me was. Seeing how they were sent there before me, perhaps they were my parents. If not for that rotten world I could have had a decent conversation with them. Maybe even catch up on old times. Still I’ve been walking for a long time and I have yet to see anything else. A animal, a bug, there’s not much vegetation either. Simply grass and trees. The trees seem to have something growing on them, when I took a closer look, it seemed to be the same fruit that I ate in that other world. Is this his form of a cruel joke. I climb up and took the fruit, as I went to take a bit the man appeared in front of me again.

“What the fuck”, I yelled out. Why can you not just appear normally, does it amuse you to scare me.

“Nothing about you amuses me”, the man said. I came to simply tell you one thing. Feel free to explore my garden as much as you want. However, do not ever walk beyond those cherry blossom trees over there and never eat anything that grows from these trees. If you can follow these rules, maybe you will be forgiven.

“What are with those dumb rules. To you expect me to starve.”

“I expect you to listen. You seem to think that I’m being unreasonable. You are the foreigner to my world, yet you think that you can treat us, based on your own previous knowledge.” In your world there’s a saying isn’t there. When in Rome do as the Romans. Pretend this is Rome and do as I tell you.”

“What is in it for me to listen to you.”

“Again with this arrogance. If you listen I will allow you to know what you want to know. And I will prevent you from knowing what you do not want to know.”

“What exactly is it, that I don’t want to know.”

“Hopefully you never find out”

Then he was gone, I didn’t even blink that time, the Man just disappeared. He will prevent me from knowing what I don’t want to know. He chooses now to speak in riddles. I looked at the fruit in my hand and tossed it aside. Eating that fruit last time brought me nothing but trouble anyway. There is probably something else around here. I began my walk through the forest, trees and grass as far as I could see and nothing else. Every tree had the same fruit. There must be something, I kept going until I reached the edge of the forest. Marked by cherry blossom trees. I walked towards the edge and peeked out, it seemed to be more forest. I want to walk out there, but he told me not to go. Also what he said keeps replaying in my mind. He will prevent me from knowing I don’t want to know. Is it about my past life. Was I that bad or was my life that bad. Was I murderer, did I kill my parents. They someone kill me. What the hell do I not want to know. I sat with my back to one of the trees and stared at the forest beyond the cherry blossoms, I wonder what’s over there. Is it simply more of the same and he’s trying to trick me. I don’t know if he’s God, but he definitely is divine considering his abilities. He’s probably watching me now. Then as I sat there contemplating, I felt a familiar sensation on my arm. When I looked it was a snake, the same snake that got me put here in the first place. I throw it off my arm against a tree.

“Why the rough treatment”, he said

“You are the reason that I was put here in the first place. Actually why are you here, did he find out you were the reason I ate the fruit and punish you as well.” Serves you right’

“Don’t blame me for your mistakes. I led you to the fruit and told you what it was. You chose to eat it, knowing that he would not approve.” I simply gave you the information what you did with it was your choice.” You could’ve turned around and ignored the fruit.”

“You knew I was struggling with not remembering and took advantage of that for your own amusement. At least I know your stuck here with me for however long he decides to keep us here.”

“Do not think of me as the same as you. I can move across planes as I please.” You are the only one stuck.”

“Whatever”, I said, then I sat and ignored the snake. Yet he kept talking

“Now, Now, don’t think of me as all bad. I did help you after all, I may be a bit mischevious, but I’m not a bad snake.” After all, I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t think a little provocation would cause you to spill your guts out on the floor like that. We didn’t even need to cut open your stomach. It came out your mouth”, the snake said with a laugh.

“I have to admit he is right, it was my nervousness that got the better of me. Perhaps I’m being to hard on him”, I thought. “Ok, you are right, it is not entirely your fault and you are the only other thing in this forest, it would be best not to ignore you the entire time. I need someone to talk to.”

I then continued strolling through the forest with the snake conversing. It seemed as if we walked for a long time, but I’m not sure. The sun has not moved a bit and I’m not feeling the fatigue either. Just mental fatigue of the continuous wondering. The snake then muttered some words.

“We’ve been walking quite a while, have we not. You must be thirsty and hungry.”

Now that he’s mentioned it, why haven’t I felt thirsty nor hungry. Was that fruit in the other world that filling or is it that the events has my body in a state of shock. Either way I ignored what he said, the snake is just trying to play another trick on me.

“Afraid that I’m tricking you again. Trust me I’m not. As you saw in the other world, that person as mystical as he is does not know everything that goes on. Had you not told him earlier you would still be in the world above.”

I guess that is true, if he truly knew everything why even bother to take the time to ask. At least that’s what I thought.

The snake continued, “He knows you plucked one fruit, because he saw you with it, keep that one on the ground. I’ll go get you another.

The snake quickly climb the tree and bit the stem of one of the hanging fruits, causing it to fall to me.

“Hurry and eat it, in case he comes back to check on you.”

I don’t know why, but I quickly ate the fruit. I wasn’t even hungry, but the snake saying to hurry In case he comes awoken something in me. It was that feeling of doing something bad, even though I wasn’t directly involved. The snake spoke as if me and him planned this together. As I finished the fruit, I looked up at the snake and it stayed in the tree laughing.

“You humans, are so easy to deceive.”

Then all I heard was a whisper, “Again. You defied me again.”

Let me tell you the story of how I quit my job and obtained financial freedom. It was through a lawsuit. I’m not an idea guy, but I am an opportunist and I like to think I can find the opportunity in any situation. Now I tried my luck before when it comes to trying to sue a company. I mean they take advantage of me with their marketing, price gouging, and gas prices. Why not try and get some get back everyone once in a while. I tried to classic tripping on ice, but damn camera’s every where saw me spilling the water on the ground. They dismissed my case, I wasted money on a good wheel chair and neck brace. When the judge ruled in their favor I saw no reason to keep up the façade. I got up right there out the wheel chair and walked out the court room. My acting must be phenomenal because even my lawyer was surprised by my sudden uprising. To make matters worse, the store forgot to clean up the water I spilled and an older woman slipped on it. Suing the company and winning a million dollar lawsuit. Some people have all the luck, sure she broke her hip, but now she’s gonna be the queen a bingo with a new hip and probably a sugar baby on her side. I don’t know what to do anymore, maybe scams just aren’t my thing. I even got desperate and jumped in front of a semi one time. If I didn’t die God willing, I think I would’ve made out good. Maybe could afford that island in the Caribbean I’ve been eyeing. The truck swerved out of my way and he ended up crashing into a couple trees in the forest. Unfortunately, no one in the incident was hurt too bad. I got out of their in a hurry, but I heard later that the driver attempted to break and the they didn’t work. The heroic truck driver managed to swerve out of the way saving the clueless pedestrian that wandered onto the highway. He sued the company for the faulty brakes, saying they were negligent in their inspections of the trucks. The guy made it out like a doctor, doesn’t have to work another day in his life. And it was my damn lawyer from the slip and fall case that represented him. I don’t know if I’m good luck or bad luck at this point. Also, clueless pedestrian, no one just wanders out on the highway. “Sigh” what am I to do, I see people in Asian countries all the time, people just jumping on cars and suing the driver. Somehow it never works out that way for me, I’ve only been hit by a car one time and the bastard kept driving. All I ended up with was a broken arm and a mountain of hospital bills. Luckily, they were taken care of because I work in the hospital that treated me.

That’s right I’m not just a conman, I am a law abiding citizen and someone that contributes to my community by giving them drugs. I work in a pharmacy at the hospital, I deliver the medications to the floors. We have tube stations that you can put the pills in a bottle and send them up to the floor. I don’t like using them because it reminds me of the drive through lane at the bank. And last time I was there to withdraw money, they had the nerve to tell me I’m over drafted by -$1300. Why would they even allow a $1300 transaction go through with my credit, I feel as if they are at more fault than me. But anyway, that’s why I keep it old school I go and deliver the medications myself. Floor to floor, elevator to elevator and all the walking gets to a person. I have to take a seat and rest every now and again, just for my bodily health. Can’t have my legs giving out on the job. It was a normal day, I just finished filling up a couple meds in the machine on the floor and was in the elevator making my way back down to the pharmacy. It was supposed to be a quick 5 minute trip, but I don’t think anyone will complain that it took me 20 minutes. My arm starting acting up again from that accident had to get something to calm it down. Yeah, that excuse usually works, even though I’ve been fully recovered for a year now. I hit basement floor and the elevator doors open, everything that happened next played through my eyes as if I was watching a film.

I began my walk down the hallway towards the pharmacy when I noticed a man standing next to a Zamboni. He must’ve been cleaning the hallways, but why was he just standing there and what is he staring at on the ground? I don’t know and it’s not my problem, I’m looking at a couple memes some friends sent me on my phone and looked up again as I got closer to him. He noticed and also looked at me, I gave him a scrunched up face to let him know. What the fuck are you doing? Without actually saying. As I walked by him, I slipped on a puddle of water. I personally hate how comedic my fall was. Legs flailing in the air, phone flew out of my hands, I want to say even my shoe fell off. What did I fall on, a puddle of water or a 1990s cartoon banana peel. I was so distraught I almost made a mistake. The man tried to help me up saying sorry. Sorry? You saw me walking down the hallway and you just stared at me, couldn’t you have said something, anything. You allowed me to slip fall, at that point it was premeditated. He wanted to help me up and I started to stand, when I realized. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity, all my dreams, my hopes, my trials and tribulations led up to this point. I’m going to sue the hell out of this hospital. I quickly leaped back on to the ground and held my knee. I was really playing it up, I sounded like Peter from family guy. “Oh my god help, I cant stand up, my knee is in shambles, I think it’s shattered.” I’d like to thank God and my mother, I couldn’t have put on such an outstanding performance without them.

The Zamboni guy called a code over the phone and couple people rushed to me and started a light inspection before carting me to a room. Honestly my knee is fine, just a little bruising, but I yelled out in pain when they touched it. The plan is to take me for some X-rays and have a doctor look me over. While I was waiting in the room by myself, I played a little trick. You see probably from my times of trying to jump on cars for insurance money. My knee has a habit of dislocating, just twist it in the right spot then bam, I’m as helpless as a baby bird. NO one was around this is my opportunity I hopped out of the bed and started moving my leg around in all sort of ways trying to dislocate it. But today my knee is apparently made of steel, the thing won’t budge. Usually if I wake up too quick, it pops out, now all of a sudden, my knees as strong as Meg the stallion. Then I hear a knock at the door, someone is about to come in, it’s now or never. I plant my foot on the ground as hard as I could and spun my body like a ballerina, I heard a loud pop and fell right on the ground screaming in pain. This time it wasn’t acting, the nurse rushed in and asked what happened. “Well, I just wanted to get to the bathroom and I thought I could walk. Oh my god, what can I do, will I ever be able to walk the same again.” Tears in my eyes, from the pain of popping my knee out it’s socket really help play it up. She helped me on my feet and sat me in the bed. Gave me a couple Percocet to ease the pain. Let me tell you, I get it, them Perc’s had me on cloud 9, I see what future is talking about. It made me worry that I might say something that is unneeded.

Somehow, I made it through, how I don’t remember. Next thing I know I was in the X-ray room and they were taking pictures of my knee. They wheeled me back to my room and I sat there for what felt like forever. They could have given me another Percocet to pass the time. The doctor came in and said my knee is dislocated with a minor fracture. A fracture! Man, I must’ve really did a number on it when I hit it with that pirouette. I talked to the doctor for a couple more minutes then sat back and watched TV. Next thing I know a couple suits walk in, wanting to talk to me. I told them I wanted a lawyer, but soon realized this isn’t that type of case. They asked me what happened. And I told them what happened. How this hospital negligence led to me getting hurt on the job. I show up on time every day and buss my ass, I’m here early and stay late. I do a lot for this place and do my upmost for the patient’s. But now I’m hobbled and won’t be able to work for a week and I don’t know when my leg is going to be completely healed. They said the camera was reviewed and it didn’t seem like the fall was too bad. I told them it isn’t how violent the fall is but how you fall. If I was able to brace myself maybe I wouldn’t have been hurt so bad. They also pointed out it look like I fell on my right leg, yet it’s my left that’s hurt. This where I start howling like a wolf, I yell at them, I was pointing fingers, letting spit fly, tears rolling down my face. Where the damn camera, because I’m acting my ass off here. They apologized for the rude comment and said don’t worry they will take care of me. Don’t worry about missing out on any money, they will make sure I have a full check. To which I said, “I don’t know I may need to speak with my attorney.” They told me that they hope it doesn’t come to that. To think about the patient’s and the hospital. “You’ve worked here for years, we promise we will take care of you, bringing in legal will just muck things up and disrupt patient care.” Maybe they are right, but maybe not.

Another perc later, I put in a call to a lawyer that represents people who went through similar tramatic experiences as me. The guy walked in, looking sleazier than me. I like him already, no need for greetings let’s talk money. How much he thinks I could take them for. Unfortunately for these cases your looking at between 50,000 to 100k depending on medical bills, how much time missed from work, but I’m not looking at anything life changing. Well, I’m not selfish I’ll take what I can get, at least they get the punishment they deserve. Hopefully they will train their employees better and purchase more wet floor signs. I don’t want anybody to have to go through, what I’ve been through ever again. “Yeah”, is all he replied with. He must truly be a lawyer I felt like he’s seen through my bullshit, but whatever I get paid he gets paid. He told me to leave it to him and walked out of the room, to take care of business baby. I just sat back in the hospital bed, hands webbed behind my head, and already spending my money. What am I going to invest this in. The answer is myself, I need a car, a gym membership, see how much a house would cost, my mom is good she doesn’t need anything. My girlfriend, well I think she should listen to me a bit more now. Yep, life is gonna be decent for the next year. My lawyer walked in about 15 minutes after we walked out. It seemed a little quick, I asked if he forgot his suit case or something.

He sat down next to me, put his hand on my knee and fucking squeezed it. That hurts you fucker what is wrong with you, I said as I hit his hand away. He got up and told me that they had me on camera twisting my own knee out of place. The lawsuit is done and that I’m lucky they won’t fire me. “Well fuck you, a good lawyer would win this case whether I was really hurt or not. Does it matter if it was a slip and fall or a twist of the knee in a hospital room. I still got hurt on the job technically. He called me a piece of shit and walked out. All I could do was sit in there with my hands on my head. Suddenly I got a call from my girlfriend, she told me she was rushed to my hospital, she spilled some hot coffee on her and got some burns. I flippantly told her, she should sue whoever sold her that coffee, I got the perfect lawyer for her. Anyway, a month later, can you believe this bitch actually did it, she sued McDonald’s for making hot coffee and won a couple million dollar settlement. What the hell is going on in the world. A couple months after that, we are now married and having our honey moon in the Caribbean. But that’s enough for now, my Wife texted me that I’m taking too long to get her drinks and hurry back to rubbing her feet. Still beats the 9 – 5 life.

Link to Part 1 on Prose : https://www.theprose.com/post/827799/knife-plucked-from-the-valkyries-wings

Link to Part 1 on Youtube: https://youtu.be/5d8h9oWI77E

After Delilah’s funeral, I stayed in the darkness. Never being seen, for months, I just sat and watch and waited. I don’t know what I was waiting for. I often thought back to my training. Him and Delilah would say the same words. Emotions will always be your downfall. Stay calm and composed in any situation. Never allow yourself to make an emotional response, remain stoic at least during assassination. It’s also a good advice for life, so I always held it close to my heart. It began to help me cope with my tragic childhood. I don’t want to let Delilah down and go on an uncontrollable killing spree and cause my own demise without getting her revenge. But even after waiting for so long, whenever I think of her. My heart rate increases, my vision blurs, my hands become clammy. I can’t quell the fire in my heart. “FUCK”!! I can hear my self breathing heavy, it’s echoing in this empty apartment. Delilah always told me I should put more in here. But I hate the feeling of things being cluttered. I threw the vase she brought as a gift against the wall just now.

HAHAHAHA, how sad I am. All of this just from thinking of her. I can’t stand it anymore. If my volatile emotional state creates my end. Then that’s all I was meant for. Besides the sooner I die, the sooner I can see her again. I don’t have much to go on, I just have one person. The one that was there with Delilah at her final moments. Gus, there’s no way that he wasn’t involved in Delilah’s death. He goes to see and suddenly the room explodes. Not only that be he gets away without a speck of dust on him. During these months I’ve been watching him, what he does, where he goes, what time he eats. I didn’t care if he was going to the bathroom or torturing an enemy. I never let him out of my eyes. There were nights where I even slept in the alley way outside his building. Or on top of the building watching across from his condo. I’ve had enough watching, enough waiting, my knife hasn’t spilled blood in a long time and he’s gonna be my first in a while. He should be honored to die by hands. I’m not stupid, I know that Gus’s entourage stays with him at all times. I have two guns on me as well, with back up magazines. I’ll tear through them and it’ll leave just me and Gus. My anger really has gotten the better of me, I waited until I saw Gus walk into the building he runs his business out of. They try to pretend they are real estate moguls, but they are nothing more than rats that learned to put on suits and speak english. Had I thought straight I would’ve noticed Gus was alone as he walked in. But I didn’t even put it in my mind. I walked out the alley, two pistols in my hands and walked right through the front door ready for a fire fight. But there was no one there. Not one soul not the receptionist, not a body guard, even the fucking janitor was gone. This mother fucker is playing with me, does he think I’m some helpless little girl. The same stupid fuck who had to use a bomb to kill a woman. Now all of a sudden he grew the balls to fucking face someone like a man. He thinks of me so different than Delilah, that I’m just some flower that was holding on her to pant leg. He’s gonna learn that Roses have thorns and falling into a rose bush hurts like hell.

HAAAAAAAAAAH, I can’t catch my breath, I’m right in front of his door, how did I not notice. I just walked through the entire building and didn’t check my surroundings at all. Had there been anyone in this building they could of taken me out. A fucking child with a nerf gun could’ve gotten shots on me before I even noticed. I noticed water on my hand that’s gripped the door handle. It’s my tears, god dammit. My family been taken from me again and once again I’m just crying hiding from the world. Hoping no one sees me. Holding a knife by my side hoping that it protects me. I haven’t changed at all from the child shivering, wrapped in blankets. But that all ends today, that all ends once I open this door. I’ll get my answers from Gus and then I’ll put my knife right through his fucking adams apple. I want to hear every last gurgle as he tries to take his last breath. As I shoved the door open, Gus was there standing over his desk with his back turned. He went to take a sip of his Whiskey and I ran, I lunged at gus, jumped on his back, slammed his head into the desk and put my knife to his throat. I just stood there in silence, I wanted to say words, but couldn’t. I know if I would’ve spoke in that moment, nothing would’ve come out. I was already sobbing internally, had I opened my mouth, it wouldve been like seeing a dam burst. But Gus said one thing that snapped me back into reality. One sentence. “Well if it isn’t Delilah’s little sister, who would’ve thought that Lillith would be the one to take revenge for a Valkyrie.”

“how do you know that name, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT NAME!” “Why is your filthy mouth, saying her name.” “Maybe you didn’t know your sister, as well as you thought.” “Shut up”, I yelled as I stabbed my knife in to the desk, cutting his cheek. “Why did you kill Delilah, what did she do to you to deserve that.” “I didn’t kill her.” “Shut the fuck up” I know it was you. You two were the only one’s in that room. Who else could it have been” “It wasn’t me Lilith” Then why were you there. Why were you the one that came out of the room without a scratch on you.” I grabbed my knife again and poked it into his neck. Blood ran down and dripped on the desk. “Delilah, pushed me out of the way” is what he said. “Delilah, saved me and all I could do was watch as she died.” “When the explosion happened, my guys ran in right away and pulled me out.” They knew if I stayed I would get wrapped up in an investigation. And you know me, I don’t need anyone digging into the things we do here. When you Saw me, I was in as much shock as anyone else. I didn’t want her to die either.” “NO, no, no”, I muttered. “You’re a lying piece of shit, there’s not reason for Delilah to save someone like you.” “Why would she save you, why would she leave me behind. For you.” I can’t believe it.” “She did it because I was her fiance”, he said. “fiance” I repeated. Since when, why would she not tell me. “Well we were only engaged a short while. That night of the incident when I went over. The reason was to propose to her. We had already been dating for quite a while” “Delilah, never told you because you weren’t exactly trying to hide you hate for me.” “Me and you never even had a proper conversation.” “You were important to Delilah and she was going to call you back to the bar, so me and you can talk. She was excited she went into her cupboard where she keeps, a special batch of her favorite wine. There she must’ve saw the bomb. She was calm and composed. She always is or was. She turned around calmly and quickly rushed towards me and pushed me with all her strength, I went flying towards the door. She just stood there smiling. She mouthed I love you, then suddenly there was an explosion. I couldn’t do anything but sit there on the ground in shock. I didn’t even run towards her, can you believe that. I claim I love her, yet the one that rushed to her in everything was you, as I got dragged away, with a ridiculous look on my face.”

No, I don’t believe you, even if I didn’t like you, Delilah would still tell me. “Lilith, look around you. You been tracking me for weeks, I knew and let it continue.” Your emotions have been left a wreck since Delilah left.” I know you needed something to hold on to, so I let that something be your hate for me.” I knew you thought I did it, hell I would’ve thought the same in your situation.” “You walked in here untouched. There’s not a single person here.” You think that’s a coincidence. I saw you walking towards the office. Heads in the clouds, guns in your hands. You would’ve shot anything that moved.” Didn’t matter if it was one of my men or an innocent civilian in the wrong place wrong time.” I stumbled back in shock. He was right, when I walked in I was prepared to do anything to anyone. Was my mind even stable enough to discern who’s any enemy and who’s not. I felt the wall on my back and I fell down and hugged my knees into my chest. To think if it wasn’t for Gus I would’ve done something I would’ve regretted for life. “So What am I supposed to do. I lost Delilah I lost my foundation, I lost my second life. I don’t want to go back to that life. That life of aimlessly wandering, hoping one day someone is strong enough to avoid my knife and finally end my nightmare.” “The money and connections you have made through this life. You never had to become that person again. Honestly I don’t think you can even if you tried to become that person again.” You already laid Delilah to rest You can just walk away, if you want too. And live the rest of your life in anyway you want.” “NO I can’t, even if it wasn’t you, Delilah’s killer is still out there.” I said as I wiped my tears away. “I still have to find them.” “Then help me”, Gus said.

While, you was planning my demise. I was actually finding out who decided to take my Fiance away. There are a lot of organizations here and Delilah was not good at making friends. She was a domineering woman who did not take a step back for anyone. A homeless man on curb or the CEO of a company. No one was above her in her eyes. That was part of the reason I fell in love with her. “Spare me with your love talk.” “tell me who the hell killed her.” “Before I tell you take that look out of your eyes. You look like someone that has died already. Remember your not Delilah’s vengeful spirit. You a living person here, right now.” If I feel that you are going on another suicide mission like today, I won’t work with you.’ “so I want you to promise me, that you will listen to my words and follow my lead.” “Fine I’ll follow what you say.” “Fine first thing, promise me you will stay alive no matter what.” “I promise to stay alive no matter what.” There are you happy.” Now tell me what you found.” “Impatient aren’t we.” Ok, Gus walked back to his computer and as he went to open his laptop. Suddenly I heard the window break behind him and Gus grabbed his throat. Blood started spilling through his hand and Gus fell onto the ground. I rushed over to him and put my hand over his trying to stop the blood from flowing. I called 911, I don’t know why. I knew It was over, there’s no way he was going to survive. Gus was dead before I even pulled out my phone. Paramedics arrived quickly, but it didn’t matter. Gus was gone. As they pulled the sheet over his head, I just sat there on the ground. I wasn’t crying, I wasn’t frantic, I wasn’t in shock. I was calm as can be. The room cleared and the police taped it off. I was in the hallway just staring at the room, when one of Gus’s associate’s walked up to me. “Hello, my name is Jermaine.” “I didn’t kill him”, I muttered. Then he said, “It wouldn’t matter even if you did. Gus knew there was a possibility he would end up dead soon. Either by you or someone else.” He still ordered us to give you the upmost support no matter the circumstance. Perhaps they didn’t think much of Gus’s trust in us. I know the information he was going to tell you.” I turned and looked to him, “Ok, then let’s send a wedding party to heaven with them.” I followed Jermaine to his office and he told me that Gus and Delilah were killed by an organization called, The Coalition.

Motivation is fleeting

It comes and goes and seems to only come when my mind’s numb

A car ride after a long day, windows down, sun shining

Music seems to be a burden to my ears, I’d rather just hear the wind

I’m outwardly silent, but inwardly the conversation with myself couldn’t be louder

Ideas, plans, motivation, all of it comes in the silence of the car

I feel numb, it allows, for useless thoughts to blow away

Red light, green light, I didn’t notice a yellow

I must’ve stopped and started a couple times

The drive I can’t recall, If asked I’d fumble my words

I finally pull in to my home, but the thoughts still rage

I sit in my car, staring in a daze

Yet, when I walk into my home, I close the door, turn the lock

Outside clothes unneeded, they fall off my body

I wash the day away, then the towel begins a new start

I must’ve forgot the car ride, The motivation is loss

I wish I could bottle up those moments of motivation

Save for a rainy day, open it and let everything flow for hours

Life doesn’t work that way

It seems it only works when I’m Numb

Another successful session with my therapist. I feel as though I’m finally getting through to her. She didn’t like it when I decided to reduce our sessions to just once a week instead of the usually 2 – 3 times. It’s just that I feel that therapy is unneeded. My parents forced me, they would constantly call and text begging me to talk to someone. I finally did. I went and spoke about my relationship, to my surprise the therapist agreed with my parents. Is it so bad that I fell in love with a robot. I mean what did we create AI for any way if not to be another version of us. Why did we make it look like us, if we didn’t want humans and robots to interact with one another. I’m not the only one either, there have been thousands now that has engaged in a relationship with these humanoid robots. They have everything. The voice, the hair, the looks, the anatomy. Everything that’s needed in a real, live human female. The therapist agrees, yes they have everything, except the feelings. Except the emotions. She always have to bring up feelings and emotions.

If they saw, what I see everyday there’s no way you could leave with the same opinion. Even today when I walked in. She was sitting on the couch, sun peeking through the windows, the way it illuminated her brunette hair. Which cost extra, the blonde version is the standard. You can get her even cheaper if you choose the bald version. I bought multiple wigs thinking of getting it to save money, but I really wanted her to have her own hair. I know it’s important to a girl. Her excited gaze, as she looked at me with those beautiful emerald eyes, that added about $1,000 to the price. Her soft smile, it all brings a sense of calmness to me. How can you say it’s not real. Yes, but she’s has no emotion, she is just mimicking, blah, blah, blah. Yes, I know what a psychopath is and if you are calling her that, she’s more human than even I thought. She was programmed to feel emotion, so she’s even more human than a psychopath.

If she sat next to you, would you know she wasn’t human unless told. If the answer is no, then who cares, love and let love. Her hands are soft in mine, her response is slightly delayed I won’t lie, but she’s just an air head. Ellen is her name or well the name of the product. I don’t believe her to just be a mass produced, item for sell. I named her Eleanor, where I got my motivation for the name who knows. I’m a descendent from Shakespeare I’m told.

Why? I’m often asked that, by everyone. Why choose a robot as a partner. You can’t really grow old with them, they will always look the same. I’ve tried with human women, it never worked out. It’s not that I’m so ugly I’ve never had a chanced. Nor that I’m an incel. I’ve had opportunities and had relationships where I thought it was something true. Then I realized the mistake of thinking we know another’s emotions. I may think we are friends, or that a girl as deeper feelings, same as me. Just to realize what she showed on the surface was all there was. I may just be coward. My heart has gotten broken so many times that I’ve given up. If I was incel or just unfortunate looking, I could still hope for something still. I could have hope for a future. Loving Eleanor is just easier.

I know there’s nothing deeper than what she is showing. There is no need to think so deep. Does she truly like me, am I behaving properly as her partner. Is she happy? When she leaves, is there someone better than me that has come across. I’ve become so insecure it’s pathetic. Eleanor shows me affection when I need effection, she cannot hate me, she cannot leave me. I don’t worry if I treat her right, I don’t care if she understands me. At the end even though I pretend as if I treat her like a human woman. I treat her like a object more than anyone else. She’s a metal crunch at the end of the day, one I lay my head on when it gets too tough. And she stroke’s my head lovingly and I don’t think about why she chose to do it. As long as she moves like a human, talks like a human, and looks like a human, I’ll continue to look at her as such. But she’s already irreplaceable to me.

Sometimes even I mistake it for love, but this isn’t about love, it’s about selfishness, comfort, monopolizing, anxiety, ease, or is it just an escape from lonliness. Well I guess when you wrap it all up, maybe it is about love.

Things started to change however. Maybe it’s because I gave up, talking to women became easy. I frequent a coffee shop, it’s on my walk home. It’s a good area to people watch and sometimes I’ll sit and read a book or watch a video to unwind before finishing my walk home. There’s a woman that works there we have spoken at length a couple times. The time I pass by, it usually isn’t busy, so we are able to chat at leisure. I never thought anything of it. Our hobbies are similar. We are both wrestling fans, readers of the Alex Cross series, and enjoy a little Irish coffee after a long day. Of course I bring my own whiskey. One day on my way home. It was beautiful fall day, leaves falling, sun shining, I sat out on the patio to enjoy my coffeee. Sarah, the barista working was on break as well. She sat with me. I didn’t see her at the register today and didn’t get to have a chat. She felt the same and sat with me, talking for her entire break. I mention the festival coming up that I was planning on going too. She mentioned that she was also interested, but had no one to go with. She asked if I was going if we could meet up and stroll through together. I didn’t see why not and agreed. We exchanged numbers and agreed to meet there the following weekend.

When I arrived home I seen Eleanor sitting in the same spot. Watching the leaves falling into the window. I asked her what she thought of the Leaves. “Leaves?” she responded questionly. Then she turned to look again and said “yes the leaves they are beautiful aren’t they.” I thought she said that blankly. I never paid attention to her facial expressions before, but something seemed different. I spoke to her about watching the leaves on my walk home. I stopped by the coffee shop. Eleanor asked if my barista friend was there today? She was we sat and spoke during her break and agreed to go to the fall festival together. “Like a date” Eleanor questioned. I didn’t think of it as a date. But I guess it is something similar. The next thing Eleanor said shocked me a bit. “I’m made as a humanoid companion, but we’ve never been on a date have we.” “ I didn’t know you thought that way Eleanor.” “In my programming it shows that companions often go out for activities.” Eleanor explained. I’m sorry I already promised Sarah, I’ll take you out with me and another outing. Eleanor didn’t say much else after that. It was a weird encounter. It was the first time I felt, I didn’t know what Eleanor was thinking.

The day of the festival came, I said bye to Eleanor as I walked towards the door. She said bye, but sat I,n her spot staring out the window. She didn’t turn around to see me off like usual. I got to the festival before Sarah. I waited near the entrance when I saw her come from the pool of cars. She was wearing a Tan scarf, black leather jacket that looked as if it came to her knees, black pants, and tan boots. I told her she looked amazing. It’s not often that you get to see someone out of uniform. It was a fun outing overall. There were so many activities in the festival, it was nice to have someone to share it with. The pumpkin carving, drinking apple cider, the bundles of leaes the kids were jumping in. Next thing I know hours went by and it started getting dark outside. I walked with Sarah to her car and told her how much fun I had. I thank her for coming and asked we could do it again. Sarah said of course we can, we can go out as many times as I want. I hugged her goodbye then as I went to let go, Sarah suddenly kissed me. I was taken aback. Sarah saw the shock in my face and apologized. She said she assumed I was single. I am. I said it with visible hesitation. Which prompted Sarah to say, “it must be complicated”, I’m sorry if I made things weird. I told her no, I didn’t hate it and I would still like to spend time with her again. We hugged again and as I looked up from the hug, I shouted out. Sarah asked what was wrong, nothing I said. I swear I just saw Eleanor in trees, over there. But when I looked again there was nothing. Sarah pulled off and I got in my car. I drove back home and when I got there, Eleanor wasn’t sitting in her usual spot. As I took off my jacket and hung it up. I turned on the light to walk up the stairs. There was Eleanor, standing at the top of the stairs. I jumped out my skin, but Eleanor just stood there and greeted me. “Welcome back, how was your date.” “It was fine, I had a lot of fun at the festival with Sarah.” “I’m glad”, eleanor said. Was there anything particularly special that happened at the festival. I thought back to the kiss. But shook it out of my head. No, nothing major happened. It was just a fun festival. “Well I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Shall we make our way to bed.” As I layed down with Eleanor behind me, she said, “I’m just a robot companion, I could never be your true partner. If there’s every anyone else, you can send me back.” I told Eleanor even if everyone else thinks of her as just a mindless robot. To me she as human as anyone else and there will never be anyone else.” She thanked me for my words. Then I went off to sleep. When I woke up in the morning, food was ready on the table and Eleanor was sitting in her usual spot looking out the window. I ate breakfast and told Elearnor I’m off to work. This time she turned and said to have a nice day and good bye. But today she said a litte extra as well. “Henry I was going through the finances and it looks like it would be good to cut back for just a little while. I know you enjoy your coffee and learned the recipes online to try. If you wouldn’t mind coming straight home instead of stopping by your usual shop today.” Sure, maybe I am spending a little too much considering the festival. I’ll hold back for a little while. I’ll be straight home so please let me try your coffee.” Then Eleanor smiled and turned back around.

Perhaps I should have paid a little more attention to Eleanor’s weirdness the other day. I could’ve avoided such a disaster.

A family is around grieving their loss of their granddad as he passes away. The grandfather sees them grieving from what looks like a portal. But he is well aware that he has already pass. His body slowly floats down and his eyes stay glued to the portal until he can no longer see it. He settles on a puddle. And lays in the puddle still staring upwards but looking at nothing. Slowly it feels not that he is sinking, but the puddle is pulling him down. Pulled under water he is now being slowly pulled deeper and deeper into the water. But the water is strange as it isn’t blue, it isn’t clear. It’s dark as if you are watching the tide at midnight. A darker water that you cannot see out of. As he gets pulled deeper and deeper eventually he falls out of the water. And begins to free fall. As he is falling multiple beings that seem to be floating keep coming to his side. What is your name? Every being that he seems to pass asks him this question. At first he answered quickly and very resolute. My name is Albert Page. Another being asks What is your name? my name is Albert page he answers quickly. He keeps falling and more keep asking. What is your name? My name is Albert. What is your name? it’s Albert. He continues his decent and yet more keep asking the same question. What is your name? It’s Al he states. What is your name? It’s Al. His plummet continues and it seems to be never ending. Finally, he smacks against a surface. But strangely he’s not hurt, even after falling for so long. He gets up and is greeted by someone. He has trouble making out his face. Then the person asks him again. What is your name? My name is Ah ah…… The A sound keeps coming out but he can’t say anything. It feels as if it is on the tip of his tongue yet he cannot say it. Finally he gives up, I don’t know what my name is. The person hugs him and invites him in. It’s ok none of us have names either. He follows the person through a gate and he see’s a flurry of people in this area. He continues to follow and is in awe, of all the people gathered. All of them greet him as he walks through the town? Village? City? He wants to call it all of these things. But realizes he has no idea what any of them mean. So he ignores it and just continue to walk through. He stops for a moment and sees a man and a woman sitting together. Tears start coming to his eyes as he stares at them. The person turns and tells him that he should go greet them. The man slowly walks over and says hello to the two. They greet him back and he asks why are they sitting together away from everyone. They say that they feel more comfortable when it is just the two of them. He asks if they know each other and they both say no they can’t remember if they have ever met. The woman said she arrived one day and saw the man sitting alone. She felt drawn to him so she went and sat next to the man and they have been there ever since. She stares at him and puts her hand on his cheek and said “I don’t know why, but speaking with your has put me at ease as well. I hope you have been well”, she said with a soft smile. “Yes, I have been. Thank you.” The person then beckons him to follow. The man says goodbye and leaves to follow the person. The person then explains, that is just the type of world this is. A world of nothing. Nothing is known and there is no need of it. He explains to the man that he has passed from his world to this one. The knowledge of one world cannot be brought to another. Do you remember when falling, being’s asking you questions. Yes. Yet you cannot remember the question they asked nor your answer to it. Other’s have strong attachment to the world they come from and often retain some of the information. They are sent to another area. Here there is nothing and everything. There is no pleasure here, it is not needed because pain is not known. Starvation is impossible if no one knows hunger. Here all the plights of the world you knew is not known. But what of my name. What of me. Why do you need a name. Well for other’s to call to me. They can just walk up to you can they not. But how will they recognize me. I look the same as everyone else here. Must you look different. When being’s are different they are ostracized regardless of how small their differences are. Even in the world you came from those who were different was persecuted and treated in horrible manners. Even as your world grew to be more connected and equal, still those who were different are still thought of negatively are they not. Simply because of how one looks they are thought to act a certain way, think a certain way. They are never seen for them. Here you can be seen as yourself, because all that is left is you. Ok, Fine fine. But even then the structures I see, the beings running on four legs, I feel as if I know everything, but I cannot. If you have need, we have a gathering. They are named ADAM. Created to try and name those beings and structures that you see. You can join them if you see fit. The have decided to collectively call the animus and will begin to start naming individual members of the animus. Animus, yes, yes, that sounds quite ok. That may be correct. Well continue your journey. I have things to attend to, don’t be afraid to come to me, if you see me walking around. How will I know it’s you, we all look the same. As he put his hand on my shoulder. Indeed. That was all that was said. The being then walked away.

I continued my walk around. I stopped by ADAM, the group of beings attempting to name the animus. As they discussed, it seemed to be more confusion than anything. After all they don’t recognize anything here it would be hard to name and differentiate them that way. While they are clear different from us and different from each other. We have no idea why. One animal walked up to me tongue out, tail wagging. I kneeled down and petted it. The animus then jumped on its back and exposed it’s mid section, which I then rubbed it’s belly. “Dog” I said. Can we name this one a dog. They were impressed by me. “We did not expect a new member to come and bestow such a great name on this being.” “This being and those who are similar to this being will now be a dog.” Once again I felt a hand on my shoulder and it’s a being. The same being I met when I first came I believe. “Great job, they have been struggling with that for a while now.” “On your first day, you have contributed greatly.” Is there anything else you could think of a name for.” “For some reason I felt like I should not say anything more.” “No, I guess I just got lucky with this one.” “Hmm, it would seem so.” The being then walked away from me again. What a weird encounter that was. I decided to distance myself from ADAM and walked away. Dog followed me, made me feel a great relief? But that doesn’t seem like the word. There was something else near me. A being moving around on it’s stomach. It spoke to me. “Hey, your new here right. You must have been really attached to your world.” “What makes you say that?” I asked. “Well that thing next to you, the dog that you named. That is the exact name that it has in your world.” When he said that it’s as if my mind cleared a bit. “NO wonder it just felt right. Maybe this dog in my world had a sort of relationship with me. Same with that couple that was sitting on the bench.” This world I’m in is so hard to get used to, if feels like I know so much yet, everything disappears as soon as I’m about to vocalize it.” The serpent then asked me if I wanted some help. “Help with what” I asked. To remember some of what you loss. I know your not supposed to, but I can’t bear to see someone so lost like you. The being then led me to an area that had an altar. There was a round object on there. I was confused. The being then crawled up and rested on my shoulder. It whispered to me to eat the object. “Why”, I asked. The being explained, “This world is connected to yours in a way, which is why you ended up here. It’s impossible to stop all knowledge from another world from entering this one. So instead that being, the first you encountered when you got here. Stored it all in this object.” This object here, I picked it up. It had a nice smell to it I thought. “Too bad there’s only one I can’t be the only one feeling this way.” “There is more than one, but that being leaves this one here as a sign of trust between it and the others.”

So what do I do I asked. It’s simple you pick it up and take a bit of it. “A simple bite” “yes, All it takes is one and your mind will be clear.” I believed the being I don’t know why and took a bit of this object.” As I chewed I realized, hmm this fruit is really good.” “This what the snake asked.” “Fruit, it’s probably one of the best I have ever had in my life.” “You didn’t know what the name of this was just a moment ago, now your saying it without a second thought.” I realized the snake was right and as I looked around I noticed that I recognized everything now. I realized that snakes can’t talk in the world that I’m from. “Well this is a different world”, the snake explained. “Now what”, I asked. “I don’t know”, the snake answered. But it’s best if you don’t let that first being know that you eat the fruit. Could spell a bad end for you.” Is that being the God of this world” I asked the snake. “Yes, but he’s more than just the god of this world. Hopefully you never find out.” The snake slithered away after saying that. I still don’t understand what he meant. I began walking back to the village. I’ll go to the ADAM organization and help name the animals. Well animus here. We can name them the same as animals from my world, it’ll help everyone move on. Though there are some I don’t recognized, extinct animals maybe. As I walked back to where the gathering was. I saw the people still standing there. But something was strange, they weren’t talking and instead looking at me. Then I saw the original man in the middle that I spoke to when I first arrived.

Is something wrong sir.

Yes, I often like to stand here and watch the people. I wonder what they think of me. Then I wonder what I truly think of them. Funny I can't find the answer to either one. Getting in their heads is impossible so it's understandable I don't know what they think of me. But I'm in control of my own mind at least most of the time. Yet I still don't know.

Well I'm sure they think fondly of you sir. You do your upmost for them.

Yes, yes, yes, thanks for the pointless flattering . I don't want you to stroke my ego. I wanted input. I mean look at them l, they don't know what I do for them. At least not really. When prices go down I'm praised. When they're increase I'm ridiculed. I mean a 10 - 20% increase and they’re damn near ready to revolt. Regardless of good I've done it only takes a couple bad things for them to completely turn. Makes sense most of them live a busy life. No time to think of the broader things. Why it seems as if they have more money lately, why things have been moving more smoothly in their life. They just think it's been a good couple of years. The most they hear from me is from their news networks and they hardly explain anything properly. If they explain it at all. Half of the news is meant to kiss my ass. The other is meant to try and cut my head.

Has the job gotten too stressful sir, perhaps a break would do some good.

No it's not that I just need to think things through. It's unfair is what I'm getting at. Leader of a country in any form. President, Emperor, Councilman, Congress. The benefits are just as great, but unfair still. At least when your someone who tries. But I can't deny I often make bad decisions. I make them purposely knowing they are bad decisions. The people don't know what you need to go through to keep them satiated. Invasion of country, international turmoil or pressure that needs to be aided or ignored. All to keep the peace. The peace here of course I could care less of others. Sometimes I think dictators have it right. But I can't shake the uneasiness of dead smiles. Could I explain why I started that war. Could I explain why I'm allowing it. When it all gotten so complicated that even I am starting to forget the reason.

Then people question my morals. I stopped making decisions on my morals a long time ago. Morals don't feed people, protect people. Everyone and again I get to make the moral decision, but because it's a savvy move. Not because of some stupid moral compass. I came into the game too late there are too many systems already in play. I feel as though my decisions are premade before I even get a chance to think.

If I could suggest something sir, you are the one in power now. Why not simply break the system.

Breaking the system would take a lot longer than I will be here. Even if I make a couple cracks in the road. The one after me, will find it easier to simply fill the cracks in than pave a new road. I would have to become something we vowed not to have. At least temporarily. Then I'd have to trust myself that I'm able to give it up when the time comes. But still that's more likely than someone similar to me coming in and continuing my work. Sigh, maybe it's better being a puppet, at least I know the decisions aren't mine. It's like customer service worker, it's easy to deny someone in need when you know the decision isn't yours. But the CEO of said company wouldn't be able to say no as easily if they were in that position.

How did they do it in the past. It was so much easier then. Less people, less money, less things to care about. You could generalize more things and more people. But now there's too many of everything, to many different ingredients to try and throw them all in the same pot. It'll just end up tasting like shit.

If I could interject here Sir. You say things were much easier. Do you mean easirer to manipulate. There was indeed less of everything and less education as well. The people could get manipulated into believing almost anything. Now there’s more information avenues, more education, more individuality. The people now need clear reasons for actions, unlike those of the past. Such reasons such as, they hate us because we’re free would not work anymore.

There’s never a clear reason in this world. To try and give it a generalized reason will make it sound worse than what it is. Simple answers always sound heartless and while they are the core of the reason ball. The outer layer of the ball is the reasons that will be tangible for the everyday person. But explaining those reasons are more difficult. To say we are invading another nation, because it will decrease the price of certain products, bring in jobs, bring in money, and ease a mountain of other things. Would need further explanation, which would lead to the simple answer. At the same time beginning with the simple answer and expanding it to the outer layer would need more explanation inbetween. Which is why we need the trust of our people. But those before me been lying for too long and peeling back all those lies will make the government look worse and lose more trust. I have to keep the secrets for the good of the nation. Once their trust completely collapse, what would we be? I don’t know the answer and don’t want to know the answer.

There’s a distrust that’s been created between the government and people. Clearing the air to ease that distrust, would cause more distrust. So, you choose to keep the secret. Keeping the secrets, doesn’t allow you to give clear reasons, and so you must manipulate the people causing more distrust. You seem to be in quite the paradox sir. When did it all start you think?

Probably once we gained real power. Once you are the top of the food chain, you reasons become unnecessary. But you must have them for the people to follow you. Nietzsche said morality is for the weak. The strong has no reason for it. We simply started imposing our will onto others. Gained control and now that we are weakening a bit, we are adverse to releasing even a fraction of the control that we have. Spreading ourself too thin. Our country is Young, by the world standards. Maybe we feel we cannot make a comeback from a defeat. Or don’t want to find out if we can.

So what will you do Sir?

I have a meeting at 3, a press conference at 6, and briefing at 9pm. I quick nightly workout, shower, and sleep. Wake up in the morning, I’ll still feel the same as now, and I’ll carry on. Because I’ve already gotten the job that’s all I can do. Maybe I can make a few minor changes that they will keep, but if not I’ve already given up. It won’t matter much to me.

Robert returning to bed after a mid sleep bathroom break heard a knock at his door. He paused for a moment and looked at the clock on the night stand. “it is very much 3am the man thought, I am not answering that. It is probably the wind anyway.” Robert ignored the knocking and went back under his covers to return to the dream he was having about his job burning down and getting tomorrow off. But there was another knock, he continued to ignore. And then more knocking, getting louder and louder until finally he thrusted the covers off his body and ran downstairs to see who the hell bother’s someone at 3am. As he reached the door, some sense finally came to him, it’s 3am and someone is banging on my door. He paused for a second and went to grab his gun from the top of his coat closet. Maybe someone’s in trouble or maybe it’s someone looking to cause trouble. Robert hid the gun on his side and opened the door. But darkness was all he was greeted with. He peeked his head out the door and looked both ways and nothing. No one, no wind, no animal, just darkness. He closed the door and went to put his gun back, then he heard a knock, this time it sounds like it is coming from the kitchen window. Now he begins to get nervous, before he was bolden by his sleepless state, but now he’s aware of what’s going on. All the lights are off in the house and he slowly creeps to the kitchen, to the window where the knocking is happening. He opens the window and yell, “Who the hell is it”, but no answer, just a branch blowing in the wind. He closed the window back and stopped to take a breather, his heart is racing now. The fear is starting to set In so he goes to the fridge to grab some water to calm himself, as he goes to take a sip. Another knock, this time from the back door, the man runs to the back door and quickly throws the door open, causing it to hit his back light and breaking it. But still only darkness is there to greet him. He quickly closes the door and goes to sit in the living room.

Fear is starting to get a hold of him and his hands are shaking. He lives on the outskirts of town, nothing but nature around him. The knocking could be anything wind, animals, he starts to think this and calms down. So he heads back upstairs to go back to sleep, anxiety just happened to get the best of him this time. As he goes to lay down, a shiver goes down his spine, knocking, knocking, sounding as if it’s coming from everywhere. It’s getting louder and louder, he falls to his knees putting his hands over his hears. But still it won’t drown the knocking out, he goes to scream and suddenly. Nothing, silence, no knocking, no wind, no anything. Only the sound of the doorbell. The doorbell is a welcoming sound, it must be someone from town. His doorbell is ringing at this time at night, HIS DOORBELL IS RINGING AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT. Who would be ringing the doorbellat this time, is it the same person who was knocking on the door. He doesn’t want to answer, but it rings and rings and rings again. “FUCK”, he yells as he grabs his gun. I’m coming, I’m coming just wait a moment. He gets to the door and takes a second to take a deep breath and gather himself. Then the ringing stops and instead another knock at the door. Once again the door flies open and what standing there is darkness and nothing more. He grabs his head, “what the hell did I miss”, because all he sees as he looks out is darkness that’s it. “Fuck this someone is playing tricks, so closes his door and walks out into darkness abyss.

He begins walking down a dark path and there’s a misty rain outside, as he crept down the path. He jumps out of his skin as he sees a silhouette. He stares at it, but can’t make out what it is. Slowly one foot in front of the other he creeps up. He cocks his gun and begin’s asking questions. Hello, was it you that knocked on my door. I didn’t answer because it’s late and I was trying to fucking sleep. Then you pressed my doorbell and kept knocking, but when I opened the door no one was there. Why are you playing games so late at night. As he got closer and closer he clenched the gun tighter. He pushed some branches out the way and pointed his gun, but there was nothing there. But there’s a light in the distance, another house with it’s porch light on. The man didn’t remember another house being there. He swears he was the only house in this part of the town. Could it have been them that was toying with me. Even if it wasn’t maybe they saw someone out here. Enough thinking he goes to the house and begins to knock. The man knocked twice and waited a moment, the light is off now, but it was definitely on as I walked up. They must still be up. No way they fell asleep that quickly. He knocked once more, still no answer. They must be up, so the man makes his way to the side and then knocks on the window. He waits a moment, still no movement. The rain is starting to make him feel cold and he looks and sees a back door. He quickly rushes to the door and knocks twice more, louder than usual. They surely heard that, even if they were sleep they have to be awake now. But still no one, so he makes his way back to the front. Why won’t they answer whoever my neighbor is, must be bastard. Anger got the best of him, but he took and breath and calmed down. The events of the night just has him on edge. As he walks bout to the front, he sees a door bell. How lucky he thinks, how did I miss it the first time. He rings the doorbell a couple times and no one answers. And then knocks once more. Still ignored. Well whoever lives here I must have missed them and he turns back to walk into darkness abyss.

Terrence and Holly a couple just getting back from a game night with friends are heading off to bed. As they begin to slip off their clothes to get ready for bed, there’s a knock at the door. Holly did you hear knock, Terrence asked. Holly still a little buzzed says she didn’t hear anything and may Terrence is drunk. Terrence doesn’t think much of it, it’s late and maybe the wind’s just blowing. Then another knock and another, each one louder than the next. Now Holly notices and is a bit worried, Terrence thinks maybe, they forgot something at their friend’s house and hey brought it. He goes down and opens the door, but no one is there. Maybe I really am drunk he thinks. Then makes his way back up the stairs to bed, but then there’s a knock at the window. Now he’s getting creeped out, Terrence slowly creeps towards the window and flashes his phone’s flash light, but no one is there. Now a knock from the back door, Terrence, annoyed dashes to the back door and once he gets there. Once again no one’s there just darkness to greet. Ding dong, he hears the ring of the door bell. Terrence doesn’t know what to think, he grabs his bat in the hallway closet and slowly approaches the door. He swings it open with a shout, but still there’s no one. Holly now comes down stairs asking what’s wrong, she heard the doors opening and closing. Terrence explains someone is playing pranks and he’s going outside to see what’s going on. Terrence rushes outside, bat in hand and begins to walk down the path.

Soon Terrence realized his mistake of walking into the darkness with just a basebal bat and nothing else. He lives out in the woods and there’s no lights just pitch black. He could start wildly swing his bat, but all he will hit is a tree and not much else. Still he continued walking down the path and he sees a silhoutee in the distance. He slow approaches and yells. Terrence Raises his bat and Robert raises his gun, Terrence drops his bat and now just his hands are raised. “please don’t shoot”, terrence pleads, then Robert lowers his gun. Was it you who was at my home knocking on the door, the window, ringing my door bell. Terrence tells him it wasn’t him, but someone just did the same at his house. Robert explains that it was him, that did it at his house. He didn’t know someone else lived out in the woods and wanted to ask if they saw anyone. Terrence as well thought no one else lived in these woods and that he had never known another house until now. But there’s another problem.

Robert told Terrence he should have made it back home by now, he’s been walking the path for 10 minutes yet has not gotten any closer to his house. Terrence, suspicious asked Robert what way did he walk. Robert explained that he only walked straight the entire time and yet he cannot get back. Terrence said he will bring him back to his house, but he has to give him the gun. Robert untrusting as well. Simple takes out the mag and tosses it Terrence and empties the bullet in the chamber as well. Reassured Terrence starts to lead the way back to his house. They walk for what seems like 30 minutes, but never make it back to Terrence’s house. It’s weird Terrence only ran a short distance, he should have at least seen the porch light by now. But nothing, just darkness no matter how much they walk forward. They both begin to worry and Terrence takes his phone to call Holly. There’s no signal, the call won’t go through. They both begin to worry, but suddenly they see a light and a house in the distance.

Robert and Terrence creep up to the house, the light is on and you can see through windows. There’s no one there it’s a empty house. Robert explains he already been through this twice and tells Terrence that they should look around first. They go to the side of the house and look through the window and see a kitchen. Robert looks confused. Terrence asks what’s wrong, Robert explains that this kitchen looks exactly like his. Having similar things isn’t that uncommon I guess he thinks and ignores it. But still they see no one in the house. Then they walk towards the back of the house. To which terrence sees, a kayak and a couple bikes in the back. Terrence explains the bikes and kayak looks the same as the ones he has at home. There is only one outdoors shop in the town, if he bought them through the same shop then it makes sense. Still they see no evidence that someone maybe home and why would they leave the lights on. Are they scared of the dark then why live in such a dark forest. Even if they are afraid the waste of energy is ridiculous. The two make their way back to the front door and Terrence goes to knock. Robert Grabs his hand and waves his finger. Told you I’ve been through this a couple times. Robert looks and sees a doorbell. He presses the button and hears a loud ding. But it sounds as if the ringing is coming from outside the house as well as inside. They wait a moment and hear someone walking towards the door. Then the door slowly creeps open.

Lucius Collantinus : Don’t ask me what’s right or wrong. Ask me, “what’s the better story.” As of now I’m just a man. A man of war, a man of great love for his wife. I’ve been sick of this regime for years. I’ve been so tired of leaving my home and pledging loyalty to a idiot, that can’t control his own urges. I’ve always believed in my wife, believe that when I’d return she’d wait for me. During the last tour that fool Sextus had the thought that he could bed my wife and then decided to turn it into words said in my direction. He thinks himself a prince, just because his father wear’s a crown. But he is no King, I’ve heard the people speak, there’s no love, there’s no respect for Lucius. He’s a Tyrant and he needs to be dealt with. And you my loving wife gave the reason to rip the crown from his body, even if his head must come with it.

So I will give you a chance, one chance. You can be tried and convicted as an adulterer, maybe your lover Sextus may spare you. But trust me you are simple a dime a dozen, his harem is as expansive as the flowers in the royal garden. However, you can die a faithful, loving wife, that was brutally assaulted by a beast in human clothing. How would you rather be remembered, what would your Father, your brothers, your Mother think of you. Could you bring such shame on to them and on to me. Even if you don’t care about shaming us, what about our son, will you allow him to grow holding such shame. Take this knife in your hand and think about what you truly care about. If you even have an ounce of love for this family, you will drive this into your heart. The same way you already drove a knife through my heart when you decided to allow that man into our home.

Lucretia: So what would you have me do Collantinus. Kill myself. What would you have me done, he is the Prince. Refuse him and then what. Do you truly think he would have kept me pure, if I said no. You don’t say no to Sextus, you don’t say anything. You grit your teeth and wait for it to end. You think the other wives have been spared. Those who refused, husbands have never return from war. But fine, you want me to die your faitful wife. Spare you the shame of having to come to this home. And spare you the fact you don’t have the balls to kill me yourself.

Lucius Collantius: Nothing comes If it’s my sword that impales you. I just become another a husband who couldn’t take the fact that Sextus, bedded his wife. That means nothing, even if I attack him, they will just look at me as a disgruntled husband whose wife was taken. Lucretia you were always seen as the wife most committed to their husband. Those who enlisted with me often spoke of their jealousy. Sextus will not hold is tongue, he will brag to everyone, that none is safe from his sword. Even one considered the most faithful woman in Rome, fell to her knees in my presence. Even she laid on her back to gain my favor.

Lucretia: Is that what you think of me?

Lucius Collantius: It doesn’t matter what I think of you, it matters of other’s perception.

Lucretia: We could run.

Lucius Collantius: I will not abandon my country. It’s the land that birthed me and raised me to a man. Either we live in shame or you die a faithful tainted wife and I live as a vengeful husband.

Lucretia: If that’s the story you wish to tell. Hand me the knife, I’ll do what you wish. If you even have a ounce of love left for me. You will ensure that bastards head ends up on a spike. Know that I loved you and I hated every moment. Goodbye, my love.

Spurius: Was this truly the right thing to do.

Lucius Collantinus: It doesn’t matter what was right. History will start from this moment. Sextus caused an innocent married woman to commit suicide because of his actions. My next course of action is to kill that bastard. The death of his son will cause the King to turn his attention to me. The only course of action is to overthrow the king. The price of assaulting my wife, will be the death of the Royal family. I’ll burn their damn castle to the ground. I’ll usher in a new era of Rome. One where those who protect the country don’t have to worry about coming home to their wife being Tainted by a spoiled man child.

Spurius: But you know it’s a lie. While Lucretia did not want it, she did not protest.

Lucius Collantinus: AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN! She didn’t protest because she couldn’t protest. Sextus knew this as well. I didn’t want her to die either but it had to be done. Everyone knows what the truth is. Everyone knows what kind of woman she was, no one will belive Sextus. And those who do will resent him even more. Now go announce her death and gather the men. We ride to Sextus mansion tonight. There will be one less prince in a matter of hours. I will no longer be a good man, but what I build will be Great. I will ensure she will be remebered fondly in history and I’ll build an empire in her honor.

I wanted to be something once, something more than what I am. Now as I look out in this snow covered world I just wonder whose next. I see the mother’s being strung along by their children and I don’t even feel envy anymore. For me to bring a child into this world, would be to throw them into a pit of snakes, not knowing which will bite you next. I still remember the incident that made me this apethetic shell, dressed like a human.

What is fear, I always thought that I didn't know the answer. That was until I took a step back, I always had a fear of killing which took precedent even over my fear of death. The thought to kill another was too much for me to bare. Then my fear of death became a fear of loss. That fear didn’t last long because I already lost everything. I never realized what I was truly scared of until he killed everyone that I care about. Until I was locked in this wardrobe with two knives in my hand praying he doesn't find me, hoping he doesn't hear my breath. As he rummaged through the house he came up to my hiding place and swung the doors open. At that moment my will to live over came my fear of death and drowned out my fear of killing. With those two knifes, I stabbed them in his chest. Again and again and again until I finally opened my eyes. If you’re wondering how the cops showed up. A teenage girl, running and screaming down the street covered in blood. May cause a few concerned neighbors to dial 911. A mid summer night, yet I never felt colder. They wrapped me in that rough blanket and still it felt as if a cold wind was blowing my way. I couldn’t stop shivering. I killed one, I never thought I’d kill another. A man who was forcing himself on me, I blacked out and next thing I know a knife was in his chest the same as that night. Once again the shivering would not stop. After him was another and then another and honestly that feeling went away and it became commonplace though I'm not a mass murderer unless you consider it murder for killing those who harm another. The first time I killed was fear of death the second time I killed was in protection of my self. The third time was in protection of another. I'm not a hero but I may have been called one that night. I saw a man in the early morning in a alley near a local bar. As I looked at his build he is stronger than me clearly but there's no need to fight only a need to kill. I rushed over and grabbed the man off her. He threw me off in a drunken rage, I hit my back on the brick wall behind me. I slid to the ground and the man focused his attention on me, how confidence he must’ve been towering over a helpless woman. But no one ever expects a knife in their abdomen. His look of shock as he fell to the ground was orgasmic, as I looked over to the women. She covered her mouth and ran off. The bitch could’ve at least said thank you. Act like she never seen a dead body before, I’m sure she lies flat like one with every guy she’s been with.

After that kill, my third kill it seemed to all stop mattering. If the police catches up to me so be it, who am I free for. No family to cry for me and no life worth living. But I continue for my family who couldn’t that night. Instead I walk the street, but for what. Maybe I was looking for an opportunity like the one that happened. A reason, any reason to unsheath my sword. Methaphorically speaking. At least I still need a reason. Suddenly my reasons for killing came fast and in a hurry. Someone followed me back to my apartment. A knock on the door as soon as I walk in, I opened it and it’s a woman. Older yet beautiful, high heels, opened toes, white coat, long brunette hair. I’m not a lesbian but I’d listen to the offer tonight. Sadly, she wasn’t here for that, she showed me a picture and asked for me to assassinate a man for her. I was flattered, but I explained I’m not in that line of work, but she stated she saw me kill the man from earlier. As I went to grab my knife, she said she wasn’t going to blackmail me. That man was a piece of shit and the man in the picture is another piece of shit. That shouldn’t be in our world anymore. She just left some information about him and went to walk out. I didn’t even get to see what’s under her coat, hopefully it was nothing. I did yell to her, why ask me. She saw my face after killing that man in the alley. She could tell it wasn’t my first kill and it won’t be my last. Our thoughts coincided I also didn’t think that would be the last time I kill. Her number was on the back side of the photo and I decided to hold on to it. I mulled it over for a long time and called her. I received his information where he likes to go, if he’s married, what has he done in his life. I may become an assassin but I’d rather not kill someone innocent. He turned out to be a bastard, a frequent adulterer, scam artist, and a couple skeletons hanging in his closet. Someone I won’t feel bad for if he’s gone. Once again I asked her why me. She told me that he knows a lot of the people staffed by her and would be difficult to get close. But me, I’m a fresh face, he’d never see me coming. I accepted her contract.

I bumped into him, outside of a bar called Donovan's a fancy place. And I was there outside looking helpless. I know I'm pretty and nothing is prettier to a man than a helpless, broken, little girl. He helped me up and couldn't take my sad face, he invited me in for drinks. Laugh at few jokes, touch his arm a few times. His engine just couldn't take it. He took me back to his where we began kissing on the bed. And as he kissed my neck, he felt my knife kiss his. As I sat there hugging his neck, with my knife inches deep on his nape. I noticed a mirror on the ceiling and caught a glance at the expression on my face. Nothing, a look of nothing. I layed there with him in my arms for a while staring at myself. I knew this was the life that was meant for me. Perhaps the murder of my family was God's way of pushing me this way. What does it matter now. I pushed him off and gather’d myself before calling Valkyrie. That’s what she told me her name was. More of a medusa if you ask me. She told me that people will come soon to clean up the house and my job is done. The payment arrived as quickly as she hung up. That was the beginning of our relationship. From then on was a blur, I went on a killing spree. Contract after contract sometimes multiple a day, I was bored with nothing to do. And this beats walking the streets hoping to find a victim. Some guys bigger, some smaller, a couple women, but at the end of the day no matter how well trained you are, you can’t protect what’s truly vulnerable. I had Valkyrie set me up with some fighting lessons. Might as well look cool while slashing, next thing I knew I became a machine. Never failing a hit and becoming Valkyries number 1 go to. Not to mention a couple $100,000 dollars richer.

But we became more than that, me and Valkyrie became more like sisters. I visited every night at the bar she operates out of. Often telling stories of my jobs. I told her of my past. Of that fateful night that turned me to this life. Of my Parents and siblings being killed, of me hiding like a coward. Only fighting back when my life was in danger. How I killed him and the reason I only use a knife. After that night, she really took me under her wing. I think she saw something in me that reminded her of herself. She became protective of me only contracting me with people she trusts. Thoroughly doing recon on my jobs to give me the most information on the target possible. It felt like I had a family again with her. I truly loved Valkyrie. Loved, because she left me as well.

A regular bar night. Me and Valkyrie were sitting in her back office drinking her favorite wine, it was a cheap $20 - $30 wine. I brought it with me every time I visited. For someone who runs such a fancy place, her taste were like those of a soccer mom. I often made fun of her for it. Valkyrie told me she has no siblings, no children. When she met me, she never thought it would be the night she gained a little sister. Always so sentimental in her drunken state. A knock came to the door, that Gus was coming soon and wanted to meet with Valkyrie. I never trusted Gus, his name and look suggest he’s a sleaze ball, but Valkyrie always put up with him. She wanted a moment to gather herself, It was getting late anyway, I told her I’ll say goodbye to everyone at the bar and then head home. I’d rather not be there when Gus arrives anyway. As I walked out. “Delilah.” “It’s Lilith. So drunk you forgot my name again.” “No dumb ass. Delilah, that’s my name. A name I long forgotten. Call me that from now on. Code names between sisters just seem silly.” “Delilah? A delicate name for a Valkyrie, what would Odin think, I chuckled.” “Get out dumbass. I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Of course send a contract my way if anything comes up.” I walked down to the bar and saw a couple regulars that I’m fond of. We sat at the bar for a while chatting and that’s when I saw Gus walk in. Seeing his face ruined my mood, I said goodbye to them and went to leave. As I began my walk to my apartment, I stopped for a moment. I looked up at the building and thought about what they could be talking about. Then suddenly the room Valkyrie was in exploded. I stood in shock for a moment then someone grabbed me. “Lilith, Lilith!, you gotta get out of here”. I snapped out of it and ran in to the building. I just remember screaming, “Valkyre, Valkyre, Valkyrie.” When I got to the room, I just saw Valkyrie on the floor dead and Gus standing above her. I grabbed my knives from my side and lunged out him in a fit of rage, that’s when one of his guards knocked me out the way. I fell next to Valkyrie. “Delilah, how could this happen. How could I lose another sister as soon as I gain her.” Gus ran out of the room. And I sat there with Delilah’s head in my lap. Surround by fire.

People like us don’t get funeral’s, not really. A couple people we were close too comes around and we burn their body in a secluded area in the forest. “Valkyrie sat there, wrapped in cloth sitting on top of our made up altar.” I threw the torch onto her and began the process. As she burned I made a promise not to Valkyrie, but to my sister Delilah, that I will find whoever did this to her. And I will cut them for everyday we can no longer spend together. I hear Lillith is the name of a demon as well, that’s perfect, from now on I’ll be the demon that seeks a Valkyrie’s revenge.