The son of the devil

Past without future

The funeral was over.

Him being an orphan took care of the family from his side. Only colleagues and the couple of friends he had came. From her came her parents, her brother, her grandma and friends and colleagues from her work. It was pretty crowded, but he didn’t care. He was numb to everything around him. All he did was look at the coffin that encompassed his life.

When it was over and the people dispersed, he remained there, by the grave. When her family took their farewell he didn’t even acknowledge them. They never wanted him from the beginning. Him being an orphan might have something to do with it. But because of her taking charge, they declared a truce and accepted him, but kept him at arm’s length.

Sitting by the grave, not caring about the mud that would cling to his pants, he took out the little pendant hanging by a slim gold chain that belonged to her. It was the only thing that remained now at his side from the happy days.

He looked at it and with a sigh put it around his neck. He looked in silence at the silent grave hoping beyond reason she was still by his side, that it didn’t end everything with her death.

Finally, he stood and, touching the cold stone at her head, he said his goodbye. He then walked away with his head lowered in thought. The mud clung cold on his pants, in contrast with the tears rolling down his cheek. He didn’t cry like this since he lost his parents almost twenty years before. He promised himself this would be the last time he would allow tears to fall from his eyes. The fury he felt against the hand he was dealt with in life, against those responsible for this, especially the company the truck belonged to.

He made inquiries and found out some irregularities concerning the owners of that company. Some old friends from his old life helped him in digging out the truth on a short notice.

He decided to make them a visit while at their private club. He needed to let out the steam clogging his mind. He hoped for a civil conversation, but from his past dealing with this kind of people, there was little chance for that.

He arrived home, that now seemed too big, empty and cold without her by his side. He closed the door and, dropping his shoes and clothes along the way, went in bathroom for a shower.

Closing his eyes under the warm spray from above, he let the water take away all the pain from the last days. But he was still clinging to his fury.

Once the water started to get colder he got out from the shower cabin into the now steamy room. The steam covered the mirror in a mist so he took a towel and wiped it clean.

The man looking back at him from the mirror surprised him. The hair that a few days ago was dark brown now was grey around the temples. His green eyes were surrounded by dark circles. The redness in his eyes from the lack of sleep was alarming. He decided to postpone the meeting until after having a couple of hours of sleep.

After wiping himself dry, he entered the main bedroom wrapped around the waist in a large towel.

Opening the closet he first picked the clothes he would wear for the meeting. All more than ten years old. From a time before he knew her. After a short try of the clothes, he decided they were still good to wear. Didn’t hinder his movements in any way. Putting a pair of boxers on, then he dug out the briefcase sitting at the back of the closet. This contained the vestiges of his past life. A life he decided to let go after he met her. He hoped he won’t need the content, but wouldn’t care if he did. There was nothing left to keep him back.

Putting it beside the bed, he let himself drop on the mattress and soon he was out cold.

The sleep was full of nightmares. Him holding her while blood was pouring out of her wounds without stopping. Her clinging to him while both of them were drowning in the red pool of blood that kept pouring out of her.

He woke up covered in sweat. Looking at the phone, he saw it was almost 9 in the evening. The darkness was all around and for a moment he felt afraid looking into the blackness in front of his eyes.

Manning up, he got out of bed and went to the bathroom for a leak and for another shower. The neon lights were flickering until they finally stabilized.

This time he didn’t linger in the shower and fifteen minutes later he was ready to go. The black leather jacket and pants were hiding the gun in the holster under his left armpit and the knife in the right boot. Those were just in case. Better to have and don’t need than otherwise.

When he stopped in front of the club, he took a few minutes to look at the entrance, trying to figure out how many guards could be inside during the night. So far he managed to see four. Two at the entrance and two inside that every few minutes would come out.

After letting go to his breath, he opened the car door and started walking towards the entrance.

When he reached the entrance one of the guys outside stepped forward, barring his way.

“I’m sorry, sir, but this is private property. No entrance allowed without an invitation of a club member.”

“Oh. Ok. Can I make a phone call first? It won’t take long.”

The man shrugged and stepped back while hi fished for the phone inside his pocket. He dialed the number that was imprinted in his memory. He answered on the third ring.

“What a pleasant surprise. Vlad, I thought you wouldn’t contact me after last time we talked. Hell, in ten years I barely heard rumors through the vine concerning your life. So how is your married life? Is she worth you leaving a life of plenty for a measly mechanic payment?...“

“No time for memories now. Maybe later. Now I’m kind of in a middle of something and I need your help.”

“My help? What for? You’re not the kind of guy to call in favors unless it’s life or death. Is it big?”

“I only need an invitation to the private club here in town. And I thought you could grease the wheel for me to get in. It’s not big. At least I hope not.”

“Oh. Ok. But I feel you’re holding back on something. I only hope it won’t come later to haunt me this decision of mine to help you. Talk to you later. I hope it won’t be another ten years until then. Pass me one of the guards to the phone.”

“Ok thanks.”

Then he took the phone from his ears and passed it to the one that was in his way earlier. He saw the confusion disperse as he heard who was on the other side. After a couple minutes of nodding and ‘yes sir’s the phone was back in his hand and the guard smiled apologetically.

“I’m sorry sir. It was only a misunderstanding our earlier stopping of your entrance. We didn’t know who you were. Please go inside.”

With a slight nod, he passed the guards and went inside.

Once beyond the entrance, he stopped to look around the place. The music was as obnoxious as ever. He never liked this genre. He always inclined towards rock.

Denying the help of a pretty woman that offered to take his coat, he walked towards the bar. He sat down on a high chair, he waved the bartender over.

“A beer, please.”

When he had the beer, he took a gulp and looked around. The place looked almost empty. From what he could see, his target was not present. The face seen in photos was imprinted in his memory. Just then the phone started ringing. Looking at the number, his eyebrows rose in surprise. When he answered, the same voice from ten minutes earlier once again rang in his ears.

“Well now. This is unexpected. You calling me after just a few minutes. Is there anything I can help you with? On a second though, erase that question. I’m not interested in that kind of work anymore.”

“Not calling for anything else but as a request to let it go. Don’t go any further than you already did.”

“Really now? Let what go? I haven’t started anything yet.”

“Vlad remember the fact that we know each other since both of us were kids fighting for our own survival. So don’t give lies. I know how you act. You’re too black and white. For you there’s no middle ground. That’s why I’m telling you to let it go this time.”

“Let it go, huh? Let me ask you a question then. You just said I’m too inflexible in my decisions. I think you’re right. There are two ways for me. Always was, always will. Honestly, I don’t give a damn about anything else, but how come that truck hit only my wife’s car, from all the others on the road that day. She was my white in your words. They took her, so they’re on the black in my list. I wasn’t going to create a scene before your phone call just now. But that was before. Now your phone call made me rethink everything. There’s something stinking around here and I’m calling your bluff. I’m not good at listening to ultimatums as you well know. See you around.”

He ended the call before the person had time to react. Raising his head, he smiled seeing his target just walking in surrounded by four attentive guards. With a final gulp, he finished his beer and stood, walking towards the five guys, his target smiling and nodding to those he knew around.