hinc illae lacrimae... Part 2:

Though it had happened years ago, yet the images were crystal clear......


He sat on the floor and picked up the shards of glass, tightened his fist till the sharp edges cut into his flesh.
This pain relieved him of the pain in his heart. The memory of his past moved further.


   He was sentenced to death and was behind bars. The judge had termed his deed as 'cruel', 'heartless' and 'gruesome' and had declared him mentally sick. But for him the murder was out of passion, out of pure love. Do they not say, "All is fair in Love and War." Still the world never understood him.
   His death sentence was never executed, his imprisonment lasted barely four months. He escaped with one of his prison inmates. Josh Jones, now his boss, his guide and somewhat of a friend.
    Leo was pulled out of his flashback by the doorbell which was ringing continuously further infuriating him.
    He stood up and opened the door.
    A timid man in a corduroy cap greeted him.
"Good morning, Sir!!!!"


Good, what was so good about the morning.. The hot sun blazing out of the dirty blue sky. The rays made Leo uncomfortable.
Leo gave him a brisk nod, and he continued,
 "Josh, I mean Mr. Jones sent me, we need to leave, it's time."
Leo gave another stiff nod, turned around and walked back to his room. The door was left ajar behind him and the courier stood waiting. He went ahead to prepare for another assault.
                                                      .      .      .       .      .       .


  This was what Leo's been doing since his escape from prison. Committing murders for Josh. Kill all those who were harmful for his illegal arms' business. Today, it was an accidental victim. A man who had seen something he was not supposed to and was stupid enough to give evidence against them. It was him who would be set free today.
                                                      .      .      .       .      .       .




Leo reached the residence of Bentley W. Curry. It was what the name plate said. A modest house which was decorated giving an aura of festivities. He did not have to make any efforts to enter as the door was open. The insides were buzzing with people people moving in and out haphazardly. Random greetings were thrown at Leo by random passers-by. Everyone was happy. Leo was irritated. Smiling was ironical for the moment. No one knew, they had a few moments for smiles. Minutes from now they would be grieving at the death of one amongst them. Leo gazed at the decorations and suddenly, it struck him, it was someone's wedding.
            An old memory flashed by, he heard some distant screams reverberating in the atmosphere. Screams of a girl he had known.
            He walked towards the end of the corridor which opened into a field.
            It was beautiful and fragrant. Decorated with beautiful white flowers and a marquee. The guests were seated on either side of an aisle covered with green carpet. At it's end was a priest reciting the vows. A beautiful girl in a lavender wedding gown stood besides his prey, Curry. The man whose death was approaching him.
His Death, who was trapped in the gun that Leo held.
Fidgeting inside, squirming, trying to find his way out, Death was growing restless...


Leo moved his heavy feet towards the end of the aisle, and grabbed the collar of the groom. Around, he sensed, all the guests had stood up. He pointed his gun at the groom's forehead.
Screams of horror were vagabonds.
 Perplexing were the vagaries of situation.


Then two soft hands gripped Leo's arms. He looked upon the beautiful face. The girl was wailing, tears flowing out of her eyes, begging.
But somehow, her words did not reach Leo's ears. All he heard was, those distant screams, which now were clearer and louder. He gave a swift look at the man who was sentenced to death and then looked back at the girl again.
The time had slowed down.
Suddenly, the girl was Edwina, crying out loudly.
Horror had chained Leo's Heart.
He gave another look at the groom, Curry no longer stood there. It was Ted Harrison in his grip, sweating and panting.
Edwina dropped down on his knees and begged for Ted's life.
Suddenly the vengeance was lost and another strong emotion hit him like waves splashing on hard rock, eroding it.
Guilt.
Guilt embraced him for her own.
Leo trembled.
Guilt kicked him.
Leo fell down to the floor.
Guilt slapped him.
He cried like a helpless kid, bursting into tears.
          Everything around stood still, Birds' chirping, wind's gushing had stopped.
Silence Froze.
Leo stood up. Bent to pick up his gun.Nothing moved apart from a few Gasps that escaped from a few mouths.
He put his gun on his own forehead and pulled the trigger. The gunshot broke the ice, and silence prevailed again........................................