The Bowman Pt.4

Last part of the bowman

Part 4
The night had proven to be a prolific one after a murderer caught a heart attack and a corrupt business man became mysteriously bankrupt. I can't help but find pleasure in the guilty whose crimes catch up to them. Each one pierced by my bow. My masters delivered the arrows each night and it was my duty to seek out who they belonged to and deliver it straight through their heart. Each sin had its own unique arrow housing specific outcomes for specific people. For instance murder's arrow is cold and smooth, jet black in color with no markings or sigils. It is there for one purpose and one purpose only. Contrarily, misfortune's arrow were lined with symbols carved into a thick mahogany bolt and colored deep velvet. The arrows led me to the targets then in turn I led them to theirs.
As I removed the next arrow to divine my next target something was very different about this arrow. The head was completely missing, replaced by a small needle point leading to what felt like a clear hollow bolt. Inside a murky green liquid sloshed back and forth while black webbing ran up and down the surface. Through the arrow I found my target but through my eyes I found confusion. This man had done nothing wrong. No sin had persuaded him nor crime had corrupted his fate. Just an honest man and an ethereal archer filled this space. Immediately I thought there was some mistake but the arrow reassured that my target was chosen correctly. It made no sense, but I decided to trust my master's judgement. Even if I couldn't see it, they had deemed him guilty and so with my blind faith, I loosed the arrow and delivered his fate.
I was not prepared for the gruesome scene that followed. As soon as my arrow hit its mark, the man fell and immediately began to convulse. Shaking and writhing on the ground I could see bony spines pushing through the flesh all over his body. His gargled screams grew louder and louder as the spikes grew longer and longer. With a final ferocious sound of anguish the spines flew off in every direction leaving his mutilated body behind. More screams ensued as the spines ripped though everything it came across. Metal, glass, wood, or flesh, nothing had been safe. Stepping back to see the damage, I watched in horror as they had taken out numerous cars and half the block where they originated. The news anchors would later report that more than a hundred lives were claimed in the "accident". Innocent lives. And it was all my fault. As I made my way back to the Douglas home, my one sanctuary from this life of servitude, another arrow appeared in my quiver. The same type that had just annihilated half a city block. If I had blood it would have run cold. Trembling I took the arrow to discover its target. Why would my masters do this? Why destroy so many lives that had done no wrong? It made no sense. As my mind struggled with these questions I looked to see who was being targeted. My mind had never been more clear after that. The target of this arrow was one Mr. Douglas. The loving father and hard working husband. As droll as this man had been he had not only didn't do anything wrong, he did so many things right. I would be damned if I brought about his end in such a nightmarish fashion. As I looked to the gods, my master's, only one thought pervaded my mind. No longer was I the hunter of the guilty. From now on I would protect the innocent. And my first obstacle against that were the gods. A slow, steady breath escaped my lips as I drew the arrow towards the sky. A breath out. The arrow flew into the night sky. And the apocalypse ensued. I had done it. My masters were destroyed. But they were taking the rest of the world with them. As the fires feel from the sky and erupted from the earth I fell to my knees. Innocent or guilty meant nothing anymore. Good and evil were being punished alike. And it was all my fault...

Author's Note

Go to town if you like