The Unthinkable

Love affairs never end well, tension and resentments can sometimes become overwhelming for the one who wasn't chosen in the end of it all. This is what can happen when the grudge succumbs its victim.

"As to Count 1, Leonardo F. Vasquez, we the jury find the Defendant guilty of first degree murder for the killing of Jonathan Grimes.
As to the killing of Rachel Briggs, Count 2, the jury finds the Defendant guilty of first degree murder. "Well Mr. Vasquez, as previously stated you have been found guilty of two charges of first degree murder. Now let me remind you that I am authorized to hand down a sentence of death by lethal injection. However, I will give you the opportunity to tell your side of the story and why you committed such a cold and heinous act." The judge's eyes burned into mine as if he were trying to forge a scenario of his own about what really went down. I stood up in my seat, and went to loosen my tie but the handcuffs  limited my chances of success for that. I cleared my throat and glanced at the jury, then back to the judge, all eyes sown in on me.

 

"Rachel, did you see my blue & white polo lying around anywhere? I just had it hanging up in the closet before I went to Pittsburgh three days ago." Rachel came in the room obviously irritated, " Why would I know where your shirt is? We have separate closets remember, you never take the time to look for anything, you probably left it in Pittsburgh." I didn't want to start an argument so I just stayed silent, but did I not just say it was hanging in the closet before I went to Pittsburgh!? "Hurry up Leo! We're going to be late for Jonathan's house warming party, just find another goddamn shirt already will ya!?" So I finally just picked out an old Steelers hoodie of mine and some black levis. We loaded up the truck with house warming gifts and we were on our way.

 

We pulled over and parked a couple houses from Jon's, not that we had a choice with all the people that showed up. The house was  perfect almost like a scarface vintage style set up. "Hey Leo did I do good or what?" Jonathan strolled over to greet us with a smug kind of look on his face. "Congratulations man, god forbid this gorgeous home collapses on your big a*s head." Rachel slapped my arm and smiled at Jonathan as if she was pleading with him to forgive my last comment. Maybe because it was a little rude, but I couldn't help but think it was much deeper than that.

 

 "Which way to the bathroom Jon? I don't want to come between the two of you." Right up the stairs and to the right, you can't miss it." I forced myself to take a piss but took my time doing it. I hated this whole idea from the jump, I was not gonna rush back out there. The phone in my pocket vibrated several times. I pulled out Rachel's phone, I must've forgotten to hand it back to her when I used it to make a call in the car. In case your wondering, I forgot my phone on the bed at home due to the effects of being rushed into an outfit and out the door. I looked at the phone to see what just came in, it read, " One Message From Jonathan."

 

My heart began to race and my adrenaline was pumping vigorously  throughout my whole body. I locked the door and sat on the toilet and opened the message. " You were supposed to leave him three months ago Rachel, how long are we going to keep sneaking around like this? By the way ,that blue and white polo you bought me is the wrong size, and that was a close call the other day when he almost caught us in the kitchen; I can't wait to taste you again. Did you figure out a location for our honeymoon yet? And how are you going to tell him your pregnant? He's not stupid the times don't add up, I need answers babe. Just respond to me this way I don't wanna make him suspicious. I love you."

 

I cannot begin to tell you about the unthinkable, & unimaginable feeling of anger, and hate that was surging through my veins at that very moment. I clutched onto my chest as it began to tighten, I found myself standing, breathing very heavily. My right hand was bloody as I gripped a large glass shard, apparently obtained from the bathroom mirror that I shattered with one punch. I gazed into a part of the mirror that was still somewhat intact, looking at my former self, the fool. My eyes were red now and the rage I felt inside completely consumed me.

 

I asked myself how I could be so blind, I tried to talk myself out of it but, I couldn't do it. I JUST COULDN'T DO IT!! At this point I was under the complete control of my raging emotions, anything that was left of the old me was either dead or barely clinging to existence. Still wielding the glass shard and my hand now covered in dry blood, I exited the bathroom. I was searching for Rachel and Jon throughout the house, surprisingly no one noticed the weapon or my blood stained hand...I began to hate them too.

 

I searched for them in the crowd, and started to check... Room, by room, by room, by room. And then I finally came upon this huge door made of  fine oak and stained with a red finish. It was almost the same color as the dry blood that covered my hand. This was it. I opened the door very quietly so no one would hear me come in. There was a fireplace burning bright, I could hear the snap of the wood as it burned. To the left of the fireplace was the bed that my wife and her lover were screwing in right before my eyes.

 

The entire bed was covered in a burgundy silk sheet. All you could see was the silhouettes of a man and a woman making love. However, even though I was witnessing this coldhearted act, and the violation of the vows my wife and I shared on the altar. I was at peace in my heart because I knew that I was about to kill them both. I actually sat down on the stool and the edge of the bed and watched the dancing silhouettes on the sheets, and I took time to listen. "Jon I love you, I've always loved you." Rachel meant every last word and she knows it, she'll soon know my reaction to that I thought. "I love you too baby, I can't wait to marry you, you're all I need, we're a family now. I smirked and thought to myself, "Little does he know, that marriage will be cut short from ear...to ear."

 

They were done now, both breathing heavily and comfortably wrapped in the silk sheets and each others' arms. I made my move striking swiftly, but aggressively, ensuring that this will all be over for the three of us in the matter of minutes. I stabbed him first, once in the back of the neck, then a cut from ear to ear...flawless I thought. I reached over to Rachel who stayed curled up in a fetal position while I killed her lover. I grabbed her hair and pulled upwards so that her face looked up at me. I gazed into her frightened eyes, as I said to myself, "I said Self... Since she was so unhappy with me, lets put a smile on her face." Two flicks of my wrist with the glass and she would never frown again. The final cut started at the left earlobe all the way to the right... Chills spread out through my body, I sat down next to them until the cops came; I felt better so why should I run, I asked myself.

 

"Now I'm standing here in front of you Judge, looking at the disgusted look on your face. You probably want to know am I sorry or remorseful, right? Well my answer would be no. What I did was out of passion and If it happened again I'd do the same thing. Now you know, so shove that truth up your judicial a*s!"

 

The judge had to position himself better in his chair, possibly letting that one get under his skin. He forced down a sip of water then proceeded to say, "Well son, in all my years on this bench I have never come across a man so evil, and undeserving of the life you've been given. I am appalled that you had the audacity to not just take a life, you murdered your wife and her lover in the most gruesome fashion. With that said, for the double homicide that you have been convicted of by a jury of your peers. I hearby sentence you to die by way of lethal injection, may god have mercy on your soul...." Just the way it was meant to be Rachel, Till Death Do Us Part."

 

-The End

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Reviews Encouraged

Reviews

[Jackson H. Harley]

Dark and detailed, you succeed in showing very strong emotion, and even managing to make me feel sorry for a murderer :p great story :)

[charles_duane]

It was just flowing for me bro, I had fun writing it so IM glad that you enjoyed it. I'm going to check out some of your work.