Chapter Six

 

I tried to stay away from the bar. Things were bound to be difficult between Luke and I now but I would take it over the silence of the night. I had been so distracted these last few months I had forgotten how to keep that numb lock on my mind. Continued distraction was going to be needed.

            And so I returned to the bar after three nights. Luke would not look my in the eye much less talk to me. For this I could place no blame upon him, with my stopping being his fighter he was losing a lot of money. 

            Everything seemed to almost go back to the normal lull for nearly a week. All contenders had seemed to have lost interest and onlookers and gamblers no longer had something to entertain them here. So it returned to the normal group of drunks, that is until three strangers came in one particularly windy, wet night.

            It was immediately obvious that they did not belong here. Their cloths were much cleaner and of much better quality then everyone here other than myself. They carried themselves a certain way; the feeling of arrogance followed them. They did not carry the normal stench of my fellow lowly men.

            Two of the men approached me, both looking like they would rather run from the building, screaming and never looking back. One of the two kept looking over his shoulder at the third man they left behind and I was unsure if he was more afraid or angry. A mix of both I suppose.

            “Are you the one they say no one has beaten?” one of them questioned.

            “I am,” I said simply, wondering if they truly were looking for a match.

            Without saying a word they both pulled money from their pockets, more than I had seen anyone else lay out at the bar. How could men be so stupid and arrogant?

            I rolled my eyes slightly and motioned for them to have a seat. The first sat and I noted that the others around us barely turned their heads to watch. They knew what the outcome would be.

            It was indeed ridiculous and was as expected. I won easily but for some reason lost slight control with the last one and broke the table in half. There was quite a lot of laughter as it clattered to the ground. I hoped I had not broken the man’s arm.

            As they retreated I felt an uncomfortable sensation. Someone was watching me very closely. It was easy to find the source of it. The man who had not challenged me sat at a table across the room. I had not noticed before, the protective stance the other two took around him, seemingly watching for danger anywhere it might be hiding.

            This man was smaller than myself and I could tell even sitting that he was roughly four inches shorter. His hair was a strange auburn color, his nose slightly too wide, his jaw square. His eyes were a strange hazel. Brown on the inside edges, green on the outside.

            He had been staring intently at me, watching my every movement. When his eyes met mine he stood. As he did so the other two started to rise as if to follow him. He motioned at them and they immediately sat back down. My eyes never left him as he made his way across the room towards me.

            I sensed a shift in the mood of the room and broke my stare. I glanced at Luke and was surprised by his expression. His eyes bugged out as he watched the man who was walking towards me. Several other men in the bar were watching my approacher with great interest. Who was this man? And what did he want with me?

            It took him only a few seconds to cross the small room. He took a seat across from me without saying a word. I eyed him curiously, wondering if he too possibly wanted to challenge me. I somehow doubted it. I got the impression this man never got his hands dirty. His clothing was even finer than his companions, pressed and without a speck of dirt on them.

            “I have a proposition for you Mr. Colegrove,” his voice was strange, slightly higher than it should have been. I wondered how he knew my sur-name, I could not recall telling anyone of it. 

            He was nervous. I could smell him sweating now. I remained silent as I stared at him and he took this as an invitation to continue. 

            “I have a vested interest in getting rid of a certain person and I believe you are the man to do it.”

            “Get rid of someone?” I questioned, my eyes never wavering from his face. His eyes were slightly twitchy.

            “Permanently,” his voice was low and I knew that no one but myself would be able to hear him.

            “And who might this someone be?” I questioned him, not taking any of this very seriously.

            “The Prince Daniel, son of King James,” his voice little above a whisper and he looked over his shoulder as if to make sure no one was listening.

            “Uh, huh,” I said as I nodded my head and rolled my eyes. I sat forward in my chair, folding my arms on the table.

            “I am willing to pay you well for your services,” he said as he fumbled in the folds of his cloths. He produced a bag and held it open for me. I leaned over and examined its contents. It must have been twice the amount I had won thus far. “This is only half. You get the other half when the job is done.”

            I said nothing for a long time as my eyes returned to the man’s face. He was serious. What he was asking for was murder. What was wrong with people? Did no one consider that life was precious? Everyone seemed to think it nothing to end one. Why would he ever think I would even consider this? And even more, it was the Prince? The heir to the crown!

            As if in answer to my question he continued. “I would highly suggest you accept my offer Mr. Colegrove if you do not wish your father and brother to join your mother.”

            My blood ran cold and I was quite certain that my heart stopped for a fraction of a second. “What have you done?” my voice was low and deadly. If he answered wrong I would kill him right here and now. No hesitation.

            “Your family is safe for now. But should you choose to deny me your special talents I have men in position to take them out at my command.” He withdrew another object from the folds of his cloths. He opened his hand for me to see. Had there been anything in my now long empty stomach it would have been on the floor.

            In his palm rested a very familiar object. A simple gold band on a tiny golden chain. My mother’s wedding ring. I had noticed that my father wore it round his neck every day since I had awaken.

            There was no doubt in my mind, no hesitancy after that. I would not harm my family again. They would not suffer any more because of me. “How long do I have?” I breathed as I squeezed my eyes shut.

            “I will give you a month.” I could hear the confidence rising in his voice. He knew he had me and that I would do anything he asked. “I will come find you when the job is done. You will be a wealthy man when all of this is over.

            Yes, and at a high cost that would condemn me further into hell than I already was.

            “I don’t care how it is done,” he continued as he handed me the bag and the golden chain.. “I just want him dead.” This said, he rose from the table, his men rising at the same time. Without another word they shuffled out the door.

            I found myself unable to move for a several moments. Somehow I had managed to place my family in danger again. Even being hundreds of miles away, I had put them in harm’s way simply for being what I was. Because I had gotten careless and shown people what I was capable of. There was no other option. I had to do what I had been appointed. I finally unfroze and examined the gold band in my hand again and wondered how my heart still existed. 

            “Now what was that about?”

            I was surprised when Luke sat next to me, though his voice was still rough and harsh.

            I sat silent for a moment longer before I found my voice. “Do you know who that was?” my voice was low and I was surprised he heard me.

            “Of course I know who that was! Where have you been William, sitting under a rock? He shares your name in fact! That was William III, prince of Orange. He’s married to the King’s oldest daughter Mary.”

            So this other William was out for the throne. Kill the heir to the throne and his wife was next in line. No wonder he was offering so much money. 

            What was wrong with these royals? How could they find such entertainment and pleasure from other human being’s deaths? Was everyone so gruesome and heartless? What had happened to people? The flame within me leapt to life again.

            “What do you know of the Prince Daniel?” I asked, my eyes never leaving the tables surface.

            Luke seemed surprised by the sudden change in subject. “Not much,” he responded. “He was very ill until a few years ago. He kind of stays out of the public eye. Doesn’t come out too often. Big fellow though, much bigger than you.”

            I nodded my head. This other William wanted someone strong to take him out, someone guaranteed to be able to overpower the Prince.

            “So what did he want?” Luke pressed again.

            “I think it’s time for me to go home now,” I said without answering his question. I rose faster than I should have and was half way across the room when I turned back to the confused looking Luke. “I am sorry. You were a good friend to me, Luke. Good-bye.” 

            His look of confusion deepened and I turned again and was out the door. 

            It took me less than a minute to get back home. I did not feel any need to restrain myself as I ran, the rain and wind screamed through the streets; no one would be out tonight.

            Home suddenly felt very empty and cold to me. There was nothing to comfort me here against the dark task I now faced.  I found myself yearning for the comfort of my mother’s warm embrace, to have her whisper that everything would be ok. The world seemed too dark, to evil and I longed for the return of childhood innocence. To be so ignorant of the things that the world contained and was capable of. I wanted to escape it, turn and run and never look back. The world was too frightening now and knowing that someone with my abilities existed made it all the worse. The abomination that was me should not exist.  

 

            I couldn’t stop the words from repeating over and over in my head. What am I doing? They ran continually through my head, distracting me and leaving me unable to fully focus.

            There was little doubt in my head what the penalty for breaking into the palace would be. Not that they would ever be able to catch me but my former human self was still screaming for me to get out of there. 

            Under normal circumstances I would have liked to stop and admire all the fine things that lined the walls and decorated the floor and ceiling. I could only imagine the things that rested within these walls. There were things in here that I did not even have a name for and could not even guess what it’s function was or if there even was one.

            My reason for being here tonight was not murder. No, not tonight. In truth I really did not know why I was here. Scouting, I suppose. I searched for anything that might help me in this damning task, anything that might ease my mind. But who was I trying to fool? Murder was murder. 

            Again, that strange scent filled my nose as I wandered through the dark and quiet palace. Absolutely clean and somehow pure. So strange and I still could not place it.

            I had quickly scouted the nicer end of the palace which I guessed was where the royal family must have spent most of their time. It seemed ridiculous to me, the fine and rich things that were so unnecessary and costly. That money could be spent in much better ways, like helping the poor and dying. But of course then that would make them less special, less “royal” I supposed.

            Finding myself in what I supposed must have been the servants quarters I felt much more at home. While I may have come to acquire fine things these last few months it did not define who I was and I could not deny my humble background. That would forever be a part of who I was.

            I found myself in a long, narrow hallway, the only light coming from a room at the very end of it. It smelled strange down here and it suddenly reminded me of how our cellar at home smelled. These people were living in it.

            “He was unbeatable. Some people were saying he was a god.” The voices startled me and I quickly melted into the shadows as I heard a door open and watched as two young men emerged into the dim hallway.

            “I was there at the fight,” one of them said as they walked towards the source of the light at the end of the hall. “You should have heard the crowd chanting, ‘William the Invincible’! It was incredible!”

            I was surprised as I heard my ring name mentioned and realized that they were talking about my match with the Irishman. Was everyone obsessed with the violence?

            “Do you really think he could be a god?” the first one said. “I heard he’s beaten men three times his size like they were infants.”

            “I don’t know what else he could be.” Their voices were fading now as they entered the room at the end of the hall.

            A god? Hardly. I felt my insides cringe at the very thought of applying the name to myself. 

            Curiosity filling me, I followed the two young men silently. Just as the two boys entered the room there was suddenly a lot of chatter as if there were several other people within expecting their arrival.

            As the scene came into view I experienced slight déjà vu. Men were pairing up, money being laid out on the table, and people gathering around to watch. It was the scene that had met me in the bar nearly every night.

            It was obvious who the champion of the royal staff was. I assumed he must have been a guard considering his size. Everyone but one man participated, each taking his turn at defeat. 

            I watched the lone man who sat back from most of the challenges. Everyone acted differently around him. They looked at him with a certain reverence in their eyes and it was immediately obvious that they respected him. He dressed simply and on first glance he would seem no different from any of the others but to keen eyes it was obvious he was different from them and I could not help but wonder who he could be.

            As I watched from the shadows I was careful that no eyes caught sight of me. There was no need to have all the male help of the palace be alerted to my intrusion. So I kept a keen ear open for anything that might help in my quest. It was not long before I heard of the exact thing I was looking for and stole away into the dark corridors of the palace.

 

            I gave two distinct knocks on the door and waited. The building was dark, covered in filth, and looked ready to fall over at any moment. I cringed at the smell coming from within. I would spend as little time here as possible.

            It was only a few moments before the door was opened. The man within matched the building. His face was drooping in an almost unnatural way, his eyes dark and set too far back into his head. He looked as if he had never taken a bath in his life. The smell I had unpleasantly experienced before was obviously coming from him.

            “What do you want?” he croaked as he eyed me suspiciously.

            I reached into my pocket and produced a large amount of cash. “No questions asked,” I whispered in a low voice.

            He eyed the money in my hand greedily and ushered me in.

            The smell grew to be almost unbearable as he shut the door. It burned my throat and I tried not to breath.

            “And what services can I provide for you sir,” he asked with a smile as he rubbed his hands together, never taking his eyes from the money in my hand.

            “I need something potent,” I said as I looked around the ruddy shack. It was small and crowded. I thought I saw evidence of a bed in the far corner but the rest of the space was cluttered with vials, pots, and other things that I had no desire to know what exactly they were. “I don’t want it to take long. There is no need for suffering.”

            A slow grin spread on the man’s face and I took note that there was not a single tooth left in there. “Ah,” he said as he turned his back to me and examined a few small vials on one of the shelves. “I think I have just the thing.” He lifted one of the vials and held it out before him. “One drop will be enough to kill five men five times,” he whispered and his hands shook with excitement. “Give me everything you’ve got there and it’s yours!”

            The contents were black and reminded me of ink. If the “apothecary” was telling me the truth, it was exactly what I wanted. “How long will it take?”

            “Death will be instantaneous as soon as it is swallowed,” his eyes boring into my hand that held what he desired. 

            “We never spoke,” I said as I grabbed the vile from his hand in one invisible movement and stuffed the money into his pocket in another.

            I burst through the door and gasped, letting the fresh air flood my lungs. Air had never tasted so sweet.

            The vile in my pocket felt like a red hot hundred pound weight as I hurried home. I wanted to get it off me. I could feel hell creeping closer and closer to claim me with every passing second it was on me. I morbidly wondered if it would potent enough to kill me. No, I already knew the answer to that; it would not be enough to do that job.

            I sighed as I stepped through my door. The outside world that had previously provided so much comfort to me with its noise now seemed to be pressing down on me and threatened to crush every bone in my body. And I wished it would so I would not have to face the terrible task before me.

            I quickly drew the vile from my pocket and went to place it on a table when something there made me freeze. Someone had been here. There was a piece of parchment there that I had not placed on its surface.

            After placing the vile down I picked it up with cautious hands and read the words written upon them.

 

I would like to remind you Mr. Colegrove.

Four days.

Do no fail me, I am watching.

 

            I crumpled the page in my hands and threw it into a corner. Yes, I was painfully aware of that thought. I had wasted a lot of time debating with myself on what to do and how to approach this seemingly impossible task. But I would not fail my father and Eli. 

            The horrible, fated night finally arrived and I had set out to do my task. I had never seen anything like this. It was almost impossible to fathom the riches that there was to behold here. The palace was much different in the light than it had been in my dark escapade. The ballroom had been elaborately decorated in silks, flowers, and things that glittered and sparkled. Every outfit worn by those around me rang of money and wealth. 

            I found myself wishing for the first time since my transformation that I could eat. I had never smelled anything more delicious than the smell that was emanating from the long banquet table.   

            Of course the King’s birthday would be quite the spectacle. When you had everyone else’s money to spend one would not care how silly and frivolous things might seem. And surely these overly dressed circus performers were a little over the top. 

            Again, I noticed that strange smell and could not place it. It was subtle as the scent of the food and heavily perfumed men and women wafted through the room but it was there. This time it seemed more familiar and I knew I would recognize it anywhere now even if I did not know its source.

            I had still marveled at the ease in which I had entered. I had only hoped that no questions would be asked when I presented my stolen invitation and to my great relief there were none. I looked the part and I was very much trying to sound the part. The accent here was a bit different from that of my home but I thought I had done a convincing job of mimicking it.

            It had greatly shocked me when I returned to the tailor’s to pick up my new outfit. He had insisted that I try it on in his shop to make sure it fit. After seeing myself in the large mirror there I could only stare at myself for several long moments. I did not recognize the man who stared back at me. I did not get the opportunity to look in a mirror often but I certainly did not know the man there. He had an air of confidence and power about him. His eyes were fiercely intense, their emerald depths burning with a fire I could not place. He was big and looked like he knew how to handle himself. And his cloths were of fine craftsmanship. Surely this man was a noble.

            I had arrived fairly early; I did not want to miss my opportunity to get this right. I went immediately to the kitchen and found the servant who would be serving the royal table.

            “I have come from quite a long ways at the request of the Prince Daniel,” I had said in what I thought was the perfect imitation of the accent that was appropriate. “He has expressed his desire to taste of the wine from my fields and I have brought him a bottle of my finest. Make sure he alone is served this bottle.”

            The man agreed with no questions. Apparently this was not such a strange request. This was going to be too easy. I had taken some of the money given to me to do this horrid task and bought the most expensive bottle of wine I could get my hands on. After that it was a simple matter of dripping the poison in and re-corking the bottle. The Prince would be dead by the nights end and my family would be safe.

            I was amazed and disgusted all at the same time by the life that these royals and nobles lead. The glamour and riches were appealing. It would be nice in a way to be waited upon, hand and foot. To never have to worry about having a place to sleep, cloths to wear, or anything else. But I knew the struggling of the lower class people. I lived among them in their filth and starvation. I heard all the complaints of taxes, knew that it was because of the hard working common men that these people could have parties like this. 

            The evening began with the minstrel of the castle. It was a long and very unentertaining tale of the life of the King. It was filled with a lot of details of an uninteresting life, of his right to crown, and a lot of “live long”s. It was almost comical as everyone breathed a sigh of relief when he finally finished.

            Dinner was announced and I suddenly stiffened. It was time. Within a few minutes time the prince would be served the poisoned wine. Could I let this actually happen? Could I end a mans life? But I already knew the answer to that question. For my family, yes I could.

            As everyone took their seats at the tables that ran around the room my eyes turned to the royal table. It was quite obvious who the King was, the greatly jeweled crown gave that away. His hair was long and graying. He wore the finest of clothes; more jewels were sewn into the stitches of the fabric.

            The queen was sadly simple. It was quite obvious she was at least half the king’s age and I remembered hearing somewhere that she was the King’s second wife. Her hair was a washed out color of brown, her eyes the same shade. Her skin was fiercely pale and it almost hurt to look at her. Her clothes were beautiful yet they could do nothing to help her plain appearance.

            My eyes fell next to the man who must be my target. My blood ran cold as immediate recognition set in. The bartender had been right, he was big. His hair was a sandy brown, his eyes dark and brooding. His neck was almost too thick, nearly as big around as his head. His shoulders were broad, his torso solid and large. He probably could have held his own against anyone, except for myself. And he was the man who had not participated in the servants matches I had observed. No wonder the others had looked at him so. He was a royal finding his entertainment among the commoners.   

            Trying to get my wits back about me I continued my observation of those around me. I took in the fact that the other William was not present. He did not want to be around to witness me do the deed bidden by force.

            Food was brought to the table and again I wished I could eat what was placed before me. I had never seen food prepared in such a beautiful manner. There were things here I did not recognize and foods I had only ever heard of.

            I tore my eyes away from my plate to find the Prince again. To my great shock he was staring directly at me, his eyes unwavering. His expression was of interest, a curiosity. I could not think of anything that would make him look at me that way. There was nothing about me that should stand out from those who were seated around me; I had gone to great lengths to make sure of that. And there was something else in his eyes there. They seemed hopeful almost. 

            An overwhelming feeling of guilt washed over me as I watched the same servant bring the Prince a goblet that I was sure was filled with the poisoned wine. I observed the way in which the Prince thanked the man, took the time to acknowledge the fact that it was indeed a human being who served him, unlike those around him. He even laughed for a brief moment with the young man.

            This was a good man here. And I was about to end his life. The prince took the time to consider those around him, to voice his appreciation for those who served him, to make someone feel good about himself. He took the time to laugh and find enjoyment with those who served him as I had witnessed a few nights previous. He would be a great King someday. And I was getting rid of him to make way for the man who was willing to murder him. Shame spread through me with more intensity than even the flames had.

            I closed my eyes deliberately and called the image of my father and Eli’s faces to the front of my mind and found new resolve. The Prince was a stranger and they were my family. I had to remain focused on that or I would never make it through this.

            Dinner was wearing on and I watched the Prince as closely as I could. It was a difficult thing to do when he was staring back so intently. Wasn’t it considered rude to stare like that? Every time I could sneak a glance when he was not looking he had raised the glass to his lips to take a sip. My heart would start pounding and I would lean forward in my seat, anxiously awaiting the moment to come. Just as he was about to partake, however, a distraction would come, another noble speaking to him, a toast was made, or anything else that might cause him to place his drink down. Frustration was quickly building up within me and I was growing impatient. I made a mental note that he never seemed to touch any of his dinner. This seemed strange, surely the grand meal could not offend him in any way. His plate remained as full as when it had been set before him. 

            Finally the tables were cleared and I started to feel a sense of panic. Time was running out tonight. All was not lost just yet. Many of the people around me held onto their glasses, the Prince included.

            Everyone shuffled to one end of the ballroom and took a seat as the circus began to unfold. I had never seen a circus before and had I not been in my present circumstances I probably would have enjoyed immensely. Yet my eyes remained glued to the Prince, sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time, waiting for him to take that fateful sip.

            I found myself wondering what would happen when he did finally drink. Death would be instantaneous, I had been assured of that. Would he simply drop to the floor, unnoticed for a few moments or would all attention be on him, a spectacle for everyone to see. I could only hope that it would be quiet, that I would have a moment to make my escape before all hell broke loose.

            I found the Princes eyes locking with mine every few minutes and wondered what he was possibly thinking. Did he suspect me? If he did, his expression surely did not match his thoughts. No, surely it was something else. But what?

            The event wrapped up and the music began. Panic began again to surge through my veins. I had failed in this attempt. I had entirely depended upon the Prince doing the human thing and indulging in the wine given to him. Instead he had carried it around all night like the others, yet ignoring it completely. 

            So now I only had three days to save my family and complete my task. I was going to have to be bit more aggressive and direct apparently. I had hoped to do this with causing as little pain as possible. To let something else deliver the fatal blow. Apparently I was going to have to get my hands dirty now.

            I made my way across the crowed room to leave. Everyone was preparing to dance now, partners taking their place on the dance floor. I found irritation building in my system. How could they be so lighthearted when I felt so tortured? Their lives were going on without a thought or care and I was condemning myself to hell.

            “Excuse me?” a light and airy voice caught my attention and I realized it was directed at me. I stopped suddenly, nearly to the door. I turned to see who had called to me.

            I could only stare for a moment at the young woman that stood before me. She must have been young but every feature screamed of womanhood. She was fairly tall for a woman but it only seemed to enhance the rest of her features. Her eyes were a piercing gray and they were strange and intriguing at the same time. Her nose was slender and petite. Her lips were not particularly full but they held the most amazing smile I had ever seen. Her beautiful face was framed by elaborate curls of brunette hair.

            “I am afraid I have not had the pleasure of meeting you yet,” her airy voice rang again. 

            I struggled for words to put together any response. “I must admit I normally avoid these kinds of events.”

            “A noble who does not care for parties?” her smile remained but there was question in her eyes.

            There was something about this expression which suddenly brought the image of Elizabeth screaming to my mind and my body was ravaged with pain. A face I was not likely to ever lay eyes on again.

            “Excuse me,” I said quietly as I took a step toward the door.

            “Wait,” she called as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I paused and she walked around to stand in front of me. Her eyes were invasive as she took in my every line and detail. She placed a hand on my chest and I shuttered. There were mixed emotions surging through my body. The desire to have human contact marred with my longing for the woman now lost to me.

            “Please stay,” she whispered as her eyes met mine. They were fierce and smoldered. Her hand slid slowly down my chest and she leaned in closer, I could feel her lips brushing against my ear. “Please.”

            It would be so easy to give into my desire to be with another human, to accept what I knew she was offering. To give into human emotions and desires. But could I even consider myself human anymore? I did not even know what I was.

            I shook my head slowly, my eyes closed. I had to get out of here. I had to figure out what I was going to do next. I must stay focused. “I am sorry,” I breathed. “I must go.”

            I opened my eyes, being careful to not look back at her distracting face and took off for the door a bit faster than I should have.

            The air outside was cool and I filled my lungs as I burst into the night outside. It was refreshing and felt cleansing. I felt as if I had suddenly been covered in filth, feeling my thoughts caking my skin. I breathed deeply and felt a bit of the weight on my chest lift. It was to oppressive in the ballroom. No, I could never make it as a noble. I would never be able to handle the social pressures and façade that seemed to be a necessity to these people.

            The next day was spend in planning. It was simple yet gruesome. I was simply going to break into the palace, I would take out anyone who got in my way. I would find the Prince and I would kill him, whatever it took. My plan was to try and make it quick, snap his neck while he still slept. Should this plan fail I would have to beat him to death. It would not take long, a few blows, he would stand no chance.

            It was horrifying to think of what would happen to me after this was all over. What would happen to me after I did this damning deed? I briefly considered trying to destroy myself, to end my own life so I could not ruin any others. This thought was quickly dismissed, I did not think I would be able to harm myself, even if I did have the courage to try.

            No, I would have to live with this curse. I did not know what was going to happen to me but I was just going to have to take it as life came at me.

            When darkness had enveloped the earth and the streets grew silent I decided it was time to leave. The blackness pressed down upon me like a heavy blanket, threatening to suffocate me and I found myself wishing that it would so I would not have to face what was before me, to feel all the turmoil that threatened to destroy me from the inside out.

            It was unusually warm out tonight. Spring seemed to swiftly be coming yet it felt more like summer. While I did not sweat any longer it was nearly uncomfortable.

            I found no need to hurry to eternal damnation so I walked down the filthy streets at a human pace. I took in all the details around me, agonizingly aware that it was devoid of life. The peeling walls that rose around me seemed to look down upon me with their harsh judgments. They seemed to be whispering to each other, telling of every horrible act I had committed in my life and all the ones I was yet to commit. I felt as if with each step I took the filth of the streets was seeping into my feet and clinging to every fiber in me. I could hear water dripping somewhere, hear the ripples break across the puddle it formed. Each drip pounded in my ears, the drum roll to my fate.

            Another noise pricked at my ears. It was a moan, an exhausted, feeble moan. My attention was immediately drawn to the alley just a few yards in front of me and I cautiously peaked around the corner.

            My eyes fell upon a woman there. She lay in a crumpled heap on the ground, her cloths dirtier than they should be, her hair matted and glossy with moisture. She was shaking horribly, little soft moans escaping her throat. And lastly I noticed the large bulge protruding from her midsection.

            “Is someone there?” her voice startled me. I was surprised she had heard me. Her head snapped up, her week eyes searching the dark. “Please,” she whispered, her voice faint, “please, someone help me.”

            I nearly turned around and walked away. I was not a doctor, how could I ever be of any assistance? But then an ear piercing scream exploded from her chest. I was by her side in a fraction of a second without making the conscious decision to do so.

            “Please,” she breathed, her eyes becoming unfocused. “Please help me.”

            Terror was creeping up inside of me. How? What could I do to help this woman?

            “Please. The baby…” Her voice was barely audible now. My horror increased as she suddenly went limp and was silent.

            My mind was on the verge of panic as my thoughts reeled, trying to think what to do. Should I shout for help? But what would I look like when they found me with a still and silent woman in the streets in the darkness? They would assume the worst. I was going to have to do this myself.

            There was a sudden popping sound followed by a rushing of water. I had heard the women talk when they came to visit my mother, telling stories of childbirth, and remembered them saying something about a bag of water breaking. I remembered that a baby would soon follow after.

            The woman was bent at a strange angle. She had obviously stayed in the position in which she had fallen. Trying to be very delicate I straightened her out, hoping she would be more comfortable, even in unconsciousness. 

            Feeling completely embarrassed and totally inappropriate I pulled the woman’s skirts up. My eyes grew wide as I saw that the baby was already making it‘s appearance into the world. 

            It did not take long after that. I waited patiently yet with an almost overwhelming feeling of anxiety building up inside of me. But shortly the head was completely free and a moment later the rest of the body was out.

            The little thing was bloody, covered in other fluids, a strange gray, purple color, and absolutely beautiful and perfect. A tiny baby girl. 

            I ripped my first shirt off with one hand and wrapped the tiny child in it. 

            She was crying softly and it was one of the most beautiful sounds I had ever heard. Clean, pure, and innocent. 

            I sat next to it’s still mother for quite a long time and soothed the child. She was so tiny, so fragile. I went to pull my makeshift blanket tighter around her and one of the most momentous moments of my life happened. The tiny hand pulled free of the wrapping and rested on my hand. After just a moment her little fingers closed around my smallest finger.

            This was what it was all about. Surely this was human perfection. This tiny baby was flawless. If each of us had this kind of innocence within us then surely life was worth preserving and protecting.   Truly our lives were nothing short of a miracle. Just minutes ago this creature had been inside of it’s mother, unaware, safe, and warm. And now she was a part of this damaged and imperfect world. Simply amazing.

            I simply sat and stared at this baby girl for a long moment when I came to a realization. How could I end a life when life was so precious? Life was a gift and who was I to take it away? That task was God’s and God’s alone.

            I knew now that there was no way I could possibly kill the Prince now. I would not take his life. There was another way. I could protect my family from anything this other William might threaten them with. If I could move fast enough. It had taken me a while to find my way here but I had wandered aimlessly. It would not take me long to reach them. I wondered how I had not thought of this alternative sooner.

            As if in answer to my new resolve and need to make haste, the woman next to me began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, an expression of confusion spreading on her face. 

            “You have a beautiful daughter,” I said quietly.

            Her expression was fearful at first when she looked at me but swiftly changed to appreciation. She struggled to sit up and then reached for the child.

            I heard footsteps running off in the distance and after a few moments another woman came sprinting towards us. Her expression was terrified when her eyes fell on me and she froze.

            The new mother saw the woman’s expression and called to her in a language I did not recognize. French maybe. I figured this woman must have been her mother, the baby‘s grandmother. It took a moment before the older woman would approach but slowly she walked to her daughter’s side keeping a wary eye on me the entire time.

            Knowing now that the baby and mother were safe, I rose to leave.

            “Thank you,” she said feebly, her accent strong and thick. It seemed strange I had not noticed it before. A soft smile spread on her lips as she looked up at me.

            I managed half a smile and nodded before I was off into the night again. 

            I would have to hurry now. I only had two days to make it back to my home and I did not exactly know the way. I would have to stop and get a few things from my place here first though.

            I knew if anyone were to look through their window they might see a bit of a blur but they would never be able to tell it was a man moving at these speeds. It took only a few moments to reach my building and I raced up the stairs to the door.

            I knew there was something wrong as soon as I reached the landing. First I knew it was unlocked. I never left my flat without locking the door. Second there was that strange smell again. It was different but it was defiantly that weird smell. Third, there was a slight flicker coming from under the door and I knew that I had not left a candle lit before I left.

            It was strange yet the sensation was becoming more and more familiar as each of my muscles coiled and flexed, preparing to defend myself at any moment. If the intruder was looking to rob me he had picked the wrong place to do so.

            Cautiously I swung the door open. I was temporarily blind as my eyes adjusted and the familiar space came into view. Surprise and relief flooded my system as I processed what was before me. 

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Mafia like intrigue, a hit on the royal family, a contract and a kidnapping...this story is going beyond action packed, great stuff, just keep it coming.