Remorse - A little too late

As I walk under the moonlit sky I think of my predicament. My future seems bleak. I feel the soft mud under my feet, wishing my future was as malleable. Unfortunately all of our wishes do not come true, that much is apparent. I am walking at a leisurely pace since I have nowhere else to be and also because I want to reflect on my deeds. Why is it that life has a cruel way of haunting us with our past when we finally embrace positivity? A past I had resolved to leave behind. A past that I had believed would not taint my future. I had been wrong - so very wrong.

It’s true what they say, your past never truly leaves you. Dressed up in a snug Armani suit I dig my walking stick into the mud irately. This night is just as unpromising and ominous as my future. Suddenly, the dark eerie clouds in the night sky part, revealing a beautiful crescent moon. The cawing of the crows makes me anxious and my desperate attempts at shooing them away only makes them caw louder. An ill omen perhaps?

In a few hours, I shall present myself to ‘The Brotherhood’ and await my sentence; it terrifies me beyond measure. A member of the council of ‘The Brotherhood’, I had misguided and deceived the men who had so warm heartedly put their faith in me. Decent men. Unbeknownst to the common man, they were modern day warriors rebelling and fighting for justice; men who had provided me with worldly pleasures that people could only dream of. As a moral war waged in my mind, and just when I had decided to give up my debauched ways for good, my follies were discovered, leaving me in a state of misery and regret. What truly irks me though is that I regret getting caught more than I regret my blunders.

I believe trying to run away is of no purpose, not that I haven’t tried. Why else would I be walking in the middle of nowhere at this unusual hour? The vibration of my silent cellphone alarms me – a text message. My heart skips a beat as I read the following words; “The Brotherhood always knows where its members are, no matter how hard they try for it to not be so”. Gasping for air, I drop down onto my knees and cover my face. I will have to face ‘The Brotherhood’ and accept my fate. Unless…
A gunshot breaks the haunting silence of the night. I feel light, and at peace. Rising slowly into the sky, I notice a body sprawled on the muddy ground in a growing pool of blood. The crimson liquid shines under the moon; soaking into the earth to which I will finally return.

My Innocence

I have been born to serve and I have served diligently. I have lived with a family for three decades now and know them as well as the back of my hand. A horrendous twist has however left me shattered at this old age. As I hobble towards the dingy cellar window I reminisce about the good old days and a tear oozes out of my eyes and cascades down my cheek. A child, not my own, was murdered a few days back and I was held responsible for the murder.  Pray tell, how could an old man be capable of such atrocities? A shudder runs through me as I think of the cold blooded murder. I had lived with Maria since she was a baby and I took care of her as I would take care of my own little girl. What motive could an enfeebled man have for such a dreadful deed? I was a chauffeur and did not even have access to the house. It’s not cynical to believe that an old man like me will get no justice; it’s just the stark reality. I am disfavored and frail, someone who has already given up on life. Will I spend the rest of my days here? I wonder desolately.

Other servants did not like Maria because she wasn’t of a genial disposition and was a tad bit rebellious. She really liked me though. I think I was her mentor; a father she never had. How could I murder someone I was so fond of? The police are still investigating and I am plagued by the thoughts of who the real murderer could be. Could it be the neighborhood guy, who always seemed to be stalking Maria?  Nobody even considered him a suspect. Why only me? Was I an easy target? A scrape goat maybe.  Marias sister is a little dove and a free spirit. Maria was younger than her sister and they both loved each other dearly. Maybe she will free me if I ask her to. Would she go against her family though?

So many questions. Yet no answers.

Marias mother was a sympathetic woman and might come to my rescue but the aunt will surely not let her do so. The cursed woman has always accused us servants for almost everything that has ever occurred in that household. It was almost as if she was trying to cover up something else. Something big. The father was a nefarious man and will probably make sure I rot behind these bars forever. How could he not feel even an ounce of guilt? They all know I was nowhere near the house when Maria was killed yet I am being castigated.  I hear an echoing clang of metal doors. Suddenly guards arrive accompanied by another woman. Marias mother. I stand rooted to the spot, staring at her. Could this be a mistake? They lock her up in a neighboring cell and I eavesdrop on their conversation. Marias mother was bipolar and had actually murdered her own daughter.  My Maria. My heart creeps up my throat and I hit the grubby floor.