Revenge: A Tale of Reckoning

Two years ago David had everything: a family, a wife, plans for the future, a whole lot of hope. Now theres nothing left. Its impossible to keep going, to accept the ache of loss. If he could turn back that cursed day, hed move mountains to stop it from happening. If only

For the first time in two years David was hurrying back into the oppressive silence of his empty house. Finally he could get his revenge for Emilys death. Hed meant to swing by the offlicence for a bottle of whisky, but he changed his mind. The hour of vengeance was here; his head needed to stay clear. He went to bed early, and surprisingly fell asleep fast. Two hours later he jolted awake, heart thudding, lungs clawing for air. He kept dreaming of Emily, her breath right beside him. He strained his ears, hoping the moment he opened his eyes shed be there. But no. The pillow was untouched. Back to sleep.

David ran a hand over the sheet. It warmed under his palm, giving him the false impression that Emily had been lying there just a heartbeat before he woke. He couldnt drift off again. He stared at the white ceiling in the dark, replaying the twoyear wait for revenge, the aching emptiness. He knew his enemy would return. He was certain of it.

On that illfated day Emily had taken off work early. She was heading to the clinic for an ultrasound. Shed been trying for a baby for years, after countless tests that left her doubting everything. She stood at the curb, and when the green man flashed across the road she stepped onto the zebra crossing first. She didnt see the car barreling toward her, desperate to cut through the crowd of pedestrians. It would have missed her if a cyclist hadnt sped out from the opposite lane. The driver swerved right, sending the car straight into Emily. She died on the spot. The driver got a twoyear licence suspension. The cyclist walked away with a few bruises. Doctors later said Emily wasnt pregnant after all.

The enemy was still out there, living with his wife and child. David had nothing, no hope. Hed decided long ago to kill the man whod taken Emily. Hed smash his car into him, pour the engines full power into the impact. Let his own family endure what hed endured. David wasnt going to hide, wasnt going to run. Hed rather die himself. Hed been dead inside since Emilys death; revenge was the only thing keeping him alive.

Sometimes David drove to the crossing where Emily fell, bought flowers, and left them on the curb. Strangers passed by, barely noticing. He stood there, trying to guess what Emily thought in those final seconds probably hoping for some good news. She took her last breath and stepped onto the crossing

He visited her grave, went to the local church, but found no peace. Only when he avenged his foe would he feel free. Exhausted, he got up, took a shower, shaved carefully, then ate a toast with tea while staring at a stain on the wall. Emily had been planning to repaper the room; David left it as it was. The stain was a fragment of his memory of her. He slipped on a clean shirt, cast one last glance around the room, and wondered if hed ever come back.

At first he just roamed the town, killing time. It was too early; his enemy was still lounging on fresh sheets beside his wife, or maybe hed already stood, stretched, shuffled to the bathroom, scratched his leg just below his trousers, taken care of business, yawned, and then showered. His wife would have already set the breakfast table. He imagined stepping out of the shower, smelling of shower gel, kissing her, and sitting opposite his son at the table. Enough, he muttered to himself. The enemy looks too decent. The man who killed my wife cant be that handsome.

He pictured the enemy the night before, having drunk heavily to make up for two lost years. He woke with a pounding head and a savage thirst, splashed water on his face, guzzled from the tap like a prisoner. He didnt shave. He sat at the kitchen table in his boxers and Tshirt. Now thats how it should be. No pity for him.

David turned the car around and drove to the enemys house. He parked in the driveway where he could see the front door. Two kids were playing on the garden swing. He settled in, waiting. Sooner or later the man would step out, with or without his family it didnt matter. Not today, maybe next time revenge would catch him.

It was late April. Young leaves were pushing through the hedges, especially on the sunny side of the yard. The pavement was still damp from last nights rain, the sky heavy with clouds, a chill in the air.

Suddenly a sixyearold lad came out of the front door. He bolted toward the playground, but then stopped, eyeing Davids 4×4. Maybe hes the enemys son? David thought, lowering his window.

What do you want, lad? he asked.

Nothing, the boy replied, staring straight at David, unafraid. My dad also has a car, not as flash as yours.

And wheres it now? Sold? David smiled at the easy line of inquiry.

Yeah. Crashed it, havent got a new one yet. The boy shrugged.

David tried to match the kids face to the man he dreaded, but saw none of it. Perhaps hed look more like his mother David could barely recall her. He did, however, remember the enemys jawline. A few raindrops speckled the windshield.

Want to sit in the car? Hop in, youll stay dry. David opened the passenger door.

The boy hesitated a beat, then the rain grew harder. He clambered onto the seat, shut the door, and the sound of the downpour was muffled inside. He stared at the dashboards red glow.

Do you have heated seats? Does it guzzle petrol? he asked, sounding older than his years.

David answered every question, feeling a little foolish staying in the middle of someones garden with a child.

Shall we take a spin? Its raining anyway, David suggested.

The boy gave him a skeptical glance.

If you dont feel like it, we can just sit here, David said, thinking to himself, What a brave little lad.

Momll be angry, the boy muttered. I get it.

Yeah, shes not about this, David chuckled, and the boy nodded.

Give me a name, then.

Davey, the boy said proudly.

Davey? Were namesakes! Im David too, David laughed. I wont kill you, of course. Youre not to blame. The enemy, thats another matter. I could just drive you far away and leave you. Hed never find his son again, and the pain would stay with him.

Daveys eyes widened.

What? Why are you telling me that? David asked.

My dad didnt hit that lady, Mum was driving, the boy blurted. She was in the passenger seat.

Which lady? a cold shiver ran down Davids spine.

My mum said shed take the blame. If she went to prison, shed die. Shes ill, always in hospital, Davey said.

How do you know all that? David asked, halfamused, halfspooked.

Im not a kid. I heard them whisper. Mum even told me.

Heat surged through Davids veins. He clutched the steering wheel with wet palms.

Why tell me? Are you going to call the police? Davey asked.

My dads already done time. Can you be charged twice for the same crime? David replied, forcing a smile.

He didnt notice theyd left the suburb. The rainslicked road stretched before them in neat white lines.

Where are we going? Davey asked, a hint of fear in his voice.

David slowed, rolled down the window, and breathed in the fresh damp air. The hum of passing traffic grew louder.

You alright? Daveys tone turned urgent, his eyes surprisingly understanding, and David felt a flush of heat again.

Do you really get it? Kids and animals dont lie, David thought. What am I doing? He turned the car around and headed back to town.

Emily was gone forever. The enemy hadnt hit her; his wife had taken the blame and paid for it. Who now deserved vengeance? Her own fate was sealed a failing kidney, a short time left. What had Davey just said? My mum only has one kidney and its failing. And me? I was even thinking about taking revenge on an innocent boy

Who were you with when your mum was in hospital? David asked.

With my gran. She has a bad heart and never liked my mum.

David watched the wet ribbon of asphalt flash past. The rain stopped.

How old are you? Davey asked.

Seven. Ill start school in September. Do you have kids? David shivered. He wanted to tell the boy hed once longed for a son, just like him.

Arrived, David said.

They pulled into the driveway. The neighbourhood kids ducked inside to escape the drizzle. No one ran around screaming or crying. Davey opened his car door.

What are you here for? David asked, a little confused.

What? Oh I came to visit friends. Nobody was home. Davey jumped onto the pavement.

Will you come back? David asked.

Well see. If I get a new car, maybe we can ride together. I dont have a son or a daughter. No one. He paused. If your dad buys a new car, thatd be a good option. He wont regret it.

Thanks, goodbye, Davey called as the door shut.

David waved, then drove away, buying a bottle of whisky at the nearest corner shop. He found a patch of wet grass by the river and swigged straight from the bottle. It burned his stomach, and he lay back, eyes fixed on the sky. The clouds cleared, revealing a bright blue.

Hey, mate, you feeling okay? a hoarse voice called.

David opened his eyes to see two teenagers standing over him. Hed fallen asleep on the grass. He jumped up, headed for his car.

Hey, you want a drink? one of them shouted.

Its too early for you lot, David muttered, picking up a nearfull bottle.

A string of curses drifted behind him. He didnt turn around.

He got into his car and drove home. For the first time in two years he felt a sliver of freedom.

Lord, I almost did something terrible. Thanks for keeping me from it. I could’ve used a son he whispered, tears blurring the road ahead.

Revenge, he realised, is a life spent feeding hatred. When you chase it, you waste the only unique life you have on someone else even on the enemy. You lose, win or not.