Tactless Temerity

18

Josephine

"Come." Sigurd pulled my hand and I reluctantly followed as we walked towards the bounded person.

Tumigil kami sa harapan nito at iniwan niya ako para maglakad na papunta sa likod. I waited for him to do something, but then horror struck me when he took the sack off the person's head.

"Hello, babe." A thorn crown-wearing-bloodied up demon personified Preston Zarate greeted me. "Did you miss me?" I also realized that he was sitting on a toilet, like a throne.

"Hayop ka!" I heard Clifford shouted but I could not take my eyes off the man infront of me. His left eye has a piece of metal piercing through it and I could barely recognize him had he not talked first dahil magang maga ang mukha niya, even his clothes, I thought he was wearing red, but it was originally blue and was just soaked with blood.

"What do you wish to do, Josephine?" Sigurd took my attention and I felt my tears falling down my face.

"Give me a fucking axe." I managed to cry out.

"That's what I thought." Sigurd looked at me with pride in his eyes as he motioned for one of his Reapers to hand me my request.

It did not take long before I was already holding it and gripping it tightly. Lumapit ako kay Preston.

"You have taken a lot from me. How could you live with it?"

He chuckled menacingly.

"It's really simple, babe." Dumura siya ng dugo. "I have no conscience...however, I did enjoy your sweet pussy."

Hindi ko napigilang sampalin siya. Or maybe I could have swung the axe on his face to get it over with, but I stopped myself. I don't think I could ever. My limits were nearing and holding on to the axe could just very well be a demonstration of power, that I can swing it...that I will hold the outcome. But I can't do it. I still had the need to be morally good...even if parts of me were screaming for his blood.

"What if it was your child?"

"Then I'll pay for it when I take my last breath. But I am not gonna be sorry for something that was...offered to me." He looked at Clifford's direction and snickered. "Kasalanan niya. He should apologize." Using the top of the axe, I tipped his cheek so that he could look at me.

"Eyes on me...babe." I echoed his words, and I saw how his eyes flickered at my attempt to rattle him. Putang-ina, hindi ko alam kung saan ako humuhugot ng lakas para harapin siya. My insides were squirming and I feel like vomiting just being this near with him. Humihina rin ang paghinga ko, pero kailangan ko itong lagpasan. "Do you think I want an apology?"

"Not at all, babe...you want me to suffer as much."

"That's where you're wrong. You don't deserve to anything and I the idea of blood on my hands...especially yours...is tempting...but. I want to be much more selfish and vengeful for once. You see, it's not just you that made me suffer." Nilingon ko si Clifford. "Halika dito." Tawag ko.

I turned towards Sigurd who was raising a brow at me, his arms were crossed, but nonetheless he was unmoving, just waiting and probably ready to break Preston's neck should he try something.

"Josie..." Clifford trailed as he stood in front of me. I handed him the axe.

"Turns out, the man I love knows me so well that it extended to you." Bumaling ako kay Sigurd. "Thank you for this gift, Sigurd..." Then back at Clifford. "Now this is mine to give you. Hindi pagpapatawad. You're ambitions had gone full circle, Dr. Aragon. Kung ano man ang gusto mo ay gawin mo sa hawak mo ngayon ay gawin mo, pero huli na itong magkakalapit tayo. I hope you respect me...for once."