They Will Pay

Pain.

Such a small word, but what a world of hurt it carries.

In all my life, I never thought I'd be capable to experience such an amount of pain, but when the love of your life lies in a bed fighting for her life, all you think about is that.

Pain.

So much pain.

I watch my wife, my best friend, my lover—my entire fucking world—from the crappy recliner this hospital provided, wondering how the heck we got here. I wish I could take her in my arms and make it all better, but the words the doctor just delivered with pity in his eyes make the hole in my chest rip wide open.

She might never wake up.

I miss her smile. I miss her eyes. I miss her hair.

The nurse had to shave her long mahogany locks, and now her head is wrapped in white gauze.

She looks so fragile, so small...

It's not fucking fair!

It's all wrong. She shouldn't be like this, she doesn't deserve it.

Fuck, no one does.

A new word pops in my head and, with it, the fuel I need to move.

Rage.

So much rage.

For I know exactly who are the sick bastards that did this to her, to me, to us.

And they will pay.

They will pay for every hour that has gone by without hearing her voice.

For every fucking tear our lovely child has shed.

For every miserable second I haven't been able to kiss my wife.

They will pay...with pain.

"You sure about this?"

His question doesn't surprise me, what surprises me is how long it took him to ask in the first place.

"Yes," I respond, the word curt and final.

I have no doubts. It needs to be done.

For me, for my wife, for our daughter.

He nods once and swallows hard. I can almost taste the fear rolling off him.

"So, how much?"

He shakes his head. "Nothing, bro. I got you covered."

"And the supplier?"

He gives a smirk. "He's been dealt with."

I almost roll my eyes. "Speak out, Jacob. I have no time for riddles. Is he dead, yes or no?"

He nods. "He's dead. I put a bullet in his head."

"Good."

He hands me over a duffel bag with a grim smile.

"Here's everything, man. If you need anything else, call me."

I nod, not really caring. I won't need anything else from him anyways.

"Let me know when it's done, okay?"

My grin is dark and full of malice.

"Oh, you'll know when it's done."

I turn and walk back to my car.

As soon as I sit behind the wheel and shut the car door close, his trailer explodes and goes up in flames.