Ultio Dulcis

Prologue

Prologue

Rain poured from the sky and pummelled the pavement turning roads to rivers. Hunched figures hurried to their homes under the dark sky to find shelter from the persistent rain. The drains and gutters overflowed with water and slopped haphazardly over the sides – splashing any pedestrians who happened to be beneath them.

The inhabitants of Montfield town scurried to their destinations and drove quickly in their cars. But one man wasn’t moving at all.

Waiting in a dingy alleyway he wore a long black trench coat with wide pockets, and he stood with a drooping hood that concealed his pale face. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, and he toyed with several crumpled five pound notes as he waited for someone.

Two minutes later, a dark figure emerged from the hammering rain, and slipped into the alley beside him.

“Good evening, Abe, how are you?” he asked, his voice an emotionless monotone.

“Have you got what I ordered?” queried Abe.  

“You always were straight to the point," when Abe didn't reply the man sighed. "I have it right here.”

A grin spread over the Abe’s face showing crooked yellow teeth. “Good. Did you get it -”

“From the source we discussed, yes. Have you got the money?”

“I do.” Pulling out the four notes he handed them to the man. “Now, my order…” he was about to continue when he was interrupted.

“This isn’t enough.”

“What are you talking about, that’s twenty pounds there!”

“This isn’t enough.” The man repeated still speaking in the same monotone voice.

“Well it’s all I have so you’re just going to have to take it or leave it.”

“It’s not even enough for a third of what I have here. You’re going to need to get more.”

“I don’t get paid for another month, and I need it now!”

“You should have thought about that before.” The man pulled a clear sealed bag from his pocket full of white powder about the size of his palm. “This is what you want, and, what you’re going to miss out on.”

“Oh just give it here, I’ll pay you next week.”  

“I don’t think so. Apparently once you build up a tab you tend to…neglect payment.”

“I do not!” The man now consumed with desperation and fury.

“Well, even if my sources were incorrect, you’re still not getting this.” The man turned and started to walk out of the alley.

“Hey, what about my money give it back!” he yelled desperately.

“I’ll be taking it. Since you wasted my time calling me out here when you don’t even have enough to pay for the packet. Which, might I add, that I painstakingly acquired for you. I’m taking the money.” He sneered in reply.  

Abe held out his hand and beckoned the man towards him in a ‘come here’ gesture. “Oh just hand it over!” Abe yelled, frustrated, but the man ignored him.

His anger building, Abe ran forward and grabbed the back of the man’s jacket. Swinging him around with one hand he used the other to reach for the pocket that held the bag full of white powder. It was the wrong thing to do. Before he knew what was happening, he was slammed into the brick wall of the alley and the cool blade of a knife was pressing against his jugular. “Get off me!” Abe yelled, but his voice was now a tenth of its previous fury.

“It is nothing personal, Abe. It's just business.”

In one swift movement, the knife slashed across Abe’s throat. Blood poured from the wound and down his neck. The man stepped away from Abe, who slumped to the floor, clutching his slit throat and gargling curses as blood bubbled in his mouth and spilled over his lips.

As Abe lay twitching on the floor the man bent down to wipe the bloody knife on his clothes before tucking it back in his belt and ambling away.

The police could pick that one up.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AN - Ultio Dulcis means Revenge Is Sweet in Latin :)

Thanks for reading! Don't forge to leave a comment and vote/like/tweet/share :)