Repercussions

Part IV

The Sun has again touched the horizon, turning the ocean sparkling and orange. Sailboats glide the calm seas.

After years of search, Inspector Bruce Gallanger finally has the man on his mercy, the instigator of the Bayview bombings ten years ago that claimed more than 600 lives. With his pistol stuck to his left hand, he manhandles his suspect, head covered with a sack, to a speed boat left behind on the old boardwalk. Gallanger disobeyed a direct order to take him to maximum security. The entire Los Angeles police force is currently tracking them down, thinking the inspector let him get away, but it doesn't deter him. This is something he had to do.

The suspect laughs the whole time as he pushes him to the boat. Hearing the sirens behind, Bruce starts the engine and revs it towards the Sun. A few miles from shore, he stops the boat. He then takes off the terrorist's mask and looks at his face with deep contempt. A long white scar runs on the side of the man's face.

"Nice to see you," the suspect says, smiling.

Bruce hits his face with the gun, and then aimed it at him. The man still laughs as he spits teeth and blood from his mouth.

"Tell me this is all a joke," says Gallanger.

The man stands. "Do you think destiny led us to this moment?"

"Did you kill my family?!"

"I think it did. Old age really brings wisdom to oneself. There's an infinite chain of events that would've led to a different outcome, but still, here we are, at the crossroads. Our journey in life has been leading to this very moment. Who would've thought it would end this way?"

"Answer me!"

"You know why I killed all those people? They don't deserve to live. They spend and waste blindly, while those in the streets freeze to death in the rain, with nothing to feed their souls. All the money I stole, I gave to them. I tried to help them."

"Then why my family?!"

"You know why, Bruce. You know why."

He hits the man again. "Say your last words, you wretch!"

"You're such a little pussycat. You're still honoring this... thing despite everything."

Bruce cocks the gun. Tears flow down his face. "I wasn't. I took you here so I could kill you myself."

Gallanger then turns to the sound of a chopper barreling toward them. Seeing a chance, the man pulls his arm to him, punches Bruce's face and chokes him with his arms. He digs the gun into Bruce's head.

"I'm not gonna die right now, cop. God wants me to continue my work. This world must be cleansed, and I'm not gonna stop–"

Bruce pulls a knife from his boots and stabs the man in the leg. He screams in pain, and the inspector recovers his gun. The police helicopter hovers just above them.

"It's over, you garbage. Give up! You're done!"

"Yes," the man says. "Yes, I believe it is."

"Just tell me why! Why did you do it?! What in the world happened to you?"

With the gun aimed on his face, the man smiles. "I hope God will forgive you for what you've done."

A loud gunfire emanates from the helicopter, and shortly after, the sniper bullet pierces Bruce's chest, instantly killing him. The man rises and wipes his face as blood floods the boat. He looks at the chopper and gives a thumbs-up, then turns to the fallen inspector.

"See you in hell..., traitor."