Shadow's Within

38 : A rest is well deserved

The air is silent. Relinquishing the information Chase had told me causing my head to spin around. "The anonymous reporter was you!?"

"I'm afraid so" he said calmly.

"That would make sense why would the organization targeted you" I held my fingers on my chin. "I was skeptical at first why I was given the task to kill you.. a writer. Now I know why"

"I couldn't understand how they knew it was me" his eyes bounce up. "I was very discreet when I hand in that evidence to CNN. I wore glove at all times... only one person knew my real identity.. and when I was being interviewed I used a voice transmitter.. I couldn't even fathom how my identity is known."

It took me a considerable amount of time to devour the information. This man here is partially responsible for the economic loss in America. The stock market sudden plummeting had caused an uproar. No wonder the organization had placed him in their list. Normally people whose placed into the organization list are people who are deem too dangerous to our clientele; and unfortunate for him, the people who runs the companies whose stock market had plunged are among our clients.

"I guess somebody knew about you" my eyebrows rise. "And that someone wants you dead... your action had caused the people in the higher-up in quite a stir."

"I had to do it!" he almost slams his fist at the table but stop at the last minute; not wanting to attract attention. "Do you have any idea how much the people in Kuwait suffered because of those heartless bastard?!.. I was there.. I saw kids living in the streets.. their body.. bones sticking out of their skin.. people rummaging the streets for foods.. those poor people.. they were innocent. Just because those companies wanted to fill their pocket... they were willing to sacrificed the life of innocent people.. kids, and adults.. even the elderly lay dead on the street.. rubble of rocks were their bed.. garbage bins was their food... I couldn't stand it"

His expression alters; his eyes fluctuates. "So.. one day I sneak to one of the companies.. managed to get into the office of the CEO, and what I discover reels me to my bone.. an agreement between the Kuwait government and them indicating they would exchange the rate of the expense of the oil in the country.. the Prime Minister would get a cut in the whole excrement.. it made me sick.. toying with people lives just to ensure a better life for yourselves"

"Then when I investigates further.. I uncover the cover ups they implemented during the shoot-out that caused those children lives!"

I didn't remark; only listening to his concise confession. The whole situation seems a little devious. Frolicking with hundred thousands of lives as if they were disposable meat is worse than brutal. It is beyond human nature.

"I'm sorry" the only word I could muster.

"Why you apologizing?" he mentions.

"I... don't know"

The door flings open. A couple walk in. I observe them, their affection; the way they interact, the passionate feeling they share. I always wonder what my life would change if I didn't follow this path. What kind of man I would find interesting and commit my life to? Other people sat in their respective booth. One old man sits alone; wearing a thick coat and a NYU cap. Opposite him is a younger guy, close to my age perhaps, with his varsity jacket and linen pants, jugging down on his third beer. These people all walk in on varied life. Their life is based on their decision; they own mind judging the path they took as they age. I tried imagine these people were the victim of the conflict happening in Kuwait. They wouldn't be stuck here in the diner drinking, thinking to themselves their life choices. Instead they would be devoured by the constant hunger and succumb to their devastating poverty and professed the virtues of life they taken granted for.

"It's true" I said, checking the watch. "The world is a constant revolving door, drawing all sort of people in without we knowing their true nature... most of them are saint but some of them are demon mask in the face of human.. they just want to see the world burn.. they don't care who they hurt in the process.. because it's just in their nature.. our nature as human.. we're predator by instinct.. the moment we see a slight opening to cause harm to others.. we would quick to draw our swords.. the rule of nature. Survival of the fittest"

"It's all bullshit if you ask me" he recoils. "These people could just rot in hell... if somehow if I have the chance to push them into the depth of the abyss myself..i would glad to shove their sorry us in there and see their screaming fast as they fall into the darkness."

I'msurprised. This is a whole different person sitting in front of me. His eyesfill with hatred. The force in this mind determines he's dead serious of seeingthose people responsible die. Suddenly I'm scared. I'm hoping he wouldn'tfollow the path of vengeance and hatred. It's not a pretty ambiance, walkingthrough life seeking revenge; it would only entice despair. I can't let Chasedraws his own unfortunate future. He's not meant for this. A life of bloodbath.It's not something I would want someone to fill in their live; especially forthe man I starting to care for.