Thoughts

Lesson

"I gave you two weeks. Yet you're still here. Haven't moved at all, gone anywhere, why is that?" The hooded stranger towered over the poor trembling man whose face paled at the question.

"You keep asking for more time but don't put it to use." The stranger continued. "I've been merciful, you know? You should be dead by now, and I'd have the things I need. In fact, I think I'll kill you right now, since you're too pathetic to even come up with an excuse for taking so long." A piercing noise resounded as he reached under his cloak and began to unsheathe his sword.

The man seemed to finally gather enough courage to blurt out "I'm sorry sir! Something turned up and I had to take care of my family. They're all I have sir please, forgive me." He knelt to the ground pleading, and felt a sudden burst of hatred, for this damned man standing before him, and for himself having stooped so low he had to beg for his life.

The stranger tilted his head, interested. "Your family, huh? Well then...I suppose, yes..." He trailed off muttering to himself.

A spark of hope ignited in the man's chest, thinking that maybe the stranger would understand. But the hope was short lived as the stranger's next words replaced that hope with dread: "I will give you three days, only three, for you to bring me what I asked, and if I see that you haven't got a move on, or haven't returned in those three days, your family will be dead."

The man, still kneeling on the ground, collapsed to all fours, for he knew that it was impossible to complete the task in three days, and that his family would be killed by this man, assassin.  He felt a despair like no other, hopelessness coursing through his body, and he wanted to admit defeat and surrender right there and then, knowing all was lost, but he was all his little kids had. They couldn't survive without him, they had no chance alone in this cruel world. At least he himself could take care of himself, he could live on if he wanted to.

"And do you know who will kill that family of yours?" The hooded stranger continued to torture him. "You. It may be me who goes through the process of taking their lives, their souls, but their blood is in your hands. I hope you learn a lesson here, to not show your weakness to anyone, especially your enemies. Because trust me, I'm not your enemy here. Actually, don't trust me. That's what got you into this mess."

The despairing father swallowed bitterly, and looked up to see the stranger disappear into the shadows. Just as he stood up to leave he heard the wind whisper into his ear.

"You are your own enemy"