Shorts

The Pawn Becomes the Master

"If I could go back and change it, don't you know I would?" You've never asked me that before. Now, I hear those words flee your thin, pink lips as you sit up in your flat, four hundred miles away. Are you in that same spot? Is that red and black chair still positioned at the perfect angle by your window, overlooking all of Los Angeles? I heard you couldn't bring yourself to move it after I left.

Swallowing, I try to stop my hand from breaking and will the growing lump in my throat to disappear, all to no avail. A quick cough will do nothing to mask this amount of pain, so I take one labored breath and slide down the wall.

My shoulders and hands start to shake. I'm glad you aren't here to see this. I promised you would not see me break. Even if you were the one to bring the pain, you would not be allowed to witness the aftermath. This war is mine and mine alone. Just because you walked beside me for that battle doesn't mean you can continue on. Your duty is complete. You have served this island. Retreat, my love. Your work here is done.

Don't you dare show your face around here again. Need I warn you of the consequences should you disregard my words? Oh, the blood that has been shed in these alleys. I own these streets, or did you forget that? Well, don't dare to make that mistake again. You may not live to see another day.

You knew you were stealing a warrior's heart. Did you really think it wouldn't end like this? You thought you could get away with tearing me down once. Break, apologize, repeat. That's how it worked on all the other girls, right? Well, you said it yourself. I am not like most girls. I know what I'm getting myself into and exactly how to get out of it should something go wrong. Something definitely went wrong here. You cheated. You told me she was just a lab partner. 'Hey, practice ran late.' 'Sorry... we have a huge lab report due tomorrow so I'll just be with Megan for a while. Can we meet later?'

Your lies bore me. I see through them all. Did you really think I wouldn't figure it out? Was there a better outcome to this plan or are you just as dumb as they say? A good player never gets caught, like a good spy. I didn't think someone would need to teach you that, but here we stand. I also never thought you would tear me apart, but you didn't hold up that end of the bargain, either. Oh, well. I am slowly getting my revenge. Just you wait.

I have friends in this town... more than you know. Each and every one of them will gladly tear you apart; all I need to do is say the word. They will come running from the shadows, the darkest alleys, the places even your gang wouldn't even dream of turning. We guard those holes, the ones you called graves. Are they really graves if so many living come crawling from their depths? I can't tell. Maybe it's just a sick joke you have, but I don't want to stick around to find out.

I'm too far gone. Don't try to catch me. If you even think about crossing over to my side of town again, you will pay. We will find you. We will take you and end you. Don't test me, sweetheart. You taught me this. I learned from the best. You said so yourself... no one could have trained me better. Do you want to see if that's true?

You're scared now. I can see the sweat dripping from your skin. We had a nice run. Now go. I have nothing left for you here... unless you want me to take care of you now?

Those words made you shake in your boots, so I guess not. That's fine. I have my resources. I can always find you, mark my words. You called me dumb, useless. You couldn't be more wrong. You have left fingerprints on seven things in this alley since I found you. Your gang lurks in the shadows. I doubt you know where my men are. They never leave my side, I can promise you that. The second I give my signal, they will come running. If I want them to, they could leave you lying in a puddle of your own blood... but that's not who I am. I'm better than that.

I am better than you. Maybe I always have been. That's not for me to decide. Oh, well. Maybe one day, we can know. People talk. They'll trust me. Who would ever suspect that a small, brown-eyed girl would be capable of such terrors? Do you really think they would believe you when you tell them what happened tonight? The bodies I left behind? No... no one will take your word for it. You would need to present proof- proof you and I both know you will never be able to get. You're too scared. I'm not.

Remember. Remember all those nights I spent awake, learning your weaknesses. Remember the hours I spent, the blood I shed, the tears I pushed back, training for this very day. I never would have guessed it would come to this. I never believed you would be the one to betray me. Look at us now.

You picked me up. You took me in. When I had no one, you were there for me. I gave you everything. Not once did I let you down. Now you think you can turn around and stab me in the back? Why? Who taught you to be so cruel? I sit in your blood? I hope you didn't poison me with that evil, too. I would hate to turn into the person you have become. I do not know the warrior standing in front of me tonight.

I always thought I would be able to repay you for all that you did to me. Now, I'm not so sure. Do I join you? No... I would never betray my own people. I'm not a sadistic bitch. Maybe you are. Maybe that's why you did this. Don't tell me; I don't want to know. That question seems better left unanswered. Just tell me this... was it fun? Did you enjoy pulling me in just to let me fall from the sky? Are you like him?

You swore you wouldn't, but look where we stand. Your malicious grin is all I need, your talons gleaming in the moonlight, teeth flashing... thirty-two swords aligned. I will not let them cut into me again.