Vindictive (Complete)

XVI

    The cold wind blows through the open window, chilling him to the bone. Fall was almost over, winter coming soon. All the rain the past two weeks made it even colder. Summer felt just like yesterday. The beginning of this Fall was so warm. Now it’s just, so cold. Snow would arrive sooner than he thinks.
    Edward already tried closing the window. It’s stuck. He runs his hands along his coffee mug, trying to keep warm. He can remember him. It was not too long ago. He lost someone he really loved. It was so cold, that night. Alex Hunter was murdered deep in the old metro. Isaac Axton found him first. His body must have been so cold.
    Edward looks at the picture of Oasis after the fire. The second floor was burnt down, two people almost died. Two did. Their smoke alarm didn’t go off. The body was so burned. They of course knew who it was, even with the face burnt off. They still checked his DNA just in case. It was Charlie Cooper. He had called the police, telling them everything they needed to know. Edward plays the tape one last time, before they called his name. He was so tired.
    “Nine one-one, what is your emergency?”
    “H- Hello. My name is Charlie- Charlie Cooper.”
    “Yes? What is the emergency?”
    “You need to come to the Oasis Motel. Room twenty nine. I want to turn myself in.”
    “What are you reporting, sir?”
    “It was us. It was all… us. The two drug hideouts. The one downtown under the bridge. The one in the desert. Robert… Scott.”
    “Us? Sir you’re not-”
    “Isaac Axton. He wanted to take them all out. He wanted to kill Simon. He wanted to avenge Alex Hunter. He went too far.”
    “Simon who?”
    “It doesn’t matter. It’s all over now. Isaac killed a little boy. He killed him for no reason. I want out. I want to do the right thing. You can find the bodies on the shore, near the mountains. I can’t remember exactly where.”
    “Charlie, stay right where you are. The police are on their way. Stay on the line with-”
    The call ends, Charlie Cooper hanging up. The recording ends, Edward sighing. He takes another drink, the coffee so warm. The break room is nice. They even have bananas in a bowl, next to the fridge. Isaac Axton. Edward remembers him. He can see it all, now. Isaac wanted to avenge his friend, who was killed. They checked all of Isaac’s phone records, the others using prepaid phones. They all spoke of Simon. The last name? They are still looking. He wonders who Fernando, Fedor, and Dante are.
    Isaac and Charlie had done it all. They killed so many people. So many innocent people. Finally everyone will see they are not heroes. They did not do this for the women. They did this in the act of revenge. They did this, in the most selfish way. At least Charlie Cooper made the call. Edward can respect him for that, if nothing else. Charlie’s records were… rough. His life was not easy. Edward would blame the parents for most Charlie’s actions.
    “Edward! You’re on!”
    Edward takes the last sip of his coffee, licking his teeth. He straightens his tie and pushes his chair back under the table. It was time for him to let the world know what has been going on.

    The chains rattle as Dante walks.

    Isaac’s body is covered in bandages. His side is covered from the stab, the bleeding stopped. His face is partially wrapped, the huge gash across still healing. It hurts Isaac to talk, his cut on the lip pretty deep. Isaac looks at Dante, now broken. Fernadno had chained his hands and legs together, chaining it to the floor. He is now their prisoner. Just as Scott had it done to Fernando’s son.
    They gagged him, silencing him. Fernando has morphine for the pain. Only Dante knows, Isaac only needs a tiny bit. Only a few drops. They pass him the syringe. 10 ML. They would never know… he could give him all ten. It would kill him. His heart would stop. He would fall asleep. He would die right here, the morphine killing him. Dante fills the syringe, men watching him closely. They have no idea.
    Dante enters the syringe into his arm, watching it enter. Isaac is staring at him closely, their eyes meet before he gives him any. As Dante stares into his eyes... he knows. Everyone is afraid of Isaac. Especially him. He knows what they will do to him if he kills Isaac. He can’t. He is afraid.
    Dante gives him just a few drops, pulling the needle out. Isaac sighs deeply, the pain already starting to pass. Dante sets the needle down on the table, wishing he had killed him. He knows many will die because of him, now. Dante prays to his God. He prays for forgiveness. He was afraid.
    They take Isaac out of the room, setting him down in Fernando’s office. Isaac smiles, the pain going away. He is so happy he survived. He is ready to kill Simon Stone. Fenando enters the office, taking a seat. They lock eyes and Fernando taps his fingers on his desk. The TV is on in the corner of the room, the news starting.
    “Let’s talk about what happened.”
    “Of course.”
    “You killed Charlie. Why?”
    “Charlie lied to me. He was the one who killed Alex. He was the one who took him away from me. For that, I killed him.”
    “The police?”
    “I’m… I’m not sure. They came so fast. I think Charlie had something to do with it.”
    Fernando nods, tapping his fingers.
    “We didn’t need him. Simon is still in our grasp. We can do this. We can rule over the city. We will be… unstoppable.” Isaac tells him.
    The TV announces the tragedy last night. Edward comes on the screen. Isaac points, watching closely. Fernando turns his eyes, watching too.
    “Last night two people had died in the fire at the Oasis Motel. I have detective Edward Smith with me, to explain the story.”
    “Good morning. We received a phone call around nine o’clock last night. A man named Charlie Cooper had called the police. He told us, him and his partner Isaac Axton had committed several crimes. Many of you have heard about these during the past month.”
    Isaac’s stomach drops. Charlie really did it. He is hoping they don’t know who Simon is.
    “Isaac Axton’s friend, Alex Hunter had been murdered by a drug group. Isaac Axton seeked revenge for his friend's death, using Charlie Cooper. Charlie admitted to the killing of Robert Miller and Scott Gray. He also admitted to the death of three people found at the beach. They were found a day later, after Charlie told us the general location. He mentioned Isaac had killed the child, and Charlie wanted to turn himself in that night.”
    Fernando looks to Isaac, his face blank. He can’t believe Isaac killed a little boy. This time there was no excuse. This was no accident.
    “We are searching in Isaac’s apartment for any useful information along with his destroyed car. His mother in Missouri told us she hasn’t spoken to him in years. She was shocked to hear the news. Rose Adler gave us as much information as she could. His former girlfriend reported him becoming abusive before she left him. She had no idea he was capable for this.”
    Isaac looks down at the floor, thinking about what he has done. He should be ashamed. Isaac would have been. Isaac, however, is gone. This is someone new. He is proud. He feels so very, powerful. They show his face on TV, a picture of him at work, moving furniture.
    “If you see this man, call the police immediately. He is a killer at large. He is no hero. We need to stop him, at any cost. If anyone knows of anything that could help us, call the number below. This is a threat to the city and its people.”
    Edward rubs his hands on his face before they cut away. The weather is next after the commercials. Isaac looks to Fernando, who is clearly upset.
    “Isaac… a child?”
    “Fernando… everything I’ve had to do needed to be done. That child would have ruined everything. I will not let Simon run free. He needs to pay.”
    Fernando sighs, shaking his head.
    “Fernando. Listen to me. We could have control. We could be the most powerful men. We can do this. I know everything.”
    Ferando sits up, ready to listen.
    “What do you know, Isaac?”
    “The man we kidnapped. Simon’s man. He told me everything. Simon is at his boat dealership. They have women come on the boats. That’s how they work.”
    “Good. Now we have to find a way to attack. They will see us coming. You’re all over the news. It’s over.”
    “No. I have an idea. One last… plan. There is a boat. Uh… what is the date?”
    “The twenty first.”
    “Tomorrow. They will have a boat coming from the north, tomorrow. If we wait. It should be at night.”
    “Okay. So there is a boat of women coming from the north, tomorrow night. What next?”
    “We will board that boat. It will be a rather large boat. Does anyone here know how to use a boat?”
    Fernando thinks, nodding.
    “Yes. One of my men.”
    “We will use him. We will shoot everyone on that boat. We will arrive with the boat right on his dock. We will attack from there.”
    “Isaac that is insane. Even if this does work they will just shoot us off the dock.”
    “Maybe. That’s where you come in. While they are distracted you will drive from the road, attacking their backs. We will continue from there. I want everything Fedor Ivanov has. We will win this battle.”
    Fernando thinks about it, nodding.
    “Fine. You have gotten us this far. Get some sleep. You need it. I'll wake you for some dinner later. We will visit Fedor tonight. He will give us those guns and we will finish this. We will wait with the boat until tomorrow night. You will board that boat.”
    Fernando turns off the lights, leaving the office. Isaac lies his head down on the couch. He is tired. He could rest before tomorrow. He could get a few hours of sleep before he kills Simon. Isaac feels pride from being on TV. Isaac loves to be recognised for his work. He closes his eyes.
    The light flashes on before he knows it, Fernando waking him up. Isaac rubs his eyes, feeling a little better. He slept for hours. Fernando enters the room and sets a sandwich with water next to him, before sitting on his desk. They lock eyes as Isaac takes a bite.
    “Isaac. We are ready if you are… but-”
    “Yes?”
    “I have an offer. I would like you to hear it.”
    Isaac takes another bite, listening closely.
    “I know a man. This man can change your name. He can change your face. He could give you a new life. You could live in another country. You can have your life back. Isaac… this is your last chance to have the rest of your life. You are young. In my old age, I know how precious time really is.”
    Isaac sets his sandwich down, listening.
    “I have no hate towards Simon. He is competition. Of course I would love to be rid of him. I would love to be on top. I also know… how important the other things in life are. This is your last chance. Take it or leave it.”
    Isaac grins, having his answer.
    “Thank you. I understand. I don’t want the easy way out. I want to finish what I started. I know this is my last chance. It will never be the same. Simon will die by my hands. That’s my goal. That will not be the end. I will rule the underworld. I will be the name everyone fears. I will be the name people use to curse the weak. I will be the shadow on every street. I will… be god. Isaac Axton will be the name they fear. They will be afraid of me.”
    Fernando nods, heading for the door.
    “Fine. We will leave to visit Fedor soon. Enjoy the sandwich.”
    He leaves the room, shaking his head. Isaac is in deeper than he knows. With an attitude like that, Ferando will kill him if this all goes to plan. The snake will strike the other, eating him. What Isaac forgets is he is dancing with the devil. You can’t trust the devil.

    The waves crash in the night, slamming against the shore.

    They have arrived safely. Isaac looks at Fedor’s home, standing strong as ever. They exit the van, knocking on the door. Fedor opens, looking at Isaac in disgust.
    “Трахни тебя.”
    “What?”
    “What do you want, Isaac?”
    “We want weapons. It’s time for Simon Stone to die, tonight.”
    Fedor sighs, opening his door. He knows Isaac killed Charlie. He killed his golden heart. This is his last time selling to them.
    “Fine. Buy what you like.”
    They enter the house, his fire is lit in the morning light. It feels calm inside, peaceful. Isaac admires how lovely his home is. They enter the basement, Fedor unlocking the windows. He slides them open, his weapons looking back.
    “We want all your rifles. Burst too. Pistols, ammo, and we need explosives.”
    Fernando nods, pointing.
    “Take what you like. Then we will discuss payment.”
    Isaac takes a rifle off the wall, fully automatic. He grins, ready to empty the magazine upon Simon’s men. He grabs an explosive as everyone else grabs a weapon. They all take bullet proof vests, needing them. The basement is packed, twenty four men inside.
    They all leave the basement, heading for the vans. Fernando and Fedor speak in the corner about price, nodding. They agree on a fair price and Fernando pays him. Isaac walks up, looking at Fedor.
    “I can promise you this. When we are done… you will have all the business you want. Simon will be dead and you will be rich. You will be glad you helped us.”
    “Of… course. I will be.” Fedor helps them exit the basement.
    They shake his hand and exit the home, Fedor locking the door behind them. Fedor sighs, and sits down next to his fire. He is ready to leave. He knows no one will survive this. He would never sell to Isaac again after what he has done. Fedor takes out his phone, making the call. He wants to see his family again. He needs a break. He is never coming back.
    Isaac and Fernando drive down to the water, a few miles away. They are ready to wait for the boat. They are ready to wait until nightfall. They arrive, the small boat waiting to be put in the water. It’s silver with one motor on the back. Used for fishing. Fernando’s man is waiting next to the boat.
    Hector will sail the boat to Simon’s front door. Isaac smiles as they stop beside the boat, climbing out. Isaac shakes Hector’s hand. The wait has begun. Night will come soon enough. Fernando takes off down the road with his group, ready to attack when Isaac arrives. The plan it in motion. Isaac helps put the boat in the water. In the evening, he watches the waters. The air feels so cold.
    Isaac wonders how Emily is doing. He wonders if she is alive. Now he may never know. He never loved her like Alex, anyway. However, Isaac only loves himself now. He has become what he never wanted. He is alone now. He is a fool.