To find justice for them.

story 1

I walked through the double doors at the mall. Cool air conditioning blew over my flushed face. I stopped a second to look around. to everyone else I just appeared as a normal brown haired doe eyed girl with converse and a long sleeved shirt, highly inappropriate from the extreme summer heat. Sweat ran down my legs beneath my baggy cargo pants and I fidgeted trying to make up my mind
He was here. From my report the private investigator had given me, I could normally find him at the food court anytime after 4 pm, lounging with his friends.
My grip tightened around my weapon
A flat knife , wire thin and razor sharp, only 6 inches long. I walk through the halls seemingly window shopping. After almost getting distracted by a gorgeous pair of black combat boots I spot him. He was tall compared to my 5 foot frame. A good 14 inches taller. It used to intimidate me but after many self defense classes I knew how to use the difference to my advantage. I slowly , calmly started to approach.

The hair on my neck stood on end. I noticed that  there were people  watching  me. Everywhere I went people were watching.
My breath shortened and panicked. Walking passed him and into the girls restroom .
It was empty, I walked over to the last stall and locked myself in. Dropping my bag to the floor I steady myself.
It was harder seeing him than I thought it would be
I opened my bag and pulled out the white dress.
The one he despised, he criticized me the moment I put it on. Finding flaw in it and in my body, scrutinizing every inch until it was either to his perfection or I knew some flaw would never reach his approval
In my mind flashes the shards of champagne glass still laying on the floor, the stain on the wall. Where the glass barely missed my face
I closed my eyes to get rid of the thoughts and shake my head.
I quickly undressed and  pulled the dress down over my head. it settled in ruffles over my small hips. lace detailing rising above my small breasts to reach my fragile collar bones. They stuck out to much as I was much to skinny. I stuffed the rest of my clothes into my bag and left it in the stall.  I glance to inspect myself in the mirror.
Pale pink pouty lips were pulled into a frown.
Lines were faintly painted on my forehead from to many nights of stress and worry
Fluffing my hair I grabbed my slim weapon and walked out.

Once again, I feel eyes staring at me
I shake my head. My Paranoia was getting to me again. Always seeing people staring. 
    After years of isolation I had begun to see my old colleagues in every face I encounter. 
My dress swished against my bare legs.  I was here. On a mission. Not revenge or money but justice. The justice that the brave women and men that had died in my precinct deserved. Such a young boy... How could he cause so much damage. My mind raced back to all those years ago

3 years ago

I walked in. The metalic scent of blood permeated the air thick like a cloak. Clawing at my throat as I saw the disaster before me. I freeze. My friends but more my family. Slaughtered. Casey with her cheerful smile always baking cupcakes and sweets lay behind the main desk. Eyes open and unseeing I wanted to look away but I couldn't slowly something else enters my conscious a hoarse breathing can barely be heard from the other room I walk to the break room and fall to my knees. Sam was leaning against the wall clinging to life his hands pressed against his wound. A knife was till buried in his chest to the hilt

"Sam what happened. " He grasped my hand with his, it was cold and clamy.

" He was looking for you Alex, some how he knew you were here. Thank God you were late. Always running late "

I knew who he spoke of.
Tony had been searching for me for months. In that time I had run, befriending a small town cop days after I ran out of money and found my belongings stolen one night while I slept on a park bench. From there bloomed a beautiful friendship, and i had even got a job cleaning the local police station.

But that was all gone. My crazy ex boyfriend of 4 years had taken another piece of my life.
Coming out of my thoughts I slowed my pace.

There he was.

This was my chance.
My one chance of redemption for bringing such suffering to my friends and thier families

He was laughing leaning over and whispering into a beautiful blondes ear. I wonder if she realizes what kind of monster she has let in her life. Or like me she is just oblivious and in love. 
as I watched his name falls like a whisper off my lips barely audible.

"Tony."

He turned and stared in shock at me .
Nothing changed as we stood there.
Once again I was 14 scared, hurt ,and alone.  he was still 22 self assured and handsome. Until one looked deeper in his eyes. Where the depths of his cruelty was hidden by humor and grace
He stepped twords me like a snake .
Like the snake I had milked of its venom and applied to my weapon hours ago.
This time. He would come to me. But I would not be brought down. I would not cower any more.  The hum of humanity going about thier day shopping without a care in the world was blocked out as I stood there. I could see the anger burning in his eyes.
The blond grew frustrated at the sudden intrusion and called him back hoping to turn his attention
I stepped forward to meet him. I could feel his breath on my cheek as I swiped with my knife at his face. Over and over he fell back covering his wounds with his hands.  I continued to attack. For every time he hurt me, and forced me, for every moment I lay awake wondering if he would find me in the next. I plunge the firm sharp knife into his chest. he wheezed and tried to fight back. I know his lung was collapsing already the poison was taking affect his eyes are glazed and his face flushed sweating and he struggled to breath. In the back of my mind I hear a voice shouting and suddenly I feel a burning sensation spread across my back shoulders and legs. The sensation is like being stung by a thousand bees. I finally gain my composure. A crowd has gathered, the officer who tasered me is rushing to hand cuff my wrists.
EMTs are rushing to Tony, checking for a pulse. The blond girl screams in horror. I'm pulled to my feet. There's tiny droplets of blood speckling my dress that I notice as they read my rights. I don't think it's mine. It must be Tony's blood. It's not enough to pay for what he did , but it's enough that he is dead.
The last thing I see is the EMTs zipping the black bag over his face and loading him into the ambulance as I am shoved into the cop car. I look out the window and into the crowd. They are gone. My friends faces don't stare at me in the crowd of nameless people.
With a smile I close my eyes. I can finally rest.