I avoid looking at Scipio, as we stand still inside King Abner's room. We're all the heroes of our own story. The villains of someone else's. I killed a man. One I knew nothing about, out of pure greed and desperation. And that doesn't make me a hero.
Even though Scipio sent me the letter, disguised as "X". Even though Abner was horrid. I should've refused. Yet I went along. Became excited, wanted to be a savior. And I killed a king. The king of my own country. I killed Scipio's brother. A future father. Another human.
"I'm sorry," I say, keeping my eyes focused on the ground.
Scipio pauses. "Don't be. You did what you did, and there's no way to undo it. It's time for us to move on with our lives. I'll give you the money. You deserve it." He smiles, revealing sharp teeth.
I nod, and walk out of the palace. When I reach the main road, I take a seat on a bench. Near a large sea. I watch the waves. Mysterious in the night sky, only moonlight to shine. Picking up a rock in front of me, I toss it into the ocean. Watching the water ripple.
Even though we have opposing views, there's nothing black and white. The world is so full of grays. Glorious shades of gray. And that's where almost all of us are. I'm just as awful as King Abner.
YOU ARE READING
To Kill A King
Short StoryI am aware of your situation. Your struggles and constant exhaustion. So I have kindly put together a request. In exchange of one million dollars... Together, we'll take pleasure in killing the king.
