Nightmares or Nothing

"Upon the wall I read a short phrase, no doubt meant to intimidate and threaten. Yet, after looking around at the poverty, crime, and famine that plagued the streets, it seemed a reminder rather than a threat:

'And in this place there is no cross, no crown, no sacred ground
All is done and left unsaid'

On the slick brick building behind me, another phrase. This one was in a language I couldn't understand, yet something about the words rang too many familiar bells. I wasn't able to put my tongue on exactly what it meant, but it also seemed more a reminder to law than a threat:

'Ojo por ojo'

Without a moment's hesitation, I walked on, all too aware of the red streaks that painted the sky in long, crimson wisps."