Unforgiven
Part 6
By Heather
Mick
I suppose by now he has told his precious little wife. He’s been in there awhile, I’ve been watching. Such a pretty little bitch…I can’t wait to…ah, but she can wait. I’ll deal with her later, and my dear brother. They are last on my list. First comes Mommy dearest.
How convenient, that she is locked up in that tiny, oppressive little jail cell. How convenient, that Springfield’s finest are a bunch of bumbling idiots without a fucking brain in one of their heads.
They’ll never recognize me; I’ve changed a lot in the past 2 years since I left this shit town. I’ll just walk right in there-and have the first of MANY revenges.
Carmen is just the beginning.
I light a cigarette and watch the paper kindle and sparkle in the early morning sun. I think I’ll head on over to the jail, to see my dear, sweet, caring mother. Inhaling a quick puff, I enjoy the ashy, bitter taste of my Camel Red, the burning sensation at the back of my throat soothing me. Flicking it down to the ground, I crush it with my boot, and then climb into my Toyota Corolla. Sure, it’s not what I’m used to driving, but I need nondescript. I’ll get what’s rightfully mine soon enough.
Ray
I’ve been waiting down here in Carmen’s office for close to an hour. I don’ t know what Danny is doing up there…quite franking I don’t want to know…but I hope he comes down soon.
Being in Carmen’s office makes me nervous-it always has. Memories of the past wash over me, the secret meetings, the orders…the bloodshed. At my hands.
I’m sitting in my old chair, the one I always sat in, when Carmen called me in to send me on my next assignment. It just doesn’t feel right to sit in any other chair than this one. Many a day I sat here, dreading the next mission, the next death…the next sin.
I haven’t been a priest that long…maybe that’s why I still don’t feel like a priest yet. I still feel like that sad, scared, 21 year old boy-the one who dreaded the nights, the coppery taste and smell of blood…the death of another soul at my hands.
I can still feel the gun in my hands…I can still see those sad faces; tearfully pleading with me…I see them every night in my dreams. I thought I was safe from all that now. I thought the church and God had saved me from all that. I thought that my family couldn’t touch me any more. But I have seen my past flashing before my eyes every minute since I found out…since I found out he is alive. My love of Danny will draw me back in…no matter what I do.
Danny
With a heavy heart, I left Michelle’s sleeping side. She looked so peaceful…so innocent. Not for the first time, I felt unworthy as I looked down on her beautiful face. I will never been able to comprehend just what it is that makes her love me, but I thank God everyday for that love. It gives me things I never thought I would have. I will do anything to protect her and that love.
I quickly changed clothes-into a pair of black jeans and a black t-shirt, making sure to not wake her. I pause on my way out the door, to press a soft kiss to her forehead and smooth her silky blonde hair away from her face. I whisper, “I love you,” in her ear, then quickly let myself out.
Heading down the stairs, I try to think of what I’m going to do. I know I have to find Mick—but first I need to find out what the hell happened. It’s all so damn confusing!
Suddenly, I find out not only that Michelle didn’t kill Mick after all; I find out that the brother I thought was, in fact, dead and buried is still very much alive. I have a sinking suspicion that Carmen knows all about this. Dietz too.
I walk into Carmen’s office. I still can’t bring myself to call it my office. It’s all temporary anyway. Ray’s sitting there sullenly, looking extremely lost and alone. I go and sit behind Carmen’s desk.
“Well…did you tell her?” Ray asks. His face immediately registers my answer, without my even saying a word.
“I couldn’t bring myself to do it Ray. Not yet. I mean, I don’t even know if it’s true…or if it is HOW it is true,” I say softly. I lean back in my chair and sigh heavily. “I guess first order of business is to find out what the hell is going on.”
Ray sighs too.
”I guess you want my help don’t you?”
I hate to ask it of him. I know how much he hates our family and our way of life. But I just don’t know whom else to turn too. No one else knows this business inside and out like Ray-except me.
Again, my look tells Ray all he needs to know. He reaches up and pulls out his collar. His eyes return to mine-looking dead inside.
“I’ll hold down the fort here,” he says, rising to stand beside the desk. “You go talk to Carmen.”
Rising, I take his hand. Shaking once, we let go, a deep understanding passing between the two of us. For both, there is no turning back now.