#43 The Face of the Enemy

by Eduardo Martinez

This ends tonight.

Nico walked into the dimly lit room, where the light flickered and buzzed like an angry nest of wasps to face his tormentor. He walked up to look him right in the eyes. This man had done everything possible to make his life a living hell for as long as he could remember. Nico was surprised to find a small, frail shell of a man who looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. He looked disheveled and defeated.

No matter, it was time for him to pay.

Nico stared at him, daring him to speak, waiting for the moment to strike. He stood silently, sizing up his enemy, eyes locked in an unflinching glare. Nico watched, as a bead of sweat ran down the man’s brow and he clenched his fists. With all the strength in his body he threw a wild punch at the man’s face. There was a loud crack and something shattered. The lights flickered out for a moment as Nico’s legs went rubbery, and he fell to the floor. He laid there, his knuckle bloody and full of broken glass, surrounded by pieces of the broken mirror. Sobbing, he grabbed one of the large shards and finally realized what he must do.

This ends tonight.