8 08

Murder, a heinous crime in the modern law system. The act of slaughter is expected to be shunned upon by the masses and it is rightfully so. The right to live should be celebrated and the act of killing should be rejected.

If only an ideal world exists...

if only... just in a dream...

Life is subjective. The privileged, middle class, working-class, and the underprivileged each has its right and wrong. It's own do's and don'ts. It's agreeable and disagreeable.

Killing in war is an act of valor; killing in the wild is an act of survival; killing in the kitchen is just an act of sustenance.

Life is lost at each of instances and yet it is perceived very differently.

If one holds a blade in my hand, is it right or wrong?

If one swing the sharp edge down causing harm, is it right or wrong?

If one cause a loss of life, am I in the right... or am I...

... wrong?

Is it the harmless reason? Or the harm-inducing act?

Somebody ...please ...tell me

The screams of Dr. Shilong faintly being heard in the background. As the cold facade of Lydia crumbles as soon as he walked out from the hospital room. In the common restroom of the hospital, Lydia washed her hands times again and again until the soap dispenser was empty.

An emotional uproar wrecked the soul of Lydia, she looks down at the white calluses of his palm, she sees a tinge of red. Such a shade of red is a mark of good health, however, Lydia sees the red as a prelude, a curtain-raiser for more deeper crimson stains to taint his hands.

Mr. Liu who trailed Lydia was right outside of the restroom, hearing the muffled cries of the young girl. Though he took a half step multiple times, he could not bring himself to walk-in and comfort her.

'Comfort? Is that even possible for me?'

'How will I comfort her? What will I tell her?'

'At such a bleak moment even lies are considered a luxury, but she is too poor on his luck, even for lies.'

'She needs to cast away her compassion, steel her soul to become what she should not to even have a chance at survival.'

'I am a damned law officer whose post and authority has only become a plaything for the creatures vile in this society.'

'Despite my denial, I've known. I've always known... that I chose survival over righteousness. I've sinned, letting my soul rot a little every day.'

'I will never ask of you to give up on your soul, but if that is your choice you're forced to, I'll commit one more sin and let you become what you should not.'

'Your father entrusted you to me and I've let your march into hell..."

'...I'm sorry.'

'but, step forward, march onto the gates of hell even if it kills you. Being kind to your enemies is cruelty upon oneself.'

'A hunter is capable only if he could become a beast himself. To bite back, you need to grow fangs and claws of your own.'

'The least I could do for you, Lydia, is to bear the sin letting you become something not human.'

The mental tirade of Mr. Liu is not heard aloud, but the faint reflection of him on the glass pane of his opposite, reflected not just his stoic face, but also the eyes that were very familiar to Dr. Shilong.

Eyes that are not human.

*splash*

The cold water dripping down Lydia's face as he sees the reflection of him in the mirror. The reflection is the visage that he had seen throughout his life, but today it looks subtly different. Lydia has always been a child of curiosity, but not today. There is only one thought in his heart and soul at the moment.

'Whatever it takes...'

A simple phrase, but that is the difference between the spineless whiners and the valiant. No amount of argument, morals, righteousness, or reasons nets you the effectivity that is brought forth with the act of the one who was consumed by the heavenly will of making his demands happen.

Whatever it takes, wherever the road leads, at the cost of whatever needed, with the sacrifice of everything, the valiant paves the way!

Her blood will mark the path for those who walk behind, the bones act as the guard rails that stubbornly resists the smidgen of hope from disappearing.

The flesh as sustenance for the allies, and bait for the foes.

The valiant makes strides that the meek can never fathom.

Always a step forward, always with a cost, despite being fully in the known.

Lydia walks out only to find Mr. Liu standing at the door. People of character talk with gallant banter that thunder the chamber and the walls or they only share a look to understand and make the other to deduce. Lydia and Mr. Liu had nothing to say to each other, a short gaze is enough.

"Thank you for everything, Mr. Liu."