Veins of Rage and Redemption

After several trips over a few months, the young men in the village began to find this all quite exciting. Not only were we paid to accompany the trips, but it also provided an opportunity to visit the city.

That night, the sounds of nocturnal animals were especially loud, stars in the dark sky sparkled like a sea of lights, and the air felt chillingly cold. Finally, the pick-up truck we were riding was ambushed by a group of people. Our vehicle was returning much later than usual due to engine repairs in the city. The owner's wife and their daughter were seated in the front of the truck.

I stood atop the pick-up and looked around. The same scenario was unfolding: a fallen tree blocking the road and several menacing-looking men armed with machetes, knives, and axes, shouting and demanding the driver to get out. Those of us in the back of the truck fell silent, a mixture of fear and confusion, unable to respond to the situation. Though I had replayed scenarios like this in my head multiple times, facing the reality was always different from my imagination. I was paralyzed until I recognized the face of a robber approaching the passenger door, attempting to drag out the owner's daughter. Instant rage filled me, recalling a memory I'd never forget, and in that moment, I knew what I had to do.

I swiftly drew my machete, which I had sharpened numerous times with anger, hatred, and revenge in mind. Before the robber could pull the girl out, my blade swung and slashed deeply into his shoulder, dangerously close to his neck. My heart sank, as this was the first time I had used the machete to harm someone. His blood splattered on my face, and he screamed in pain, shocking his companions. I stood still as he fell to the ground, trying futilely to stem the gushing wound with his hand. Another robber, in rage, hurled his axe towards me.

Startled, I tried to dodge, and the spinning axe narrowly missed my head, embedding itself with a thud into a tree behind me. The sound almost drained the courage out of me, but the immediate fear soon transformed into blazing anger and emotion. Filled with rage, I leapt down from the back of the vehicle, wildly swinging my machete, ready to face the assailants.

It was either me or them.

Several young men from the back of the truck, scared and confused, watched in shock as I charged. The vehicle's owner, who had remained silent inside, quickly opened the dashboard and pulled out a handgun with six bullets that he had prepared for such confrontations. Hurriedly and shakily, he began loading it.

I lost control, wildly swinging my machete. As soon as I jumped off the vehicle, several of the bandits immediately surrounded me, brandishing their sharp weapons. Their blades tore through my clothes and skin in several places. In return, my machete found their flesh more than once. Several robbers lay on the ground, shouting and soaking the soil with their blood.

Now, five of them encircled me, brandishing their machetes, knives, and axes. I panted heavily, warm liquid covering my blade and hand. We kept our distance, eyes locked, waiting for the right moment to strike again. Suddenly, the loud bang of a gunshot pierced the night, startling everyone. A bullet lodged into the ground between one of the robber's legs, kicking up a dust cloud, and they all ran off, leaving me behind. For now, my life was spared. Under the moonlight and the vehicle's headlights, my face, hands, and clothes were covered in blood. My clothes were torn in multiple places, with blood flowing freely.

"Are you hurt?" asked the vehicle owner, who approached me, examining me closely. "Most of it's their blood. Just some superficial wounds on me," I responded, trying to dismiss the pain I felt all over. The owner, still holding his gun, looked around to ensure no bandits were still lurking. "Everyone, get down and help move this tree!" he shouted to the stunned passengers at the back of the pick-up. Immediately, they jumped down to attend to the fallen tree trunk.

No one dared address me as I walked past, and I climbed back onto the pick-up, taking a seat in a corner. My mind struggled to process what I had done. This was the first time I had harmed another human, tasted blood, and felt a blade slice through an opponent's muscles and flesh. It all felt so surreal, yet very real. It was somewhat exhilarating and astonishing. My body shivered.

Since that day, there were no reports of robbers on that path, and the villagers gave me a nickname, which reflected the intensity they witnessed.

"Rage".

Jaime "Rage" Hunter.

***

Time kept passing.

I gazed at the blue sky above. Since that night, I never hesitated in making decisions or facing battles. But after that incident, I began to rigorously learn self-defense. However, I was also well aware of my mistake; a person shouldn't be so quick to harm another. While violence may sometimes be necessary, it doesn't always solve problems and can even create new ones.

I nearly killed Michelle.

I felt a pinch in my chest, letting it linger. Michelle was probably still angry, and instantly I felt her teeth sinking deep into my chest, prompting me to hug her tighter. I didn't resist her bite because I knew I deserved it. The emotional pain and fear I caused Michelle must've been worse than a mere bite.

"I was just joking," Michelle whispered softly after giving up her bite.

"I'm sorry," I replied, feeling Michelle's body calming down, no longer trembling. Michelle moved within my embrace, and I tightened my grip, reassured by the warmth of her body, affirming she was still alive and well.

I hadn't inflicted irrevocable damage.

"Why did you do that?" I asked after a prolonged silence, "Pretend to be Jess, I mean."

"Your princess was looking for you earlier at Eve's Cafe," Michelle whispered.

"Who? Princess?" I stared at the drifting clouds in the blue sky.

"Nadia."

"Oh..."

'Whys she is looking for me?'

"I met Jess; he was also looking for you."

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat.

Michelle continued in a whisper, "I confronted Jess because I didn't expect that you'd actually overpower him. He got angry and threatened me to expose the truth about you."

I tensed up, and Michelle could clearly feel my heartbeat accelerating.

"And then?"

"I showed him the insignia as proof of being a member of the BtP Intelligence Division and told him you were also a member of the BtP Intelligence Division from International BtP and were under my protection. Jess wouldn't dare mess with the Intelligence Division. Plus, I threatened to report his disciplinary violations. So, he quickly apologized, admitting he was drunk. Anyway, if the BtP knew of his actions, he'd be punished. He even promised to do some favors for me if I kept this secret and asked you to not tell anyone either."

"Really?" I asked. Michelle chuckled, "He only dares to bully newcomers or juniors and fears those in higher ranks."

I felt slightly relieved hearing that the issue had been resolved because deep down, I've been uneasy for the past month whenever I saw Jess and Daniel, fearing they might recognize me.

Those who do wrong always fear.

"So how did you defeat them?" Michelle asked, still curious.

I gently stroked Michelle's head, "I threw a stone at Jess. Since he was drunk and it was dark, he couldn't dodge and immediately fell. As for Daniel, he tried to catch me while he was intoxicated. By ducking and tripping him with my leg, he fell headfirst. I think he passed out right away from the alcohol. Plus, he left a blue bruise on my leg that lasted till now."

Michelle laughed, "And your princess thinks you're some great fighter who defeated those two monsters." I grimaced, "If they weren't so drunk that they could barely stand, I might've ended up like roasted or minced frog."

Michelle hugged me tighter. "Jaime, why were you so intent on killing? I thought you were a good person."

I couldn't find an answer.

"I thought so too," I replied, feeling Michelle trembling again, possibly recalling the earlier event. "I'm sorry," I added.

"Do you feel guilty?"

I looked at Michelle, who was listening to my heartbeat, "I'm clearly guilty towards you."

"Then clean my apartment, accompany me to buy a birthday gift for my boyfriend?"

"Anything," I said, feeling somewhat relieved, sensing she had somewhat forgiven me.

"And…" Michelle pressed herself closer, "Kiss me…."

"Why?" I asked, slightly puzzled.

"Because you almost killed me… And…" Michelle hesitated, a bit shyly, "Because you saw me... cry in fear."

I gazed at the bright sky, watching the clouds slowly move across the vast expanse with a gentle breeze blowing.

"It seems like a big deal," I replied with sleepy, closed eyes.

"I think so too," Michelle added.