Beast 16

The fear of reality, not as she would have it, but as it inescapably was, took her, and the animal came out. Her nails were claws and her teeth, weapons; “I could kill you now – before you could even move…” It was an empty threat, and we both knew it.

It cost her much, but at last she threw herself before me. “I beg you to spare me – show me the mercy which I have lacked… Please!” The last word was ripped from her lips in a wail. Her old accent was strong – she had been broken and reduced. If she was released now, she would flee. It would be years before she’d be bold enough to return to the city, to kill in my precinct.

But she’d had her chance for mercy long ago, in another time and place. No one becomes what she was without choosing it. She had never shown mercy to anyone – not to my apprentice, not to the young man behind the club at the strip, and not to whomever’s blood was on Her lips tonight. She deserved no mercy. I had no desire to give it to her. But she got it.

I spoke: “Release those souls you hold within you. They aren’t yours, and that’s why they’ll never satisfy you. Do this and repent, and nothing will keep you here.”

There was no moment of hesitation, no time to consider; “No!” she snarled. “It cannot be done! They are mine!”

And it was over. Whatever half-life she had vanished when her head left her body. There was no mess. Even her corpse would not survive the night. I opened the window, so a breeze could catch the dust and scatter it. I can’t know what happened to the souls she stole, or even her own soul she bartered. I hope they’re free now.

She had called it upon herself. It was what she had really wanted all along.

End