How It Happened {Harrison Oneshot}

I remember that morning very clearly. I had gotten up and gotten dressed, just like I would on any average day. That day, however, I carried with me a bag that contained something a bit off key from the usual. Residing in the bag were some things that would be capable of serious harm; a large knife, as well as some smaller, still just as sharp knives. They were packed carefully so they wouldn't clack around in the bag or poke through it, as well as so that I wouldn't cut myself when I reached in to get them.

Shoving my boots onto my feet, I kissed my wife goodbye and went out the door. Little did she know what I was up to so early that morning. It was a Saturday, meaning that I wasn't going to work. Instead, I was going to be headed to a house of someone down the way a bit. It certainly wasn't a friendly visit, however. I had something a bit more exciting and a bit more surprising planned.

For months I had been listening in on this man's conversations whenever I could, and I knew what he was plotting. He was planning on doing to my wife exactly what I decided should be done to him instead. He was going to kill her. This morning, however, I would be ending his life instead. I knocked on his door. I knew that at this time, approximately six o'clock in the morning, he was the only one in his home.

My victim came to the door and seemed rather surprised to see me. He didn't, however, know what I was up to, and invited me inside. I knew he didn't like me, so it was actually somewhat odd for him to invite me in without too much hesitation. Regardless, I entered his home, closing the door behind me. He offered for me to set my bag down, but I told him I'd hold onto it. There was no way I would let my weapons leave my side just yet.

We got into conversation, going back and forth about recent happenings until he had to leave for a minute to go use the bathroom. It was finally my chance to rid the world of this vile man. When he entered the bathroom, I opened my bag and unwrapped the knife of my choice. It was sharper than the others, and shone in the light of the room. I stood up and quietly approached the bathroom, waiting outside the door for my dear neighbor to exit.

When he finally did leave the bathroom, I swung at him with my knife. Unfortunately, I only managed to nick him on the shoulder, as he noticed me and got as out of the way as he could. Immediately, he tried to run past me, heading to the kitchen. I ran after him, and when I got there, he had a steak knife in his own hand.

"What the Hell are you doing?" demanded the man. I simply grinned at him and charged at him with the knife. I was inexperienced at killing, as I had never done it before, but I knew I would be successful. I slashed my knife at him, and he barely dodged it, slashing his own knife at an unguarded part of my body, slicing my left side. I slashed at him again, this time making contact with his shoulder. He hit mine as well, however. I winced in pain, but didn't let it stop me. Kicking the man to the ground, the steak knife clattered out of his hand and I kicked it away from his reach.

Holding him down with my foot, I then made the final blow. I delivered my knife into the center of his chest and a struggled scream came out quickly before his life faded away.

I though I had gotten away with it all. I was wrong. Someone had seen me. Why had I done this in broad daylight? I should have waited until dark. Someone had seen it all unfold through the front window, and just minutes later, I was taken down by Peacekeepers. There was nothing I could do.

Those particular happenings are ones that most people would likely regret. I, however, still don't regret killing the man to this day. It was all worth it, even if I'm now a slave to the Capitol as an Avox. My bloody knife stayed in the man's body until his family arrived, and they had to see what had happened. I may not have seen their reactions, but I would have loved to see it. Yes, I'm a rather sick-minded man, but I find it to be worth it. Life as an Avox is just a fine punishment for me. I saved the life of someone I love, even if she doesn't want anything to do with me anymore.

I didn't just do it for her, however. I did it for me. I needed the blood on my hands.

W O R D S
831

M U S I C
'Enemies' by Shinedown

T A G
Oneshot

N O T E S
This is a flashback.