Vengeance

The clock had barely struck midnight when Veronica heard the noise downstairs. She remained still in her bed for endless minutes, desperately trying to convince herself that those were not footsteps she was hearing across the living room floor.

“ There is nothing to fear.”

She was in a new city, a new state… far from him.

Although the divorce had been final for twelve months, the memories of her brief marriage still haunted her. She still could not understand how the dream had turned to nightmare so quickly. Had it really been her, this woman cowering behind large sunglasses, always claiming she had fallen down stairs or walked into a door? She hadn’t fooled anyone.

The footsteps sounded again and Veronica sat up, determination flashing across her face. Bruce had found her. She was not sure how she knew, yet there was no doubt in her mind.

Opening her nightstand drawer, she grabbed the gun stored there. The metal felt cool and reassuring. She was prepared, had left enough clues for him to eventually track her down. It had been his choice, though he didn’t know it. Had he left her alone, she would have been content to let sleeping dogs lie. He had signed his own death warrant by coming after her.

The house was quiet once again as she left her bedroom and climbed down the stairs. She could feel his presence. Her right hand clutching the gun, she flicked on the lights with her left hand.

“ Show yourself.”

She never saw the blow coming. White light blinded her and she fell to the floor, blood gushing from her broken nose. As her vision cleared, she found herself staring at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling above her.

It was the last thing she ever saw.