Paper Trail

By Flame

Chapter 1

Innocence

The year 2020, in the suburbs of Chicago.

As six year old Melody ran for the safety of the big tree the tall grass brushed across her face. It was almost as tall as she was, and hid all but the top of her head. It was perfect for playing hide-and-go-seek. Vince, the boy who lived next door to Melody always liked to play with her here. He was nine years old and quite the man in her eyes. He never would’ve found her if she’d kept quiet, but she couldn’t help giggling at the way he was searching everywhere for her and couldn’t find her. Now he was chasing her and trying to tag her so she would be “it.” She ran for her life towards “base”, the tree with the tree house high in its branches.

“A, b, c, base on me!” Melody chanted the little rhyme as she touched the tree. She was safe now.

“Not fair!” Vince panted.

“Let’s play again!” Melody said as she brushed her messy blonde hair out of her sparkling blue eyes. Vince watched her and wondered if she was a real girl or an angel.

“Okay.” he said, and began counting again. For Vince, anything was better than going home where his parents continually screamed and fought with each other. Out here in the wide open field behind his neighborhood he felt free for once. He could forget about all the pain at home. And being with Melody, the little girl who lived next door, was like being with an angel. She always found way to make him smile and forget his pain. This was where he wanted to be.

Chapter 2

Memory

Six years past as Vince and Melody’s friendship grew until one day it suddenly had to come to an end.

That night there was a soft tapping on Melody’s window. She got out of bed and pulled back the lace curtains to see a familiar face. She opened the window slowly and quietly so it didn’t wake her parents.

“Vince? What are you doing here at this time of night?”

“I’ve no time to explain everything but I’m running away.”

“Why?” Melody gasped. He didn’t answer but held his flashlight up to his face so she could see the bruises. He had a black eye and a big purple bruise on his cheekbone.

“What’s happened to you?”

“It’s my dad. He’s an alcoholic and when he gets drunk he beats me and my mother. At first it wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t tolerate it, but now that dad lost his job he’s started drinking more and things have been getting worse. I can’t stay there anymore so I have to leave forever.

“But he hurts your mother too! What about her?”

Vince thought to himself; “It’s just like Melody to ask such a kind hearted question.” but out loud he said “Of course he does. I can’t say she doesn’t deserve it either.”

“Vince!” Her tone was reproachful. “How can you leave her like that? You’ve got to stay and help her.” Vince couldn’t look into her eyes when she looked at him that way.

“It’s her own problem and she can deal with it herself. I’m leaving and nothing is going to stop me.” he mumbled to the ground.

Melody was quiet for a while.

“Okay. She finally sighed. Vince looked back up into her eyes.

“Why don’t we leave together?” he asked earnestly.

“I can’t leave my home, not even for you.” she argued.

“But we’ll be free. We could go anywhere together. We could see the world!”

“I can’t. My family needs me. Maybe someday we can see the world together but not now, not yet. I know you need your freedom so just leave if that what you must do. I can’t come.” Her voice sounded sad as she spoke, as if she was about to cry. She felt like she was letting go of the only thing she cared about and wondered if it really was the right decision.

Quinn just looked at her and didn’t say anything for a long while. Melody fidgeted with her white nightdress uncomfortably. She felt like he could see right through her.

“Okay. But promise me you won’t tell anyone what I told you. You’re the only one who knows.”

“I promise, but will your mother be alright?”

“She’ll be fine.” he reassured her. He wasn’t sure it was true and thought maybe Melody was right; he was a coward to run away and leave his mom like that. But right now he had no time for guilt. He was angry at his parents for the way he’d been treated and he wanted out. He wanted freedom.

“Where will you go?”

“I don’t have anywhere to go. I’m going to wander around and find my own life. Sleeping on the sidewalk can’t be any worse than my home.”

“So you’re really leaving forever?” She asked shyly, afraid to betraying her true feelings for him but she said; “You’re my best friend, and my only friend. What will I do without you?

Vince leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips.

“I’ll miss you. You’ve been my only true friend too.” he whispered, and then turned to leave. Surprised, Melody put her fingers to her lips and watched him go. It took her a few minuets to get over the surprise of his kiss but before he was completely out of earshot he called out;

“Will I ever see you again?” he turned around, smiling through his bruises.

“I don’t know. Try and find me someday!” He waved to her and then walked towards the road without ever looking back at her again. She watched him disappear into the darkness until she lost sight of him.

Chapter 3

Death

A few months later. . .

Melody sat alone in the living room watching the door anxiously. Her Mom and Dad should have been home hours ago. They said they were just going to dinner and it was already 11:00pm. She tried to keep her mind on her homework but jumped at every little noise in the house, hoping it would be her parents pulling into the driveway. Finally she heard a knock at the door and ran to answer it. Her Grandma softly stepped into the house and closed the door. Her eyes were red rimmed and tears streaked her face although she had tried to wipe then away.

“Grandma! Why are you here so late?”

Grandma still wasn’t sure what to say.

“Where are my mom and dad?” Melody asked suspiciously.

“Oh. Melody, I’m so sorry!” was all Grandma could say as she hugged her and began crying again. The tears felt cold on Melody’s neck. Everything in her world seemed to grow cold with fear and confusion.

“They aren’t coming home?” she asked fearfully.

“No Melody. There was a car accident. A drunk man pulled out inform of then and they hit him. I was at the hospital all night with them but it is too late for your mother. She’s dead and your Dad is severely wounded. The doctors don’t think he will make it either.”

Melody just stood there shocked as her Grandma poured out the story to her. Time stopped and felt dizzy as she whispered;

“I want to go see my Dad.”

Everything is her life had been torn from her, her family, her hopes and dreams, her security. Never before in her life had she felt so alone.

Chapter 4

Last Words

The room Melody’s father lay in smelled of death. Her heart skipped a beat as she walked in with her Grandma and saw her father lying hurt and helpless on the bed.

The kind nurse standing by the bed tried to smile comfortingly at Melody as she approached the bed. But to Melody the smile looked cold and empty, almost cruel, like everything else in her world now.

“Father?” He turned his head to look at her and she saw his eyes were filled with grief. “You’re going to be okay, dad.” she said as she took his hand. It felt so cold.

“No.” he shook his head. “Melody, you’ll have to always remember me, remember what I’ve taught you.” His breath came in short gasps and every word he said seemed like to much effort. As a retired army lieutenant, Melody’s father had always been strong. She had never seen him break down. To her he was a picture of strength, and an icon of security in her life. Melody looked at him in confusion and slowly began stepping back from the bed.

“I’ve lost you, haven’t I father? And mom is gone too. I miss you, dad.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks. Her father didn’t reply. He had fallen asleep again.

“He needs to rest now.” The nurse said.

“No!” Melody ran to her fathers bed and threw her arms around him. “Daddy, please come back to me! Tell me this isn’t real! This isn’t real. This isn’t real. This isn’t real.”

Her dad opened his eyes and looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. “Be string, Melody. You have to take care of yourself now. I know you will be okay”

“I loved you, Daddy.” she whispered. The nurse took her gently by the shoulders and ushered her and her Grandma out of the room.

As she walked out of the hospital, Melody knew she would never see her dad again, at least not in this world. She had lost everything and her life was changed completely. She knew she would never smile again.

Chapter 5

Melody’s Diary

September 10, 2026

Dear Diary,

A drunk man killed my parents. He took everything from me just so he could drive drunk. I don’t know who his is, but I’m going to find him and kill him slowly. I swear to God I’ll kill him. I’ll use anything I have, even my bare hands if I have too. I’m going to spend my life looking for him and when I do he is going to wish he was never born.

I swear too this.

Melody

Chapter 6

Logan

Vince wandered the streets alone and hungry. The sun was setting on the last day of his third week away from that place he used to call home. He didn’t miss that home and it never once crossed his mind to go back there. That wasn’t an option. But he felt empty inside and not a day when by that he didn’t think of Melody and wonder if he should go back for her. But living on the streets was not the right life for her. Every time he thought of her he would brush it of saying; “She deserves better than this life.”

As Vince was wandering the streets looking for a sheltered place to sleep before it got dark, he saw some other homeless kids about his age or a bit older playing cards on the sidewalk.

“Want to play with us?” They called to him as he passed. Vince felt so lonely he would be grateful for any company.

“Sure.” He sat down with them and smiled when he saw they we’re playing poker for lose change and whatever they had in their pockets.

“My name is Sam.” The older boy introduced himself. He was taller than the other three boys and obviously the leader of the four.

“Vince.” He muttered to quietly as he sat down with them, not making eye contact.

“What do you have to bet with?” Sam asked. Vince emptied his pockets to show about ten dollars and a knife.

“That’s not much, but we’ll let you play anyway.”

Vince played with them until the sun went down. He was winning every round and saw that he was making the other boys angry. His pile of winnings consisted of cash and other random things such as marbles, cigarettes, comicbooks. Some things were useful and others were not but Vince was enjoying the power of winning.

“How are you doing that?” Sam demanded.

“I’m lucky in cards and unlucky in love” Vince muttered.

“I think he’s cheating.” One of the younger boys guessed.

Vince’s eyes got big as Sam placed his knife in the middle of their circle. It was the nicest knife he’d ever seen.

“Maybe.” Sam answered the younger boy causally, but he began watching Vince carefully.

“Five card draw.” Sam announced. It was his turn to deal. He dealt each boy five cards. Vince picked his up cautiously and looked at his hand; A ten, jack, queen and ace of spades and a six of hearts. It was a good hand but Vince worried maybe it was too good. He didn’t want the boys to think he was cheating, but that knife looked pretty good.

“I’ll take one card.” Vince said and traded in his six of hearts. He smiled deviously when he looked at the card Sam dealt him. It was the king of spades.

When he showed his hand the boys all stood up. Sam picked up his knife and folded his arms as the younger boys got behind him. Vince shook his head as he backed up against the wall.

“I wasn’t cheating, honest!” he pleaded.

“How else could you’ve gotten that hand, and won every round before it? You’ve got cards up your sleeve of something, and we want all our stuff back.

“I wasn’t cheating!” Vince persisted, not knowing when to quit. Sam slammed him against the wall and pinned him there with his string arms. Pain shot all through Vince’s back as he fought back tears. One of the boys cleaned out his pockets as Sam held him there.

“Don’t take that!” Vince cried as the boy pulled a dried, crushed flower form his pocket. Melody had given it to him and he kept it ever sense. It was all he had left of her.

“We wouldn’t want that worthless piece of shit.” The boy jeered as he threw it in the gutter and stomped on it.

“No” Vince punched Sam in the face and he staggered back holding his bleeding nose. Vince tried to pick up the remaining pieces of the flower but as he bent down to get it the boys his him from behind and he fell flat on his face.

“You little bastard!” Sam yelled as he stood over him. He was still holding his nose. Vince laughed at the pathetic sight of such a big boy hurt by a little punch in the nose. He jumped up and pushed him back.

“Show me what you got! Come on!” Vince challenged them and all four boys ran at him. He tried to deflect their punches and hit back violently. Sam crumpled under the blow as Vince hit him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Just as Vince was coming in for another hit he thought he heard a gently voice crying his name. Dazed and unable to see straight from the blood running into his eyes from a gash on his forehead, he whirled around to see who was there and saw a beautiful blonde girl in a white dress. She was on the arm of a tall, dark-haired man who was watching Vince but all Vince saw was the girl.

“Melody?” He muttered then he fell down unconscious as Sam hit him from behind. The dark-haired man broke into a run when he saw Vince fall, As soon as Sam and the other boys saw him coming they left Vince and disappeared around the corner, running.

“Help me, Becka!” the man called over to the girl as he ran to Vince’s side. Becka knelt beside Vince and sprinkled water on his face from her water bottle.

“Melody, is that you?” Vince asked deliriously as he regained his consciousness. Becka shook her head and stepped back.

“Wha… who are you?” Vince asked weakly.

“She is my girlfriend, Becka.” he heard a smooth, deep voice say. He look and saw Logan for the first time. He was a tall man in his early thirties. He wore a black leather trench coat and his slightly wavy, raven black hair was pulled back. Despite his rough appearance he had a calm grace about him. He has finely cut facial features, an expressive mouth, and quick, devious eyes so dark brown they looked black under thick, long eyelashes. When Vince looked into his eyes he felt like he was looking into the soul of someone who only showed his strength and pride, but hid every other emotion behind his eyes.

“My name is Logan. Here, let me help you up.” he kindly offered Vince a hand.

“No. I can help myself.” Vince snapped at him.

“You’ve got a strong will, boy. I can see great potential in you” Logan held his ground kneeling beside him as Vince tried to rise. Pain shot through his body and Vince’s head spun. His world went dark and fell back to the ground unconscious. Logan’s strong arms broke his fall and he carried him off.

Chapter 7

The King of Spades

As Vince regained consciousness he found himself on a soft couch in a well furnished room. Awestruck by the riches around him, Vince got to his feet to explore.

The first thing he was an open window with rich velvet curtains blowing in the wind from outside. He went to the window and look out over a beautiful garden and rolling hills 3 storied below him

“Where am I? This must be a mansion.” he said to himself. He looked around the room at the marble hearth, the silk wall hanging, crystal chandelier and masterpiece paintings. He sighed happily as his feel sank in to the soft maroon carpet. He had never dreamed of any room so beautiful. Vince jumped as the door behind him swung open. The beautiful blonde girl Vince had mistaken for Melody walked into the room. Now That Vince could see her clearly he saw she was much older than Melody. She wore a kind smile on her face and there was a light about her that maybe everyone love her.

“O am I so glad to see you on your feet!” She exclaimed in an airy, musical voice when she saw Vince.

Vince just stared at her.

“You poor thing.” She said as she looked him over. “You look like a mess. I would love to hear your story and know more about you, but first let me get you something cool to drink.” She turned to stop her but Vince stopped her.

“Becka?”

“Yes?”

“Where am I?”

“This is Logan’s house.”

“Why am I here?”

“Logan wants to help you… although I don’t know why. He’s never been they type to help anyone but himself” The second part she half muttered under her breath so Vince did not hear.”

“But what, I mean who is Logan?”

“They call him the King of Spades.” She said it as if the title carried some weight, but Vince just cocked his head and half smiled.

“I’ve never heard of him. Why is he called that?”

“That is for only him to tell. I can not tell you anymore.” She disappeared through the door but soon came back carrying a tray of drinks.”

“Drink this it will do you some good.” She said as she handed his a glass of champagne. Vince cringed at the smell of alcohol and all the memories it brought back of his parents fight. He had always seen alcohol as the cause of all his troubles at home, and swore to never touch it.

“No thank you. I’d rather not.”

“Just try a little. It will help you feel better.” Becka’s sweet smile erased all his bad memories and he sipped the champagne. It was cool and refreshing and he soon finished the whole glass.

“Now tell me what your name is?” Becka said as she sat herself sown in the red chair by the fire. Vince thought she looked like a queen and fought off the impulse to bow to her. He sank down onto the couch said;

“My parents named me Vince, so I guess you could call me by that name but I don’t like it.”

Becka laughed her musical laugh. “You’re a silly boy. What would you rather be called?”

Vince just shrugged.

“What I want to know is why you we’re living on the streets. That’s a hard life for a little boy.”

“I’m not so little. I’m fifteen. I’m better off alone and that’s why I ran away.”

“Ran away?”

“Yes. I ran away. Go ahead and call the cops on me, but I am never, never going back to that place I came from. That’s house is not a home to me, it’s a hell.”

“But home is where the herd is.” Becka said. Where is your heart? Because that will be where you belong.” As Becka spoke Vince thought of Melody but he reminded himself again that she was better off where she was.

“My only hearts desire is for freedom and it is freedom I will have.” Vince said curtly.

“Now I can see what Logan saw in you.” You remind me of him very much. I can see you are proud and strong, but do you really expect me to think that is all you are? I’ve loved Logan for many, many years now and I know him well enough to know when he is hiding something that hurts him. You are hiding some deep hurt, or maybe guilt, that you can’t live with so you push it away hoping it will disappear.”

Vince just stared at her wondering if she was psychic, or if he had to much champagne, or maybe he hadn’t had enough. Maybe she would give him more.

“Can I have some more to drink?” she held out his glass to her.

Becka shook her head as she took his glass.

“You are just like Logan, aren’t you?” she took his glass and left. Come downstairs with me I want you to talk to him.” Vince followed Becka through the halls and down the winding staircases until they came to Logan’s study. It was a dark room with that all-too-familiar smell of alcohol. Think cigar smoke hung around the room and papers littered the floor and desks. Logan was sitting at a desk bent over some important looking paper.

“Dear, the boy is awake.” Becka said as she led Vince into the room.

‘Hi.” Vince said with a surly attitude as Logan looked up at him.

“I think you owe me a ‘thank you.’ I saved you from those boys.

“I could’ve saved myself.”

“I was watching you the whole time and I know you couldn’t have. But you have a brave heart and you know the way to play cards, I’ll give you that.”

“What do you want with me?” Vince demanded.

“Nothing. I want to help you. I see great potential in you. You could become great like me and I offer you shelter. You can live in this house with me and I will teach you all I know.”

“What do you know?” Vince said skeptically.

“I know who to cheat life before it cheats me. I know the value of money and the freedom it can give you.”

“Freedom?” Vince gave that half smile he gives when he wants more information. “Do go on.”

“I was once like you; homeless, angry and without a purpose in life. I’ve learned how to manipulate cards, and any other gambling system so well that I’ve become the richest man in the city.”

“You’re telling me the truth? I could walk out of here right now and tell the police.”

“And I would let you leave if that is what you choose to do. By telling you all this I am giving you my trust. The only other person who knows my secrets is Becka.”

“Okay I’m listening now. Don’t people wonder where you get your money? How do you get away with this?”

“It’s simple. I’ve set things up to make it look like I won the lottery. By buying off the winner and giving him more cash than the lottery gave him, He gave me his publicity. So under that cover I continue to gamble and win.”

“To be honest I’m disgusted with you. I’m sorry Logan. You don’t strike me as a bad man, its’ just that what you do seems wrong and I don’t understand why you do it.

“Each man to his own. I do what I need to do to survive and other men do what they need to do. This is my ultimate freedom. In doing this I have never hurt or killed anyone. I’m just a cheat. If you’d rather live on the streets than be taught by the king of Spades, then go.”

Vince turned to leave but stopped.

“I never thanked you for saving me.” he said.

“You don’t need to. Just go.”

Becka glared at Logan and ran after Vince. As she caught his arm as ace of spades fell out of his sleeve. She gasped and turned Vince around to face her.

“You are a little cheater too. If you decide to stay we will name you Ace. All Logan an I ever wanted was a son we could call our own. I’m sorry if he spoke rudely to you. He is a curt man. That is just the way he is. I fell in love with Logan when he was still a good man. But his dishonesty has consumed him even though he still has a good heat.”

“He wants me to become like him.”

“No, all we want is a son.”

“I’m sorry Becka. I can’t be a son to anyone. I just escaped my last home where I had a drunk father. I’m not looking for another one.”

“Give it a try. You can stay with us for as long as you like and if you don’t like it you can leave whenever you want.”

Vince didn’t want another family, but Becka was one of those angelic people others love to be around. She reminded him of Melody so letting her adopt him as her son couldn’t be so bad. There was also something about Logan that drew Vince to him. Dishonesty aside, he was strong and wise, and had saved his life. Having two loving parents couldn’t be the worst fate in the world, so Vince agreed.

Chapter 8

Ace

“What are your skills?” Logan asked Vince (now called Ace) one day.

“I used to make twenty dollar bills.” Ace bragged. “I used to work at a print shop so I has access to equipment and I’ve made some pretty convincing bills.”

“Good. Then that is what you will do here.” Logan concluded. And from that day forth, Ace practiced until he could make perfect twenty dollars bills. It was him freedom.

Chapter 9

Blood

Twenty years later…

“I’m home, baby!” Melody said as she entered the apartment she shared with her boyfriend Shane. He grunted an acknowledgement from the living room with out looking up so she slipped passed him and into their bed room, closing the door behind her with a sigh of relief. She threw her sheathed knife onto the double bed and slipped off the blood stained dress she wore. She rubbed at it abut the stains would come out so gave up and threw it into the fire with distain, watching with unseeing eyes as the flames consumed the evidence of her crime.

“How long can I go on like this, hiding the truth from Shane?” she whispered to herself. She hated close combat, she hated stabbing unsuspecting victims in the back, and she hated it when they screamed and took so long to die. Sitting down on the bed, she picked up the knife and unsheathed it and slowly wiped the blood off with a rag, then also tossed the rag into the flames.

She lay back on the bed, trying to relax, trying to forget. But memories would never leave her, would always come back to haunt her, and would always be her greatest fear. When she closed her eyes tonight’s murder came back to her. She could see it all clearly as if it was still happening.

She saw the screaming face of a young woman with blood shot eyes and her dark hair tangled over her face and shoulders. A trickle of blood started to stream from her open lips.

A man who loved the woman running as to her side as she fell to the ground, still screaming.

“Oh, that infernal screaming!” Melody clasp her hands over her ears trying to shut out the scream she still heard.

The man held his lover in his arms as she died. With her last breath she kissed him, and then the screaming is over, forever.

“Why did I stay and watch? I should have left as soon as I stabbed her. I don’t need another memory like this.” Melody said.

The dark haired woman was lying dead on the cold pavement. Her dark red blood pooled around her and mingled with her matted hair. The man beat his head against the wall cursing him self and the sky for what has happened. He has no one to blame, no one but himself or his creator. He makes his choice and pulls a gun form his jacket. One shot is fired, breaking the deathly silence of the still, cold night. He fires the bullet he should have used to stop his love’s assassin into his own head. They’re both dead and bleeding on the pavement .Melody, the assassin, will be paid by the man’s jealous x-girlfriend.

“Melody, are you okay? You’ve been in there for a long time.” Shane’s concerned voice pulled her thoughts back to the present. She hid her knife and threw on her robe, the glanced around the room. All traces of murder were gone. Opening the door with a fake smile she said;

“I’m fine. I was just changing my clothes.”

“Did you have fun at the bar?”

“Yeah.” She hated to lie, but more than the lie, she hated the thought of Shane knowing the truth about her. She couldn’t risk losing him so she continued to live the lie. All she wanted was to be normal, but a murderer is never normal. Her thirst for revenge had driven her here, and now she hated who she had become. Her survival depended on Shane loving her for who she wanted to be, not who she had become.

Chapter 10

Another Diary Entry

“It can’t be true!” Shane cried to himself. “She’s so beautiful and innocent!” He was flipping through Melody’s diary he found under their bed. He felt bad invading her privacy like this but ho could tell there was something she was hiding from him, and he wanted to understand her better so he could help her. But what he had found was secrets so dark and painful that he realized that be barely knew the woman he loved. He thought aloud to himself;

“Has everything about you had been a lie? What is the truth and was is your deceit? I thought I loved you but I don’t even know you. Has even your love been feigned? ”

The first thing he’d read was a letter to her dead father. Melody has never spoken about her parents. He figured it was a hurtful subject so he tried not to pry. But he had no idea they we’re dead. This letter broke his heart for her.

Dear Daddy,

Every morning I wake up and ask myself;

“My God, what have I become?”

Every night I fall asleep wishing sleep could last forever,

Wishing I could die to repay the world for the murders I’ve committed.

I don’t wanna go on like this.

I don’t wanna do this.

Please, please believe me.

All I ever wanted was to be just like you, Daddy.

I wanna be just like you.

I didn’t want my life to change.

But God had to take you away from me.

I have no one left to guide me.

Without you I am lost.

I’m just a girl alone in a fucked up world.

But all I ever wanted was to be just like you.

I wish you were still here to love me.

Why did God have to take you away?

Couldn’t he let me be happy for once?

Maybe someday I’ll wake up and be in another world, where I’ll find you.

I don’t wanna go on like this.

I don’t wanna do this.

I want to be so dead to this world.

I want to fly away to heaven with you.

How can I still be just like you

When I’ve become someone you would hate?

Every time its rains on me

I know it’s just your tears of regret.

You’re crying down on me from heaven.

I wish your tears could wash away my sins

And make me into someone you could look down at and smile.

Don’t cry, Daddy.

Don’t cry on me.

Someday, I will be just like you again.

Someday I will rise above my own pain

And make the difference you never had the chance to make.

I will make you proud.

I will be just like you.

I hope you can hear me.

“Cause I can’t hear you anymore.

I write theses words in my diary

And I’ll set it by your grave.

I just want you to hear me one last time.

Love,

Melody

Shane wiped tears from his eyes. Half of this didn’t make sense to him but he could see the pain in it as if it was written in blood. Wanting to find someway to somehow help her he kept reading.

September 23, 2036

Dear Diary,

Today is the anniversary of my parent’s death. Thinking back I can still remember some of my life as a child, but that innocence was torn from me. Sow I’m stuck here in this world with nothing left for me and no one left to love. This war will soon be over, I know. When this world is a peace again maybe things will change but I can never get my heart back. Nothing will bring my parents back. My desire to avenging my parents has destroyed me and I can never go back. It’s been 10 years since my parents were murdered and I’ve spent those 10 years searching for their killer. I want to give up now. There is no way I’ll ever find him. But if I give up, I’ll be giving up everything I am living for. How can I do that and live? Sometimes I think I should do myself and the world a favor and die. Yet somewhere in the future I see a light. I am hopeful beyond hope but I’m holding on to something good happening soon. I don’t know what it will be. Maybe I will find the murderer so I must stay strong and keep going. Someday I’ll find the purpose of my existence and I’ll become who I should be. I’ll kill this monster I’ve become.

I once told someone my story and they looked at me in amazement and said:

“I have great admiration for your strength. If I was you I’d be dead long ago. If I did what you’ve done, and lost my parents at the age you did, I would simply kill myself. I’d have no reason to keep on living after all that.”

That person didn’t live long after saying that to me. I killed them.

I don’t know what I would do without Shane. He believes in me and that keeps me going. He thinks of me as the girl I would like to be. If he knew the truth about me it would kill me. I want him to love the girl he thinks he knows, not the girl inside I have to hide. As long as he still believes in me, I can believe in myself no matter how many lies I am living. But how long can we go on loving each other when he doesn’t even know who I am? I want to love but through all these lies I can’t get any closer to him with out betraying the secrets I hold. How long can I love someone before they find out the truth?

Shane couldn’t read anymore. He clenched his fists in anger, frustration, love, and hate. His emotions conflicted and confused him. He wanted to still love Melody and saw how mush she really needed his help, but how could she lie to him and use him like she did? His anger outweighed his compassion, and all the love he ever had for her was turned to disgust. He wanted revenge and the next passage gave him an idea of a way to get it.

September 25, 2036

Dear Diary,

It’s silly, I know, but I’m still in love a boy named Vince. The last I saw him was fifteen years ago when he kissed me goodbye because he was running away from home. I never saw him since then. I know I was only twelve when he left, but I truly did love him and I wish I could find him again. I’d give anything to play together like we used to as kids. I wonder if he is still alive. . .

Shane slammed the journal shut and stomped off to track down and kill a boy named Vince.

Chapter 11

Death of a King

The rain outside was pounding down outside the mansion as twenty five year old Ace drove up the driveway to the place he now called ‘home’. Logan, who Ace called ‘father’, had let him borrow the Ferrari to go out to the city that night. Ace parked it in the garage and went in the back door. The mansion was dark inside. The only light on was in Logan’s study where he was probably playing solitaire with himself like he usually did on quiet nights. Ace could now beat Logan at any card game and would gloat about it too him but Logan would shrug and say;

“I taught you well, my boy.”

This night seemed particularly dark to Ace as he walked through the hallways to his wing of the house. A strange noise caught his ear but he turned around to see nothing unusual, just more dark hallways.

Suddenly a man dressed in black jumped out from the shadows and pressed a blade against the back of Ace’s neck.

“Don’t turn around.” said a gruff voice behind him. Ace could feel the blade pushed into his neck.

“Who are you?” he demanded.

“My name is Shane but I should be asking you the same question but I don’t care who you are now. It’s who you used to be that you’re going to die for.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know who you are, Vince.” Ace hadn’t heard that name in a long time and it brought back a flood of bad memories.

“I don’t know who Vince is,” he lied “you have the wrong man.”

“Liar!” Ace felt the blade push deeper into his skin and a warm trail of blood began to run down his back.

“What do you want with me?” Ace said.

“The pleasure of killing the man Melody loves more than she me.”

“Melody?” Ace echoed in a distant voice. He had forgotten his pain and the danger he was in. He whirled around and punched Shane in the face, knocking the knife from his hands. Shane fell back and reached his hand into his pocket for his gun as Ace, unaware of his danger, rushed towards him.

Logan heard the fight form his study and ran out in time to see Shane pulling a gun on Ace.

“No!” Logan screamed, causing Shane to turn his attention to Logan, who was still in his night robe and reaching for his gun in his pocket. Shane turned and fired at him. Logan clutched his side as he fell to the ground. Blood leaked out onto his fingers.

“Father!” Ace screamed, forgetting Shane and everything else around him he rushed to Logan’s side.

“Father, please talk to me.” Ace knelt beside Logan and took his shaking hand in his.

“Please say something. Don’t die and leave me alone. You are the only father I’ve even had.” Ace said through his tears.

“I’m sorry I’ve failed you.” Logan said weakly, and his hand went limp in Ace’s.

“No, no, no!” Ace cried over and over as he shook Logan. Logan did not respond. A peaceful look came over his face and Ace knew he had left him forever.

A sickening wave of guilt came over Shane at the pitiful sight. He threw down his gun and fled, leaving Ace in his tears.

Chapter 12

The Casino

The crisp night air blew against Melody’s face as she moved across the skyline. It bit into her skin like a thousand shards of ice, making her hands red and numb. She rubbed her hands together and blew on them but her breath froze in the air and blew away with the wind. Shivering, Melody stopped and looked down from the roof of the biggest casino. She had a perfect view of the downtown from there. She looked down the streets, watching for her victim. Every night it was someone different, but every night someone died. Tonight it was going to be a young man named Ace. He was a card cheat and counterfeit. Many people wanted him dead and Melody was hired to kill him. It was a job and it paid well. She played with her spears as she watched for him, ready to take him out with one swift throw. But Ace was nowhere to be seen. “He must be staying off the streets tonight. Maybe he knows who is after him.” she thought. Concealing her weapons under her black cloak, Melody climbed down a ladder nearby that had been left there by a construction team. She felt uneasy as she walked through the busy night life on the streets. She hoped no one would recognize her as the wanted assassin. She tried to stay as hidden as she could but somehow, people had figured out who she was and her picture appeared in the paper. Melody pulled her hood lower over her eyes as she dodged a few curious glances.

As Melody entered the casino she looked around her, and took a deep breath, breathing in her surroundings. The air was heavy with mixed smokes from cigarettes and cigars. Overdressed people went about their business talking loudly, gambling and drinking.

The dizzy pattern on the floor made the room seem more crowded than it was and Melody had t fight of a headache as noticed the red and yellow sequins on the cocktail waitresses’ skimpy outfits reflecting the light that dazzled and twirled for every corner of the room. The loud chink of change in the slot machines mixed with the loud rap music playing and the drunken laughter. Trying to stay focused, she wandered through the busy scene towards the poker rooms in the back.

She stopped at the door of a spacious golden-lit room with cream carpet and oak wood poker tables. This was the most well guarded room in the house because the amount of money that went around. The richest men in the city played here. Ace was at the head of the middle table and Melody recognized some of the men around him. In this city it wasn’t a surprised to see gang leaders, pimps, and drug dealers seated next to lawyers and political leaders of the city. This was the room where everyone who was anyone played, and Ace was king. She looked more closely at him. He was about 25 years old, tall and well built. He wore an expensive but unkempt pinstriped suit and tossed his hair around in a drunk and cocky manner. She recognized his sparkling blue eyes from somewhere but couldn’t remember where. Whatever it was, it must have been a very long time ago. She watched him as he pridefully counted a thick wad of cash, enjoying the pained looks on his opponent’s faces. Melody almost smiled at the way he acted but quickly reminded herself what she was there to do and glanced at room full of potential witnesses. “It’s impossible to kill him here without being seen.” Melody noticed, then turned her attention back to Ace, who was still gloating over his winnings. “He must get a lot of enemies, acting like that. It’s amazing I wasn’t hired to kill him sooner.” Watching Ace play amused Melody and she felt a pang of regret as she thought of killing him. “It’s a job and it pays. Not all jobs are easy.” She reasoned with herself.

Melody knew that she would have to wait until Ace was outside to kill him, but she couldn’t wait that long. She didn’t have all night so she had to act now. From under her cloak she pulled out her most lethal weapon; a red rose. With red ribbon, she tied a note to it that said;

Meet me outside in the alley behind the casino.

Love,

Your Secret Admirer

She walked passed the guards who took her for a girlfriend of one of the men inside and walked up to him, leaning against the table, keeping her eyes on the stack of money in front of him. He looked up and smiled at her as she leaned dangerously close to him and dropped the rose, and then she disappeared into the cold night.

Ace couldn’t ignore the buzz in his head from the alcohol. With unsteady eyes he read the note, then he grabbed his wine and stumbled out of the room, explaining as he left that, “Pretty blondes like money.”

Chapter 13

Ace

A very drunk Ace entered the dark alley and was surprised to be confronted by a black hooded figure standing in the darkest shadows. Suddenly, Ace recognized her for who she was; the wanted assassin. The rumor among criminals was that she was so skilled and precise she’d shoot you from the roof and disappear and you’d die before you knew what hit you. She never missed, but she also rarely came down from the roofs so Ace felt proud that he was so hard to get that he brought her down after him.

“What do you want?” he asked. He tried to make his voice sound strong and steady but couldn’t ignore the buzz in his head. The whole world seemed to be spinning. He took another drink to steady himself. He didn’t want his fear to show.

“You.” she replied threateningly.

Ace couldn’t help taunting her, no matter how much danger it could cause him. “It isn’t my money you want?” he teased.

“In a way, yes, I need the money.” “her answer surprised him.

“Who hired you?” he demanded.

“The Secret Service.”

“Why?”

“Because of the fake checks and counterfeit money you litter the world with.”

“The Secret Service wouldn’t do that.”

“They wouldn’t?” Melody raised a pretty eyebrow at him as she stepped into the light. Ace took a huge stepped back from her, betraying his fear. Melody laughed a silvery laugh that sounded familiar to him. It sounded like a piece of a happy life long forgotten but he couldn’t remember whose silver laugh it reminded him of. But it was something he’d lost long ago.

“Why haven’t you killed me yet?” he asked, surprised he wasn’t dead yet.

“I like toying with my prey.” she said. Now it was Aces turn to raise an eyebrow.

“And is that why you usually kill your victims from the rooftops so they die before they know what hit them?”

Melody bit her lip. He was right, and she didn’t know what to say.

“Its too bad I have to kill you, you’ve got a brave heart… or maybe you’re just so drunk you don’t understand your own danger. What’s you name?”

“They call me Ace.” He took an ace of spades out of his sleeve and handed it to Melody.

“Give this to your infernal Secret Service and tell them you missed me, no pun intended.” he said as he tried to hand it to her. Melody’s eye’s flashed with anger. She pinned the card against the wall with one of her spears before Ace could even realize what was happening. Stunned, he stumbled against the wall.

“You missed me!” he yelled.

“No, I didn’t.” Melody said.

“Missed me, missed me, now you gotta kiss me.” Ace chanted the old 1st grade rhyme. Melody was sure she had heard it before, even his voice sounded familiar as he said it. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of sirens close by. Flashing red and blue lights reflected on the wall of the alley as cop cars pulled up.

“They’re after me!” Ace and Melody cried at the same time. Ace grabbed Melody’s hand as he ran down the ally. She didn’t resist, but ran with him.

“This way!” she pulled him up after her as she swung herself onto a low roof. They climbed a few stories higher and then Melody stopped to look down. They watch the cops as they got out of their cars and looked around. She suppressed a giggle when she noticed that Ace had dropped the rose she gave him, but gasped when she saw her tall, dark haired boyfriend, Shane, pick it up..

“How could he?” Melody whispered to herself. “He lead the cops to me.” “C’mon, let’s go.” she said out loud to Ace as she brushed a telltale tear from here eyes, hoping Ace hadn’t seen it.

“But aren’t you going to kill me?” Ace asked, knowing he was far from danger by now.

“There’s more to life than money.”

“But pretty blondes like money.”

“You don’t fear death, do you? You’re practically asking me to kill you.”

“If you were as hunted as I am you’d get used to the idea of death.”

“I am as hunted as you are.” Melody glanced back at the cops. “Let’s go.” she said and took Ace’s hand. Together they disappeared into the dark city.

Back in the ally, Shane crushed the rose in his hand. He had seen that trick before.

“I’ll get you, Melody. I’ll get you, you monster.” he whispered at the sky.

“Okay men!” he said to the cops. “I know where she’s going. I’ll lead you to our apartment.”

Chapter 14

Betrayal

“Where are we going?” Ace asked as he ran with Melody.

“Don’t you have anywhere to go?” She asked, dropping his hand. He just looked at her.

“Okay,” she relented “I’ll take you to my house. We can hide there at least until the cops stop looking for us.”

“You’re not leading me into a trap, are you?”

“No, I’ve decided to let you live.” She didn’t look at him as she said it. Ace wondered why she didn’t just kill him. After all, blondes do like money… He followed her until they came to a ladder that led from the roof to a top story window of an apartment building.

“Quick, get inside” Melody opened the window to let him in and climbed in after him. It was dark inside but melody immediately sensed that something was wrong. She did not close the window behind them and felt along the wall for the light switch.

“Freeze!” A man’s voice called out. She put her hands up in the air. A man switched on the light and she gasped as she saw Shane, accompanied by 3 cops, all pointing guns at her and Ace.

“Shane, I can’t believe you would do this.” she whispered.

“Put your hands on your head and get on your knees” he said to Melody and Ace. He was smiling, almost like he was enjoying this. They obeyed. Melody flinched as the felt the barrel of a gun press against the back of the neck.

“Shane, I loved you…”

“No!” Shane cut her off. “I loved you. You just needed me to help you live your lie. I know who you really are now and I will not love a murderer.”

“I’m sorry Shane. You have to understand…”

“I do.” He interrupted. “You wanted to avenge your parent’s death but you became a psychotic killer instead. Don’t look at me for understanding. They are dead, Melody and so are you. I don’t know you anymore because you have destroyed the girl I loved. I’m just a cop and I’ll do what I have to do. You are a murderer, just like the man who killed your parents.”

Melody winced at the truthfulness of his words.

“Do you wan to die right now?” she whispered to Ace.

“No.”

“Then trust me”

Melody pulled a concealed gun from her belt and shot the hand of the cop behind her. He dropped his gun with a screamed of pain. Before the other cops could aim and fire, Melody grabbed Ace’s hand and they jumped through the window. Shane rushed to the window and looked down.

“Leave them. They’ve fallen to their death. We’ll have to scrape their bodies off the sidewalk.” he said coldly.

But far down below, Melody had caught hold of a rope and swung herself and Ace to safety on a windowsill below.

“Now it’s my turn to lead.” said Ace after he caught his breath. “This time I know where we should go.”

Chapter 15

The Tree House

There was something too familiar about the little tree house Ace led her too. They stopped at the bottom of an old oak and looked as he pointed to the little wooden fort high in the branched. It was no larger than a small bed room. Windows had been cut into the plywood on every side and an open roof let in the silver moonlight. Ace helped her climb the steps nailed into the trunk of the tree and they squeezed through the little door that was obviously made for children.

“It’s beautiful” Melody said as she stepped into the tiny room. It was just an old tree house, but there was something beautiful about it she couldn’t explain. The leaves above then danced in the moonlight and cast gentle shadows onto the old wood floor. The floor creaked as Melody took a step. It sounded like it was about to give way so she wisely sat up against the wall and stopped moving. Ace fell over next to her, drunk and exhausted.

“You don’t remember this place, do you?” He whispered.

“Should I?” But he didn’t reply because he was already snoring.

Melody sat alone in the dark and pondered what he just said. She closed her eyes and tried to remember her childhood. She unclasped a musical silver locket she wore around her neck. Inside was a picture of her when she was a little girl, and a little boy she used to love. The locket began to play a little lullaby her mother used to sing to her every night before she fell asleep. Melody closed her eyes and tried to remember herself as a little girl whose world was filled with love and light. Everyone was happy except for the boy named Vince who lived next door. Vince had a broken heart and wanted to be free from his unhappiness. Every time he was her he was happy again and forgot about his hurt. He loved her and called her “his angel.” Melody looked back at the picture of the boy in the locket and realized the man passed out next to her was Vince.

“Vince?” Melody gasped “We built this place together, didn’t we?” She knew he couldn’t hear her but she went on;

“You were only six years old and I was nine when we lived next door to each other You’d come here everyday to see me and get away from your house.” He was still silent.

“Vince!” she said with more passion “What have you done to yourself? You were my hero and now look at you! You’re rich, passed out and drunk. I wish you’d wake up and talk to me. I remember everything you used to be.” Melody lay her head down on his chest and closed her eyes. “I’ll stay with you just for tonight. You are my lost happiness but I’ve found you again.

Chapter 16

Vince

Ace woke up with the sun shining straight into his eyes. It was so bright that for a minute he wondered if he was in heaven, but then it all came back to him. Although he felt miserable because of his hangover he sat up and looked around to see if Melody was there. She was lying right next to him watching him.

“Good morning.” she said as she also sat up.

“Why did you stay?”

“Because I remembered who you are, Vince.”

“I thought you might if I take you here.” he put his hand to his head as it started spinning again. “Do you have any beer?”

“No! Look at yourself! You are a mess! What’s happened to you to make you become like this?” she scolded, but in a softer tone she continued; “I’ve missed you so much. I miss the good times we spent together and I miss having a true friend who helps me through life. If you had just been there when my parents died to hold my hand and tell me everything was going to be alright I might have survived. Instead I let it kill me.”

“So is that why you decided to become an assassin?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t actually choose to be a killer, that’s just what life drove me to do.”

“So you blame it on your circumstances?”

“Wait before you judge me. I haven’t told you the circumstances yet.” she said defensively. “My parents died soon after you left so my grandmother raised me until I was 18. She loved me very much and did her best to care for me but nothing could take away the pain I felt. I needed revenge. I joined the Army as a sniper but I got sick of it so after four years I got out and had nowhere to go and no income. My father had also been a karate master, and taught me martial arts. So with that skill and my sniping skill, the obvious thing for me to do was to become a self employed assassin.”

“So you kill people just for money?”

“No. I kill for revenge.”

“Revenge on whom?”

“I’ve spent ten years searching for the man who killed my parents but I still haven’t found him and I don’t believe I ever will. But never mind me; tell me about yourself. What’s happened since you left?”

“You remember when I ran away. That’s when I started counterfeiting. I had to stay alive on the streets somehow. And to be honest I already knew how to do it because I’d been practicing. I made some friends at a print shop and we worked together until they got busted and I skipped out on them with all the equipment. I’m a sucker, I know, but I had to survive. Then I met a man named Logan. He and his girlfriend Becka took me is as their adoptive son. Logan was called; ‘The King of Spades’ and was a great card cheat and counterfeit. That’s where I learned how to make a living out of what I do. He was a great man and the only father I’ve known.

“You speak of Logan with great respect. He must be great man.”

“He’s dead.” Ace said curtly.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Melody knew what it was like to lose a loved one. “What of Becka.

“I haven’t seen her since Logan’s death, about a week ago.”

“You have a habit of abandoning people who loved you.” Melody accused.

“I have always thought of myself as better off alone and she does need me anyway. Logan left everything to the two of us, but I haven’t been home since he died. I can’t stand to sorrow that fills that house now.”

Melody just nodded, understanding everything he felt.

“Now apparently the Secret Service is after me.” Ace said to change the subject.

“I don’t have to turn you in if I don’t want to. I’m self employed.”

“Thank you. I’m glad I can still trust you. Maybe there is some of the Melody I knew left inside there somewhere.”

“Is there any Vince left in you, or have you drunk that away too?”

“No I haven’t. I can still be that silly boy you remember. The only difference is that I got what I wanted and needed in life; freedom. But I had to sacrificed something I really cared about to get it. Every day I lived on the streets I thought of you. I wanted to come back for you but I didn’t because I thought that by not returning I was protecting you from the brutal life I lead. So I drank away every memory of you, and now I’m drinking away the memories of my father, Logan. But I still love you, Melody. Now that I’ve found you I can’t lose you again. You are still my angel.”

Melody avoided his eyes and said to the floor;

“You should have come back and taken me with you. It would have saved the girl you used to know. You don’t know who I am anymore. I’m not the same girl you used to know and love. I’ve changed so much and hate what I’ve become. I want to start over so bad, but I believe it is too late for me because I have destroyed the girl you loved.”

“I want to start over too. There is so much more to this life than success and money. I want to love and to be loved by someone. Maybe we could stay with each other and start over together?” His words seemed to echo her own thoughts but she said;

“I don’t know if you could still love me.”

“I’ve always loved you. I don’t know everything you have done but I forgive you for all of it.”

“No. I should leave. It would destroy you if I let you love me. It’s not easy for me to love or to be loved.”

“Then where will you go?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps I’ll go die.”

“Don’t talk like that!”

“I’m giving up. Can’t you see I don’t want to live with myself?”

Vince shook his head. “You may go where you like and do what you wish with yourself but I want you to reconsider what you are living for, and what you are willing to die for. If you die, I die with you. Do you really want to kill another person? Is that what you want? I give you a choice to come with me. We’ll go to another city and start our lives over together. Don’t you think you owe the world a debt for all you’ve done? Try doing something nice for someone for once. You are my angel and I need you. I can’t live with out you.”

Again Melody was silent as she tried to decide what to do. “Okay. I’ll come with you.”

“Thank you! I promise you won’t regret it. It will be like old times again.” He grabbed her and kissed her passionately. Melody knew she had found her purpose in life. Love was something worth living for. With her head against his strong shoulder she hadn’t felt this safe since a very long time ago.

“I can’t believe you’re really here with me and are going to stay.” He whispered.

“Well you better believe it ‘cause I’m going with you no matter what you do, or where you go.” she said as she got up and pulled her hair into a tight ponytail.

“Don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?” Melody froze.

“You should wear your hair down.”

She glared at him. “It’s easier for me to wear it up, and why do you care anyway, Ace?” he noticed that she wore it down nevertheless.

“Oh, and call me Vince” he added

“Vince. It’s a good strong name. It reminds me of a beautiful past but it also sounds like something I lost that I can never regain.”

“You’re a silly girl. I’m right here and you can have me.”

Melody threw him a smile and went for the door.

“Where are you going, beautiful?”

“I’m going to see the world and I need someone strong and protective to come with me.”

Vince took the hint. “I’m coming.”

“I’m going to become something completely different.” She said and Vince believed her because of the determination in her voice.

Chapter 17

Someone Different

Melody stood alone on the bank of the river that ran through the field. It was running unusually fast because of the heavy rain that year. She watched the water sparkle in the sunlight, wondering how many secrets the river held at the bottom, and how well it would hide a new one.

How can I just move on? How can I change when this is all I’ve known? She thought as she looked at the weapons in her hand; a throwing star, a small knife, a sniper rifle, ammunition, and 3 spears. I can’t just dump this into the river to rust and rot. For years, these had been her only way of surviving so they had become a part of her.. She thrived on killing because it was the only way she knew to avenge her parent’s deaths.

“Melody!” Vince called her from far off.

She knew she had to act quickly and do it now because she may never find the strength to do it again.

Vince came running up behind her and stopped, immediately seeing the struggle she was going through.

“Throw it away.” His voice sounded pained, concerned and serious.

“I can’t.”

“They aren’t a part of you anymore. You have to get rid of it.”

“It’s all I’ve known.” She said, and as she looked at the weapons she thought of the many people who had been killed by them. Disgusted, she tossed all the weapons into the river and watched them float down stream for a few minuets, and then sink down o the deep bottom. Then she threw her arms around him as he lifted her up and twirled in a circle.

I have a new plan.” she said.

“What’s that?” Vince asked.

Do you remember one night when we were kids and you and I were sitting in that tree house holding hands? You were crying because your parents were fighting and I told you everything was going to be okay. We started talking about our dreams and what we wanted to do with our lives ‘cause we were searching for a hope to keep us going. You told me you wanted to be a photographer someday and travel all over to see the world. Are you still that boy with a dream, or have you forgotten that too?”

“I remember. And yes I am still the same Vince you knew.”

“Then we can be reporters together. I can write and you can be my photographer.

“Sounds like a good plan to me. We’ve got to get a camera and a bus ticket to the next city.”

“We’re going to see the world together.”

“I told you we would some day.”

“You we’re right.”

Chapter 18

Running Away

Melody and Vince didn’t dare go back to the city they came from. They knew they were supposed to be there and figured as long as they weren’t where they were supposed to be, they would be safe. Instead, they walked the few miles to a small town and got supplies for the trip and bus tickets to Denver.

They went to a thrift store to look for new clothes, a sorry attempt at changing they’re appearance. Melody got leather pants, a black shirt and a black fur jacket. Ace got baggy jeans and a black trench coat.

“Now we look really tough” Melody joked, checking herself out in the mirror.

Vince paid for it all with a fake bill, swearing to himself it would be the last he’d ever use, but their next stop was a department store

“I think I should dye my hair.” Melody said. “Just so people can’t recognize me.” Quinn didn’t like the idea, but he didn’t say so.

At the department store Vince got a camera and a life time’s supply of film and Melody got red hair dye and lots of notebooks and pens.

At the bus depot, she dyed her hair in the bathroom and came waltzing out to show off to Vince. He wasn’t as disappointed as he thought he’d be.

“It looks great. I barely recognized you.” he teased.

In a few minutes they were off to fulfill a dream together they never thought they could have.

Chapter 19

Freedom

Melody and Vince got off the bus in Denver, Colorado. Blending with the crowed, they roamed the streets together. The city was huge and had a good night life. They found that they fit in well and decided to stay while and try to make some money. They rented a small, one room apartment in the down town area and lived there for months. Together they made an honest living writing for the papers and Melody even got a few novels published. Although she didn’t get much money for them, the public loved them. They loved the idea of two lovers, a reporter and a photographer, working together. Melody’s novels were based on their experiences. She wanted the world to understand compassion and forgiveness.

Together, Melody and Vince were moving on from the lives they used to lead. Although they were both content in the city Melody dreamed of someday moving to the country and living in a little house they could call home. Her past was like it was a nightmare she just woke from and it would still came back to haunt her. Some sins come with a debt that cannot be repaid.

Chapter 20

Winter

It was winter now and the snowflakes danced together as they fell from the sky. The sun peeped out from behind the heavy clouds and falling snow reflected the yellow sunlight. Melody and Vince sat high on the edge of the roof of the eight-story library, watching the glittering snow fall. They came up here every time they wanted to be alone. Up there Vince felt a freedom he’d never felt before and Melody felt like she could see the whole world. The city below them was busy in anticipation of Christmas. Little children peeked into the windows of toy shops, wondering what they would get from Santa, business people walked up and down the streets as they hurried to their office to get their work done before the holidays. Melody smiled as she watched a caring grandson help his blind grandmother across the street. After seeing so many people die Melody knew how to appreciate life and now she no longer felt like a threat to society, she felt like part of it. She took in a deep breath, breathing in the light around her.

Vince lay down and stared up at the sky. It was so bright that it hurt his eyes. He blinked as a snowflake landed on his eye lashes.

“What’s your favorite season of the year?” he asked Melody without looking away from the dazzling sky.

“Fall has always been my favorite.” She replied. “I love the way the trees look with red and gold leaves.”

“I like winter. It’s so bright white it makes me think of what heaven will look like.” Vince said.

“I don’t think I’ll get to see heaven.” Vince sat up quickly as she said it and looked her straight in the eyes. “Don’t ever say that!” he said with passion.

“But it’s true. I’m a murderer, remember? Someday we will die and it will separate us forever.”

“I always thought of you as an angel and angels come from heaven.”

“Then I am a fallen angel.” Melody said as she shook her head.

“You’re beautiful…” Vince interrupted her, but she didn’t listen.

“With broken wings…” She continued.

Vince was silent. He gently stroked her hand with his rough fingers.

“Well never be separated, never.” he promised. Reassured, Melody smiled at him. He pulled her down next to him and they laid side by side staring and the bright winter sky.

Chapter 21

Drunk

“Vince, what are you doing?!” Melody screamed as she walked in to door. He tried to hide the beer cans but he wasn’t fast enough.

“You promised me you would start over and you said you would never do this again!” She started throwing the cans into the trash but he caught her hand as she reached for the one he was holding.

“Melody, I’m sorry.” He tried to say but she pulled away from him.

“You’re not yourself when you drink. I don’t like it and you promised me you’d stop.” She turned away so hide her tears. ““I want to leave this place! When are we going home?’ She was referring to her dream of leaving the city and making a home with Vince in the country. Vince had refused because he feared he wouldn’t be able to make money away form the city and would be tempted to start counterfeiting again.

Vince stumbled up from the couch and put his arm around her but she shook him off, walked into the bedroom and slammed the door.

Vince just sank to the floor with his head in his hands and cried like a little boy.

Chapter 22

The Club

“I wanna take you out to see the city tonight.” Vince said over dinner.

“Why should we do that?” Melody asked.

“Because I think we both deserve some fun. We’ve been working hard and we’ve made it here. I was thinking we’d celebrate our new lives together.”

“That’s sweet. Where do you want to go?”

“Get your jacket and I’ll show you.” Vince said.

A few minuets later Vince lead Melody to a night club. She entered with guarded steps and hesitantly looked around her. A live rock band was playing as people danced to their music. On the other side of the room was a bar and Melody gasped as she saw Vince was already headed towards it. She ran after him and caught his hand.

“Please don’t do this again.” She pleaded softly so no one could over hear. A few people shot them confused glances. “You promised me you wouldn’t drink anymore.”

“My angel,” he said when he heard the distress in her voice. “We’ve done well and come so far. I deserve this and I need to be happy just for tonight.”

“Don’t I make you happy?”

Vince bit his lip and turned away.

Giving up the fight, Melody let him go. She stalked off to the corner and blended in with the shadows, never taking her eyes off him.

For Vince, the first drink tasted good, the second was even better, and by the time he was on his third he was starting to stagger. A beautiful black-haired girl sauntered up to him and asked him to dance. He thought she looked good in her tight short skirt so he said yes, forgetting who was still watching him.

Melody’s eyes flashed anger and hatred as she watched the way the black-haired girl flirted with Vince and laughed at his drunkenness. The girl wasn’t aware of the death look she was getting from the corner. Melody was trying not to think of the many slow and bloody ways she would like to kill that girl. She didn’t want to be like that. But when she saw the girls hands stats to explore Vince’s body as they danced she knew she couldn’t watch anymore. For the good of everyone around her, she should have left at that moment but instead she gave in as the calculated killer she used to be took her over. She asked the band to play a song she’d written and they agreed.

As the music started she took her place in the middle of the dance floor. People began to clear the floor to watch her as she danced and sang. With her graceful movements and clear voice she was pouring out her soul to everyone who’d listen and she had their undivided attention. She danced and she sang;

“All I need is you.

You make my life complete.

Smile for me just to make my day.

I know what you do to yourself

But I know you still love me.

So take my hand and never let me go.

When you smile its so beautiful.

I wanna hold you.

Sometimes I’ll wonder why this life is worth living.

But when I close my eyes

And think of when I made you smile.

I remember I live for that memory.

In this cruel world

Where friends are traitors

And loved ones betray me

You are the only light I see.

You are my hero.

Come save me.

I know I can trust you

So I wanna give you all of me

You don’t need to drown your pain in the bottles.

Don’t drink you sorrow and life away.

I wanna be there for you.

I wanna change you life like you changed mine.

I don’t want to make you cry anymore.

Please, won’t you let me stay with you

And hold you all night?

I wanna be with you.

You are my hero.

Come save me.”

Melody ended her song on her knees in a gracefully bow that pleaded for someone to understand the words she’d just sung. No one moved. She put her right arm over her left wrist where she mid her throwing knives under her sleeve. The knife slipped from its sheath in a second and found its target before anyone realized what was happening. The black-haired girl gasped and choked on her own blood and the knife buried itself in her neck, then she fell over dead. With a sarcastic nod of her head to her audience Melody ran out into the snow and Vince ran after her, leaving the other girl in her own blood.

He found Melody in their apartment. She was sitting on the couch staring blankly at the wall and holding her silver locket open as it played the lullaby.

Why did you do it?” she asked when she heard his footsteps as he came in to door. She did not turn to look at him but sat with perfect poise and control, still staring at the wall.

“”Do what?” he asked coldly.

“Let that other woman touch you like that.”

“I’m a free man and I’ll do what I want.”

“Fine. I’ll leave then.”

“Then go. I am better off alone anyway.”

“You’ve said that before. But you have also promised me you wouldn’t drink, and that you would someday take me home to the country. You make a lot of empty promises.”

“I’m sorry for that, but you have broken the promises you made to me. Do I need to remind you that you just killed another person?”

“This is the truth Melody. I wanna save you from yourself but I can’t. I wish me could start over but we can’t. But if you would like to continue to try I want you to stay with me. You are all I have left.”

“Okay. I will try to keep going but please promise me you will never drink again.” Tears started to trickle down her face.

“I promise.” He said as he took her in his arms and kissed her. This time she knew he meant it.

Chapter 23

Dream

Melody was drifting off to sleep but Vince was already practically passed out next to her. Her eyes fluttered closed as she drifted off into another troubled dream.

She saw Shane alone and crying. He was pleading for her to return to him. His appearance has changed since she saw him last. He was unkempt and looked as if he’d given up on life.

Melody woke up in a sweat. She would know that man anywhere, even if she couldn’t see his face.

“Shane! What have I done to him? I know he loved me and I hurt him so bad.” she whispered to herself. “I ‘m so sorry I ever let him love me.” She looked over at Vince who was still asleep. He seemed so happy and careless. “Will I do the same to you? Will I break your heart like I did Shane’s? Can I love anyone with out hurting them? I don’t deserve you Vince. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Vince stirred at the sound of his name. Tears rolled down Melody’s cheek as she realized how much she loved him.

“With love comes great sacrifice.” She told herself. “I must leave you before I hurt you, my darling.” She kissed him gently then got up and dressed, and scratched out a quick note. Grabbing some cash and a gun for protection, she walked out of the apartment and into the cold street, not even knowing where she would go.

Chapter 24

Save Me

Vince knew something was wrong as soon as he woke up and felt the cold chill of being alone. The silence seemed to ring in his ears. He jumped out of bed and almost fell over when he was a note and Melody’s locket pinned to the door with. It was his duty to protect Melody but as soon as he saw the note he feared he had failed. His head was spinning and he could barely focus on the words enough to read them. Feeling weak as his legs gave way, he put his had on the wall for support and read;

Dear Vince.

I know I make you cry.

I know with every kiss I break your heart.

I can’t be with you anymore.

I wanna stay and I wanna leave

Either way I’m going to hurt you

But this is the better way.

I know you forgive me

For all I’ve even done

But I can’t go on like this with you.

I don’t wanna hurt you anymore.

Every time you look at me.

I feel like you don’t see the real me

You just see who you wanna see;

The girl I can no longer be.

This isn’t right.

This is killing you.

You want me back so bad.

But that’s something you can’t have.

Because it’s something I can’t do.

I don’t wanna go on like this.

I can see its killing you.

I don’t even know who I am anymore.

But I know I’m destroying you.

Those smiles that I live for

I see less and less every day

As you crawl inside your hole to die.

I can see it when you wanna cry

And I know why

It’s all because of me.

We both can’t go on like this.

It’s too hard to be reminded of what we wanted so bad;

When we were young and still in love.

You know we can’t be happy like that again.

Its something we you can’t regain because we lost it once.

And the memories I remind you of are killing you.

I can’t do this to you anymore.

I’m not an angel.

Don’t call me beautiful anymore.

I love you more than life its self

And though you might not understand

That is why I have to leave you.

I’ll sacrifice everything for you.

I don’t want you to go on remembering

A fallen angel died for you.

Just know I’ll be in heaven smiling on you.

When it rains don’t think of tears.

Move on with what you do

And who you are.

Just remember someone somewhere loves you

Forever.

Vince let out a scream that even startled himself and ran out after her. He felt so lost as he looked up and down the street, not knowing which way she had gone, or even if it was already too late to save her.

Chapter 25

Lost

Melody walked blindly through the snow-covered streets as her tears froze to her cheeks. More than anything, she wanted to go back to Vince and tell him she’d be alright and wouldn’t break his heart. But she thought she was doing the best thing for him by leaving and that kept her from running back to him. She didn’t know where she was going. She had no where to go. She jumped up onto a roof top and found herself in their favorite stop, the library roof. She sat there alone watching the sun come up.

From a distance she thought she heard someone call her name but dismissed it as just the sound of the snow falling.

“Melody?!?” This time she knew it was real. She held her head in her hands she prayed he wouldn’t see her because she was too weak with sorrow to run.

Vince ran up to her and grabbed her in a death grip. He was hysterical.

“You can’t do this to me.” He panted. “Don’t leave me, don’t leave me. What do we live for? Why do we keep going? We have to make it because we are the heroes.”

“Heroes, Vince? We are a curse to society. We can’t do anything for anyone. I want to end all this ‘cause this is a life I wasn’t meant for. I wish I could be normal but I’m not.”

Vince helped her to her feet, dried her eyes and held her close.

“I want you to know something about me I’ve told you before. I love you and need you. I should never have left you when I ran away. I could have prevented all your troubles.”

“Nothing can bring my parents back. Not even you.”

“I know. But what are you living for, angel? Because I am living for you and I’m sorry for hurting you. It’s hard for me to start over and change who I’ve become, but I don’t want anything but you now. I don’t want money or freedom. I’ve found my purpose in life and it’s you.”

“I’m living for my parents because they lost their chance to live. I want to do what they would’ve done. I’m sorry for giving up. You remind me of everything I love.

“I love you, Melody.”

“And I love you… so much.”

“Together we will be heroes and show the world that there is always forgiveness. No matter what we’ve done, we will always be given a second chance.”

Chapter 26

Shane

Shane had failed to carry out both his plans for revenge and was left feeling broken and empty. He thought turning Melody in to be arrested would satisfy his longing for revenge but not only had he fail to capture her but without her was left feeling so alone and destitute that he realized he still loved her. He had lost what he held dearest in life and there was no one to blame but himself. When he found Melody’s articles in a newspaper and read her novels he knew it was her because he could recognize her writing style anywhere, although she used a penname “And who is the bastard that called himself her photographer?” he thought. He found an article about a particular new coffee shop in a city not far form where he was and he decided to go there and find her. He would follow her paper trail.

“I’ll find her and I’ll tell her I’m sorry. She’ll come back to me. I know she will.” He tried to convince himself.

After a few days of relentless searching, Shane found the coffee shop and was happy to see it was a favorite hangout for Melody and her photographer. He could see them through the window sitting together and looking over a paper. Shane muttered a curse under his breath when he notices Melody’s hand in Vince’s. He was about to rush into the shop but a strong hand grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the window.

“I knew you’d find her.” A familiar voice said. Shane found himself looking into the eyes of the sheriff he had tried to lead to Melody before. “I’ve been following you.” He said in his fat, scratchy voice. “I knew you’d lead us to her eventually.” Shane would have loved to shoot him in the head right then and there, but he restrained his anger.

“It’s not her.” He said coolly.

“I would walk in there and arrest her right now, but I need back up.” The Sheriff grinned.

“Then you are a coward.” Shane muttered under his breath.

The Sheriff stood up to his full, fat height and put his other hand on his hip, near his gun. He was trying to look frighteningly intimidating but Shane had faced enough cops in his life to know the old trick. He wrenched himself from his iron grip and looked him in the eyes.

“It’s not her.” He repeated emphatically, then took off running. This was the reason he tried to stay so physically fit. He never knew when he might have to run from a fat cop. He was faster than the sheriff and running from cops always gave him a thrill.

“Stop! Catch that man!” the sheriff roared. People from the shops along the street ran out to watch the action.

“Haven’t I seen him before?” Vince said half to himself, half to Melody, when he saw Shane.

“I’ve never seen him.” Melody lied. It was the first lie she ever told Vince. She watched Shane run around a corner, but when she turned around, Vince was gone.

Vince dodged around the people on the crowed streets as ran Shane. He wanted to get a better look at Shane and learn where he had seen him before.. As Shane was running, he glanced back and caught Vince’s eyes. That was all he needed tp recognized him as Logan’s killer.

Shane was distracted by Vince so didn’t see the car parked along the sidewalk. He slammed into it with such a loud crash that it made Vince wince and smile at the same time as he watched him crumple to the ground. Before Shane could recover from the pain the sheriff had caught him. Vince hid in an open doorway and listened.

“Look boy,” The sheriff said harshly. “We have quite a record against you. She’s not the only person wanted for murder. Now you can either help us get her, or spend the rest of your life in prison.”

Shane sighed. “Promise me you won’t hurt her.” he said.

“It’s a deal.” The sheriff smiled his fat, ugly smile.

Confused Vince left and returned to Melody.

Chapter 27

Lies

That night, when Vince and Melody were together in their apartment, Vince was unusually quiet. Melody was writing and she tried not to let her nervousness show, but the pen was shaking in her hand. Vince noticed it and she pulled her cloak closer around her, murmuring something about the cold.

“You do know him.” Vince said after a long silence.

“Who?” she asked with obviously faked innocence. Her bottom lip quivered with the lie. Vince noticed but said nothing.

The next morning, Melody got up early. She hadn’t slept much because there was too much on her mind. She opened the curtains to let in the glow from the early sunlight on the snow, and saw a red rose with a note attached tied to the window. It was from Shane.

Dear Melody,

Please forgive me. I don’t care who you are or what you’ve done. I just want to be with you. You are still my Melody and I am lost without you. Please meet me at the coffee shop tonight and tell me if there is hope of forgiveness.

Love,

Shane

Melody remembered their relationship and how he had always been there for her… well, almost always. How could she have just left him with out talking to him? She decided to meet him at the coffee shop just to say a proper goodbye to Shane, although she loved Vince and could never leave him. Not even for Shane.

As soon as Vince fell asleep that night Melody silently got out of bed and threw on her cloak. Vince watched her with half closed eyes as she slipped out the door. She breathed a sigh of relief once she was on the other side of the door, but Vince grabbed his gun and followed her. He didn’t know where she was going and he didn’t want to know, but he did want to protect her.

He watched form the roof as Melody waited in front of the coffee shop, their coffee shop. It was where they liked to hang out. He watched in agony as Shane came to meet her and she ran into his open arms.

“How could she do this to us?” Vince muttered under his breath.

“I forgive you.” He heard Melody say to Shane.

“I’m so sorry.” Tears were in his eyes as Shane said it. Vince bit his lip so hard it bled to keep from screaming.

“You must run with me. We have to leave now!” Shane said hurriedly as he looked around him. He felt sick leading Melody into this trap and wanted to save her. However hopeless it was by now, he refused to acknowledge that it was too late.

“You don’t understand.” Melody tried to tug her hand away from his but he gripped her tighter.

“No. You don’t understand. We can’t stay here. They’re coming.” The look in his eyes was wild and almost insane. He glanced all around him as if looking for someone and he looked like he expected to find the devil himself.

“No, I can’t go with you. I love Vince!” Melody jerked her hand away with a shudder and Vince breathed a sigh of relief.

“Then go. Run!” Shane cried. “They are coming for you. I was blackmailed. This is a trap.” The truth came pouring out, his worlds stumbling over each other. Melody just stood there, dumbstruck.

“I thought you loved Me.” she whispered.

Cops appeared out of the black darkness around them. Blinding lights were shine into Melody’s eyes and she heard the sound of guns being drawn. She didn’t have to see the guns to recognize the spine-chilling feeling of them being pointed at her.

With a yell that came from his broken heart, and that froze the blood of everyone who heard it, Vince jumped down and grabbed Shane, Turning him around to face the cops and pointing his gun at his head.

“Drop your guns or I shoot!” Vince commanded. Slowly, the cops lowered their weapons.

“You fool!” Shane said under his breath to Vince. “You just gave yourself in along with the rest of us.” But Quinn knew what he was doing. As soon as he had all the cop’s attention, Melody threw her dagger with perfect aim. She only had one shot and she had to get it right. The dagger hit each man in the throat. Vince emptied his gun into the sheriff to finish him off.

Shane tried to wrench himself from Vince’s grasp but Vince pulled him down a nearby alleyway and slammed him against the brick wall, pointing the empty gun in his face. Melody followed but stood back when she noticed how angry Vince was.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Shane taunted as he got his first clear look at Vince’s angry face. I’ve heard so much about you. You are her childhood sweetheart, and now the famous photographer I read so much about?” Vince slammed him against the wall again, this time ever harder.

“You killed my father! Now you are trying to take Melody away from me! What more could you want from me?” Vince screamed. His head was clouded with anger and he could barely hear what was said around him. Everything seemed to be spinning and he lost control completely and hit Shane across the face with the empty gun. Melody cried out with terror when she saw him strike Shane. The blow was so hard she could hear the loud thud it made against his head. She rushed forward and grabbed Vince’s wrist in mid air to prevent him from giving Shane a second blow.

“You lied to me!” he said as he threw Melody from him with unnatural strength. She slammed against the wall and then sank to the ground, trying not to cry.

“She’s a beautiful, filthy, innocent, lying angel! And she’s all mine!” Vince emphasized each word with another blow to Shane’s head. Shane groaned as he weakly raised his shaking hand to protect his bleeding head.

“You’ll kill him!” Melody screamed. Vince threw the gun down and staggered backwards. Shane struggled to stand, but fell down with another groan. Melody longed to help him, but didn’t move out of fear of Vince’s anger.

“I will kill you.” Vince breathed. “But I’ll get nothing out of killing you now, when you are helpless. We will duel at sunrise.” Vince named a desolated place outside the city near an old abandoned church for their duel and Shane weakly accepted.

“I’ll be there.” said Shane as he struggled to his feet.

“You’ll come alone. Don’t bring any of your cop friends.” Vince warned him.

“They’re all dead.” Vince looked perplexed when Shane said it, then he remembered. He had forgotten everything but Shane in his anger. Quickly, he turned to Melody who was as pale as snow. He gently helped her stand and let her lean on his arm.

“I’ll kill you.” he said again to Shane but Shane was already staggering off, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

“I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you…” Vince muttered into the darkness.

Chapter 28

Sunrise

In a lonely forest outside of the city was an old, gothic church stood high above the trees.

Crisp, fresh snow crunched beneath Vince’s black boots as she paced back and forth in front of the church waiting for Shane. He was alone because he told Melody to stay behind. He didn’t want her to have to see more death. He just wanted to kill Shane and get it over with, then go back to a normal life with Melody.

Finally, Shane arrived. His head was bandaged from last night’s fight and he was staggering with weakness. Vince was angry to see him so weak because he wanted to kill him in a fair fight. This would hardly satisfy him.

They stood back to back in the snow and counted ten paces. Shane was shaking as he turned to fire, and Vince was faster. Bang! Vince fired first but he missed. Shane fell into the snow, dropping his gun to hold his wounded arm. Vince smiled and took aim again, focusing all his hate and anger down the barrel of his gun pointed at Shane as he remember when Shane fired the shot that killed Logan.

“Don’t shoot him!” Melody screamed as she jumped out from behind the trees she had been hiding in. She didn’t let Vince go anywhere without her so she had secretly followed.

Shane looked up form the red snow he was bleeding on and smiled to see Melody one last time. Bang! Vince’s aim was perfect this time. Shane jerked backwards and fell dead, into the crimson snow.

“He was unarmed!” Melody said as she ran to Shane’s side. The tears that blinded her froze when they fell into the snow, and boiled when they fell into Shane’s hot blood.

“I told you not to come here.” Vince said darkly and turned away as guilt came over him at the sight of blood. He had never been bothered by blood before and he realized that he had just killed a man.

“He’s not breathing.” Melody wailed as she put her ear to his forever stilled heart. Vince just stood with his back to her, as frozen as the snow.

“I hate you!” Melody’s voice scratched with emotion. Still, he couldn’t turn to look at her. She put her head down and cried.

Snow began to fall, fist silently and then the wind came, blowing it around and hiding Vince and Melody from each other. She didn’t know how long she sat there without looking up, but when she finally did, she couldn’t see Vince anymore. “I hate you.” she whispered again, and disappeared into the snow.

Chapter 29

Father

Vince threw open the doors of the abandoned church, ran up to the alter and threw himself on his knees. All this time he had forgotten about his heavenly father; the one who would never leave him.

“Forgive me father, for I have failed you. “Vince prayed as he threw himself on the alter. “I’ve sin against you and killed a man, and I have failed Melody. I want to end this fight people call life. I want to leave this place and be in heaven forever where there are no more tears, no more pain and no more death. Would I be so unforgivable if I closed my eyes and gave up this fight to start over and do right? I have already lost and I want to go back home with you father. I know you forgive me, but I can not forgive myself. Suicide is what they call ‘the unforgivable sin’ but would you forgive me if I took my own life just so I could be with you in heaven forever? Forgive me father, for I know not what I do.” As Vince ended his prayer he heard faint music and looking around the church to see where it was coming from he saw Melody’s locket lying open on the ground. It had fallen off his neck. He looked at it and said;

“I’m sorry I was never able to give you the home you wanted, Melody. Please forgive me” and with that he put the gun against his head and fired. Melody was searching everywhere for Vince. She heard the gun shot from the church and rushed in. She ran down the isle and found that she was too late. The church was silent except for the locket’s sweet tune playing and Vince was lying on the floor bleeding onto it. Melody picked it up and held it close to her heart then threw herself on Vince and cried.

“Sleep my Love. For you have found your true father and your freedom now.” She said through her tears.