Perfect Flaws

5. Life is a Deathly Price

Rhea

Life is a funny game, it's a juggle of decisions, relationships, and most of all, who you are, and your role you inhabit standing on the earth. As you progress, you ask more questions, experience more emotions, and sightings. You begin to question your morality and your dignity, you might even think you know yourself, until life shows you just how wrong you were.

Life itself shows you hardship, forgiveness, love, how twisted you can think, and how gentle you can be. You can redeem yourself for a decision you deem a mistake, or perhaps you're too late. You can be granted fantasy escapes beyond what you think real life is or you're just plainly trapped. It's up to you really, but it never feels that way, does it? Because life will always be a deathly price.

Right now I stand firm and stiff, as if mother nature herself latched tree roots onto my ankles, holding me in a perfect stance. I stare at a remarkably, and shamefully attractive man, hoping I can walk away from this mess.

"Where were you going?" Elijah asks, staring at me with a gut-twisting intensity. "Leaving," I replied quickly.

I watch as he leans against a wooden pillar, crossing his legs, and casually relaxes his blood covered hands in his pockets. He watches me, analyzing me, just the same, if not more.

"Rhea, I need you to look me in my eyes," Elijah announced, disposing of the silence.

I look up at his eyes, and confidently hold his gaze. "You impress me, you're intriguing," he informs. "How?"

"I'm standing here, completely relaxed, unguarded and with no weapon in my hand, yet there you are with no attempts at running."

"We both know you aren't unguarded," I state clearly. He smirks, "You're quick-witted too."

"You have a last name?" He questioned.

"None that would be of interest to someone like you," I reply a little more sharply than I intend. "Ah, now that's where you're incorrect," he laughs, "And who exactly am I to you?"

"A murderer."

"A little off sweetheart, I think assassin is the correct term."

"I really don't care, can I just go?"

He looks me up and down, mainly at my bruises, and finally replies, "I'll be generous, go ahead," he slowly walks toward me, waiting until his face is merely inches from my ear, "However, I'll be the first to hear if you say a word about what you've seen, and on that occasion, you'll become very well acquainted with my blade, understand?"

I nod stiffly.

"Wonderful."

______________

I hastily walk down the stairs and away from Elijah, in hopes of never encountering him again. I turn a corner to the left, running down the hollow and narrow brick walls. Footsteps echo in front of me, and I halt to a stop. I shift my body and press my back against the cold and solid wall.

"Yep, just like the boss said, the Ovantasa guard was in the room," the man pauses, "Yeah man, he'll be dead soon enough, and for good measure too, we can't have our plans out in the open."

I stop myself from making any noise.

"Just meet me there," he utters, frustrated.

I hear footsteps again. I wait until I know which direction they're going in. I realize the noise is getting further, stealthily I look for the man, following the pitter-patter of his feet. I spot him turning a doorknob, and entering; I wait until I see the door shut behind him. I make a light jog across the pathway to the door. Doing just the same as him.