1. [INDENT]The wooden steps moaned under my weight, echoing cries to a better time.
Cobwebs littered the corners, prized fortresses of their insect inhabitants. I reached the
top and my flashlight danced around the hall, revealing not a warm home awaiting its
owner’s return, rather a dark and musty chamber, long forgotten by the world.
[INDENT]My senses took in the age and memories the place held as I walked slowly
down a hall. Dust covered quilts were hung as tapestries on each side, once beautiful
stained glass now lay in broken shards on the filthy floor. A rat scurried towards me, its
baleful stare telling me I had disturbed his home. I continued forward, each step a willful
decision. The rat, with a final look of contempt disappeared back into the darkness as I
stopped in the middle of the hall. Facing right my arms shuddered slightly as I pushed a
large door open, its hinges squealing in protest.
[INDENT]Inside, a wooden rocking chair, twin bed, and a bare desk were my greeters. A
mirror affixed against the far wall revealed my face and with it a set of eyes that burned a
hateful stare in me. Mad and fiery eyes that knew my purpose in this place, their only
desire to distract me from it.
[INDENT]I looked away, content instead to focus on the bed. Once a colorful blanket
had lain there, neatly pressed and folded each morning. Now, the only remnants were
ratty pieces of chewed up cloth. Springs shone through the mattress, like bones being
pushed out of skin at awkward angles.
[INDENT]Again I began to transfer my gaze elsewhere but stopped as shivers were sent
traveling down my spine. On the floor lay four scattered pieces of wood. I crouched
quickly; my eyes actively scanned the room in desperation, my chest beating with the
rhythm of a drum as I searched. Something deep in me screamed to find the secret the
discarded pieces of wood had once enclosed.
[INDENT]There, under the desk it lay as if swept away like a bad memory. I reached
forward and pulled the photograph free from its prison.
[INDENT]On one half, an old woman; silver tufts of hair scattered at random across her
head, wrinkled ivory skin, deep blue eyes that told a thousand stories. Her face, lit from
cheek to cheek, showed a joy I had not witnessed in years.
[INDENT]On the other half a boy stood tall, his long and powerful arms wrapped around
the woman in a tender hug. Army fatigues graced his figure, boots laced as tight as
possible, a head so shaven you could see your reflection staring up at you as if it were a
pool of water. The boy’s green eyes portrayed no fear or lack of confidence. He too was
smiling; an acceptance of his duty and genuine love pushed his muscles into a position
the camera had permanently trapped in time.
[INDENT]I looked from one side of the picture to the other. Searching for what, I had no
clue. I did not recognize the woman, did not sense the pain she must have been in, or

2. notice the faint sadness in her eyes. The boy though, something inside me screamed to
look at him, to study his features, to never look away.
[INDENT]I continued to stare, my eyes glued to the ancient piece of paper. At some
point, when time no longer seemed to matter, a realization struck me. I had known this
boy, seen him smile, watched him embrace his family with love, even care for those he
barely knew.
[INDENT] Yet the boy had never known me however, never witnessed me kill in anger,
torture for pleasure, or dismiss the weak. He’d never had the chance to look down upon
the string of horrors my life had become. I knew him though, his face as familiar to me
now as my favorite shirt.
[INDENT]I stood up, and let the photo drop from my grasp. It spiraled down and slid
under the desk once more. It did not matter; the boy and woman did not exist anymore. I
turned for the final time, the wooden rocking chair encompassing my view. My legs
moved me to it, slowly, carefully, as if not to disturb any other long forgotten ghosts.
[INDENT]Reaching the chair, I dropped in it, relief flooded away like sweat on a hot
summer day. The last vestiges of sunlight started to disappear from beyond the door.
Fading much like this house had. No one much seemed to notice or care, it was simply a
part of life.
[INDENT]My hand felt into my pocket, greeted by the smooth and cold touch of metal. I
hefted the object in my hand, its revolving center section clicked once. My eyes closed,
the metal pushed against my skull it happened.
[INDENT]Some say their life flashed before their eyes when they thought death was
among them. I did not see my life, it had no place here. Instead the boy’s image filled me,
his smile and eyes providing a moment of peace.
[INDENT]There was a bright flash through the window of a decrepit abandoned house. A
loud crack echoed up and down its silent and empty halls. No one much noticed or cared,
it was simply a part of life.