Sudden Guilt

She’s destroyed many lives. Many, many lives. More lives than she cared to remember. And at the end of each one, a part of her own soul died. Soon, in horrific realization, the woman who prided herself on being fearless, finally came face to face with the one thing that scared her to death. Losing what little was left of her humanity.

She had to end it all before she lost it all. Her humanity, that is. And what better place to do just that than where it all started. At the top of this old building where she once looked down upon the city that took what she thought was everything away from her, with tears in her eyes. The place where she wiped those tears away, gritted her teeth, and promised herself that she’d take everything back. This time though, instead of walking back down to make a new life for herself, she’d jump off to end the one she created those many years ago.

At first, she hesitated. She truly did, which she hadn’t done in a long time. The notion crossed her mind that maybe she could, as superheroes say, right the wrongs she’s committed. But, she knew better. The woman she had become was a criminal, a killer. A terrorist who held the citizens of this city hostage in countless bloody actions to take back what was owed. She knew there was nothing she could do to return or replace the mothers, fathers, son’s and daughters she’s taken from countless families. There was no turning back now.

Rotting in jail for the rest of her life would do no good, and waiting for an execution would be a waste of time. Everyone wanted her dead, and to her own estimation, she didn’t deserve to live. So, she stepped to the roof’s edge, closed her eyes, and leapt.