the forbidden fruit / the beast of Wrath part III

Midnight.

Rigoberto is with Kenneth at a local colorful park. the park is an old almost forgotten part of town. a place that is mostly use by adulterous couples, or drug dealers. for the moment the park is completely empty. everything is in silence.

"do you know why I asked you to come in here?"

"no, I don't. but I guess you do. I am waiting to hear whatever you have to say."

"well, you aren't going to like this. some time ago. there was a bloodbath on a diner as a result of different opinions. a guy came at me with a gun. he was ready to kill. it is self explanatory that he failed. I remember a cry of desperation. he was a man in search of vengeance for his brother's murder. the brother's name was, Jack Robins."

Kenneth refuses to believe in those words. he wanted to believe that Samuel was alive somewhere. he wanted to believe that Samuel lived a happy life. now he knows that Samuel was killed by Rigoberto.

Kenneth wants to cry. but he can't. he feels like a knot on his throat. his body trembles with rage and fear. Kenneth lived a horrible life. he was expecting for a better future for his own kids. he wanted the best for them.

"if you want to know the location of the body. take this notes, they will take you to a part of the woods in which his body would be found, or whatever is left of his body."

Rig isn't doing this out of malice. he actually feels guilt for killing Kenneth's children. this is the only way he knows to apologize. Rig isn't expecting to be forgiven. he has done so much wrong to ever dream about been forgiven.

Rigoberto already told Kenneth everything he had to say. he stands up ready to leave. he is stopped by Kenneth. they look at each other's eyes. Kenneth takes a gun out. he aims at Rigoberto. Kenneth's hand is shaking. he feels rage for losing both of his children on the hands of Rigoberto. but Rig is his friend. he is almost like a son to him.

"you killed my boys.... I forgive you for Jack because he had that coming. the little bastard tried to eat bigger animals. but why my little Samuel? he didn't did shit. he was just a small pure boy with big dreams. he was just a boy."

"if he can use a gun, then he is no longer a boy. but a man. and a man has to pay for his actions. sadly he didn't had a father to guide him, so I did it for you. so let's say that my ways of teaching are deadly."

"you have no right. I saw for your well-being when we where in prison. he was my child. and even if he committed mistakes. he was too young."

Rigoberto gives a notebook to Kenneth. he isn't afraid of the gun. Rig has seen enough blood on his life to ever fear death. it is clear that Kenneth doesn't have the strength to pull of the trigger. Rigoberto just wants to leave.

"I really want to kill you. for my children. the reason I won't kill you is because, I still have a kid that I don't want to lose. I have a kid with which I want to fix our broken relationship. she needs me. I really hope that you can burn in hell."

Kenneth puts the gun down. he stands up. he looks at Randy and Terry who are awaiting for him. they just arrive. they seem to be arguing about something pointless like always. Kenneth smiles looking at them.

Kenneth walks away. he gets inside of a car. Terry and Randy are still arguing. Terry takes the drivers seat. Randy sits next to Kenneth. they leave.

Rigoberto smiles while he looks at his phone. he calls his girlfriend. she doesn't answer. Rigoberto leaves feeling optimistic about the future.

.....

On a warehouse.

Tiziano Fierro walks in front of his men. Tiziano calls to his men because he has an important announcement to make. he has come up to a conclusion. it took him many years to understand many things.

"I am here to say something important. since today I am no longer the boss of the Fierro family. I know it is a surprise to all of you. because of some complications I had decided to leave my place to someone of my trust. the reason why I renounce to my position is because a friend of mine died in hands of the reaper. and since his death I fear for my life. I can't live like that anymore. so today is my last day as your boss."

Tiziano calls for one guy. he presents that guy as the new boss. then he leaves without saying anything else. Tiziano is tired. he just wants to forget about this town.

Tiziano looks at his car. some subordinates are helping him to move Tiziano's stuff to his new home. Tiziano thanks them.

he is also told that some of the guys are leaving with him. if the Fierro family is no longer on power. then there is no need for them to be in that town. Tiziano smiles feeling thankful for their loyalty.

"thank you guys for been here for me. now let's go to a bright place, somewhere safe for the rebirth of the Fierro family."

.....

ten days later.

Nina is now living with Rig. she is at the moment taking a shower. Nina awaits for him. once she gets out of the bathroom. she goes to the bedroom.

Nina sees a wallet on the floor. when she takes it, a photo falls to the ground. the photo is of her with her father. Nina knows that her father used to have that same photo on his wallet all the time. he never took that photo off his wallet.

Nina falls on her knees. she cries loudly. Nina calls Rig. she asks him to come to their home soon because she isn't feeling well. then she takes the photo. she screams with all her strength for the emotional pain. she feels betrayed by Rigoberto.

.....

in the meantime.

Rigoberto is on his workshop repairing a car. he goes to the bathroom. he washes his hands and he takes the ring off his pockets. Rig keeps thinking about his girlfriend. he asked her to be his bride. but they haven't talked jet about a date for the wedding.

Rig puts the ring on his pockets to keep it safe while working. when it gets dark Rig closes the workshop. he calls his girlfriend and tells her that he would be home soon.

Rig gets inside of his car. he then looks at the sky. he gets out of his car. he decides to walk to his home. it is not that far away. it takes him about an hour walking. he decided to walk because the moon is bright tonight. the night looks too beautiful.

Rigoberto looks at two kids playing on the streets. one of them says the words 'the Midnight Reaper.' Rig is surprised. he looks at the kids, then he keeps walking.

Rig haven't hear that name in a long time. it has been almost three years since the last time he killed someone. it has been almost a year since the last copycat got killed, arrested, or stopped following his path.

after all that is a path for strong people. not for the weak. so just a few had the courage and brains to be in his shoes without getting killed, nor arrested.

The Midnight Reaper has mostly become a myth. an urban legend of which teenagers tells tales to each other on October. it is some kind of Bogeyman that mothers use to scare they children if they misbehave, or at night for them to sleep early.

the Midnight Reaper has become a supernatural creature, or a beast from folklore. it is a tale told by many. any and all of its glory was reduce to scary tales. the most impressive part is that Rig doesn't care anymore. that name means nothing to Rig.

Rig keeps walking until he arrives at his home.

once inside Rigoberto finds his wallet on a table. he takes it. Nina is in a room sleeping. he gets inside of the room. Rig lies down close to her. he plays with her hair.

Nina wakes up. she turns around. Nina looks at him. a smile is drawn on her face. she feels so happy at his side. Nina truly loves him, but she can't be honest with her emotions since her father's death. she blames Rig for Brandon's death.

"darling is there anything that you want to confess to me?"

"yes my love. I love you, is that good enough? I absolutely love you with all my being."

.....

the next day.

it was a normal day like any other day.

Rig is working with some guys repairing cars. that day he saw Randy Lopez. this time he came alone. since Terry became a free man, he goes everywhere with either Randy, or Kenneth Robbins. they almost look like a family.

"are you here to see me? or to asked me to leave?"

"I didn't came to sell old news. I just came to say goodbye. I feel like I had seen enough on this town. I am leaving this hellhole. I will be in another town tomorrow. one with less stressful shit to deal with."

"I will miss you. even if you were a pain in the balls, you are a true friend. and I can say that you are one of my few truthful friends in this shit hole."

"lo siento amigo. but you won't be able to remember me after tonight. I don't know why. but I had a feeling that we will never see each other again. ya no sabre de ti, ni tu de mi."

"why do I feel some sadness in your voice? are you afraid that I may die one day? I used to kill people. trust me I am a hard son of bitch to kill."

" I am una criatura de la noche que puede verlo todo. pasado, o futuro. pero eso no importa. tu final is coming. y sera triste y solitario."

Randy leaves quietly. he wanted to say something. but he prefers to stay silent till the end of their conversation.

Rig calls his girlfriend. he asks her to see him in the dock that is two towns up north. Nina asks the reason for something so random. Rig tells her that he wants to have a random romantic date with her.

.....

Rig arrives at the dock first, before Nina. he waits in there for almost two hours. he receive a call from Nina. she was on her way. Rig takes the ring out of his pockets. after looking at it he puts it back on his pockets. Nina finally arrives at the dock

"why did you asked me to come here? on a bleak place where no one will notice if I disappear. are you finally going to kill me?"

"there is something that you should know. and I think it is time for me to tell you."

Rig turns around looking at the sea. he puts his hands on his pockets. Rigoberto sighs feeling nervous. when he turns around he takes the ring out of his pockets. at the same time Nina shots him twice with a small pistol.

Rigoberto smiles at her with love. he is extending his arm with the ring cover in blood. some tears fall from Rig's eyes. his body is shaking. the night is long and cold. there is a lot of blood coming out of him. he ignores the pain.

"sorry, I didn't expected to be rejected in such a killer way. sorry for the awful joke. I wanted to officially asked you once more to be my bride. there is nothing more important than you in my life. I suppose my love wasn't enough."

Nina shots at Rigoberto another two times. tears are falling from her eyes. she takes Rig's wallet out. she takes her father's picture out. she is crying feeling anger. feeling heart broken. feeling many strong emotions.

"are you the one whom killed my father? are you?"

"no. I caused his death. but I didn't kill him, nor seek for his downfall. your father was in the way and someone else did it for me. and since then I wasn't able to live with myself."

Rig falls on his knees. he breaths loudly. it is getting harder for him to breath. the air is so cold and warm. his body is freezing. he realized that he is bleeding a lot.

"I am sorry. I doubted in you. for a moment I was sure that you were the murderer of my father. now please tell me who did it. I need his name."

"I am sorry my love. I would do anything for love, but I won't do that. I won't do that."

"I am the forbidden fruit. one taste of my heart and you die, bye love."

Nina cleans the tears from her eyes. she feels regret for shooting at her lover. there is nothing to change the outcome. Nina thanks Rigoberto for his love. then she leaves.

Rigoberto takes his phone from the floor. he calls a number. after a few seconds someone answers the phone. a familiar and warm masculine voice answers.

"hello dad. I am sorry. I just wanted to know how you are doing... I did.... I had committed so many mistakes, that is better for you to think that I am dead."

in the next ten minutes his father told him how they had been living for the last years. his father told him that Joan has marry his brother Amado. together they had raised Rigoberto's son. they had together two daughters and a son. they treat them all equally.

his father tells him that they are a happy couple, the most perfect couple he has ever met in his entire life. his father keeps talking to him about their happy life together.

"sorry father.... I got on an accident.... i don't think I would survive. please tell mom and Amado that I love them. and tell to Joan that I am sorry for my mistakes.... tell her that I say thank you.... or don't. don't do it..... it is better for them to not know about me."

Jose Miguel asks him what is happening. Rigoberto drops his phone. he looks up at the stars and the moon. with a smile he falls on the floor bleeding out slowly. he sees a shadow far away from him, a shadow that grows bigger. in those last minutes.

"a real reaper, isn't it?" are his last words.

then Rig closes his eyes one last time. he is in an eternal deep sleep.

there is a truth that hides beneath the surface, is more simple or complex than what the human eye can see. all this time Nina wasn't planing Rigoberto's homicide. but it was Rigoberto who was planing his own suicide. so he can stop hurting those who are important to him.