The Truth Be Told

[pchwang]

Two weeks later, it happened.

It was on the front page of every newspaper.

HIGH RANKING LIBERTY NAVAL OFFICER BURNT ALIVE

LIBERTY NAVY VICE ADMIRAL KILLED

NAVY OFFICIAL TORTURED AND MURDERED

At 6:30 that morning, before the articles even were printed, Delgado received a sum of three hundred thousand credits - all diversified - in his account.

He had just killed a man.

He didn't mean to do it. He needed the money, honestly. Delgado wasn't a drug addict, but he knew that there was no way his parents could take the news that he lost his academic scholarship well. So for the past three years, Delgado paid his own tuition, illicitly.

He had no idea someone would die.

Delgado panted as he ran up the stairs of a rundown lower Manhattan high rise complex. That was only a few days ago. But since then, he just couldn't keep it in. He found the number Erica had given him a few months ago, the number she kept when it was too cold to be standing outside on the corners, and called her.

She was the only person he could trust. Not his friends, not his parents, not the police.

She would understand. She was just as oppressed and desperate as he was.

54G.

Delgado stopped. The door was ajar.

A feeling deep down within him told him that something was wrong.

Hurtling into the small, dingy apartment, Delgado saw her. His friend, occasional lover, and counselor.

Dead.

Delgado covered his mouth and stifled a cry. He felt his eyes begin to mist.

Then, the phone rang.

It was in a common pattern. Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep

Delgado stood, fixed as a statue.

Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep

As horror turned into sorrow, sorrow naturally became anger, and soon, it became hate.

Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep

Delgado knew who was on the other line.

Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep

And all he wanted to do was to kill that person, whoever it was.

Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep

Delgado walked over to the phone and picked up the handset.

"Heya, baby," said a deep, heavyset voice. "You busy tonight?"

Delgado nearly exploded in anger. He slammed down the handset.

She was pretty, even if she were dead. Delgado brushed a strand of hair off her face and closed her eyes for her. Taking a napkin, he cleaned off some of the blood that had emerged from the hole in the center of her head.

Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep

Delgado shook.

Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep

He looked over at the handset again.

Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep

The anger began to rise like a tide from within him, overflowing like a massive froth up through his chest and his neck.

Beep-Beep-Be...

Delgado snatched up the wireless handset.

"You missed the party," said the voice.

"I'M GOING TO F---ING KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD!" screamed Delgado. "I'M GONNA KILL YOU LIKE WHAT YOU DID THAT OTHER A--!!! DO YOU HEAR ME!?"

"Now, now," said the voice, "Don't get too emotional. You might give something away. Then we'd have to put a bullet in your head too."

Delgado was about to scream at the voice again, but stopped, gulping.

"We're impressed with your work," said the voice. "Do you know why? You're not the best. Don't give yourself a pat on the back for quality. We like you because you're honest. Your track record with us is quite amazing. You've never stolen anything, no matter what sum you were dealing with."

Delgado suddenly recalled the desire to take the eight hundred million. "I've done work for you before?"

The voice chuckled. "We have people everywhere. Of course you have."

Delgado sat down on Erica's dilapidated couch in shock and surprise.

"Now," continued the voice. "I apologize for killing your friend. But go to her dresser, and open the first drawer."

In a daze, Delgado obeyed.

"You'll find that the of the drawer is smaller than it should be. Take out the drawer, empty to contents, and see if you find any cracks on the sides of it."

Delgado found a small hairline crack, and immediately pried at it with his fingers. Despite getting several splinters, he tore at the drawer like a wild animal. Suddenly, a wad of documents fell out. Scrambling to unravel them, Delgado dropped the phone and took cursory glances at each of them, until he found one with his picture on it.

Looking at the top of the sheet, he found a label on it, marked: "Search/Destroy."

He couldn't believe it. Erica, his Erica, was a Bounty Hunter.

"And what's the lesson for today?" asked the voice from the handset lying amongst the random articles of clothing.

Delgado was stunned. He picked up the handset and pressed it against his face. He stammered, "Don't...don't...trust anyone."

"Good," said the voice. "We'll be in touch."

---

[7:42:05 PM][6:51:36 PM] Igor (Smokey): btw terry
[6:51:48 PM] Terrance Cooper: Ye?
[6:52:00 PM] Igor (Smokey): nothin
[6:52:03 PM] Igor (Smokey): just sayin btw
[6:52:05 PM] Terrance Cooper: <_<

Johnny_Haas: you shot anti criuse speed rockets!!!
Johnny_Haas: but why????
Johnny_Haas: ??
Johnny_Haas: why you shoot criuse speed rockets?