CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Night time had begun to set over Hershel as the students from Hershel high school gathered in the field of Farmer Mack for the celebration bonfire. It was a tradition that had begun years ago around the seventies as a way of unifying the students and sports team to celebrate the victories of the schools’ sports teams.

  Farmer Mack had offered his back field as a place for the bonfire as he also provided the wood. He always stayed around with the other chaperons, teachers and coaches to join in with the fun. His wife put together some refreshments, even going far enough to make a straw figure and dress them in the next opponent’s team outfits so the captain of the team could throw their enemy into the fire indicating a burn down on the team’s effort to defeat the Cougars.

  It seemed a little horrific to some, but in the end, it was just a fun way to build school and team spirit. Mack sat on his tractor as the trucks, cars and a few motorcycles began to pull into the field parking area. Team players exited their vehicles as a few parents, students of all grade levels, cheerleader and the band arrived. Everyone was in the celebrating mood as the first victory of the night would soon be in full swing. There was nothing bad or horrible on anyone’s mind as everyone gather to begin the festivities.

  No one gather at Farmer’s Mack’s field had even had a mere thought of Troy and Becca. For most of the players they were unaware that there had even been change in the coaching staff. It had been decided aright after Troy’s dismissal that the news would be shared at practice on Monday. The administrator did not want to ruin the teams, and the student bodies bonfire event or their weekend with this kind of bad news.

  As the sun was setting and the fire was being lite everyone on the field at Mack’s place roared with the electrical charge of victory. The loud cries, and whoopie dos could be heard all over the wide field as the students yelled it up in support of their heroes the Cougars, Minute by minute the cries and celebration clapping increased as the first party of hopefully many had taken off.

  Some fifteen miles across town in a quiet little neighborhood Troy sat on his brown leather couch drinking Bourbon while holding his Twenty-Two caliber hand gun. He had drunk far more than he could handle, but his anger was outweighing his sensibilities. There was a level of boiling anger that had risen up inside of his mind and emotion and he wanted to show those that had started this unforgiveable hurt exactly what he was made of. He had been pushed over the edge of his own ability to stay focus and figure out how to rebound and now he felt as though there was only one true recourse left to him.

  Not wanting to wait a minute longer Troy stood up trying very hard to find his balance then taking a deep breath he spoke to himself, “ Okay Troy, let’s show them what you’re made of when someone fucks with your whole life. It’s war .” With that he pulled his pants up and slide the gun down inside his behind his belt and headed for the front door.

  The decision had been made he had a plan and he was going to show Becca and everyone else why no one should mess with him. Everything that he had worked for was falling out of his hands. His career, his wife, he whole for living, all gone in one second. Troy could sit around and cry or he go take care of the reason this had all happened. Troy would finish this sick joke with a little taste of his own revenge.

  As the night grew on and the celebration was in full swing, team members after members took the megaphone to speak their celebratory words for the team’s victory. Even the Principal Mr. Jones made a brief stop by to wish the team every bit of good luck on their future games. Mr. Jones was just about to head out when a black truck sped into the field where the cars and trucks were parked almost hitting two or three vehicles.

  The crowd stopped shouting as they turned their attention towards to black truck Of Troy, their football coach . as Troy opened his door he looked out hollering to the crowd, “ Hidee y’all, I made it after all.” He shouted slurring his words so pathetically.

  Principal Jones recognized immediately that Troy was not sober and walked quickly to his truck. He grabbed Troy’s arm holding him inside the truck leaning over and whispering,” Troy, what in God’s name are you doing, son? You cannot get out and be with the students. Troy, sit up, son.” David said in a harsh tone. He looked at Troy with so much disappointment he could hardly stand to be near him.

  “ Don’t call me son you , son of a bitch. You fired me you weasel. All those years you said you supported me, told me over and over how wonderful I was, a great leader. You,” Troy screamed at him pointing David in the middle of his chest, “You, you could not even give me the benefit of the doubt David you spineless ass kisser. Get out of my way. Troy finished pushing David in his chest making him fall to the ground.

  Without taking a second look at his ex-boss Troy stepped over david and slowly made his way through the crowd of students and parents. He smiled his drunken smile at his players holding his thumb up in support. He had not come here to interfere in their celebration, no, no, he had come to put an end to evil gossip by a demon disguised as a female. He took small steps as he looked for his intended target.

  Several of the husbands in the group came up to Troy trying to halt him in his tracks, but he pushed them out of his screaming at them,

  “ Leave me alone. I know exactly what I’m doing damn it.” He shouted at them as his anger grew more intense by the second.

  As the darkness fell covering the field in Farmer’s Mack back land the bonfire burned brightly as the flames shot up high into the night sky. The stars shone down upon the students, parents, teachers and Mack and Ruth as the night began to unveil the depth of danger soiling the heart of man once thought well of. In a second goodness can convert to the darkest of evil shadows where true anger, and spite cultivate a level of hatred unfelt by most of these innocent town’s people.

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  This night once again the master had in still his greatest warrior who with only soft, spoken words could destroy and diminish the goodness of an entire town and its inhabitants. Death had no preference and no prejudice when it came to the taking of a soul. All that remains was the act to that gives up the sacrifice.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Troy moved slowly through the crowd looking for his target. From his left he heard a familiar laughter and turned to immediately see Renee standing with her arms wrapped around Kelley’s neck. They were standing with three of the team’s star players, giggling and being so seductively coy. He was sick at his stomach at the site of them, but he managed to walk over and rudely interrupt their silliness.

  “ Well now, look a here. The two evil sisters playing more mind games with these fellers. Aren’t you two ashamed of yourself, hun?” he said as he leaned over poking Kelley in her chest as hard as he could.

  Kelley recoiled at his touch making a face of pain and discomfort as she spouted out, “ Ouch, hey, don’t touch me you creep. Ewe.” She replied swatting his finger away from her chest.

  Not even noticing that she acted as though he had assaulted her he continued his berating of her and her sister, “ Ouch, oh come on you little twat. You love putting your hands on coaches and getting them into trouble. Do not act so innocent Kelley girl. And Renee, you sour puss. You are trouble for any man that gets close to you. How many boyfriends have you destroyed over the years since high school? What happen Miss Prom Queen, you found out you’re exactly nothing., Hun?’ he smirked at her hating every second she stood there.

  Renee stepped in front of Kelley taking a step right in Troy’s face,  “ Listen, you looser where’s your honey bun, eh? Oh, ya, she dumped you, right. Right after you and my sister had that moment on the field last night. Now what, big guy, Mr. Big Troy. What are you going to do now that everyone in town thinks you’ve been playing extra time with my sister? I told you when you broke up with me in our senior year that it would not matter how long I had to wait, but I would get even.” She took another step forward pointing her finger in Troy’s face, continuing her rant, “ I got you, you stupid idiot. I won. Where’s your honey bun, she’s dumping you isn’t that right .Right along with your job and coaching. Now what Mr. Big Star?’ she screamed at him.

  Kelley started taunting Troy as Renee whistled shouting at the top of her lungs what a looser Troy was.

  In only a few seconds Principal Jones and two other coaches as well as the entire football team were standing in circle listening to the taunting and cheers of most of the student body. Almost everyone there that had their cell phone out videoing the entire scene. What they would capture was a once in a lifetime event. No one could have predicted the next move that took place.

  Troy stared at Renee and Kelley with more hate than he had ever felt. He was done with this accusatory jeering and the final moment had finally arrived. He took one step back from Renee, pulled the Twenty- Two caliber hand gun from his behind his belt and with one quick motion swung his hand up pointing the gun straight at Renee.

  The look of fear and surprise on everyone’s face said exactly what Troy had hoped for. Everyone knew that Troy was now completely in charge making this so much more disastrous. He ground his teeth in anger as he spat his words at Renee, “ Who’s in charge Renee? You, you think you have won and I say you’re a loser. I win.” His hand was steady considering the amount of Bourbon he had consumed and he felt powerful for the first time since last night.

  “ Troy, you have to be kidding. Are you really going to shoot me? For what? Because you now know what it feels like to be a looser? Oh please.” Renee was saying as she watched Troy raise the gun pointing it to the middle of her forehead. Little did she know just how determined Troy was to push her life to its ending.

  Troy looked at Renee with no emotion at all for her. Nor did the fact that almost everyone standing around him was shouting at him to put the gun down. He grinned his own version of an evil grin speaking clearer than he had before,” You are nothing but a self-centered, evil slug. In my book no one will miss you and your evil ways Renee. You will never harm another innocent person from this point forward.” He screams emphatically.

  Renee put her hands up screaming at Troy to stop playing around. The sound of the gun discharging rang out and echoed all around the field as each person standing there took in deep breaths, not knowing what to do. Troy’s first shot hit Renee in the middle of her forehead, her eyes going wide as the bullet made its first impact. The second and third bullets were fired right at the middle of her chest as Renee’s body fell to her knees, then toppled over on her side.

  Renee’s body lay motionless as the crowd stood in stunned silence not realizing that Troy was not yet finished.

  Pointing his gun at Kelley, Troy only smiled as the first bullet hit Kelley square in the middle of her chest followed by a second bullet. The third bullet hit Kelley in the forehead just like Renee. Kelley gasped standing for a second wide eye not knowing or comprehending what had just taken place. Within the next seconds she fell to the ground almost on top of her sister Renee’s body.

  Without hesitation Troy swung around and finding his third target pointed his gun directly at Principal Jones. Troy had something to say and he wanted everyone to know why he was doing this awful thing,

  “You said you had always supported me from the Eight grade all the way through college. With the very first test of your faith and belief in me you failed. Why David? Why didn’t you believe in the man you have always known me to be? My life, my marriage, my career all gone because you believed a high school bully and slut over me.” He took a deep breath looking down at his gun for a second, “ You chose a lie over truth and I’m paying for it. You do not deserve to be a leader of these fine young men and women. You are not an example of goodness and faith. I condemn you as you have condemned me.” Troy said pointing the gun at David’s chest.

  David Jones put his hands up shouting at Troy trying to bargain with him to put the gun down. He had only solidified Troy’s point at ending these people who had single handedly ended his life as he had known it. Without any further thought Troy pulled the trigger placing three bullets into the middle of Principal David Jones chest. In a matter of a second David Jones lay on the ground bleeding out, his life’s blood soaking into the ground and within a minute of being shot he passed away.

  Looking to those that were left standing Troy made his final speech to his team, students and co-workers and the parents. He was saying his good byes as he had one more stop to make before it was the last second in his last fourth quarter of the game of life, “ I hope all of you can at least remember one good thing about me after tonight. I didn’t want it to end like this, but they took everything that I had ever dreamed of away all because that awful woman had hatred in her heart. Please for your own sake, never let anyone trample all over every dream you’ve ever had. Hold on to those idea and dreams that you aspire for. I’m sorry that I have disappointed all of you. Life turns sour in a brief second and all there is left to complete the journey is death.” With that Troy stumbled back to his truck and pulled out of the field at a high speed. He had one more stop to make before his grand finale.

  “ What is good can turn evil in a blink of an eye. Spare not your sorrows for what is lost for evil too often prevails.”