2How had it come to this? Standing up on a chair. A rope, knotted and tied around his neck. He was in full dress uniform with all its decoration. What could have driven him to this?
One week prior, Nick had been out to dinner with his wife Tracy. After the two were done they decided to have a walk. Nick found he was quite lucky to have Tracy in his life. For a long time he only cared about the service. Then, after his lung he met Tracy. She actually understood him. Tracy didn't mind putting up with how hard a man Nick was. Hard to get to, and get to know. He rarely opened up to anybody. Then he met her and things changed. How truly lucky he was.
They had made their way to a small park. The couple found a bench and sat down. Nick had one arm around Tracy while he was holding her hands with his free one. They sat in silence staring up at the night sky. They often did things in silence. Nothing was awkward about it to either of them. Only sharing a quiet moment together.
After sitting for about an hour, they both stood up and began walking again. Some of the lights were out leaving most of the park in shadows. As they were walking along, Nick noticed some of the shadows moving. He was thinking about telling Tracy to run, but it would do no good. The two of them, though only about forty, would not be able to out run however many guys there were. Instead he tried to steer Tracy further out of the park. Apparently the shadows caught on.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Nick and Tracy both stopped as two men stepped out in front of them. Nick looked behind to see another man standing there. Three men only.
"Just hand us your cash and we won't have to mess you up old man."
The three men came closer on both sides. The spokesman held his hand out.
"Now. Unless you want us to fuck up your girlfriend too.."
Now Nick's temper flared. He grabbed the spokesman's hand, twisted it and threw him into the man behind him. Man number three came in and landed a punch on Nick. Tracy came up and tried planting her knee in his crotch, but being in a dress hindered her attempt. Number three just pushed her to the ground. Nick came back and landed a punch of his own, far stronger than the punch he received, knocking number three unconscious.
Nick reached down to help Tracy up but caught a kick to his ribs from man Number 2. Nick grabbed his leg and twisted himself tripping number 2. when he got back up, he advanced on Nick but stopped dead in his tracks when Nick grabbed his crotch and twisted. As Nick twisted the spokesman finally got to his feet and brought out a switchblade. The spokesman charged at Nick while his back was turned.
Nick had just let go his grip on number 2's crotch as he felt something hit his back. He turned around as Tracy fell back on him. Nick caught her and laid her on the ground. He looked down at her wound then back in her eyes. He knew he might not have much time.
"I love you." Nick said.
"I know."
Tracy smiled for a moment, then closed her eyes. Nick gave her one final kiss. He looked up and saw the spokesman still standing there. In his hand, the bloody knife. Nick got to his feet and walked towards him. Spokesman brought the knife up. When he was close enough, he swiped with the knife catching Nick across the face. Nick grabbed his arm and placing his own on the inside of spokesman's forearm, snapped it. He dropped the knife and yelled out in pain. Nick put his hand around spokesman's throat. They fell to the ground and Nick continued squeezing his throat until he stopped moving. It was over.
Nick loosened his grip. He heard sirens. They were close. Apparently someone must have heard the spokesman's scream. Nick moved back over to his wife's body. A few minutes later a flashlight shone on his face. The police had arrived.
The two men were found guilty of being accomplices to armed assault. Nick thought that would be the end of it. It was for the two men. It was for the spokesman, and his wife. For Nick however, it would continue.
Charges were brought from the family of the man whom he had killed. They argued being trained in hand-to-hand combat as he was, he didn't have to kill him. It worked. After the trial, he was stripped of his rank. Nick was escorted home. While the escorts waited outside, he was to collect his uniform and military issued items to return. He had something else in mind.
Nick grabbed a rope and a chair. After he was set, he stood for a moment. Took in a deep breath. He held it in and kicked the chair out from under him. Nick's neck broke. Upon hearing the noise of the chair, the escorts came rushing in and discovered his hanging body.
All the things Nick had done for the country and this was how he was repaid. Every good dead changed into nothing because of one little punk. It was people like that he had fought for during the war. In one night everything he had worked for meant nothing. All of Nick's sacrifice and good deeds were nullified by a single mistake. Not even a second chance because the bad always outweighs the good.