A Vengeful Heart Sees No Love
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Later that night Peter had thought on what Paul had said at the meeting of the school board. Paul's words came flooding back.
"Let's just say I was there for my own reasons a few years ago."
Paul had been there. Some how Paul had been involved, otherwise he would not have said what he did. Could he have been one of the men that attacked his temple home? Peter shook his head in denial, not wanting to believe that Paul had been involved, perhaps even had been one of the men who shot and murdered many of his friends and sifus. It was unthinkable, and yet, Paul had singled him out, why?
Peter had to know the truth, and he knew only one way to get it.
**
Paul entered his darken study and sat behind his old desk. He took out his key chain and selected a small insignificant key, the kind that looked more like a charm for a girl's bracelet than an actual key for a lock. He placed the key in a small hole in the bottom left drawer of his desk. That particular drawer was always kept locked. It contained certain files that only Paul and a few others knew about, and it also contained the truth.
Paul pulled out the thick brown folder and placed it on his desk, not opening it. This was his own private folder, not the one he was shown by the social worker. He had not looked at this file for several weeks everything he had ever found out about the temple in Braniff, California was in that file. After what was said today, Paul knew Peter would confront him, but did he have the courage to tell Peter the truth.
Then a noise, soft and subtle reached Paul's ears. Someone else was in his study.
"Who's there?" Paul called out and slowly placed a hand on the gun that also rested in the bottom of the drawer. He did not pull it out but kept his hand on the trigger ready to react at whomever it was that hid in the shadows.
The person moved forward, silent as a cat, dressed in an old gray gi. The odor of smoke still clung to the fabric. Paul recognized the face, but kept his eye on what that person had in their hands.
"Peter, what are you doing up so late?"
Peter slowly approached Paul's desk without saying a word.
Paul could see the hatred and pain in Peter's eyes. This young man knew at least part of the truth. It was time to reveal the rest before someone was seriously hurt, and Paul knew it would not be him.
"Peter, let me explain . . ."
"You were there," Peter interrupted. "You knew and you didn't say anything. Why did you foster me? To finish the job that Master Dao didn't finish?"
"Peter, let me explain. I was deceived. I was also on assignment. I didn't know that the temple that we raided was your father's."
"Like hell you didn't! Peter yelled back. "Did you kill any of the students and teachers? They were my friends! MY FAMILY!"
"Peter, I didn't know . . ."
"Don't give me that! You were involved! You were there!"
"What's all the yelling about?" Annie entered Paul's study at that moment.
"Annie, stay back."
"Paul, what's going on?"
"Peter is here. He's somewhat upset."
"Peter?" Annie came forward unaware of the danger.
Peter swung around at that moment, grazing Annie with the dragon knife.
"Owww! Peter what are you doing with a knife?"
Peter's eyes became wide and frightened as he realized just what happened as he saw blood well up from the cut on Annie's arm. The cut wasn't severe, but it was enough. The knife fell to the floor with a clatter and Peter fell to his knees and wept out his anger and hatred.
"Paul, what is going on?"
"We need to talk," was all Paul stated.
End of Part 6
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2006.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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