Price of Betrayal

Tess draws her hood tighter around her head then adjusts the latex mask on her face as she sloshes towards the house. Her employer, Ms. Myers, a retired makeup artist, has several disguises in her studio. So Tess decided to borrow one for the day.

Nervously making final adjustments, she presses the doorbell and waits. Tess takes a quick look to find no one around. She didn't think there would be, seeing how cold it is, and being so late in the day. She starts to press it again when the door flies open. Startled, she yelps as she springs back a step. I can do this. She gulps. Ignoring the inner voice in her head telling her to run. I've got this, Tess thinks, returning to her place on the porch.

"Yeah, what do you want?" Steven grumbles. He had gained a few pounds, and his features had become more rigid since she left. His formerly sandy hair has turned completely grey, and his once smooth skin is now etched with numerous wrinkles, making him appear much older than he truly is.

Time can be cruel, she thinks, smiling inwardly. "I'd like to show you something, I know your misses would love," Tess says, in a slow southern drawl. Something she's been practicing for nearly a month. Reaching into her pocket, she pulls out a small black box.

"I'm not interested." He says, reaching for the door.

"Oh, but your lovely wife, Lisa, was eyeing it at my shop just the other day. Penelope's Jewels over on Main. She said she wanted to buy it but was afraid you'd be upset with her for spending so much on herself and that maybe she'd hint about it for her birthday. It is today, right?" She sees his face and says, "Oh, please tell me you haven't forgotten her birthday." Knowing Steven as well as she does, she's sure he has.

"It's today?" he asks, scratching his head.

"That's what she told me at the shop." Actually, it's what her research said. Seeing the fear in his eyes she adds, "It's a good thing I came when I did."

"She really liked it?"

"Fell in love the moment she saw it. It looked so good on her too, a perfect fit. She'll be the envy of all the women in town, and so will you for having such extraordinary taste." Tess quickly adds, knowing appearance means everything to him.

"Let me see it." He huffs, holding out his hand.

Flipping the box open, she grabs the tube of lipstick and thrusts it against his arm. Positioning her thumb on top, she presses the button.

"What the hell?" He asks, jerking his extremity away. Glancing down he sees a small dot in the center of his arm. With fear in his eyes, he looks up and asks, "What did you do to me?"

Years of rage boils inside her recalling what he put her through. She clenches her teeth and says, "Nothing you didn't deserve."

Feeling light headed, he stumbles back. Reaching over, he grabs the newel post for support.

She steps through the door, and says, "That's from me and all the other women you've wronged through the years."

"A puzzled look crosses his face when he asks "Tess?"

"Who else would it be?" She smiles and adds, "You honestly didn't think you could get rid of me that easily, did you?"

"I ought to." He yells, taking a step towards her. His head feels woozy, his world begins to spin. He grabs the banister again.

Pushing her fear aside, she raises her head and asks, "You ought to do what, Steven? Beat me, like you have so many times in the past?" She steps closer, stopping when she's a short distance away. She glares into his soleless brown eyes and hisses, "I'm not that defenseless little girl anymore. So if you want to take a swing go right ahead, but I guarantee that it won't end well for you." Tess moves closer and then continues, "You are an entitled SOB who deserves to rot in hell for everything you've done."

"How dare you speak to me that way." He slurs, taking an unsure step towards her. Wobbling, he grabs hold of the consol.

"I've come back to take what's rightfully mine, and there's not a thing you can do to stop me."

"Like hell there's not." He lunges forward. With every bit of strength Tess can muster, she shoves him away. Losing his footing, his large rounded body stumbles backward, collapsing against the grand staircase.

"Now, to take care of your better half." Twirling the rectangular object around in her hand, Tess makes her way through the house.

This tube of lipstick is unlike the others she owns. It has a hidden poison dart gun inside its tiny black case. She bought it for protection after four Atlanta women disappeared without a trace.

Tess finds Lisa gasping for air on the kitchen floor. Bruises in different stages of healing across her small, frail frame. The sight takes Tess back in time to the terrifying nights she'd begged her drunken husband to spare her life. "You got more than you bargained for, didn't you? You little homewrecker, you." During her research, Tess discovered Steven's nights at the bar were always spent with her.

Lisa glances up at her through swollen eyes. Her bloody lips move but she's unable to utter a sound.

"You'll be happy to know Steven will never hurt you again."

"Help me," she finally manages to gasp.

"Of course." Tess smiles, reaching for the woman's arm.

A short while later Tess walks out of the house to find the rain has stopped. The sun is slowly setting in the hazy horizon. With a suitcase full of money on her right and an overnight case filled with trinkets on her left, she glances up at the sky, smiles and says, "On to the next."