Chapter 17
The lights were still on when Camie arrived home. She would have snuck in through her window but she couldn’t remember if she had left it unlocked or not. Camie opened the front door slightly and slipped in through the small crack she had created before quickly turning to close the door.
“Camie!” her mother’s voice sounded from behind her. “Where have you been?”
“Out with Inasa,” Camie mumbled back.
“You said you would home be ages ago.”
“I miscalculated.” She wished her mother would just leave her alone so she could go up to her room.
“Take this more seriously, I was about to call the police because I was worried about your safety.”
Camie stiffened, “You don’t have to overreact, I’m fine.”
“I’m your mother Camie, I’m supposed to overreact.”
“Well, just stop!” Camie yelled, turning around and facing her mother.
Silence ensued as her mother saw her face. Camie pushed past her mother and went up to her room.
Camie let out a sigh once she was safely behind her bedroom door. A glance at her full length mirror revealed the reason as to why her mother had been shocked into silence. Her eyes were slightly puffier than usual and held a dull, defeated look in them. Tear stains littered her checks that had gone red due to the cold outside air. Her bottom lip had been bitten pen due to the amount of gnawing on it she had done on her way home. Overall, she looked terrible.
Camie changed into her pajamas, cleaned her face and climbed into bed; too tired to do anything else. She was hoping to forget about the events that had taken place that night, hoping to forget about the way her and Toga parted but unfortunately for her; her dreams failed her.
Blood splattered the ground at Camie’s feet as Toga roughly pulled the knife out. It poured out of the freshly made wounds as the hero was left to fall forwards, resting in-between his severed hands.
Toga turned to look at Camie, only to be met with an expression of horror.
“Camie?” she took a step forward as Camie took one back.
Hurt flashed across Toga’s face and she started to fidget. Camie had never seen her look so nervous before.
Camie wanted to reply or at least acknowledge Toga but she honestly didn’t know what to say. Incomplete thoughts raced through her mind in a flurry.
He’s dead...dead...she...Toga...Oh my god...that’s...how did this...I...
“Camie, please talk to me,” Toga pleaded, her voice breaking slightly.
The sound wretched a hole into Camie’s heart and startled her into action.
“You killed him,” Camie looked across at Toga as she spoke.
Toga moved forward slowly so as not to scare Camie off, “He was going to kill you, I had to stop him.”
“You didn’t have to kill him to stop him,” Toga reached up carefully and wiped a tear, which had escaped Camie’s eye, off her cheek.
Huh, when did I start to cry?
“We should have escaped instead of fighting,” Camie continued.
“He would have turned you in for associating with me and then where would that leave you in the future?” Toga reasoned.
“He didn’t know who I was.”
“He might have recognised you one day, it didn’t seem like he was going to drop this greedy dream of his.”
“Still,” Camie insisted, another tear falling down her cheek, “You did it so easily.”
Toga visibly flinched, “What did you expect Camie?” She muttered while looking off to the side, trying to keep her voice even. “I’m a villain. He was a hero and this is how it works.”
Camie opened her mouth and closed it again.
“We were lucky. Do you know the number of villains who have been cornered like this and killed? Probably not, our lives aren’t deemed important enough to report our deaths. No one cares about us. We have a different outlook or view on the way society works and for that we are oppressed. Hunted down and killed without remorse or a second thought. Who decided this should be the way the world works? Who decided that the strong shall rule the weak and anyone who tries to resist is viewed as evil; a villain? We are seen as rats, living in the sewers, vermin meant to be exterminated and whoever catches the most is viewed as a hero. They get a big award and are exalted by the people and for what? Murdering people who are trying to make a difference, who are trying to be acknowledged?”
Toga took a break to breathe.
“Face it Camie, that’s how it is. It’s a kill or be killed world. In this case; a kill or watch someone you care about be killed world. There is always someone who you would kill for no matter the circumstances. I’ve found mine but I guess you haven’t yet.”
“Toga...I-” Camie started but was cut off by a humourless laugh.
“I suppose it was easier for me though, part of the job and all,” Toga started the next sentence with confidence. “I am a villain and that is a part of me for various reasons but I am not going to give this job up for anything. I’ve found a family that cares about me and my place, even if it isn’t the most moral, in this world. Don’t expect me to change for you.”
After saying what she wanted to, Toga turned and marched off without giving Camie time to process what had just happened. The shock of it all finally set in after she heard a motorcycle pass the alley.
Camie slumped onto the floor, using the alley wall to support her back and stared at nothing in particular for a while. Without being aware of it, Camie dragged herself up and started the long walk home. The dam walls crumbled when she was about half way there. She shivered against the cold wind that hit the warm tears trailing down her face the rest of the way home.