Writing for Fun
Kevin - Gerry Miller
November 2014
As they say revenge is a dish best served cold and this act of retribution was the culmination of a couple of years planning. Well, planning was not quite the right word; it was waiting for the three rights: the right plan, the right opportunity and of course he always had the right motive. He understood fully that he was not like other men with their fiery tempers and loud angry ways, Kevin was more of a long slow simmer and of course he never forgot a wrong. That was what made him dangerous. But all of this was carefully masked by a kind gentle caring persona; everyone thought Kevin was such a nice person. And he was to everyone's face.
Technically Kevin knew that he had what some would call an antisocial personality disorder and of course he had made his own diagnosis. He superficially let others close to him and like many psychopaths he presented as charming and his habitual lying was finely tuned to his impressive recall. Mistakes were not tolerated by him and rejections were listed in his little blue book and stored carefully away. He loved the meticulous planning that he was capable of and had no shame for behaving in what others considered an outrageous and objectionable manner. After all by the time they saw this side of him it was much too late for them. Finally paying them back with emotional traumas and then physical pain was almost orgasmic. An eye for an eye and all that.
Kevin was a handsome thirty five years old and saw his job in environmental health as a superb cover for his nefarious score settling. He often walked the streets of Westminster checking on any technical infringements. As long as the paperwork was backed by evidence from proprietors, camera or customers he was in the clear. In fact it was a double stroke of luck that helped him decide on his latest plan. He removed an epi pen from one location and his new role of evening checks on food hygiene in restaurants clinched his plan. Kevin chortled to himself this one was going to be a humdinger. He knew that the pressure he had placed himself under was unusual but his 'get even' list in his blue book now exceeded three and this he did not feel comfortable with.
The Gallery was a lovely restaurant and bar set behind Westminster Hall, many journalists and TV reporters went there. It had calmed down a little since all of the phone hacking scandals and any information now circulated quietly by word of mouth part of the most casual of meetings. Anna was always part of this not so little clique. He had been following her on face book and Twitter since they had broken up. She had been astounded when he had whole heartedly supported the relationship finishing, agreeing with her that it was 'time to move on' as she had put it. Little did she know where she would be moving on to? That had been nearly two years ago, or as Kevin realised it was exactly twenty months three weeks and four and a half days ago.
It was important to Kevin that he stuck to his internal time limits. His mother had lasted eighteen months since he left home and he had such a buzz with the hit and run, the fact that she lingered and he had time to get to her bedside gave him such a glow of satisfaction. The burnt out car, the country lane with no cameras and he was home free. His father had been more complex, he had always been sceptical about Kevin's ability to show any remorse for pain he had caused. Kevin laughed, he had been careless as a child and had failed to notice his father watching him as he started to torture his rabbit. After that Kevin was not allowed any more pets. Same fairy Ann he thought, there were always ways and means. The scheming and planning and encouraging his father back to the ramblers since his mother's death had taken time and patience.
Kevin's parents had always been ramblers and his holiday touring the Lake District following a Wainright's walk was a very kind treat from Kevin. Kevin had studied the walk meticulously and had thought that an appropriate fall would be fortuitous. His father might not be found for weeks. Kevin surprised his father part way through his walk. And indeed what a surprise it was, his father was firstly pleased and then as the situation unfurled it all became clear. As Kevin told his father how poor his parenting was he became worried and nervous. Kevin was ecstatically happy as his father became more anxious and, facing up to him, Kevin finally pushed his father over the edge. He could hardly contain his excitement as he watched his body bounce down the hillside. Kevin checked his surroundings and, giving a last glance over the edge, he headed happily home.
The police arrived at Kevin's flat some three weeks later, a body had been found on the mountainside and they believed it was his father. A tragic accident, they advised, but he would need to identify his body and Kevin was shown his father's watch. Kevin sobbed he was now an orphan and he was, in some peculiar way, broken hearted. He was now alone in the world. The police were terribly kind to him and they even contacted Anna to come over.
When she finished with him he had not understand what had turned Anna away from him. Perhaps she had sensed that day some lack of sincerity in his reaction to his father's death. Now at last it was her turn to have her card marked.
At work Kevin had to reapply again for his job, all part of the governments cut backs. He would need to quicken the pace with regard to Anna's just rewards. Each day he went out and passing any random internet cafe he would take five minutes and send her abusive posts with his fake email addresses, especially set up for her. Over the next few weeks he sent her rape threats and disgusting messages, he signed himself off as Lover 1 and then Lovers no.2 and 3. He returned to the office forever in a good mood. Finally he was called into the office, his good humour had been rewarded, he retained his post and no threat of redundancy remained for him.
Kevin chuckled to himself as his checked her Facebook account, others had joined on the band wagon and were sending her some really sick texts. He mused to himself there were a lot of weird people out there. All he was doing was well within his moral code – punishing her for her crimes of leading him on and rejecting him. He vindicated himself with great conviction, after all if you do not believe in any hereafter then justice must be administered in the here and now. Kevin felt a glow growing inside him as she was obviously feeling some of her punishment, her Twitter account was closed down and Facebook followed soon after.
Kevin understood Anna and knew that she would continue working no matter how much harassment she received and really the social media attacks were only a precursor to her final denouement. He had trailed her to her GP's and then to the Chemist, he dared not to go any closer but assumed the GP had put her on anti depressants. Her execution was now just a few short days away. Kevin never worked so hard in his life as he carried out his public health duties and at last he found what he needed, another brand new epi pen.
Friday night came and Kevin washed shaved and dressed to perfection, he believed as judge, jury and executioner he should look official. He placed both epi pens in each of his side pockets and was off to the Gallery, he could hear her laughter as he entered. Kevin worked his way to the back close to the corridor leading to the ladies and sitting with his back to the crowds and, drink in hand, he read the paper. Carefully he watched the ladies, in and out they went and finally as one came out Anna went in, he stood up and made as if too move out to the gents and then she saw him. Full of smiles she gave him a hug and first one epi pen and then the other went into the veins either side of her neck. He twirled her round and sat her down and headed on for the back door.
Anna felt her heart racing, sweating and now vomiting, her life was passing before her and as friends rushed to her aid her heart finally gave out.
Kevin woke early next morning and, whilst his head ached from the bottle of bubbly he had drunk last night to celebrate, he opened his little blue book and crossed off one more name. Now who could be next?