The smell in the room is not exactly the best smell in the world. There is a stench of rotting carcass mixed with the stale stink of sweat. The room is small with only two bunk beds and a sink. That is pretty much it. My roommate’s name is Joseph. I guess he got stuck here for murdering his ex-girlfriend. Yeah… relationships are complicated huh? But I guess he is going to be my permanent roommate until the time is up for both of us. Then it’s time to look at the devil in his eyes.

So, what did I do deserve this? Pretty much a lot. It’s time to pay for all my sins. But I don’t feel nervous at all. I’m already dead on the inside and I’m torturing myself every single day of my life. So what if I die? It would just be the same.

It was raining heavily. Every now and then I heard the clapping of the thunders. I think God was angry that day. I didn’t blame Him for what I was going to do next. I cycled down the road until I reached the familiar gigantic oak tree. The smell of rain calmed my mind. The pitter-patter of the rain made me oblivious to the surrounding noise of cars and people chattering as they pass by.

I climbed over the fence and ran to the backyard, quickly but quietly. All I could hear was the barking of a dog. When it saw me, it became more vicious and started barking and growling non-stop.

“Too bad there little guy. Your master is out for the weekend. I guess it’s just you and me huh?” I said with a smirk on my face. It then charged towards me with its white sharp teeth gleaming in the dark. I dodged it and quickly raised an axe. And then there was the sound of a slash followed by a dog whimpering. Then everything was silent. Even the rain was silent. No thunder rumbling. No vehicles. No people. Nothing. There was just me, a headless dead dog on the bloody grass and darkness.

I broke the silence by laughing. I was laughing so happily as if I had just won a lottery. I had always wanted to kill this dog ever since it bit my sister on her arm. Thanks to this mutt, she had rabies. Sigh… Angela. My dear baby sister. I’ve missed you so much ever since you died from the car crash. I remember you crying when this dog bit you. Don’t worry now. I’ve taken care of things.

I then cycled off. I had something else to be taken care of. Yes, the driver who hit-and-ran. But I’ve caught you now. After months of searching I’ve finally caught you. I’ve found out where you lived. I’ve found out about your family. I’ve found out about your job. But most importantly, I’ve found you. I cycled up to a dark house. The rain had ceased.

I broke into the house. It was easy as I broke into houses almost every night to look for food and clothes. It was warm inside. Nice and cozy. “What a nice little happy family huh?” I thought to myself, “Too bad you ruined mine. Now I’m going to ruin yours.” I went into the children’s bedroom and there were two boys sleeping soundly, oblivious to the fact that they were going to die any second now. I took out a small knife. It was fast. Easier than the stupid mutt. I just slit their throats and watched them gasp for air with tears trickling down their cheeks. Funny. That was the same reaction Angela had before she died too.

I then crept to the master bedroom. The wind was howling outside. The rain got heavier all of a sudden. It was going to be the best night ever. There he was, with his wife, sleeping ever so peacefully. “Well, may you rest in peace,” spat my bitter thoughts, heavy with sarcasm. I swung the bloody axe I used to kill the dog with all my might, right into the head of the driver. CHOP! The wife woke up immediately and started screaming. She wanted to run but I was too quick for her. I slashed her back with the axe and she dropped dead.

People are so easy to kill. I gave a small chuckle before leaving the house. I was glowing with happiness. I had nowhere to go now. My job was done. I had nothing else. My sister was dead. My mother was dead. My father was dead. How did my parents die? I came back home from school one day and found them hanged on a rope which was tied to the fan. I started screaming and crying like any other person would have behaved. There were cuts all over their bodies. On my dad’s back were words carved with a sharp knife into his skin:

REVENGE IS SWEET.

That was it. My sister was left unharmed in her room. I’ve always wondered why she was not dead too, why she was spared. I’ve always wondered what my parents did to deserve that. I’ve always wondered who the evil soul who killed them was. I had thought about a lot of things. But I just went on living with my sister. I took care of her like she meant the world to me. I was over-protective and did not want anything to happen to her. Until one day, when I saw blood on the road outside my house. And I saw her. Angela. She was looking at me, staring back at me with her cold eyes, lying on the road. She was like a mannequin drenched in blood. I started to go berserk and screamed.

I was never the same anymore since then. I was always looking out for revenge. I guess that was the only thing my parents could have taught me. Revenge is sweet. Yes, definitely. I walked out of the driver’s house feeling like a winner. But before I knew it, someone shone a torch at my face and shouted, “FREEZE!”

I wanted to run away but I was cornered by the police. I struggled but it was pointless. I was handcuffed and heard a rough voice saying, “You are under arrest for multiple murders.” I just smiled. My gig was up.

And here I am, behind the bars with Joseph in an orange uniform. Charged for murders.

“Sam Matthew Henderson,” the deep voice of the warden calls for me. I guess it is now time for me to join my family. I walk out from the room with a huge grin on my face. I am happy. I am going to join my family. One big happy family again.