I clutch the dagger, gold lacing throughout the handle. Warmth creeps into my hand as I think about my father, how he held it in his hands the same way I hold it in mine.

I’m privileged to continue his legacy, the gift he bestowed on me.

I sit in the shadows, silent, like I’m meditating, just like father taught me. I grip the dagger tightly, yet relaxed, ready and waiting for the man who will soon walk into his fate, to the shadows he doesn’t know I’m waiting in. I’ve prepared my whole life for this, I’ve put my blood sweat and tears, literally. This man caused me so much pain, so much hurt. Because of him, I hold this dagger, because of him I sit in the shadows with the mere memory of my father and all that he taught me. Everything he’s ever told me floods my mind in an calm and organized chaos.

I’ll wait for his most vulnerable moment.

The weight of all the ghostly blood that’s on this knife from all of the life it’s taken, weighs down on me. It’s ready to take more. My father wants justice for all the people who couldn’t get it for themselves. I’m continuing his legacy, serving justice to those who aren’t capable.

The poor child lying in the dirt right now can’t get justice, so I will take it, I will get it for her. A child is supposed to be loved and protected by their father, just like I was by mine. This child’s father did the opposites. He put fear into her and he harmed her. It’s time he pays.

I hear the footsteps echoing in the damp hallway, his black dress shoes that he never takes off clicking and scuffing on the ground with each, step indicating his every move. The sound gets louder as I slink farther into the shadows, gripping the dagger tighter and preparing myself.

Keys jingle in his pockets as he fumbles with them to unlock the door to his office. The door opens with a squeak, a candle flickering through the darkness as he enters. I’m far enough in the shadows that not even the candle like can expose me. When he’s not paying attention I’ll put the lighter out and do what I’m good at.

I’ve memorized every piece of furniture and every objects whereabouts to be able to move around without seeing. This will be easy.

The man sets the candle down on his desk before walking over to a small table by a giant window to the left of his desk. He bends over to open a drawer… this is my time to act. I swiftly and silently move across the room with deliberate movements before pinching the small flame out with my thumb and pointer. Pitch blackness.

“What the…” the man is confused. I hear him stumbling in the dark.

I flick the candle over, purposely putting fear in him, the same kind he put in his daughter what trusted him.

His movements stop. I grab a handful of paper and crumple it up, making crunching noises a so do so. I drop the paper with a light thud. By now the man is scrambling around, trying to find anything he can use as a weapon. He won’t find anything useful. He won’t even see me coming. With long strides, I’m invisible in the darkness, slinking against the wall in silence.

I’m behind him and he’s completely unaware. With one swift movement I step forward, grabbing him by the back of the hair with a fistful, placing the dagger across his neck. I pause and breathe down his neck, listening to the shaking in his voice.

“She deserved better.”

My hands wet with blood that I can’t see. The gold laced dagger, sharp enough to cut bone, slices smoothly across his skin, cutting through the first layer, the second, his windpipe. I drop the fistful of hair, letting his body fall to the ground with a loud thud. More weight is added to the dagger, more weight added to my heart.

I’ve watched my father do this many times, I just never imagined it would feel this good.

“And that’s the legend.” Allison says, her two grand daughters sitting wide eyed in front of the stone fireplace that is surrounded by books.

Kira look at her grandma, amazed by the story. Her gaze drifts to the mantel above the fireplace, a gold laced dagger sitting in a crystal clear glass case; its razed sharp edge can be seen from a distance, sharp enough to cut bone.