Shikandi - Release

He remembered filling the load chamber of the crimson egg with needles. He remembered glazing each needle with hydrocyanic acid. He had done so, with unquestioning faith at the necessity of his actions. He had remembered to pocket the egg before leaving home.

Shelu’s strides grew weaker. A part of him seemed enveloped in a mixture of revenge, relief and uncharacteristic elation. Another part of him was appalled. He heard footsteps behind him. Frantic, hurried footsteps.

He turned in his tracks. Three guards with carbines stopped in their tracks as soon as he turned.

They had their carbines pointed at Shelu. Their fingers, white and tense, as they clutched at their weapons. Their faces were ashen. They seemed confused…their minds unsure of the next step.

“Put your hands where we can see them.”, one of them screamed. His voice seemed raspy. Shelu knew that the guards had seen the contorted features of their master moments before they rushed out. Shelu knew that these guards were afraid, unsure and needed little instigation to fire.

His cellular phone rang. Shelu knew what he had to do. He dug his hands into this pocket to retrieve it.

Three guns fired simultaneously.