Boiling Over | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Boiling Over | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ken Grant
02/12/15
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

With adrenaline still surging through his veins, Paul struggled to focus and understand what had just happened. It had happened so quickly that there had been no time for thought. He had acted on pure instinct; instincts honed through keen military training. But this was not the theater of war. This was his home, his kitchen, and the man lying dead on the floor was not a soldier, but a burglar who had chosen the wrong house to infiltrate.

"Paul!"

Again his reflexes kicked in and hatred for the enemy boiled to the surface. Paul spun toward the target and prepared to launch.

"Paul, stop, please."

He was paralyzed as he fought against his training. They had taught him to use his rage as a weapon. He had learned to direct his anger in the most violent of ways. But the poor being kneeling before him was not the enemy. She was his wife. He loved her. Love felt so much different from rage.

"What have you done, Paul?"

He looked again at the results of his anger boiling over. The man had entered his home and now that man lay dead. He had killed the man without a thought. It had been as easy as snapping a twig. In the moment it had been so satisfying, but now it felt extremely cold.

"You're not at war anymore."

"It's all I know."

"Come, sit down."

His wife led him into the living room. He felt like a young child being directed by a caring mother. They had no children, but he knew that she would be a wonderful mom. He sat down in a daze.

"I have to call the police."

He nodded distractedly. The world felt distant and he felt as though he was cut in two. He had done what he was trained to do. He had used his anger to fell the enemy. Why was that wrong?

"I called the police."

His wife hugged him intensely. He wanted to respond, but he felt empty. He didn't feel love. In fact, he didn't feel anything. Was that the cost of war? If it was then it was a very high price to pay. A harsh rap on the door caused his wife to leap to her feet to answer the door. He heard words exchanged and then men entered his home. He jumped to his feet and prepared to defend his home. The boiling inside was overwhelming. He felt like he had to act.

"Paul, stop."

His wife's pleading words again were all that had saved him.

"Please go with them. Please go quietly. Don't do anything."

The words were barely able to break through the fog. Slowly he calmed down and allowed himself to be led away.

"I did it for you," He said pleadingly to his wife. "It was all for you."

"I know. I love you."

He had committed a crime. He had taken a life. His anger had boiled over. He was a weapon and a weapon sometimes had to be put away for the safety of all. He could live with that. He had to.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.