Note from the Author: Short chapter, I know, but any longer would have been too much.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Revenge
She took him away from me.
That was what I thought as I made my way towards her farm that night. It was late; probably around three A.M. The lighter in my pocket seemed to weigh more than the can of petrol in my hand as I crossed that bridge and I paused for a moment to take in the beauty of her farm in the moonlight. A sprawling field of aubergines and yams stood proudly in neat, professional rows. They would have made Chelsea a lot of money. Would have. But I was about to change that.
Fury rushed through my veins like liquid fire as I ducked under the fence around the field. The petrol sloshed around in the can and I could smell the metallic scent of it. I could almost taste it. Revenge. I would have my revenge. I would hurt her in the same way she'd hurt me. This would drive her out. It had to. She had to leave.
Mercilessly I swung the can over the crops, dispensing petrol fluid over them. Yes. Revenge would be sweet. My only regret was that I wouldn't be there to see the look on her face. I wouldn't see the anguish. Oh, but she'd feel it. She would. She would realise what she had done and repent. Maybe even leave. If only she would leave.
Once the watering can was completely empty, I turned back to admire the field once more. Delving my hand into the pocket of my dress, I pulled out the lighter and strode to the end of one of the neat rows. I paused only for a moment before turning it on with a satisfying click and hiss. The tiny flame that danced on the end of the lighter enchanted me momentarily; it's flickering light bore the promise of the revenge that I wanted, that I craved.
Slowly, as if in a dream, I stooped down and lit one of the leaves of the plant. It burned gently for a few seconds before it latched onto the petrol sprinkled over it. Delighted and wild with excitement, I practically danced over to another plant and set fire to it too. All along the rows I unleashed my fiery vengeance and watched as my creatures of hatred swept over the plants in zigzag patterns. They grew larger, fiercer, and swallowed the fruits of Chelsea's labour in its fiery mouth.
Even now, just remembering it, I could smell the satisfying smell of smoke in the autumn night air.
I didn't linger too long after I set fire to the field. Afraid of being caught, I left the island swiftly and headed back through town down side streets so that I wouldn't be seen. Back to Sprout I went; back to the safety of my own house. That night, after creeping into bed, I slept the best sleep I had in ages.
Revenge really is sweet.
