The chiming of the grandfather clock that stood in the front hallway broke Norman's silent revelry. He'd lost track of how long they'd been there. Hours had easily passed since Iris had slipped away from them. Norman's heart wept as he gazed upon the lifeless body of his adopted daughter. But it was the sight of Justin that haunted Norman. He hadn't moved an inch in the hours that had passed. Justin still sat on the floor with Iris' lifeless body draped over him, her head cradled in his lap.

It was the look in his eyes that was of most concern to Norman. A cold, rigid frost had settled in him giving his eyes the hard dead look of polished black onyx. His hand was stroking her hair and he was whispering to her in Russian. For a moment, Norman was reminded of the boy who used to sit at his feet reading Bible stories. Despite everything that had happened between the two of them, Norman felt his soul reach out to Justin at this terrible moment.

Norman let his eyes linger upon Justin's face. It was unreadable but then Norman had never been very good at sensing Justin's moods. Only Iris had the ability to read him correctly. Iris. Norman shut his eyes as the image of her death played out before him. She was dead because of him. He looked down at the red stains upon the floor. Some of the blood had dried creating tiny hard tips among the gelatinous pools.

Looking back at Justin, Norman let his mind wander back to the happy moments they had shared as a family. It was so clear now. How could he have missed the signs for all these years? He had always known theirconnection went beyond brother and sister and yet, he had never suspected that they would have crossed such a sacred line. But seeing Justin gaze
down upon Iris, Norman had to admit that the private grief he was witnessing was not so much that of a brother for a sister but that of two lovers separated before their time.

"She's gone son."

Norman's words cut through the space between them. Justin looked up surprised . He'd forgotten about Norman. A cold liquid ice ran through Justin as he gazed upon his former mentor. Norman flinched as he realized what it was that he saw reflected in Justin's stare.
Confusion. He had expected fury or perhaps even anguish but not this. There was a dislocation in Justin's countenance that told Norman that Justin's grasp on reality was tenuous at best.

"Son, we have to take care of her now." Norman rose to his knees and crawled toward Justin hesitantly. He stretched out his hand in much the same posture he would use to approach a wild animal. "Why don't you let me have her. We need to pray for her." The moment the words came out of his mouth Norman knew he had made a mistake.

"Pray?" Justin tilted his head incredulously. "And to whom am I to pray? It is you that should kneel before me and ask forgiveness for what you have done!" Justin grabbed hold of Iris and drew her up to his chest. "You can't have her. She belongs to me and I won't give her up."

Norman shook his head uncertain as to how to get Justin to understand. "Son, you must let her go now to be with her Creator. She's home." Norman hoped his words would offer some small comfort but instead they only served to fuel Justin's ire.

"Home? Her home is with me." Justin struggled to his feet as he clutched Iris' body firmly to his own. He paused to look at Norman, defying him to try and take Iris from him. Seeing that Norman made no move toward him, Justin carried Iris over to the couch where he laid her down softly. He placed his lips to her forehead kissing her delicately, as if he were afraid she might awake. Finally he stood and turned to face Norman.

The doubt that had clouded Justin's eyes just moments before had been replaced with a steely resolve. In that moment, Norman was reminded of the parable of the unmerciful servant.

"The good book says 'an eye for an eye,' isn't that right Norman?" Justin's mocking tone put Norman on edge immediately. "You do realize that you're the reason she's hurt?"

For a moment, Norman's head fell as he felt his accountability in Iris' death. He would not defend himself but he would not be made a scapegoat either. Bracing himself, Norman lifted his head to face Justin. "She isn't hurt Justin. Iris is dead. And you're the one who killed her."

Norman watched as the reality of his words washed over Justin. He could see the truth dawning within him. A myriad of emotions played out upon his face. Shock. Horror. Guilt. Until he settled finally upon fury.

"You're the reason she's….." Justin let his words trail off unable to admit Iris was gone. "You are the one who should be dead." Sensing that Justin was about to pounce, Norman bent down quickly and grabbed hold of the sickle that lay at his feet.

Justin watched Norman with an expression of disgust. "You really think you can kill me? You had your chance and you failed."

Norman tightened his hold upon the sickle and swallowed hard. "I'm prepared to do what I should have done before."

Justin's eyes bore down into his former mentor. Norman watched in dismay as his own right arm, which clutched the sickle, rose above his head as if possessed by some unseen force. He cried out as his right arm suddenly dropped across his left side leaving a gaping wound. The pain was so great Norman feared he might lose consciousness. But it was Justin's laughter at him that kept him to succumbing from the pain induced blackness. His right arm fell to his side and Norman felt the steel tip point of the blade pierce his skin on his thigh. Slowly, he felt his arm drag upwards carving a deep wound from his knee to his hip. Tears sprung to Norman's eyes as the pain became too great. He felt his hold on the sickle falter and heard it drop to the floor with a muffled thud.

Norman could feel himself begin to sway as the pain overtook his body.With all of his remaining strength, he watched as Justin bent to retrieve the sickle. In one stride, Justin stepped to stand in front of Norman. He bent down so that his lips were adjacent to Norman's ear and whispered "This is for Irina." Norman gasped as he felt the steel
penetrate his abdomen and twist slowly within him. He prayed for death now but Justin had other plans. Leaving the sickle inside Norman, Justin pushed the old man to the floor.

"I could end your life now but then where would the justice be in that." Justin knelt down and hovered above Norman. "I want you to suffer for what you have done."

Satisfied that Norman would face a slow death, Justin turned back to Iris. He walked to the couch and kneeled at her side. Stroking her cheek, Justin was concerned to find how cold her skin was to his touch. He reached for a blanket and draped it over her, carefully tucking in the corners just the way she liked it. "You just sleep now dear. You're tired I know. I shouldn't let you work so hard. You just rest and when I come back I'll make you better. Remember my dear, I will always come back for you!"

Justin stood and looked one more time at Norman writhing in pain on the floor. Norman was just the beginning. While the boy would be next, he'd not forget about all of the others who had worked to defeat him this night. They were responsible for what had occurred just as much as the boy and Norman. Yes, they would all die. He would carve open their bodies and watch as the blood drained away. Only then would he find absolution for his Iris.