Guardians Scene 2

Scene II
September 18, 2015
SCENE II

The entire half hour Anicka spent on the tramway, she fumbled, trying to contain her rage. It always scared her when she became so furious, like she was out of control. It was different now, of course. Anger was a lot better than despair, though she had it in spades. Before, she had never let it show, not even to herself. It was neatly locked up in a corner of her mind, imprisoned tightly but its store ever growing. And now she had no longer a hold on it and it was spilling out of her like bottomless pit.

Finally arrived at her stop, fidgety and irascible, she almost kicked the guy who inadvertently stepped on her toe as she walked out. The moment she set foot on the pavement, a drop of rain struck the crown of her head. “It literally never rains but it pours!” she grumbled and as she put her bag over her head. Feeling thoroughly ridiculous, she crossed the few streets that were separating her from her destination almost running. She arrived at the door panting and first put her hands on her knees to catch her breath. That’s when it started to rain in earnest. “Bloody fucking hell!” she whispered angrily and pushed the button of the doorbell.

The owner of her flat opened the door; he raised his eyebrows as he took in her appearance:wild red curls plastered to her head, drops of sweat and rain mingling on her forehead and sliding down the bridge of her nose… and eyes on fire.

“Good morning, Mr. Constantinus.”

“Hello, Miss Volkova. What can I do for you?”

His impassible old face didn’t betray any emotion, thus further inflaming Anicka’s temper.

“I got your letter this morning.”

“Ah.”

“I can’t move out in two weeks. It’s too short notice, I don’t have anyone to help me, let alone the money…”

“Miss Volkova, these are not my problems, but yours. You have failed to pay the rent in the last four months and although you have silently prolonged our contract, I cannot in good conscience allow you to remain in the apartment for another year in hopes you might find the money to pay the rent in the future.”

“But that place is in shambles and you know it!”

“I wouldn’t think it was in such a terrible state since you insist on staying.”

Anicka’s jaw dropped. She had known the chance was minimal: Constantinus was a greedy bastard.

“You know the walls are stained and the floorboards are loose! Not to mention the lack of privacy in the “bathroom”! That thing is a shack, you won’t find anyone else who will want to live there.”

Constantinus raised his eyebrows in a derisive fashion.

“I’ve already found someone to replace you.”

“You what? Who?”

“My daughter, as a matter of fact. Naturally, I’ll spruce up the place a bit first.”

“You fucking bastard! You’re going to renovate that… that thing only because your daughter will live there, and all the while I was there you didn’t even fix the plumbing! I bet she’s going to get a real bathroom too, if not a jacuzzi!”

“Now, now, Miss Volkova, don’t get so agitated. The apartment is mine and I can do whatever I want with it. Be glad I won’t sue you for the missing rent. I’m afraid the law is not on your side.”

Anicka stared at him, open-mouthed.

Then all the rage, the frustration and fatigue of the last months washed over her like a tsunami. She felt the rain soak her to the bones; it didn’t quench her fury. Her eyes were burning in their sockets as if flames were leaping out of them. Every fibre of her being was trembling with the storm inside her. In the distance, she could hear thunder growling. The triumphant look on Constantinus’ face was fading, slowing being replaced by an expression of astonishment. His face lit up for an instant with the silver-blue hue of lightning;

Anicka could see his lower lip tremble.

Then his grey irises turned to white, leaving the eyeballs empty and ghastly. Anicka blinked, not understanding. She suddenly felt a rush of power, like electric energy charging her up like a battery. Something was definitely off here, but her mind had no time to spare for wild guesses. She felt every cell vibrate with new vitality, as if her rage was being transformed into strength.

Clouds of red flowed into Constantinus’ lifeless eyes. His hands dropped to his sides: he was now motionless like a statue, fear and dismay frozen on his slackjawed face.



Hypnotized by the blood-red stare, Anicka felt the rush of adrenaline recede, to be replaced by a feeling of horror mirroring the expression painted on the old man’s face. “What have I done?” Anicka whispered. She was completely stunned with incomprehension. She hadn’t touched him, yet there he was, seeming dead though still standing. She didn’t dare to touch him. He couldn’t have had a heart attack, still standing be upright. And in what world did anything turn eyes into blood?

Another rush of adrenaline flooded her, but it was fear this time. She looked around, but the street was deserted. No witnesses.

Then she ran.