Pitch black. For some reason, it is always pitch black, with darkness and uncertainty lingering around. That is of course, unless they are there.

Her target. As she closes the gap between the two of them, she almost wishes that they had been more careful, that they had kept a bit to the right, where they would not so foolishly fall into the light. But at the same time she knows that if they were careful at all she wouldn't be chasing after them. Or at least that's what she tells herself.

The target is shaking; their breathing is loud and full of fear, giving their exact location away. Each step she makes is comparatively silent. Once more the thought comes in, they should hear you. They should have the chance to run away. They are not taking it, one way or another they cannot live.

So many sounds are present in the darkness, the dripping from a pipe, the scurrying of vermin, the walk of the hunter, and the fear of the prey. Only she will survive.

She is silent as she reaches the target; they see her and in that moment the two of them see recognition.

"Is... that you? I can't believe it I..."

No. No no no no no.

The target speaks words of hope, weak, desperate words that she has to ignore. That she can't listen to. That she knows she cannot even acknowledge as a possibility.

"I was so scared. I thought that this would be it. Ha ha ha ha... uh..."

She isn't listening. She cannot listen. But at the same time, she knows. She knows every word and every motion. She knows what is going on in their head and what will soon go on in their head. She will see them, staring at her, as they die, confused, scared, and sometimes, angry.

Angry at her, because she betrayed them. She betrayed them. That there was no other option does not change anything, if anything, it makes it worse. She still chose this.

She doesn't give them a chance to even turn around. The death is brutal, painful, but relatively quick. It is the only death she can give, and the death she has to give.

And another one is added to the list. Another face that she will never forget another moment that will haunt her forever.

They deserved it. If they couldn't escape you then they wouldn't be able to escape anyone else. Someday you will make it up. You changed, they could have too. You need to do this for your family. Failure was not an option. This was the only way.

She does not cry. Not anymore. She doesn't know if she can. This was the only way.

The moon is bright. She can still see them, lying there, it is so clear. This was the only way.

Her partner is catching up. It will know what happened. Maybe it already knows. This was the only way.

And then this scene will be behind her, but not too far. Always scratching at her. Always brushing against her skin. This was the only way.