[ WP ] `` I need you to understand something before I kill you . ''

`` I need you to understand something before I kill you.'' The gun was cold and heavy in my hand, it's presence familiar, it's purpose tonight alien and strange. `` The world will not mourn you.'' His eyes held mine, his gaze firm and unflinching. The inhumanity there hardened my resolve. 
 
 `` There are monsters in this world -- human ones,'' I could see their faces, so young and innocent, cold in death. `` Preying on children is unforgivable.'' I could feel the gun rising, hammer cocked. `` You deserve worse for what you've done.'' Still the eyes held mine, seeking no forgiveness. 
 
 `` Urges are no excuse, we're not animals.'' Maybe he was -- his eyes were predatory, no conscience there. `` We have the luxury and damnation of choice -- and you chose wrong.'' Did I have the right to make that decision? There were legal recourses... The gun faltered for a moment before my resolve hardened. `` Maybe I have no right to judge you -- but that will be my choice. My damnation.'' 
 
 My finger tensed on the trigger, taking it just short of the point of no return. `` The world will not miss you when you're gone.'' Still the eyes held mine, unflinching, a slow smile growing there -- he did n't think I had the strength. `` I need you to understand something before I kill you.'' I saw a flicker of fear for the first time. `` I will kill you because their pain has given me the strength.'' The gun stopped shaking, `` I will kill you because you've given me no other choice.'' 
 
 The single shot echoed in the night; no one would report it -- no one would even pay attention at this time of night, not in this part of town. They would n't find him for days, blood pool cold and tacky in front of the mirror, gun in hand, a faint smile frozen on his face. 

