Seeping Whispers

Four P.M. rolled around on the clock. Harmonic and Atmospheric watched the twins play from a nearby bench. The sky was mostly clear, though some stray clouds floated by here and there. The sun showered the world in a warm glow. A gentle breeze caused the grass to sway and dance in a wavelike pattern. Over the horizon, Osiris and Jet appeared. Harmonic and Atmospheric called them over to the playground.

"Hey, little dude," Jet greeted Hard Core, "Sorry about yesterday. I was in a bad mood."

"I know," the colt replied, "Daddy told me."

Jet gazed at Harmonic and Atmospheric.

"I brought an old Frisbee from home. You guys mind if I play with them for a bit while you're talking?"

"Not at all." Harmonic assured.

"Cool."

Jet broke the ice with Melodic while Harmonic and Atmospheric led Osiris back to the bench.

"How are you holding up?" Harmonic questioned sincerely.

"Not too well," Osiris admitted, "I barely got any sleep last night."

"We won't keep you too long."

"Can you tell us what happened to her?" Atmospheric asked.

"I don't really know," Osiris stated, "I was told her parents found her covered in her own blood. That's about it."

"That would be terrifying for any parent to go through," Harmonic said, "Losing a child is probably the worst thing that can happen to someone in general. That's why it's ironic you called us out here."

"I don't follow." Osiris verbalized in confusion.

"I've been to this park with Hard Core every day for over a year because...Well...A filly was murdered here..."

"You're kidding!"

"She was only seven or eight. Hard Core found her body floating under one of the bridges further in. Her throat was cut. She was stuffed into a bag and left to decompose."

"That's fucked up! Did they ever catch the dude that did it!?"

"That's why we've been coming here. If he comes back, I'm gonna kill him."

"Don't do it," Osiris reasoned. He sounded more mature than before, "You've got a family, dude. What good's it gonna do 'em if you're behind bars?"

"I'm not doing it because of my own anger at the situation. Hard Core asked me to."

"Does he know his old man's gonna rot in a prison cell somewhere if you do?"

"Yes. He's very aware of that fact. He still wants me to do it."

"Just let the cops handle it. He'll screw up sooner or later."

"It's been a year already. When enough time elapses, people start to lose hope that justice will be served."

"So you're just gonna throw everything away for some piece of shit who isn't even worthy of your shoe?"

"What else can I do? What's to stop him from killing again if he comes back?"

"I'll tell you what: us."

"Come again?"

"I just lost the most important person in my life. I'm not about to let that happen to anyone else. If he comes back, Jet and I'll help you take him down. I only have one condition: don't kill him. If we find him, we'll beat the ever-loving fuck out of him and turn him in."

"You think your family wants you in jail any more than mine does?"

"My parents are decent people who would probably do the same thing. A few nights in the slammer and community service are a whole hell of a lot more preferable than a life sentence."

"One conviction is all it takes to ruin someone's future. My family's taken care of. What about yours?"

"You think anyone's gonna care if some scumbag child killer gets his teeth kicked in? As long as we show at least some restraint, they'll grant us clemency. They're gonna know it was premeditated anyway. We may as well not make a bad situation worse."

"Maybe we should listen to him," Atmospheric relented, "I don't mind waiting for you to serve a shorter sentence, but a lifetime...A lifetime would be hell..."

Harmonic glanced at his wife before staring back at Osiris.

"...All right," the stallion finally agreed.

"Thank you," Osiris vocalized with exasperation, "Finally, some damn sense!"

"I'll show you where our place is. Meet us there when you get out of school tomorrow so we can start training."

On their way home, Osiris told Jet about he and Harmonic's plan to catch the killer.

"Are you nuts, dude!?"

"This could be my only chance to make up for what happened. The dude's a dad with three kids. If the roles were reversed, I'd be in his shoes. I can't just sit back and watch someone else's life be destroyed. That's not what she wanted for me."

Jet sighed.

"All right. You win. I guess it'll give us street cred at school anyway."

"I'm not doing this for popularity. To hell with school. This is more important than some stupid rat race that won't even matter when we're takin' a dirt nap six feet under."

"Okay, I get it. I'll be a good little Samaritan this one time, but I'm only doing this so you'll stop beatin' yourself up. Got it?"

"Fine. Whatever."

"It's gettin' dark. Let's hurry before we get shot out here."