Thou, many sins I may commit
I know won't see heaven amidst
I shall be trap in the wheel of time
And never be free and be punished for crime
I may shed tears, I might weep
But it's eternal and promises to keep
Where shall I run where shall I hide
The Demon shall come as he has to abide
I shall die, I shall reborn
But where to go in the storm
My soul shall wander amidst the thunder
For thou, I committed a blunder
I can't escape its mighty wrath
As I am among the sea, a bubble froth
I had chosen, unknowingly a trodden path
Escaped not even a single moth
It wasn't me or my soul within who chose,
It was the beast laughing within that chose.

Chapter 1

As the darkness crept the city of Sin City, a stooped, old man strolled his way through the arched subway in his daily monotony. Buying today’s paper he sat patiently waiting for the train to turn up. In the next hour the train showed up screeching its way to the platform. The old man went in and sat next to the boy reading a novel.

Reading his paper his eyes saw some teenage girls sharing talks with themselves. Seeing this, a cold feeling of nostalgia gripped the old man and tears rolled through the sad eyes, trying to control but all in vain. The boy next to him took out his hanky and gave it to the sobbing man.
“Are you alright, Sir?”
“Yes, Just… nothing” replied the old man in a sullen and morose voice.
“I, my name is Randy and yours?” the teenage introduced himself.
“Jonathan Leicester, you look new here” The man said continuing the dialogue
“Yes came to Sin city for job, still trying……Where are you heading?”
“I will be out at the next station, to be precise the old café station.”
“O, me too, I brought a house on rent at the corner of the street. This is next to the ‘BIG’ bakery”
“Well you carry on reading, its really getting late”

And both men got engrossed in their old fashioned reading. A little while the faithful train reached the old café station.

“Here we are, the old shining café that once was just a small tea house. Are you coming?” asked the inexperienced white boy, keeping the book in the bag.
“Yes” the old man said and stood up. Having a last glance at those girls he quietly had his exit. Both men vacated the station leaving it in its melancholy of trains passing over and over again in its own solid destitute.

The night life of Sin city jazzed over the grooves of the heavy metal music and hell breaks through with predators of night set loose on streets. Some enjoy drinking and dancing in pubs and bars, some go to brothels and enjoy with promiscuous women, while some just like to live a life which they call as ultra-violence. They burn houses, destroy cars and beat up people. Even once the city bridge was burned to cinders. Sin city is the only place where you live on expense of other. If you don’t have it steal it without letting the owner know, else wherever you run or hide, he will get to you and next morning your dead body is found on the streets of Sin city. Every year there is carnage on the streets of city and nobody knows it, nor cares for it. The city lives only on one motto “Might is Right” and the one who defies it will be hanged or killed mercilessly. There is law but not for the mighty. And they have their own rules which they never follow.

Every night there is assassinated murdered or slaughtered in one city corner. Nobody sees, nobody knows. No one was there.

But the old café area was the only plae where one could have a little sleep. It was only place where big families live in their small houses.


As both men walked the streets of old café Randy broke with new topic to begin.

“Sir, could I ask you a personal question. If, you don’t mind”
“Well I can’t say that but you may ask”
“Jonathan, I noticed in the train. You look sad. Is there any problem? You could share it with me, if you want to…”
“Please no more, I do mind. Its better we walk silently” replied the old man in a stingy way.
“Yes Sir”

And both moved silently when they suddenly encountered a thief who took out a gun from his back pocket and aimed at Jonathan.
“Give all what you have or I will kill you both…Quick” said the bearded man in a demanding and antagonistic voice.
“Let him go. Talk to me and please put the gun down” said Randy taking a step further.
“Stay right there or I’ll shoot you both.”
Randy stopped.
“And you kneel down” addressing Randy said the crook and approached Jonathan.
“Tell him to kneel or I will kill you. Now…” he shouted.

“Please Randy, stay away and as far as for you, please let us go. Whatever I have, I can’t give it to you .I beg for mercy, please understand” continuing to plead and holding his bag tightly
“Why should I listen to you, you…funny old man?”
“It’s a long story and I am in no mood of telling a story”
The crook had been in a dilemma and said “OK. Cut the story short. If I found you true then I will think…” And then shouting above his voice he demanded “Now speak…”

“I am Jonathan Leicester and I used to live in the village of ‘Family Farm’ but 5 years before when an epidemic spread, I with my daughter had to flee the village and we came to Sin city. We thought we would live happily here but we were crumbled in the city’s footsteps. Somehow I managed to get a simple job and was living a simple life when one evening I got the news of my child’s death. I was knocked off my senses and wept the whole night. She was raped and then killed”

Again his tears washed his cheeks and he continued sobbingly

“Two days before… I had coffined the dead body of my 18 year daughter. It was my fault. I never understood the girl’s heart. I always allowed her to do what she wanted not realizing the city was not safe for the girl. I never spent time with her. It was painstaking caring a motherless child. I thought I shall manage it but futile.
“Three days ago, I was informed the one behind this was the son of the industrialist Nick Carter….All the money in my bag is for the case that I have filed against him.That might give my daughter’s soul some ease. So I beg for mercy. If you take this money then I will request you to kill me also. The city had ruined me and without her I am nothing.”

He knelt and wept bitterly. Hearing the story of a father’s tragedy the crook felt ashamed of his act and lowered the gun.
“I am sorry for your daughter Jonathan. You may keep your money” But then Randy leaped up and snatched the gun from his hands and clutched it tightly aiming at the crook.
The crook tried to come towards him but then stopped.
“Don’t even think about it. Stay where you are.” shouted Randy.
“Please hand it to me”
“We are calling the cops and you are busted” said Randy
“Please don’t call the cops. I just needed money for my wife. Please don’t call the cops.” the crook begged
“Why shouldn’t I. you were going to kill us”
“Please Randy, Stop. Throw the gun. Let him speak.” At last spoke wise old man upholding his bag

“My name is Dennis Rafkin and I had to steal money for my wife. I am just 25 year old, trying to live up. I wanted a job but nobody cared. I got a petty job but that was only enough for getting two meals a day. Being a small drudge, I couldn’t save money. My wife got in a car accident and is in city hospital fighting death so I had no option. But… ” and then he started grinning. Both men confused on the state of this crook. And as his grinning stopped he continued
“… when listened I to Jonathan, I felt that this city is responsible for all our fate. Now my wife will never see the light again and I will watch her silently die. Cassandra will die and I would be the sole responsible…” he said and then broke into tears himself.

He was the second to cry that night and the night had seen enough. As he cried Jonathan and Randy looked at each other. As he cried Jonathan and Randy looked at each other and then Jonathan moved forward and placed his hand on the Dennis’s shoulder and placed his hand on his shoulder and asked him to stand up. He then handed his bag of money to Dennis

Chapter 2

“What are you doing Jonathan?” asked Randy in astonishment
“Please don’t stop me. I have nothing to lose but he has his wife.”
This was a bolt from the blue for the 2 strangers and left Dennis also astonished.
“What about your daughter’s case. It was for her”
“You are right but there is one problem but there is one problem. She is dead and your wife is not. This money can save your wife but cannot bring back my daughter back. So it would be better if you take it…”

He handed it and gazed upwards. Seeing how the lone moon might have outshined the multitude of stars, but all of them shared the universe together, he moved on again towards his house leaving the two night strangers behind. He had learnt his today’s lesson and waited for the new dawn to begin again so that he could continue his old monotony.

The two strangers saw the old man disappearing in the night. One watched him in awe and other in respect.

3 months later

As Jonathan stepped out of the court winning the case trial, all the media centered around him and began their trial of questions ignorant of Jonathan’s feelings and sentiments
“Sir, how does it feel to beat an industrialist like Nick Carter?”
“Please I have said it again and I am saying it again I don’t have any enmity with Nick Carter. I was fighting for truth and my daughter.”
“Do you think the Carter’s will take any action against you?”
“I will knock the doors of court if he shows up again.”
“Sir, people say you have taken bribe for this. Is it true?”
“No comments. Please leave…Now” Jonathan raised his voice.

One wrong answer and media will destroy you. Next day it was front page news titled:-
‘Leicester wins but refuses to take bribe’ and another quoted
‘Case shall be reopened: Carter’

The news channels were also reporting industrialist had given bribes to Jonathan Leicester for this case and even judge was paid. Some even went to the extent that all was a high profiled and planned strategy to destroy Carter’s name.

The media of Sin city had destroyed the reputation of a common man who fought for truth and revenge. His succession was shown a failure.

Meanwhile at Carter’s the case was being decided to be reopened and solid strategy was being formed for it.

10 days later, 8:30 a.m.

Jonathan was his way to the court when he was brutally murdered by a truck.

“Nooooo…..” screamed the old man as a white truck just ran over him and Jonathan was crushed between the rubber and the road.

Somebody hid his body and there was no sign of him.

Jonathan was tagged missing and as far as the case, it went as decided by the Carter’s. They had joined the defense lawyer to their side and the case was won. And Carter’s son was released

Everyone knew what had happened but nobody saw it. And ‘JONATHAN LEICESTER’ was lost in history of Sin City forever.

A white cop of firm built entered the club in an unusual manner. His face was hard to read but his eyes expressed somewhat anger and sadness. He went straight to the bar and ordered a glass of whisky. He used to come to the club occasionally but since past week he came everyday and stayed drunk there till morning hours. He awaited his drink and saw around him. The bar was empty except for one man sitting next to him. He was in his older forties. He was holding his glass and staring at it continuously.

The cop took his whisky and sat next to the old man. The old man had a glance and then went back to staring his glass. The cop took a sip. In no mood of talking but unable to resist, the cop asked the old man

“It won’t change by staring at it”

The old man looked at the cop again but this time in an observant manner and then back to what he was doing. The cop looked at the bartender in the eyes asking what the matter was. The bartender moved forward to answer when they both heard crying. They turned towards the old man who was in tears now. Bartender replied

“He is coming since 4 days; everyday orders a glass of whisky, stares at it, but then cries and leaves the bar”

The cop looked at the old man and noticed he had seen him. But couldn’t remember where? He emptied his glass and asked the old man

“Any problem, Sir! I can help you I am a cop”

“Get Lost. All you cops are same” He said in angry tone as if could do anything

The cop lost his temper .He was in no mood for this and grabbed the old man by his collar.

“Listen, what do you think you are? Show your id right now”

The old man was almost choking and slowly he took out his wallet and raised it. The cop threw him back on his chair and opened the wallet to see the face unexpected. His anger was gone and he looked sadly in the eyes of old man.

He took the photo out and asked the old man in a voice which expressed pain

“How do you know him?”

The old man snatched the photo back and was in tears again. Sobbingly the old man spoke while the cop listened silently

“His name is Frank…He was my son… A cop like you… He died last week while on duty…” And he sobbed bitterly in no way of speaking anymore.

The cop had listened sincerely feeling utmost shame and guilt of his recent act. He put a hand on the old man’s shoulder and tied to console him. He spoke

“I am sorry for your son. I was his partner…” It felt words escaping his mouth, but getting courage to speak he continued

“I was with him when he died”

The old man looked back on him, his facial expressions changing from guilt to disgust. But then, he trying to control his impulse, stepped up and was going for the door, when the cop stopped him.

“Forgive me, I am your culprit. Please listen to me. I know it’s not easy but I have to tell you something”. The cop was on his knees and held the old man’s hand begging for forgiveness. His eyes started to wet

The old man turned back and spoke “Get up” and raised him. They both sat and the cop spoke this time

“On That night, I and your son were following a thief. He entered a building which was deserted. We decided to split to catch him. Frank took the backdoor and I entered through front. I took the stairs hoping to catch him there but then I heard a gunshot… I hurried down towards the backdoor to find Frank all over in blood…” And he himself broke in tears “…The thief had taken his gun and holy cross chain with him…” And no more to say he felt a great burden has been emptied from his shoulder.

The old man had listened patiently and understood his state of mind. Thus he felt the need to speak and also share his grief

“It wasn’t your fault child. If I had listened to him, he would have been saved today. He wanted to be like his father, a priest. But I wanted him to become a policeman. I wanted him to be responsible citizen. I was strict on him. He never resisted, he never argued. He was the best son anyone could wish for…” After this both strangers cried bitterly. They didn’t need words .It was a moment of truth, a moment of redemption.

They truth had prevailed. Emptiness still lurked in the hearts of the two men but the distances were shortened. Both of them had shared their hearts. They had stepped up for leaving and moved towards the door. They were just near the door when there was a gunshot and a thud.

Both men turned back and rushed towards the bar. The bartender was on the floor.

The bartender had shot himself and held a gun in his hand. The priest held his hand and opened his fist. The priest’s eyes were baffled on what they saw. The cop felt on his knees and was astonished himself.

The bartender held a silver chain with a holy cross in it.