I stood over him, my knife barely grazing the hairs of his neck. I came with full intentions to kill him, but I just couldn't do it. Something inside of me was holding me back, and I couldn't figure out what it was.

This man... this evil, Hell-sent man... He'd cursed me, beat me black and blue, and used every chance he got to make my time on Earth as miserable as it could be. I hated him with everything I had in me.

So why couldn't I kill him?

I took a step back and put my knife away slowly, shaking my head furiously. He looked at me confused, though the fear was still noticeable in his dark gray eyes.

"Well?" I snapped at him, waiting for him to flee.

"I... I don't u-understand..." He was shaking. "Why-"

"Just go and don't come near me again, or I promise I will kill you." Would I really? I thought, but immediately shoved the thought out of my mind.

The man nodded and stood up, the cut on his thigh from my knife slowing his actions. He winced in pain as he finally got to his feet and headed out of the woods to his truck. He turned back to get a quick glance at me before he'd leave me forever, tears forming at the corners of his eyes once more.

"Goodbye, Em."

My own eyes began to water as I choked on the last words I would ever say to him.

"Goodbye, Dad."