it was near midnight
the chill of winter’s breath
was beginning
to take hold
a small howl
came from the west
distant
lonely
the scent of diesel
filled the air
the only other sound
was that of my heels
hitting the gravel
down this road
i knew
led to redemption
but
it also led to him
unconsciously
i felt the pistol
in my pocket
one of us
would know freedom
the other lead
as the bell
of the clock tower
tolled into the still night
i realized
it didn’t matter
which was which
as long as it was
over