The storm was spreading across the city like a tidal wave. Eventually the streets were reflecting the blinking lights of the traffic like mirrors. The windshields could hardly keep up with the gallons of water splashing across them. Even though it was the middle of the day it was dark as night.

A single car broke out of Paris usual traffic jams and slalomed its way out of the city center, into the suburbs. The tires were sliding across the submerged streets, but did not lose control due to excellent grip. The navigation system told the driver to continue out of the city limits to avoid traffic.

Antonin Dubois was a man of little patience and a stubborn temper. If he could get to his goal even one second sooner he would do almost anything to that end. The airport he was headed for was at the other end of the city. He had decided to drive there ahead of time, which turned out to be the right decision. If the storm got worse he would have had a hard time driving there.

His flight had not been cancelled yet. He checked the website several times already. Now that he left the metropolitan area he had nothing but empty streets ahead of him. There was a forest close-by as well. Impatiently he pulled the phone from the compartment to his right and turned on the screen. The road was just a long straight line up to the forest so he could take a glance.

Seventeen messages blinked in the corner, no doubt business associates. Two missed calls. He swiped the unnecessary information aside and opened the schedule list. Flight Paris/Brussels… slight delays. He snorted and glared at the phone. It was to be expected, but that didn’t improve his mood.

This trip was important for the future of his business, but the commoners out there didn’t care. As if that wasn’t aggravating enough, yesterday’s incident left a sour taste in his mouth. His precious Daylily had been assaulted and that failure of a chaperone had done nothing. What if she had gotten a scar or worse, been deflowered?

Her worth would have plummeted immensely.

There was also that look in Rafflesia’s eyes. She was up to something, he could tell. Perhaps it was about time to reeducate her. Whatever answer she would come up with by the time he returned was meaningless. Antonin Dubois had already made up his mind about everything. He always thought three steps ahead.

One new message popped up on his screen. He took a short look out the front window, but the street ahead was entirely dark. The sharp turn around the forest came up soon. Whatever, he just took a short glance.

[Safe travels.]

It sounded like something Lis would say, but he didn’t allow her to own a phone. Who-

The one second of confusion was enough to delay his reflexes. Just as he turned the wheel to lay into the curve he suddenly saw something appear in the cones of his headlights. A car was parked in the middle of the road!

“Merde!” He yelled in anger as he spun the wheel around with all his might and hit the brakes. Instead of slowing down the car kept speeding up! “What the hell is going on?!” He kept kicking the brakes with all his strength, but the car didn’t slow down.

The tires were screeching from the stress that was put on them by the spinning, but they weren’t giving out yet. If he could just stir it around the parked vehicle…

He passed it by a hair’s breadth. The next moment however, his Peugeot was rushing down the sink and into the forest! His vision was spinning and the tree was incoming.

“OPEN YOU FUCKING-!“ He shouted as he kicked his door open with one leg and then jumped out the spinning car. The next moment it crashed into the tree and shrapnel was flying everywhere inside an explosion of dirt and leaves.

For a moment his vision blacked out due to the heavy impact of his head on the forest ground, followed by spinning and eventually a numb pain in his lower back. The sound that was ringing inside his ears only wore off after a while and made way for the incessant dribbling of rain. He could feel the cold wetness spread all over him.

Opening his right eyes was a strain, but he managed. He was spread over some rabbit hole and an oddly shaped rock. Using his hurting arms he dragged himself up and then towards the tree close to his completely wrecked car.

He couldn’t feel his legs. Why couldn’t he feel his legs? There was only a numb pain spreading across his abdomen. The rain was letting up a little and so the red that was released from his wound stopped getting washed away. So that was it. There was a large metal shard stuck in his side. Probably shrapnel from the car.

He touched it hesitantly and felt a rush of heat and pain from the spot. That was good. Pain meant he was still in the game. It wasn’t bleeding too much compared to some injuries he had taken in his youth. This godforsaken forest was deserted, especially in this weather, but if he just got to his phone…

The car next to him was wrecked and the glass spread all around it glimmered in the occasional lightning strike from above. But he could see something blinking inside the space between the driver’s seat and the destroyed wheels. That was his phone! It was build bullet proof after all.

If he leaned on his healthy side and dragged himself over with a thick stick he could make it there. Although his vision was starting to fade out he would not give up. He never gave up. This accident would not stop a man of his caliber!

Crch… crack… tschk…

The leaves and muddy ground were making sounds. Sounds similar almost to being pushed down by boots.

Antonin looked up and wiped the blood from his right eye to see better in the barely lit forest. One of the car’s backlights suddenly sprung to life and shone on the hooded figure. They were moving towards the car almost casually and then pulled out the blinking phone.

“So it was you.” He stopped his crawl and leaned back against the tree with a defeated expression.

The hooded person showed him the phone and then took it apart in front of his eyes. When it was stripped of its battery and machinery the golden chassis was thrown against his chest, much like leftovers from the dinner table were handed to a dog.

“Seems you got my message old man.” Rafflesia said with a cold smile.

My name is Rafflesia. It’s not a cute name at all. Not something any decent parent would call their daughter anyway. But I can’t say that old man was wrong either. Say about him what you want, but he has a good eye for people. He had to, to become such a dangerous underworld shark.

The Rafflesia is a parasitic flower with large revolting meat colored petals. It’s also referred to as a ‘corpse flower’ from time to time, due to its disgusting smell. No young girl would go to smell the Rafflesias in their grandmother’s garden, that’s for sure. Apparently it sends out that foul corpse like stench to attract insects which spread its pollen to procreate the flower. In the end it can only survive by capturing and tricking others.

My vines spread out to search for a beautiful small flower to bind tightly into my body. Becoming one to survive and persevere in the process. A parasite that can only bloom with the right host…

Yes, the old man had a good eye.

After Lis left for her job I had been following her as per my usual schedule. Robert was too trusting as usual, so I had to make up for his slack. That young company owner, that rich pig, tried to lay a hand on Lis. I was so close to castrating him with my knife, that’s how angry I was. Of course I didn’t do anything like that; Lis was right with me after all.

When the old man came home I immediately called him into his office to have a talk, but he said it should wait. The moment I mentioned Lis he became a lot more willing to listen. The Dubois office was nothing but a façade. Strewn about the desk and shelves were meaningless folders of files and receipts. While the phone rang occasionally, it was obvious that the old man only took his important calls over his Smartphone and at least three encrypted channels.

I locked the door behind me. Lis was upstairs taking a bath, so I didn’t expect her to come down, but better be safe than sorry.

‘Father’ took a seat in his oversized office chair. He just wouldn’t throw that filthy old thing out. I would have assumed it had sentimental value, but that would imply that a human heart beat inside that monster’s chest. I’m not delusional.

“Bonnet turned out to be a bad business partner.” He said as he leaned on his folded hands and glared at the door. His short gray hair was slicked back, revealing his widows peak, but in my opinion he still looked much younger than he actually was. Under certain circumstances he could have been my grandfather.

“Is that all you have to say? He almost kidnapped and raped your daughter.” I glared him down, but his sharp silver-grey eyes are calm. Provocations of this level didn’t even faze him.

“I expected this to happen again one day. It was fortunate that we had no incidents in almost 4 years.”

So he was playing it down. Made me sick to my stomach to hear the word ‘expected’ in this context. I crossed my arms and leaned against the shelf to his left.

“Are you going to let him get away with this?” I couldn’t suppress my disapproving tone.

“We cannot hand him over to the police. Robert escorted him back home and explained the situation to him. He will either shut up and pay us to do the same… or he will lose his company for good.” His wicked smile was befitting of a mob boss from some Italian mafia movie. “Nonetheless, I am disappointed. I will have to let Robert go after such a blunder.”

My hand twitches for a second, but I think I covered it up well. My face was an unmoving mask. Even if he said he would get rid of Robert, there was no reason to think that it would happen right away.

“Naturally Bonnet is the greatest disappointment, but the most important one should be attributed to you Rafflesia.”

“I saved Lis!”

“You were supposed to take care of any frustrations left in her clients. Why were you not tending to Bonnet right away?” His sharp eyes pierced my body and seemed to tear open my heart.

“I thought Robert was still setting up the details with him. They usually want an appointment for later in the night.” I tried my best to sound reasonable, no matter how unreasonable this situation was.

“Hmph. This sloppiness of yours is exactly why you lack value.” He took out his phone and started replying to some messages.

A cold fire burned inside my chest. Looking at this despicable man filled me with a horrible corrupted foulness. Truly, I am a Rafflesia. But this corpse like smell, this dirty soul… it all came from that man. He tainted me so completely that I can never hope to recover. But I accept it all. There is nothing I would not do if it was for the sake of Lis.

“This had to happen right before my trip to Belgium. I want you to have an eye on Lis while I am gone so she won’t do anything stupid.”

“Of course.” My ears perked up when I heard him mention Belgium. The word made me excited and afraid. It was tomorrow, wasn’t it? My breathing got unstable just thinking about it. Maybe that would be the only opportunity I could ever have. But my arms and legs are shaking. Why was I so weak? I still couldn’t bring out my resolve.

“I must say, despite your failings, I might increase your value if this deal goes over well.”

“Have they contacted you already?”

“Yes. The meeting will take place the day after tomorrow. If all goes well we will finally be moving our hands into the money laundering scene.” The mere thought of the endless profit awaiting him made him show his horrible smile. “I never expected my most worthless piece to move this far on the board. However did you set it up, hm?”

That worthless piece was of course me, his youngest daughter. And his question was rhetorical. But if I could improve my standing even a bit…

“The clients like to talk a lot. Lis only gets to hear the surface stuff. When they are done and satisfied they start boasting and laughing to themselves. I just had to dangle a carrot before that old man and he was happy to talk to his contacts.” I explained while avoiding his eyes.

“Pillow talk can be a useful talk with the right questions. The other girls lack that capacity for inventiveness.” He stroked his chin and set aside his phone. “Your example has actually opened my eyes.” I stiffened up. I had a bad premonition when seeing his devilish grin. “If you can achieve such results, then it might finally be time to widen the spectrum of Lis’ tasks.”

“NO!” I wanted to do things to him that would make his face distort in ways humans should not be able to. It took all my self control not to jump him and tear out his eyes and tongue!

“Now now. The novelty of the ‘Daylily’ will wear off eventually. Clients who desire this luxury product are abundant now, but in a few years her ‘purity’ will certainly come into question. The appeal of an innocent flower is lost when it grows in a garden of weeds.” His words were pure evil. Detestable. The worst. “If I give her to her clients afterwards, they will pay us at least twice as much. Lis has matured, she will get over it faster than most girls. After all you did too.”

“You are supposed to leave those pigs to ME!! That’s what you promised! I will make them go away satisfied and you get your extra cash, just leave Lis out of this!!” I shouted with desperation and anger. If he was serious about this he would never stop.

“That is up to you. If you can’t keep your end of the bargain, I will act accordingly.” He simply replied and then turned his chair towards the window.

W-h-a-t?

I stagger to the side for a moment, losing grip on the shelf. He was blaming me. This was all a set-up. He was extorting me… no, punishing me? Because of today’s incident he wanted to get back at me. That must have been it. So he was saying that Lis fate was my fault? THIS taint was on my hands as well?

It’s over. My hesitation left my body. The plan would happen. It must.

“…fine. Just think about it a little longer. At least until you are back from your trip.” I lower my head and pretend to be disgruntled, but accepting my lot.

“I will only be gone for three days. My mind is already made up. The ball is now on your side. If you cannot come up with something I will do exactly what I promised. Are we clear?” An ultimatum. This bastard…

“Understood.” I would come up with something that solved all of our issues. All strings would be cut and finally, we would be free.

I stand inside the dark forest, putting the micro-SD card and battery in my inner pocket. The black raincoat I’m wearing seems to have thrown my ‘father’ off for a moment, but then he recognizes me.

“Seems you got my message old man.”

“Was there ever a contact in Belgium?” He asks while wiping blood from his right eye.

“Nobody will be waiting for you.”

“Figures.” He coughs and then jerks back in pain. That jagged piece of metal looks painful. All the better for me. “You cut the brakes?”

“Don’t be stupid. You would have noticed right away.” I reprimand his shitty question and then kick over the broken door. Below the car is a tiny box that was once right inside the front of the car. “I remote controlled when it would be destroyed. When I saw you come down that road like a starved wolf I simply had to press the button.” I pushed it with delight.

“Your taste in cars is… disappointing…” He says with a rough smile.

“Just one more thing for the list then.” I don’t care. I don’t care at all anymore about anything he has to say. I just want to see him squeal in pain.

“Is this revenge…cough… for how I treated you?” He dares to ask my reasons. He actually went there!

“Unlike you… I don’t have any illusions about myself. I am just as worthless as you always said.” I spin the remote in my hand and watch the rain burst off the plastic. “There is nothing of me that I love. There is nothing I would want to avenge. You’ve already ruined me.”

“…” His eyes are glazing over, probably because of the pain and cold.

He doesn’t get to pass out yet! I kick the metal in his side, making him jolt up in agonizing pain.

“AAAHHHH! Mon Dieu…” He spazzes around for a moment, but his eyes have returned to clarity. Pain forces him to stay in the moment.

“There is one sin that I can’t forgive. You had your uses for me as well, so I hesitated for a while. But I can’t forgive you and I don’t want to let you get away with this no matter what.” I move my face as close to his as possible, to the point where I can see every rain covered hair on his eye-lashes. “You wanted to hurt Lis.”

“Ahaha…. Ahahahahhaha!” Despite the pain and my icy hatred, he starts to laugh madly as if he had heard the greatest joke ever told. It must hurt to laugh with that wound, but he doesn’t seem to have any self-control. “I knew it since I saw you children for the first time in that gutter like a litter of thrown away kittens. You are not normal.” His mad grin was an insult to my entire world. “I already saw that shining girl’s abnormality. Her desire to be used was a boon to my business, as well as that divine purity. Haha… but she is a deviant.”

Why does he keep talking? He knows he is going to die. He could just step away gracefully. No, I would not let him. But he could try. Instead he gives me this toxic display. He wants to anger me? I’m beyond furious already. There is nothing that could save him… so he laughs it off?

“And you are the worst of all. I should have realized it sooner. Your deviancy, your obsession… your broken soul…”

“You broke me. But Lis will fix me. She keeps me together. For that reason… I have to end your part in her story.”

“I broke you? Do you really believe that child?” He gives me a derisive chuckle. “You were born broken.”

“HAAAAH!” I raise my fist to punch him with all my strength, every fiber in my body wants to hurt that man!!

His bloody smile does not break. My fist stops right in front of his sharp nose. Now that bastard seems surprised.

“Not gonna lash out… Not going to kill me?” He mocks me.

“Did you think I was just on my own?” I suddenly ask him calmly.

“What…?” He frowns in confusion.

“If I kill you here, someone would investigate your death. It would be a big deal. I wouldn’t even see the next day without your ‘associates’ trying to kill me or the Gendarmerie taking me in.”

Realization dawned on his blue, wrinkly face.

“A set-up… You were working with someone.” He grits his teeth.

“You want to know why I didn’t kill you yet?” I suddenly feel a smile spread across my face. “My allies of justice will bring down your empire that you spent your entire life building up.”

“You bitch… when did you start working with the DGSI?”

“Who knows?”

“Traitors… who are the damn traitors?!”

I love this. His expression of despair and hatred. Being bested by me is nothing to him. He sees me as just another rabid dog. But to think I have outsmarted him. That all he built will be ruined. Right under his eyes there were traitors and agents. The order he had build, the unseen world of total control he had created, was always full of holes and rotten from the base.

There will not be a shred of his legacy left!

“What good would knowing do you?” I smile darkly and then step away.

“They are going to… come for me… aren’t they?”

“That injury isn’t fatal. If you get treated in time you will make it. Congrats.” I move towards the car to look for my box. I take it into my raincoat.

“You are… selling me out?! Your father and benefactor! You owe me everything!” He is yelling like an enraged bull.

“If you answer their questions you might get to live in a nice max security prison. Of course I will be sending you the newspapers regularly.” So he can see every headline about his secret empire crumbling to ashes.

It’s my victory old man.

“Hehe… You know it right?” He cackles while leaning over like a corpse.

“…” I stop in my tracks. I want to leave so the DGSI doesn’t see me. They might take me in for questioning and I can’t let Lis wait at home any longer. I really want to see her… Hug her, smell her comforting scent.

But his tone of voice keeps me tied in place.

“You knew all along… you foolish little thing…“

“You are such a sore loser.” I sigh in annoyance and force myself to move on.

“You know that she will never love you back.”

My. Mind. Breaks.

A flash of red. The glass shard from the ground. My hand moves up and then down.

Again again again again againagainagainagainagainagain! AGAIN!

Laughter. Spurting blood. Torn out throat. Slicing that grin. Crushing that skull. Ripping open his suit. Cutting out his heart. It sprays and sprays and sprays and sprays.

Laughter. Who is laughing? Is it him? Is he laughing as I cut him apart?

Or is that me laughing at the shambles of my shattering world?