The End of the Beginning...

A lone figure shrouded with darkness sat before a glass wall looking out at the peacefulness of the space. He drank from his wineglass before smoking his cigarette.

“I have waited long enough, I won’t wait any moment longer,” he said.

“My sentiments exactly. There’s no perfect time to wreck havoc than this,” answered the man on the monitor.

He released another puff of smoke and gave a throaty laugh. “Just when they thought they have finally found the peace they were looking for…” the man on the monitor trailed off.

“They will not get away that easily. I want everything back, and I mean it.”

“Relax. Soon, my friend, soon.”

The man laughed without humor, his eyes glinting in the darkness of the room. His vision of the serene space before him was shrouded with the smoke from his cigarette.

“I’ll drink to that.”

The man raised his empty glass as a salute that he meant what he said, and he would do it no matter what.