I know her well but love her from afar. This battered woman who I cherish has put up with his abuse for far too long. Her devotion for him is only noticed by me and it’s admirable but saddening. My lovely Mary needs to leave him or she will die. But I can’t convince her of that. She won’t listen.
Each day that passes only gets worse for her. I see the bruising on her face which makes my blood boil. I confront her but she shrugs it off. This man needs to be taught a lesson, I thought. Mary my Mary, I will do this for you. Someday you might thank me.
I grabbed my cape and my top hat too. I covered my face and headed out to the street. As a street performer I can wait and spy without suspicion. People enjoy the tricks of a magician.
Hours had passed and night had fallen and soon the streets were quiet. But there I saw as he stepped out from the shadows, was Mary’s abusive man. He walked with another woman who sparkled in the moonlight. He joked with her so she laughed but then he slapped her. She stopped and I saw the fear in her face. That was it, he needed to go down, I thought.
I danced out in front of them with my cape flowing as I turned around. The young woman stepped back as I bowed and tipped my hat to them. Mary’s man told me to get lost but I laughed. I gently grabbed the woman’s hand and moved in close to her ear. Run away I said to her. I will protect you my dear.
The young woman left and ran down the street. So I turned and glared at the man. What are you doing? That was my date he said. I laughed again and shook my head. No more women for you I said. Mary’s man tried to bully again and threw a punch at me. But I backed up and pulled a lighter out of my pocket. I smelled the aweful cologne that he douced himself with so flashed the flame at him.
Once again he took a swing at me and missed. I danced around him like a foolish clown. But I didn’t care. This man needed to be taken down a few notches. I glanced around and didn’t see anyone so I lit the lighter again. I moved in close and stopped in front of him, and then stared into his eyes. Mary’s man didn’t know what was about to happen until he felt the burn.
I backed up and watched him squirm as he ripped off his jacket. I laughed and asked him how it felt to be tortured. I only saw anger in his eyes. Mary’s man rushed at me and pushed me hard, so I fell to the ground. He laughed at me and then turned around. Before I even tried to get up, I was caught by surprise.
When Mary’s man turned around it brought a smile to my face. There stood Mary with three other women, ready to put an end to their fear. This bully and abuser didn’t stand a chance against four fed up women.
The End
I hope that you enjoyed this short story as much as I enjoyed writing it. And if you can’t tell, I despise bullies. I wrote this story for Kevin's No Theme Thursday prompt last week.
https://thebeginningatlast9.com/2024/07/11/no-theme-thursday-07-11-24/