"We have photos and videos that say otherwise," Forrest said, his tone cold enough to give me chills.
"We know exactly the things you did. You're a monster. A predator."
"I made some mistakes." Bob's eyes shifted from side to side. He struggled against Woody, but Woody didn't budge.
"Mistakes," Leif barked. "Forgetting to pay your phone bill on time is a mistake. Preying on innocent people? Not a mistake."
Forrest stalked towards Bob. "When was the last time?"
Bob shrank back.
"I don't know, it was a long time ago. I've changed." He perked up a little, clearly hoping to convince us. "I know what I did was wrong. That's why I stopped. I've been looking to get help. Professional help."
"You're a shit liar," Woody told him.
"The last photo on your hard drive was from two weeks ago," Forrest said. "Taking photos of vulnerable people while they're on the toilet?" He shook his head.
"I fucked up. Like I said, I'm getting help." Bob was becoming frantic. Any chance he had of walking away was rapidly diminishing. Not that he had a real chance, but he'd thought he had.
"Can we kill him now?" Woody asked, pressing his arm harder against Bob's throat.
"Kill me?" Bob whined. "Please don't kill me. I won't do it again. I swear."
"You're right," Forrest said. "You won't do it again. We'll make sure of that." He slid a knife out of the pocket of his trousers, flipped it open and offered it to me.
I looked down at the slim blade before shaking my head. "I don't think I can. Not the first time."
He offered me a smile and a nod, not questioning my decision, respecting it.
"It's my turn," Leif said, holding his hand out for the knife.
Without hesitation, Forrest placed it across his palm and stepped back. He wrapped an arm around me and we watched as Leif approached Bob.
"Keep still unless you want me to cut you," he said to Woody.
"Don't fucking cut me," Woody growled.
He grunted as Bob started to struggle harder, forcing Woody to hold him for Leif to press the knife to his throat.
I wanted to look away, but I watched while Leif carefully drew the blade across Bob's throat, sending a spray of blood over Woody's sleeve.
Fascinated, I watched Bob's eyes as the light gradually faded from them, his expression changing from horrified to shocked to dead.
Just like that. We ended his life. Removed a monster from the world.
"Feels good, doesn't it?" Forrest asked.
"It shouldn't," I started.
His arm tightened around me. "Yes, it should. We’re doing the right thing."
Leif and Woody lowered Bob's body to the floor, Woody making a face at the blood on his shirt.
"Assholes always have to be so fucking messy," he grumbled.
"That's all there is to it," Leif said, wiping the knife on Bob's shirt before closing it and handing it back to Forrest. "One less asshole in the world."
I stared at Bob, his eyes staring back at me, conflicting thoughts whirling through my head. I'd watched them kill a man. I'd helped them do it. I should feel bad.
