Saul stood in the narthex of the old church outside of town. For all he knew he was the first person in almost twelve years to walk through the front doors which were now a few steps behind him. Facing Saul was the entrance into the sanctuary.

A vision of an old, gnarled hunchback ringing tower bells flashed into his mind. Saul quickly dismissed the thought, trying to focus on what he feared was about to happen. He crept forward, raising small dust clouds and causing the wood floor to bend and creak wherever he set his feet. His hand brushed his jacket pocket, and he thought about the letter it held.

He couldn’t believe it was just that morning his partner, Simms, had delivered the letter to him, and promptly fell dead at Saul’s feet, having finally succumb to the gunshot wound someone had left in his back. Saul read the letter back to himself in his mind, the words already seared into his brain. He’d had no idea Webb was still alive. He’d had his suspicions, an occasional vague nudging at the back of his head, but until that morning he had all but put behind him what had happened twelve years ago. Saul looked about him, now in the Sanctuary.

Time had not been kind to this place. He supposed time had not been kind to him, either. He squeezed his hand into a fist, then relaxed it. His body ached. He figured he’d give up his beat and put in for a desk job soon, beating his superiors to the punch. He kept telling himself that all the years on the force were finally getting to him. But he knew better; his past was catching up to him.

Why had Webb come back now? What had be been doing these past twelve years? Saul guessed that it really didn’t matter. What did matter was making him pay.

“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” Saul froze as he heard the voice, echoing back from all corners of the large room, echoing back from years long since spent.

“I suppose that’s why we chose this church, then and now. How does it feel being here again?” the voice asked.

“It feels like home,: Saul answered.

“And after all, why shouldn’t it? The years the two of us spent here…” The voice trailed off.

“There were three of us back then, Webb.” Saul shot his yes from place to place, all over the derelict sanctuary, trying to catch sight of Webb. He saw nothing.

“Ah, yes. Forgive me. I almost forgot about her.”

Saul slowly and painstakingly removed his gun from its holster.

“That’s a lie Webb. Towards the end, she’s all you ever thought about.”

Saul started to move around the back pews, knowing his footfalls would give him away, but not caring. He also knew that Webb was playing tricks with his mind. But still, that didn’t mean they weren’t working. A name was now circulating through his head. A name that, everyday would eventually find its way across his lips while he sat alone in his office or at home. A face that he had seen countless time in his dreams. A person he had once loved. The only person he had ever loved.

Victoria wouldn’t approve of your being here tonight,” the voice continued. “She never did approve of violence, even if it was violence that kept her fed. I however, and very pleased you came!”

With that, Webb jumped down from the balcony where he had been hiding, landing on a pew just a few feet behind Saul. Saul spun to train his gun at the sound, and quickly dove to the side, sliding behind a pillar at the side of the sanctuary to avoid the shots delivered by the pistols in Webb’s hands. Saul got to his feet, already hurting, but knowing he had to move fast. He reached around the pillar and fired two shots, then ducked his head and ran along the all, trying to put space between Webb and himself.

“It seems my old partner hasn’t lost his speed after all!” Webb shouted after him. “It’s no wonder the syndicate put us together . Your strength, my mind – we were unstoppable!” Webb fired a few shots in Saul’s direction, just toying with him.