I lowered my hand again, fast and careless. I have probably knocked a flower pot with my elbow, because I heard a loud thump behind me. I suddenly started to remember. I could hear the muffled sound of the kicks and the blows, I could feel the futile struggle of the body, and my fingers closing on the hilt. It took only a few moments, and it was done.
I pushed my back onto the wall, and stretched my arms. I sighed deeply. I looked at my hands again. Yes, the reddish-brown layer was still there. Slowly, increduously, my lips curled into a smile.
It was so hard to believe that I was (finally) — free.