Abacus by Josh Burton

The problem, as he saw it, was that vermin such as Digby were a protected species in big cities. Nobody knew their background and nobody knew what they were capable of. But people had a right to know. Privacy laws allowed the Digbys of this world to mingle with humans with total immunity.
    Sucking the beer froth from his moustache, he focused all his attention on his nemesis. He saw the animated, playful Digby approach two women and start chatting. “That’s fucking it,” he snarled. His intention had only been to follow Digby that evening, but now that had all changed. With beer in hand he hurried around the bar and over to the unsuspecting Digby. Extending his index finger, he poked him firmly to the back of the head causing him to overbalance and lurch forward. Digby stopped talking and turned around. The smile instantly disappeared from his face when he saw the stone-faced Randall before him.
    Looking past Digby as if he was not there, Randall warned the women. “Excuse me, girls, but you don’t want to have anything to do with this piece of crap. He raped two girls during a break-in last year and got released on a technicality. He is nothing but a low life.”
    The girls could see from the exchange that there was some merit to the story, so they walked off.
    “Is that right , Sergeant?” Digby said defiantly.
    “That’s right,” Rand all said, getting so close to him he was now standing on one of his shoes.
    “Well , Sergeant, you lost fair and square and you can’t go around telling people about my history, it is an offence. It is an offence against my privacy. All I wanted to do was give them a little shag, that’s all. You know I just love a little fun with the women, don’t you?”
    Randal l looked around the crowded bar. He wanted to headbutt the rapist right there and then. “Tread very, very warily, Digby. You may think you can stand over women, but I will punch you into next week.”
    “You don’t scare me. I’m free as a bird and there is nothing you can do about it. If I want to take another sheila I will, whenever it suits me.”
    Randall smi led at him. “Is that so? We’ll see,” he said, turning and walking back to the bar. Seated at the bar, he could see that a subdued Digby was no longer the life of the party as he nervously looked in Randall’s direction to see if he was still around.
    Randall ordered a second glass of beer, and j ust as he raised it to his lips he saw Digby get up and head to the toilet. Randall put his beer down and quickly followed him into the toilet. Hearing the door open behind him, Digby turned around. Without saying a word, Randall walked over and punched him to the side of the head. Digby stumbled in front of the urinal, and then retaliated with a punch, which harmlessly deflected off Randall’s solid shoulder.
    Randall counter ed with an uppercut to the chin, causing Digby to collapse onto the tiled floor. Randall reached down, grabbed a handful of his hair, and dragged him to the edge of the urinal. Pushing down with all his weight, he submerged Digby’s face in the blend of stale urine, scented tablets and rusty water. After pulling his head out to allow him a short breath, he once again pushed his face into the putrid liquid. He felt instant pleasure as he watched Digby struggle and blow bubbles as he fought for air. He felt like he could easily have drowned him there and then without any regrets. No one would miss him and no one would have cared. But the time was not right. Finally releasing his grip, he smiled as he watched Digby cough and splutter uncontrollably.
    Walking to the basin, a nonchalant Randall pushed on the dispenser of liquid soap and cleaned his hands. Looking into mirror, he saw Digby slowly get to his knees with matted hair and saturated clothing.
    Pushing the door open Randall said, “For God’s sake, Kel, tidy yourself up. How are you going to pull sheilas looking like that?”
    * * *
    The next morning, Randall waited until all