Aftermath in Soho

In the dimly lit corner of a Soho pub, Verloc sat, feeling a sense of unease. His recent encounter with Mr Vladimir had not gone as planned. A demand was placed on Verloc, an anarchist, to provoke a response from the British government. The Russian ambassador wanted him to orchestrate a bombing, aimed specifically at the Greenwich Observatory.

As he pondered over the details, Verloc's wife came to mind. Winnie was a simple, devoted woman who had accepted him without question. While deep down, he felt a pang of guilt, he was after all, an agent with a cause, a secret agent. The invasive thought was pushed aside, as strategic planning occupied his mind.

Over the next few days, Verloc spent his time mapping the site and brainstorming the perfect plan. His idea was to involve his brother-in-law, Stevie - a vulnerable individual easily swayed. Using him as an unwitting pawn seemed like the perfect idea.

Days turned into weeks, and finally, the day arrived. In the dead of night, they executed the plan. But it all went horribly wrong when Stevie tripped and fell onto the explosives, killing himself instantly. That day, Verloc felt a twinge of remorse that he had never experienced before.

Returning home, Verloc was greeted by an unexpectedly calm Winnie. Despite the turmoil inside, he managed to hold a steady voice, relaying the tragic accident that befell Stevie. Winnie received the news with a quiet, chilling calmness. It was almost as if she knew.

In the days that followed, Verloc felt as if he was on the edge of a precipice. The guilt gnawed at him, turning him into a shadow of his former self. He started questioning his involvement in the anarchist organization, the price of it all too heavy.

One fateful night, Winnie, driven to the edge by her brother's death and her husband's betrayal, ended Verloc's guilt and life with a single stroke of a knife.

As the story of Verloc ended, the world went on without a pause, echoing Conrad's stark depiction of human nature and politics. The Secret Agent had traded his secret life for a tragic end, leaving behind a tale of manipulation, guilt, and revenge.