PART 2 - CHAPTER 2: Suffer

Ever since his phone call with a peculiar doctor and encountering Jack’s supposed sister with almost coming into harm's way by someone else protecting her, Danny’s been on the alert, seeing if he could get any clues where Jack was at. Today he’s hanging around town to see if he or the Black male would return with the girl Dr. Cato talked about. Danny tried his best to stay in the shadows, ensuring his plans weren’t foiled by anyone associated with Jack.

Veronica happened to come across Danny as he was doing his detective work. He was sitting at the ice cream shop where she and Anna would sometimes come by.

Veronica tapped his shoulder. “Hey Danny, what are you up to sitting all alone?”

Danny smacked his lips. “Listen here alright! I’m busy, so go annoy someone else,” he said, surveillancing the area with his glaring eyes.

Veronica got upset and stood before him with her hands on her hips. “What’s your problem? You’ve been such a jerk ever since your sister was killed.”

Danny ignored her and tried pushing her aside. “Move! I’m looking out for someone!”

Veronica had enough of his disgusting attitude, and was on the verge of laying a deserving slap to his face. She stomped the ground, clenched her fists, and her face turned red. But Danny continued ignoring her, going as far as to completely push her aside.

Veronica gasped and her eyes popped out. “Why you… I’ll show you!” She raised her hand and furrowed her brows.

Danny spotted Angela with another black guy, and he was huge. He jumped out of the chair and started running in their direction before Veronica could land that slap she was about to lay upon his face.

Veronica raised her fists in the air and shouted, “Stupid jerk!”

Danny didn’t care though, his mind was focused on vengeance. As he got closer, Danny stopped running and casually walked behind a couple of bystanders, making sure they didn’t spot him stalking them.

While Danny was stalking them, Eric and Angela were heading back to his nice SUV. For some reason, he had a feeling that something was fishy. His street instincts told him they were being watched. When they did get to the parked truck Eric had stopped and Angela wondered why by looking up at him.

Eric pats Angela’s shoulder as he glances around their area. “Baby girl, why don’t you go inside the whip first? Imma take me a smoke break.”

Angela nods, saluting to her uncle with a smile. “Okie dokie. Don’t be smoking too much! Those things are gonna slow you down, I’m telling you.”

Eric grinned and looked down to his niece. “You should be telling that to your creepy brother, not me. Ha, ha.” he pulled out the keys to the SUV, unlocked it for her by pressing the key fob.

“Yeah, you’re right. I will!” Angela ran around to hop inside the passenger side of the truck and waited for her uncle to smoke more cancer into his lungs.

Eric took out a box of cigarettes, pulled a single out, and started smoking. “Hmm, hopefully. I’m just imagining things.”

Danny, who was a couple of feet from them, pretended to tie his shoe on a bench. Damn… this dude’s fucking huge and jacked!

Danny straightened his clothes and sat on the bench, then pulled out his phone and made it seem as if he was waiting for someone.

Eric noticed how shaky the boy sitting on the bench was. Hmm… better make sure he ain’t no damn spy.

Eric walked towards Danny, as the boy pretended not to notice, but he was trembling. He had never seen anyone so intimidating before. The guy was tall, buff, and covered in tattoos. He had an aura around him that made Danny’s legs quiver.

As the guy got closer, Danny’s heart pounded intensely. He was shaking uncontrollably and felt afraid of the man. The pores on his body started swelling, releasing the fear inside, grinding his teeth, eyes moving erratically, and slowly very carefully swallowing in a way without making it seem he’s experiencing the personification of fear.

Eric sat next to Danny and continued smoking his cigarette while observing Danny’s clothes. He ain’t repping no colors of our rivals.

Danny had gotten so afraid that he froze like a statue. Shit… I think he’s on to me! Danny tried controlling his breathing, making sure he wasn’t showing any signs of fear, but it was too late.

Eric tossed his cigarette away, stood up, and took one last look at Danny. Looks like he ain’t a rival gang member or the one that spooked Angela. His clothes are different and he seems like a pussy from what Angela described.

Eric cracked his knuckles and left, then he got into the SUV and drove away. However, Eric didn’t notice that Danny had taken a photo of his license plate the moment he turned his back to him.

Danny smiled. “Soon, soon, soon! You too will suffer as I have, Jack.” Danny texted Dr. Cato’s personal number and sent him the photo to search for their location.

With a huge grin on his face, Danny stood up and walked away, happy knowing that Jack’s life would be changed by his hand.

***

When Eric and Angela got home, Eric parked the big vehicle in its rightful spot in the driveway. As he unbuckled his seatbelt, he saw Jack confronting someone inside the house from the front window. It wasn’t clear who he was confronting, but it wasn’t Randolph from how Jack was yelling.

Eric got out and Angela did too. He held her hand and they slowly walked towards the front door. The yelling inside got more intense, but Eric didn’t want Angela’s innocent eyes to see an argument that aggressive.

“Stay here for a second okay, baby girl.”

“O-Okay Uncle.”

Eric opened the door and right in front of him, a rival gang member was tied up in a chair, beaten horribly by Jack. Eric was disgusted by this site. Of course he was accustomed to beating rival gang members, but not to this extent. Jack had the man’s face completely disfigured, his arms appeared to be broken, and both his legs were snapped. Jack hadn’t noticed Eric was in shock behind him, so with no hesitation Jack fired his gun, killing the man in cold blood.

Eric had enough of Jack’s ruthless and psychopathic tendencies. He furiously grabbed him from behind and slammed him on the ground. Getting on top of Jack, Eric grabbed his shirt and started pummeling his face with his giant fists. Jack blocked most of them as they came crashing down on him like meteors, but Eric managed to slip one past his forearms and land directly on his nose.

Angela heard a gun going off, as well as shouting and struggling. She rushed inside and spotted her beloved uncle beating the living ruthlessness out of her dear brother. Infuriated, she rushed to her brother’s aid and tried to get Eric off Jack, but the size differences were too great. Eric was so enraged that he wasn’t focusing on his surroundings.

Angela accidently got in the way and Eric’s elbow collided with her precious face. She yelped and as soon as Jack heard the person whom he swore his life to being in pain, he was livid. His eyes turned bloodshot, which surprised Eric. He quickly overpowered Eric for a second to stop the senseless violence. Pushing Eric’s hands away for a quick moment, Jack had an opportunity to grab his gun and fire it. The bullet narrowly missed Eric and scuffed his cheek.

Eric was shocked. He stood still on top of Jack, with his fist raised and caught his breath, feeling just as angry as before. Eric rubbed his fingertips on his cheek and noticed blood. He glanced at Jack. The boy’s face was bruised, he had a bleeding nose, and his eyes were crimson. He’d never seen Jack in a state like that before.

“The next one… wi-will hit… -if you ever hurt my sister again,” Jack said angrily, spitting out a glob of blood to his side.

Eric looked back and saw Angela in the doorway. A small stream of blood flowed down to her chin. “This is all your,” Eric picked up Jack and threw him against the couch, “fault!”

Jack leaned against the couch, trying to get up, but Eric was in his way. Angela quickly got back up, jumped onto Jack and clung onto him. The moment Eric wanted to give Jack a finishing blow to his wretched face, Angela glared at her uncle and scared him in place. It was the scariest look Eric had ever seen someone give him. Her eyes widened in anger, telling Eric she was ready to fight him too.

Eric got emotional and glared at Jack. “You see what you made me do?! This is yo damn fault, Jack! Just what the hell were you doing to this man?!”

Angela ground her teeth and glared deeper into Eric’s soul.

Eric started pacing back and forth while looking at Jack. He was chopping the air as he continued shouting at him. “You’re fucking sick! You can’t just go killing everyone… You need help, man! For real, dawg!”

Frowning, Jack set Angela aside and stood up, then grabbed onto Angela’s outstretched hand. Jack spat again, looked Eric directly in the eyes, took deep breaths and then stared at the ground.

“Why Jack? Why are you so fucked? You made me hurt your sister out of rage, you think I feel good?” Eric slammed his hand against his chest. His lips twitched as he held back tears and clenched his fists. “No! I feel like shit, man!”

Angela brushed the blood off her lip and clung onto Jack.

“You can’t just go around killing people, man… You really are sick.”

Jack finally looked up at Eric. “I’m-I’m sorry. I got carried away. This is all my fault.” He turned to Angela, looking guilty. “I’m sorry too, Angela.”

He wiped the rest of the blood off her mouth and held her. “Brother…” Angela said in a hurtful tone.

“I’m sorry for letting you see me like this… again.”

Eric sighed. “Look man, did you really think I wanted to do that to you? No man! You’re my homie, but you really do need help.” Eric extended his hand. “Let’s be grown ass men and shake on it.”

Jack stared at Eric’s offer, feeling so much guilt. What have I become…

Eric then turned to Angela. “Princess, I’ll let you punch me for hurting you, okay?”

Angela grinned. “I’ll keep that in mind then.”

Jack accepted his apology by reaching out and grabbing Eric’s hand. “My bad, but I’m doing this to save your ass for beating up a minor.”

Eric shook his head. “Still the damn smartass even after getting the shit beat out of you, huh?” Both guys shook hands, forgiving one another for their actions.

Angela crossed her arms and rubbed her eyes. “You both need help.” Eric and Jack both laughed and nodded at each other.

Randolph walked inside, missing the emotional beating Eric had laid upon Jack. Ignoring the other two, Randolph looked at Angela. “Are you ready?”

“What are you ready for and why is Angela involved?” Eric asked, glaring at Randolph.

“I promised to take Angela to the park located close to the nice town.”

Angela was astounded and immediately dashed to the car. The events that unfolded before had vanished and in its place, this plan overtook it.

Eric sighed. “Be careful. You should take the SUV.”

Randolph stuck half his body out of the front door. “Angela! Hop in the SUV instead!”

Angela heard him and complied.

Coming back inside, Randolph noticed the dead corpse on the chair. He cringed, then looked at a beat up Jack waving to him, apologizing for the mess.

“Goddamn… you need help boy.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll clean it up and dispose of the body,” Jack said, proceeding to clean up the mess he’d made.

“Yo Eric! Watchu bout to do, huh?” Randolph asked.

“Imma go handle some business so I won’t be back for a couple of hours.”

“Ahh, that’s our boss. But just a second… What happened to the boy’s face? It’s like he got hit by a goddamn train! Ha, ha!”

Jack intervened by snapping his fingers at Randolph to grab his attention. Randolph looked at Jack, and Jack pointed at Eric, which brought laughter out of Randolph.

“You probably deserved the ass whooping. And boss, what happened to yo cheek? He scuff you or something? Bwahaha!”

Eric picked up Jack’s silver handgun laying on the couch and stared at it. “This fool grazed my cheek by shooting a bullet past my face. That’s what happened!”

Randolph wanted to roll on the ground in laughter, but he remembered doing the same to Jack. Randolph cleared his throat, wiping away his childish smile, and started whistling suspiciously.

Eric glared at his buddy. “What’s with the—”

“Oh! I wonder where he got that idea from? Ha, ha, ha!” His laughter sounded forced and it went unnoticed.

Eric shook his head. “Remind me Randolph that I’ll kick your ass too if you teach Jack any other forms of intimidation.”

Randolph slowly crept away, sarcastically chuckling and forcefully waving goodbye. Eric smiled and made sure they left without anyone following them.

As they left, Jack decided to clean up his mess. He went to the backyard and started heading into the forest for some kindling. Suddenly, he saw someone in the shadows of the branchy darkness. Jack stopped picking and observed the shadow, trying to figure out who it was.

As the two stared into each other’s souls, the person exposed themselves out of the shadows of the forests. It was a woman in a red dress.

Jack felt uneasy and creeped out. He asked himself why there was a perfectly dressed woman in the forest behind their home. It raised suspicion, and he wondered if she was an escort that Eric or Randolph had potentially hired to prank him.

Jack didn’t take any measures and tried pulling out his gun, but as he reached for it he remembered he’d dropped it inside. The woman stepped a little closer, enough for Jack to witness the beauty of her black and red gothic hooded dress. It was stunning, and even shimmered its blood red beauty beneath the gray clouds. Looking at Jack with the most genuine smile on her face beneath the hood’s shadow, her eyes twinkled as he stared in confusion at her.

Within the mysterious occurrence, though Jack couldn’t see her face completely, he felt relaxed while staring at her. She softly waved at Jack, like a mother would to a child.

The gentle wave brought an immeasurable amount of emotional relief out of him, which trickled a gasp out of him. Jack felt like crying to release the emotional burdens piling up inside, wanting to be freed. The strange experience had made Jack feel happiness, calm, and relief. It was strange that a woman of such elegance would stand behind their home. Prank or not, Jack didn’t regret the experience one bit.

Eric called out for Jack, interrupting the moment of peace. Jack grinned, but as he turned back to the forest where the woman stood, she had disappeared.

Jack felt confused. “I really gotta check my mental health. I’m starting to see things now. Jesus.” He shook his head and returned back inside to reply to Eric’s call.

The woman in red appeared again, staring at their home with mysterious teal eyes. She placed her hands over her heart, smiled gently, and shed a single cold tear. “I’ll free both of you from that girl. And when I do, I’ll ensure a new life you two rightfully deserve. Until then, take care.” The mysterious woman in red faded away, disappearing once again into the shadows.

***

Randolph and Angela were in town, enjoying the park like her uncle had promised her. Randolph sat on a bench smoking his cigarette, staring at beautiful thick women of all colors walking past his lustful sight. Meanwhile, Angela playfully ran around observing the beautiful scenery. In doing her playful running, she came across the center fountain and stopped.

Standing at the front of the monument symbolizing the town’s booming economy, as she stared at the glistening water, Angela took out a coin. Holding it with the tips of her pale fingers, she nodded and wished as hard as she could. She momentarily closed her eyes and whispered her wish.

“I wish to be free of my burdens, and to spend the rest of my life with my brother in peace, Jack.” She tossed the coin into the fountain’s base, hoping one day her dreams would come true.

The two of us, alone, that’s the dream.

Randolph smiled and watched Angela be the child she deserved to be, remembering how his daughter used to do the same. He felt at ease and for once, he was happy knowing he’d been given another chance to raise a kid he could rightfully claim as his own. Randolph hadn’t felt that good in a long time. In his depressed mind, he never thought he’d ever smile again so long as he lived. He was glad Jack and Angela came into his life. At least he knew that if he’d ever die, he wouldn’t have any regrets.

Angela turned her attention to the sky. The wind blew her hair and fluttered her clothes as she basked in the wish she hoped would come true someday. Angela closed her eyes again, thanking God for a new wonderful life given to her by everyone around her. She never imagined to have such a decent life if it weren’t for Jack rescuing her out of that hell. Slowly opening her eyes and looking ahead, the girl who’d held her mind hostage, the one who wore that dreaded white romantic gothic dress, was standing in her line of sight.

Angela let out a heavy gasp as her eyes expanded in fear. Beneath her frightened breath she said, “What’s she doing here?”

The girl stood before Angela. Her hair was longer than before, her skin was paler than chalk, and the biggest change was her height. She was the same height as those girls she encountered when she was alone eating ice cream. Angela’s heart froze. The problematic girl in her dream giggled, taunting Angela’s fear.

The girl lifted her hand and pointed at Angela with a devious finger. Soft wind blew harder, which forced Angela to cover her face. But what Angela didn’t know while she covered her face, was that the wind was strong enough to blow the girl’s hair out of the way. Upon lowering her skinny arms, Angela saw another change to her appearance and screamed. She froze again, but wondered why her screams weren’t being heard by anyone else. When trying to move, she froze in place by another unknown force.

Angela tried to break free, but couldn’t. Instead of breaking from the girl’s tormented grasp, she spoke to her instead. “What do you want? Why are you here? Leave me alone!”

The girl embraced herself and tilted her head, but not in amusement, rather in an upset and angry way. “I’m sorry, but the truth is I screwed up… And now—” She lifted a finger and wickedly pointed at Angela. “You’re screwed!” She faded away as a wave of black feathery hell flew over Angela’s head and went towards Randolph’s direction.

Angela was able to move again and hurried towards Randolph. The sea of crows approached his vicinity overhead, going unnoticed. She spotted him sitting on the bench with his phone in hand, completely oblivious to the feathery darkness overhead. She was out of breath and to hide her suspicion about what was occurring, she shouted to her uncle in an artificially happy tone that she wanted to go home. Randolph took his eyes off his phone and looked at his niece. He noticed how she was paler than usual, out of breath, and seemed terrified.

Getting off the bench, Randolph then heard lots of cawing, enough to block out any of the town’s natural noises. Randolph looked around, spotting all the crows creating this sound of taunting horror parked around the trees. At first he thought she was scared of the superstition behind the black birds that represented death, but it seemed too spooky for his liking.

“Come on, let’s go, baby girl.” Randolph hurried to a frightened Angela staring off into the sky out of normality.

Randolph didn’t like how his precious niece’s eyes were gleaming with emptiness, especially how she stood still and stayed silent. The cawing grew more intense. Feathers fluttered around. Randolph glanced around. The world around him was growing into chaos. The sky clapped as black clouds peeked out from the horizons. Lightning struck the ground and shook the earth.

“What the fucks going on?” Randolph picked her up, but the crows responded to that and surrounded him in a tornado of feathery darkness.

Randolph ground his teeth and ran, carrying Angela away from the freaky occurrence. They got back to the SUV and he placed her on the passenger seat, patting her head and telling her that everything was okay.

As he ran to the driver side, silence returned between them. He took a good look back at the spot they stood in, and all the supernatural occurrences had completely vanished. Shaking his head, Randolph sat in the driver’s seat, but when he was about to put the key into the ignition, he glanced at the mirrors and noticed a few suspicious vehicles were in the area.

“What the fuck man? First that spooky ass shit, then all these weird ass white vans parked everywhere. Just what the fuck is going on?”

Being weary of his safety, he texted Jack and notified him of the situation.

Randolph kept an eye out for the vehicles by observing them in his mirrors. After a few minutes of careful observation, and staying still minding his own business, the weird commercial vehicles drove away. He let out a long sigh of relief and as soon as he turned the SUV on and put it into drive to go home, a huge van pulled up next to the SUV. Its side door slid open.

Randolph’s heart dropped the moment he saw the gun barrels aimed at him. His world slowed down. Growing into silent panic, Randolph knew what was about to happen. His parenting instincts took over and he shielded Angela with his body. His world became black and white. The occupants inside the van opened fire onto the vehicle.

The SUV was overwhelmed with a hellish storm of bullets. Metal pierced metal, glass flooded the car, and Randolph was struck multiple times. He felt every bullet penetrate his skin and drill through his warmed flesh, striking his organs.

Gunfire ceased. Men dressed in white law enforcement outfits stepped out, and as soon as the men tried getting close to the vehicle, Randolph’s adrenaline burst throughout his body like a soda exploding inside an enclosed space. He had the courage and strength to pull his gun out and fire at the men. They scrammed like mice, fleeing back into their van like a pack of wild boars regrouping.

Randolph ran out of ammo in his handgun. He watched those pesky ambushers drive away. Coughing out blood and with his hands covered by his own warmth, Randolph checked Angela while groaning in immense pain. Checking all her vitals, Randolph noticed that she had passed out, but he couldn’t understand why. He remembered she hadn’t screamed as they were engulfed by bullets. He assumed she’d already passed out from acting strange before. He was in so much immeasurable pain that he forced his dying body to start the vehicle and drive back home.

Randolph’s vision started to get foggy. He could feel every blood vessel become empty as he continued to bleed. While driving, he grabbed his phone and called Jack.

“Pick up man. Pick… up…” he said while blood dripped from his mouth.

Jack heard his phone ring and dashed towards it, picking it up. “Everything okay, Randolph?”

“Am… bushed!” Randolph coughed violently. He couldn’t take it much longer and passed out on the wheel. The vehicle crashed into a random streetlight.

Jack heard the crash over the phone and from a close distance. He rushed outside, spotting the SUV several blocks down. Jack panicked, then ran to the SUV as fast as he could. There were people already gathering around the crash site. All he could think of was their safety. Jack had to find out. He picked the pace up and ran as fast as he could. His lungs felt like it was about to burst like a balloon. His chest felt heavy while sweat dripped off his cold face.

At last, Jack reached the vehicle. The crowd of people tried helping, but noticed the bullet holes and blood dripping out from the driver’s side.

“Ran-dolph! An-gela!”

He opened the driver’s door and spotted Randolph against the steering wheel, bleeding profusely. He checked his pulse. It was faint, but Randolph was still alive.

“Randolph, wake up man!” Jack yelled, worried, shaking him while feeling the sadness build up inside him.

Jack looked at the passenger side and noticed that Angela was unconscious, but appeared to be fine. He felt some relief, but Randolph was in a horrible state. The group of people asked if he wanted help, and Jack politely asked for assistance. They quickly helped Randolph out of the vehicle and got Angela out as well.

On his way home Eric spotted the accident too. He knew the vehicle right away and stopped next to them, his tires screeching. Eric’s heart raced as he spotted Jack aiding Randolph. He quickly hopped out of the vehicle, witnessing Randolph’s condition and the vehicle’s state firsthand. Eric was enraged. He picked Randolph up and tossed him into the back seat.

“Eric! Where did—!”

“Get your ass in the car. Now!” Eric started rendering aid to his best friend and tried to stop the bleeding.

“I gotta get Angela though!” Jack quickly grabbed Angela and carried her into the car.

The crowd told them that an ambulance was on the way, but they both ignored them and hopped into the car. Eric floored the gas, driving out of the scene.

Once they arrived home, Jack took Randolph inside and immediately placed him on the couch and tended to his wounds. Eric slowly walked in with Angela in his big arms, then gently placed her down on the other couch. Eric had never felt so livid, furious, and aggravated before.

As Jack wrapped his wounds, Eric calmly asked, “What happened, Jack?”

“Randolph called me and mumbled his words, then I heard the crash through the phone.”

“Thank you, Jack,” Eric said as he slowly pulled his phone out.

“Eric, if we don’t take Randy to the hospital, he-he’s gonna die.”

Eric couldn’t take it any longer. He crushed his phone with his hand and threw the pieces at the wall. “Fuck!”

Jack got up and handed Eric his phone. “Calm down. We’ll figure something out because we’re all wanted men. It would be stupid to go to the hospital.”

Eric walked out and made his phone call. Jack noticed Randolph had finally woken up, and was moaning in excruciating pain.

“Woah, woah. Don’t move Randy or you’re going to make it worse for yourself.”

Randolph ignored Jack’s advice. He stood up, but couldn’t keep his balance, so Jack had to put his arm over his shoulder.

“Uncle, sit the fuck down!”

“Wh-Where’s Angela?”

Jack pointed at Angela. “She’s okay, Uncle. Relax and lay back down.”

Randolph was relieved. He smiled. “I’m glad. I’m so glad our princess is okay.” Randolph glanced at Jack with a peaceful smile, which worried Jack.

“Uncle…”

“Say Jack, you think we could talk for a minute out back?”

Jack’s lip quivered. He was feeling nervous and worried for Randolph. He was confused and wondered why he wanted to talk when Randolph was on the brink of death. Jack listened and took Randolph to the backyard as he insisted. They slowly walked and arrived. Randolph wanted to sit on the stump. Jack obliged and set him on the tree stump.

They were both still and silent as the cold wind blew across their bodies. Jack clenched his fists. He wanted Randolph to say something, but all he was doing was staring at the forest.

Randolph lifted his arm and reached the forest, almost as if someone was calling for him. Jack felt sad. He knew that if he wanted to save Randolph, everyone would be at risk.

Jack felt anxious. He finally swallowed his nervousness away and tried to walk up behind Randolph, but Randolph had his hand up, stopping Jack from coming any closer.

Jack took a deep breath. “You might hate me for saying this Randolph, but if we don’t take you to the hospital…” Jack squinted while clenching his fists, “…you might die.”

Randolph continued bleeding through his bandages and covered them in a red coat. His blood dripped slowly through his clothing, then ran down to the tree stump, feeding its roots with his lingering warmth. Randolph didn’t say anything. He just sat there, staring at nothing.

The smile on Randolph’s face bothered Jack so much that it gave him the assumption he was ready to leave them and this damned world. “Come on Randolph! Please man, I don’t want you to die. We’ll bail you out if you get caught. Just talk to me man.”

Jack became desperate. He really wanted to help him, but Randolph kept ignoring him, which made Jack feel worse.

Randolph softly chuckled, watching the forest’s branches sway.

“Randolph, answer me!” Jack shouted.

Randolph turned around and looked at Jack with a peaceful smile. Jack’s eyes quivered, his eyes turning red from the burning sensation of releasing his emotions. Jack didn’t understand why Randolph looked so peaceful.

Jack’s breathing grew frantic. His cheeks tensed as he clenched his fists further. The old Jack was starting to reappear.

Randolph turned his attention to the ground with blood dripping from his mouth. He took a deep breath. “Jack,” he said in a peaceful tone. “I finally feel fulfilled.”

“What?”

“I never got to finish my story.” As Randolph looked back at Jack, a single tear trickled down his cut face. His eyes glistened and the way he blinked made it seem as if he’d accepted death.

Jack crossed his arms and held back his emotions. “No you haven’t, Uncle. I want to finish it, then afterwards let’s go to the hospital to heal ya up.” Jack finished with a nervous sniffle.

Randolph chuckled, then took his gun out and stared at it. But Jack didn’t realize a faint black mist was on Randolph’s hand. “My wife and daughter were killed by low life gangsters who didn’t care about civilian crossfire. You know what my little girl said to me before her soul left this earth and bled out in my arms?”

Jack sniffed again, holding back his tears. “Wh-What, Uncle…?”

Randolph’s eyes overflowed from sadness. “Will we ever see each other again, Daddy?”

Jack tightened his jaw, fighting his emotions.

Randolph shook the gun in his hand. “I don’t want to risk you guys getting caught. Tell the big guy thanks for the second chance at life and—”

Jack shook his head. “No! Don’t say things like that! We don’t care about our exposure. You’re more important than a jail cell.”

Randolph felt at ease hearing that from Jack. “I care about the two of you so much. Is Angela okay?”

“Angela’s fine. I already showed you.” Jack shook his head and held back his emotions. “Please Randolph, let us help you.”

“I’m fine. Besides, I can finally see my family again.”

“What do you mean?”

“Take care of your sister, Jack.”

“Randolph…”

“Make sure you take her to school. And don’t forget our promise!”

“Randolph!”

“I’m so happy I met you guys. At last, I can finally see my beautiful daughter again.”

Jack had heard enough and hugged his uncle. “Stop saying these things. I’m not letting you die. I refuse to let someone else I claim as family die. Please Uncle Randy, we’re not only family, we’re homies.”

Randolph softly laughed. “Thank you for showing me the real you again, Jack. I love all you guys. Don’t ever leave her side. Protect her, guide her, and most importantly…” Randolph pointed at her room.

Jack smiled and sighed. “You’re always such a goofy uncle. I’ll force you to go to the hospital if I have to!” As Jack continued to stare, he didn’t notice that Randolph was checking his gun for ammo.

Emptying the gun to reveal the magazine, miraculously there was one bullet left. He gently inserted it back into the gun and slowly lifted his arm. It almost seemed as if some other force was forcing him to lift the tool of taking one’s life.

Randolph pointed the gun to his head and with a gentle grin, he said, “Don’t ever let her go.” He pulled the pin back and gently squeezed the trigger.

Jack heard the gun being cocked. He immediately turned and extended his arm out to stop Randolph’s own doing. “Randolph! No!”

The gun went off. The horrific sound echoed throughout the neighborhood as crows flew away from trees, ringing in Jack’s ears, leaving him frozen and traumatized. Randolph’s body fell over and landed on the cold ground. His warm blood froze as it poured onto the earth. Randolph didn’t show any movements. He was dead.

“No…” Jack dropped to his knees. His body quivered with shock and didn’t know how to react. He didn’t know how to feel. He wanted to cry, but he couldn’t.

Eric heard the gunshot, then quickly ran through the house and to the backyard. He saw Jack on his knees, looking at Randolph’s corpse. Eric thought Jack had killed Randolph. In a temporary blind rage he was about to rush at Jack to punch him with a killing blow, but he noticed Randolph had a gun.

Eric felt a harpoon pierce his heart. He couldn’t believe his best friend had taken his own life. His eyes got puffy and turned bloodshot as tears flowed down his face. He was devastated, broken, but importantly he’d lost his best friend.

“Ja-Jack…” Eric said as his voice cracked.

Jack turned around and looked at Eric. His eyes were clear as day, but they looked like bottomless pits full of sorrow. “Why can’t I cry?” Jack asked with a sad tone in his voice.

“I want to cry, but I can’t?” Jack got agitated and punched the ground. “Why?!” Slamming his knuckles onto the cold ground, Jack screamed out in agony. “Why!” Again he punched the ground and bruised his knuckles. “Can’t!” The ground began to rip through his flesh. “I…”

Jack stopped and stared at his knuckles. Flesh was exposed to the air and sent a burning sensation through his arm.

Eric continued crying in silence while printing the depressing scene into his memory.

Jack clawed at his face like a deranged lunatic. “Cry!” He stood up, but as he stared at Randolph a faint black mist started emitting from Jack.

Turning around and looking at Eric with a horrific look on his face, as blood dripped off his knuckles and turned black on the ground, Jack’s voice changed to a horrid dead howl. “Whoever did this to him, I swear I’ll kill them and make them suffer!”

For once, Eric felt afraid of Jack and noticed the faint mist around him. He presumed it must be his way of seeing how scary Jack looked at the moment.

Eric wiped away his tears and clenched his fist, then extended it towards Jack. “Together, we’ll make them suffer.”

Upon hearing those words of unity, it made the mist around Jack dissipate. Jack calmed his anger, walked up to Eric and fist bumped him, ending all the differences between them. They both hugged each other while dead leaves flew past them and covered Randolph’s body. The atmosphere around them was melancholy, cold, full of anger and emptiness. They vowed to avenge their friend, even if it had them captured, tortured, or even killed. They set a proper burial for Randolph by digging a grave, not caring if their hands were frozen and blistering. They didn’t want to leave their friend to rot. They made a makeshift cross, and finally they prayed, hoping Randolph would reunite with his family in heaven like he always wanted.

Jack’s mind fogged with hatred, but only one thing ran through his mind: find the people who did this to his friend and make sure they die a slow, painful, agonizing death. I swear I’ll avenge you… Uncle Randy.

While Eric walked back inside to check on Angela, Jack stood on Randolph’s grave. The faint black mist returned and pulsed off his body, twirling into the sky above to pierce into the gray clouds and turn them black. The twirling smoke of corruption surrounded his body. His blood boiled in black. Jack let out a horrible screeching cry, reminiscent of the one made by that girl in white within his nightmares. The girl laughed inside his head, saddened by the fact that Jack was growing mentally and becoming weaker as time passed on.

This is not what I wanted. I’m sorry, my beloved. I can’t help myself but punish you, so I have myself to blame, Jack.