Cannibalism (10)

Few Minutes Ago:

Keren made David and Arthur leave the room. She had Emma around her arm, pressing against a knife. Their voices and shouting faded away as time went by.

Ryan looked at Olivia. She wanted her tape removed. Ryan pulled off the tape from her mouth with his shaken hand.

“Stop her! She’ll have them killed!”

“I-I can’t”

“Please, Ryan.”

He hesitated and looked at his father.

“Son,” Henry said, “Moment like this, it’ll give you the opportunity to decide what’s right and what’s not.”

“Father.”

“No matter what you did before that, people won’t remember,” he continued, “times like this will give you a chance to rewrite your story. Be the bad guy or save the good ones. It’s up to you.”

“But what am I supposed to do, father?”

“All your life, I’ve only scolded you for not standing up for yourself. But it’s time for you to make your own decisions. Decide what you want to be, who you want to be. But remember, my son,” Henry said with a pause, “No matter what you choose to do, you’ll have to carry the consequences for your actions.”

“Father, I…” Ryan couldn’t finish his sentence.

All his life, he did what he was told to do, obeyed his siblings, respected them and followed their path even if he had doubts. He thought it was the only way. He faced every punishment he was given, never questioning his siblings' judgement. But as he grew up, he began to think properly, he began to express his true feelings to himself, but never showed them to others. But standing there right then, he had two options. He could go back to his usual life, living under his siblings' shadow, without having any proper value or he could change his life by going against them. But at what cost?

He looked at Olivia, “I can’t help you.”

“Ryan-”

“But I’ll give you an opportunity to help yourself.”

“Can I help too?” Henry smiled, “Though I don’t think I’ll be much of a help, ay?”

…

After tying everyone up, Owen punched Arthur on the face with all his strength, “Now we are even.”

Arthur had no other option but to boil with anger.

Just then, they heard a shouting from upstairs. Unclear, but the siblings were familiar with the voice. It was calling out Keren’s name.

“Father,” Owen said, “He’s calling for you.”

“Huh, I’ll go see what’s wrong. And you,” she pointed her finger to her brother, “Just because they’re tied up, doesn’t mean they’re harmless. Don’t let your guard down again.”

“Yeah, yeah. Now go.”

Keren left the basement. She climbed up the stairs.

“Keren!” she heard again.

“What is it, father?” She entered the room. Keren was still tied up on the chair.

Just then, she heard a clicking sound from behind. She turned around and saw her little brother holding a gun at her. He was hiding behind the door.

“What’s this?” She seemed confused, “Is this some kind of a joke?”

“I’m sorry, sister. But I’ve had enough.”

“What are you talking about?”

“All my life, I’ve done what you’ve told me to do. I obeyed you like a blind man. I respected you, followed your path. Took all your punishments without a word. But what did I get in return?”

Keren looked at Henry, “Are you in this too?”

“Look at me!” Ryan shouted.

“Hey, keep your voice down,” Keren gestured, “Don’t forget who you’re talking to.”

“Oh, I know who I’m talking to very well,” he said back, “A mean, selfish piece of shit who only thinks of herself and no one else.”

Keren approached her brother until the gun pressed against her chest, “Selfish? Me?”

“...”

“Who are you?” she asked with a low voice, “Why are you here?”

“...”

“Did you forget?”

“...”

“You killed our mother. If it’s not for you, she would still be alive.”

“Take. That. Back.”

“I took care of the family. I raised and fed you. ALL OF YOU!” she shouted, “How would you have come this far if not for me?”

“...”

“No matter how many times you screwed up, I gave you another chance to make up for your mistakes. I could’ve left this shit hole and left you here to starve to death. My whole life, I sacrificed my whole life for you people.” she asked, “And you call me selfish?”

“...”

“I’m the reason you exist,” she grabbed his neck softly, “And your destruction may just be my doing.”

“...”

“This isn’t a game, Ryan. And that thing in your hand isn’t a toy,” she continued, “If you’re gonna do it, then do it right. Be a fucking man for once.”

She grabbed Ryan’s wrist and guided it to her forehead, “Let’s see how you can survive in this shithole without me.”

Tears came to Ryan’s eyes. But he didn’t let them fall.

“What’s wrong? Don’t be a pussy. Pull the trigger.”

His hand started shaking.

“Pull the fucking trigger!”

Ryan looked at his sister’s raging eyes. He felt fear but kept it compressed. WIthout showing much emotion, he said, “We may share the same blood,” lowering the gun, he continued, “But unlike you, I’m not a killer..”

Before Keren could respond, something hit her from behind and she fell on the floor and lost consciousness.

“I hope the vase wasn’t expensive,” Olivia said.

…

“What the fuck do you think you are doing?” Owen asked.

Ryan was standing in front of him, holding the gun at his face. Olivia stood up slowly while coughing.

“Are you okay?” Ryan asked.

She nodded, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Go, free your friends.”

She nodded again and disappeared from there.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Owen screamed, “Where’s Keren? Did you-”

“What do you think?”

“You fucking piece of shit,” Owen replied out of disgust, “You killed your own sister?”

“Is that what you think of me?” Ryan smirked, “You’re pathetic.”

“I knew someday you’d turn against us. You never showed much interest in your work. It had to be today, huh?”

“...”

“You hopeless little fuck. You try to act innocent and all. But when you got a chance to turn your back against us, you took it.”

“...”

“Does that thing even have a bullet in it?”

“Want me to show you?”

Owen smiled, “You’re a pussy. See how your hand is shaking? You can’t even hold that thing straight.”

“It’s over, Owen,” he said, “We’ve lost.”

Hearing that, Owen laughed, “We?”

“...”

“You were never one of us. You’re a disgrace to this family.”

“I’m sorry,” he said with a pause.

“Get out of the way, Ryan. I won’t say it twice.”

Ryan stood there completely still, pointing the gun right at his brother’s face. He only had to buy enough time for Olivia to free her people. But he was more intimidated by Owen than Keren. Keren could come around as a scary and dangerous person. But she would never harm her close ones and Ryan was aware of that. But for Owen, it was different. He was a monster coexisting with the human race. Even standing in front of his own blood, Ryan was terrified. But he tried his best not to show it.

Just when Ryan was lost in his thoughts, Owen made a move and took advantage of the moment. He jumped on his brother before he could react. Ryan landed on his back. Owen grabbed his brother’s wrist and tried to take away the gun from him. But he was holding it tightly.

“Give me the fucking gun!” Owen’s tone was forceful.

Having no choice, Ryan reached his back pocket with his left hand. He pulled out his knife and struck Owen’s right thigh.

“Fuck!” he groaned, “You fucking traitor!”

Owen landed a punch on his brother’s face. It was enough for Ryan to let go of the gun.Owen pulled out the knife from his leg and took the gun. He started heading for the basement.

…

Everyone was caught by surprise when Owen burst through the door. By then, most of them were freed. All of them stood still to their place seeing Owen with the gun. His right thigh was bleeding miserably. Ryan might not be strong, but he did strike the knife into his leg with all his strength.

“Lay down on the fucking ground!” Owen screamed while approaching them with his wounded leg. He constantly moved around the gun, “One step forward, and I'll blow your head off.”

Everyone looked at each other. No one tried to make a move, except one of them.

“Olivia, don't,” Nolan said when he saw her moving forward.

“Didn't you hear what I just said?! I'll blow out your fucking brain!” Owen raged while pointing the fun at her.

But Olivia didn't feel intimidated, rather she was surprisingly calm.

Without giving a second thought, Owen pulled the trigger. He, alongside the others, were surprised when nothing came out of the gun.

“What the fuck?” Owen tried to shoot a couple more times. But he only heard clicking sounds.

Olivia punched him on the face and he fell on the ground.

“It was his idea,” she said.

___