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Two boys sat huddled in the corner, their expressions showed fatigue. Both boys, tan in colour were staring at the ceiling. Dark circles were evident under their eyes, an indication of their sleepless nights. Dry, chapped lips opened and closed as they breathed through their clogged up noses. In the darkness outside the clouds overhead depicted a violent thunderstorm ahead. The wind harshly shook the door on its hinges like an angry tax collector demanding money, howling in satisfaction as it swooshed past the boys. The cold air surrounded the boys who were in t-shirts, causing them to move closer together. Edward sniffed and rubbed his nose, the snot transferring to his hand as he rocked to become warmer. Jeremy’s face scrunched up in disgust. 

The door was kicked open, a tall and well-built man was in its place. The sound of thudding boots came closer to the boys as a chair was dragged to the spot in front of them. The chair screeched to a stop in front of the boys. Jeremy braced himself, scrunching his eyes shut and clenched his teeth too afraid of what he might see before his eyes. A foul stench filled the boys’ nostrils, the smell of rotten fish and eggs swirled around in their noses caused them to gag. Booming laughter was heard overhead, a large hand came down and patted Edward’s head. Edward looked up confused, his mouth opened slightly but then closed again as he changed his mind. The look in the eyes of those he saw was chocolate brown, a subtle glint danced about capturing Edward’s attention. He suddenly became hypnotised, staring deeper into the brown orbs. The eyes, so gentle that you’d never believed belonged to a person like this. The eyes then changed to a fiery red colour. Edward snapped out of his trance, falling on his bottom as he dropped his hand that had subconsciously tried to reach out to the orbs.

Edward was yanked up by his hair while Jeremy cowered in the corner, shaking. Jeremy gained the courage to look up, only to see the disappearing figure of Edward still being dragged by the head. Tears pooled in his eyes, threatening to fall. A sigh escaped his lips. “What have I done? What have I done?” was all he could say in a barely audible whisper, hitting his head over and over again. Hands pulling his hair, Jeremy shakily stood up. He hesitantly took the first step and crouched again. His legs were too weak to support him. Silent sobs could be heard from him. This is it, he thought. Jeremy got into a more comfortable position, wrapping his arms around his knees and rocked back and forth. He was losing his senses. His friend, his brother, his companion… gone. All it took was one word, if only he had the courage. If only he could turn back time. Dammit, dammit! If only I was a little braver… a little more daring, he thought. Tears raced down his face at lightning speed.

Edward didn’t even try to struggle. He knew what was about to come. In the distance he saw a hill, so full of life yet so dead. Here, thousands of people like him had their lives taken in the past. He was thrown on his knees on the wet grass. The moisture soaked his ripped jeans, making him feel even colder now that he realised that it was the middle of winter. Night had overtaken the sky, the stars nowhere to be seen because there was no hope in a place such as this. Tears streamed down his face, trickling down like rain on a window. A hard object was positioned at the back of his head, the cold metal freezing his skull. Edward squeezed his eyes shut. He was waiting. Instead old water splashed on him. The rain had come. It soaked his shirt and jeans, running down his face while he struggled to breathe through his clogged nose. Without warning, the trigger was pulled. Edward’s eyes rolled to the back of his head as he fell sideways. Behind him, James lowered the gun. The look in his eyes showed no remorse for what he had done, no anguish and no regret.

Jeremy’s head shot up when he heard the loud boom from the gun. His breathing quickened as he buried his head in his lap. James returned, patting Jeremy’s head then turning towards the door. “You’ve done well my boy”, he laughed lightly not a trace of pain in his voice. Jeremy stood up, a look of anger in his eyes. “No dad, you can’t do this anymore and most importantly, you can’t use me”, he snarled breathing heavily as he used the nearby table for support. James snickered, “don’t tell me what to do”. Jeremy swallowed the lump in his throat and reached for the gun on the table. He aimed the gun at the back of James’ head, taking deep slow breathes to steady his hand but it was no use. James turned around just as Jeremy pulled the trigger. James fell backwards and Jeremy immediately dropped the gun. His hand shaking more than ever as he dropped to his knees and laughed like a maniac. “I killed my dad”, he said not believing it.

*hope you enjoyed it.