-MAXIMUS ELLIOTT-
"What did I say Max? Not to go overboard--" I nod at him, he was standing with waist belt in his hand. I don't know what his forethoughts are about me, he just glare at me with those cold eyes, I can't read him he's so inscrutable; "crush me, like always" I said thoughtlessly "Maybe not, I wanted to try this shot on and now I have a lab rat" He smiles, then carried his leather box removed a syringe. So this is where he's been hiding them, He has tied my hands back and even my legs are tied, he walk with the needle to me "I treasure you" I gulp at him. How can he spew those words so carelessly, when this thought itself is as tough as old boots for me, "they say always give best things to your loved ones first" He look at me "I'm doing the same Maximus-- going to give you the best thing you understand" he kicked on my legs, the sharp pain travelled down my toes, I fell on the ground, "I'm sorry" I realised my mistake "you are afraid of needles right?" I gulp, how do he know this?; "no please" he push my hair back "my dearest Maximus-" then injected it, I wriggled "hey hey needle will break if you move too much", I lay there like a helpless, and vulnerable prey of his "I can't afford to lose you" He opened my hands, "fight me!" I tried to stop him but this kid is out of his mind, I was barely holding up, my vision was hazy. I grab his throat restlessly, running out of breath, and uncomfortably hot, "Ken! Stop where you are" he pushed my hand and slapped me thrice "that is why you must think and think before you act" another slap burned my cheeks "please just let me go now" he told me to sleep into guestroom for the night "Tomorrow is hunting day keep an eye on everyone"
I woke up late, my head still pangs due to that drug he gave me last night.
It is weekend and I need to get my gut ready, fortunately, Dexter was having tea with Victoria they look cheerful, guessing it must be ordinary conversation of some sort, "isn't it a beautiful day Max?" I nod at him, fresh out of shower but the pain is still there. Victoria prepared tea while I sat on chair just to see his hunting gun rested on table "time to wake him up Maximus" Victoria alarmed me, I must look confident and positive or he will leave me behind that's for sure. I knock on the door timorously and step in, he sleeps like a baby sometimes, translucent curtains flowed with light breeze, "Ace?" I push the curtains aside. He wasn't there, my heartbeats quickened just like it use to happen when he was on a constant run; "Ace?" I turn around, thank heavens he was seated on his lounge chair gun in his left hand, shattered glass pieces, rugs thrown away 'another nightmare' he was sitting in his boxers.
I slowly walk up to him before discreetly sitting near his knee trying to grab his hand, using a very low tone "Ace! Time to go..." he look at me "what's wrong with me Max?" He has asked his over years, the very same question for years now, yet my answer was always the same "Nothing, you just in a wrong world" he pulled my hair "over years you grew old Max! You are starting to have wrinkles" I nod at him.
"We all wilt one day isn't that what you told me?" I carefully hug him, cleverly putting his gun into my back pocket. This boy in front of me is eighteen and six months old, not the average lad to toy with, he is exceptionally a genius, not at all sluggish, once he set his mind on something, he won't stop until its fully ruined or fully reached. If I call him a murderer I'm not making up a story, despite that I am intensely drawn towards him. I have worked my ass off to watch over him, and I persist on doing that till I see my end, this lad is my master and I am his servant. I should have complaints but they've vanished over years and now I've unknowingly grown fond of him or maybe the fondness have crossed its line.
We waited for him to finish the light breakfast, he sits calm, we were almost at hunting ground handful of guards at the bottom of the hill, when Ralph saw me he ordered everyone not to stop the car in any case as we move up there are not even birds, but I know there's a heavy setup organized for intruders, he tapped his boots every now and then. I step on brake, that instant he took his gun and marched ahead, always passionate about it, just thirty steps ahead and he grabbed a rabbit alive. He tied his legs and ears together "adorable isn't it?" I nod he was the leading our way, I saw Vein his maternal cousin, Sam his best friend have joined in, both with their fathers, he gave rabbit to Vein "For you" and hugged Sir Kyle from behind.
He puts his cigar away "I thought you won't come" this was the only time I could see Ken's heart flooding with sentiments "how could I pass over such an occasion, only at such times like this I get to see you" I followed them from behind, Austin slowly sticks up to me "So how are you following?" I look at him, "Quiet good" his frame is much smaller than me, silver eyes and black curly hair, I saw Vein carefully releasing the rabbit and that will definitely upset Ken. "Oh no" Austin mumbled,
"hey Max tell him that it ran away" I shake my head "forget it, Vein there's no point in asking him, that master", my eyes drifted to Ken's boots last week he trampled on Payton's head with those boots maybe Dexter killed him after that. We heard a firing sound all of us had to see what they got, I cross my fingers not a deer or bear please "Where's that friend I gave you?" Ken asked,
Vein look at Sam "it ran away" he smiled, Frost was barking he walked ahead and brought the same rabbit shot dead "now it won't run" blood dripped down from between Vein's fingers. Sam covered his mouth with handkerchief he shot one more and a turkey was caught alive, "maybe I'm old!" Jordan exclaimed "Absolutely not you chose not to hunt today" he chuckled "yes we don't have something big nearby" their head-to-head continued and Vein was rubbing his hands forcibly "fuck the smell won't leave", rabbits was cooked and turkey too, it smells delicious but I don't have the gut to eat it "What do you like pigs then?" Ken mocked while Sam hit his back, there were calls flooding in from his lawyers and other people, I arranged lawyers first so that it would be easy to report later.
This people who joined this table, have sealed this secret of Sebastian family. Since Kyle has helped everyone and they are friends for as far as anyone can remember; Ken is not yet introduced in world, He is the only descendant, and so there's a buzz around that Kyle is sterile and Ava has another man for her but reality is asunder.
Those people are more than celebrities and less than gods, except for my master; he's a snake that slithers by soft to touch, seductive, captivating, but has fangs, carries poison that won't kill you at once but until you get sick of it and take your own dear life. No matter how sensible of a person are you its just next to impossible to escape his charm, you won't even know when you let your guards down for him to just simply step in.
He's too pale almost like snow, whenever his face is close to me I could see small microscopic nerves, purple, blue, green and even red. When excited the vein on his forehead bulges, he would smile and even move his hips yet his enthusiasm is always when there's mayhem ahead of us.
It gets me steamer up more when he's still as if turned into stone, that's when he's boiling wild! Or in rare case when he's impressed by something or someone!. He look at me as if he heard my whole damn theory. I stiffen under my breath cars were driving back but he waits, father and son were having some serious talk that I can't speculate, Frost was on his lap it felt like forever until he finally step out and Frost won't leave him;
"Dad! Your friend is following me" he ruffled the dog's white shiny fur and I start the engine.
"Are you fine?" He rolled the glass down "the more time passes the more roots get deeper" I don't know what he's saying but he's just sitting there seeping into his seat, my phone starts to ring I end it once, twice and thrice again "pick it up" he says softly. I don't want to, so I said "no problem" he rolled his sleeves up, I knew this would happen, I was expecting a syringe but rather he puts a pill under his tounge. By the time we reach home his eyes were red, he couldn't speak much "Max! I sometimes wonder what else is left for me to do, I don't believe in ghosts do you?" I nod at him;
"imagine how many ghosts watch me while I sleep" I hold his torso so he won't fall, "Ace get on my back" he agrees, and I just couldn't help but wonder-- when did this kid grew up so heavy and tall, I continue carrying him inside the room then removed his pants, jacket, and shirt almost forgot the socks "I think I found him Max" I put my ear near his mouth to hear what he speak.
"He's more of me, than me, a horrible, horrible thing came true" I check his temperature, and felt the need to wipe his face so I brought a bowl of lukewarm water and wiped his face, palms, and toes. "My father just won't listen to me, he has no idea how many of them want to eat him alive" I just hear him twaddle about some topics that I'm not aware of, "I am a good son I guess and a good grandson I guess, a friend, just not a good master for my Maximus. Not a good boyfriend, not a good human" I shut him up by putting my hand over his mouth "Did you meet your brother?" I shake my head "He was staring at you waiting inside the car, you dumb fool" he pushed my hair back.
A rug beneath me slipped, and I accidentally fell on him, I almost kissed him, I stayed there listening to my own heartbeat "you're heavy Max" I quickly got up "I'm sorry I accidentally--" he gestures me to leave "Good night Ace!" I walk out exhaling inhaling, I almost fucked him.
What's wrong with me, Dexter was sitting near fireplace, it has started to rain, light showering, he was wet his hair strands dangled on his forehead, he look at me "Max", I stare at the bottle he bought
"have a drink with me I have something important to discuss that I've been chewing over alone" we sat neat fire, lights dimmed, I roll my seelves up and pull the tie away, carefully placing it inside my coat.
"Yeah what is it?" He licked his lips, "yesterday I found Terry's bag in my storehouse, I was searching for my tool box and saw it sittin' there. I broke the lock and there were some unusual things he left" I could feel my ass growing hot "why haven't you mentioned this to him?" He clicked his tongue "I'm afraid he will kill us for that" I sigh "so what did you found?", he exhaled loudly "Stuff that he left for his younger brother Wesley, but that letter scared the shit out of me" I stop him "which letter?" He gave me the envelope, but before I could open it he stopped me
"I bet Terry was killed and it wasn't just a natural death" I thought my ears were ringing so ask him to repeat it again and he repeats the exact same words "Do you suspect anyone?" He nods and pulls me closer "I think its him" He was pointing towards Ken. It feels like too much for me to hear, too much for my mind, I return back Sarah was waiting at the front door "where the fuck were you?" I pull her in so that neighbours could sleep peacefully she straightaway melts and starts stripping her colthes. Not now I'm not into this mood right now but she won't listen, I just lay down on my couch until she returns back my eyes stare at a book, I had to get up and sit "who put it here?" I look at my bookshelf 'The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World' I turn it, the same black star mark on the backside.
'by Michael Pollan'.I have no memory of pulling it out, since it was originally Ken's he put two stamps into it and since he was throwing them away I pick this book up. It was kept in fourth row, on twenty sixth number. My dogs were at my parents house for sometime being, I walk up to front door a footprint, there's more my paintings are touched they have greasy fingerprints on the glass.
I stood in the middle of the flat, someone broke in. I look inside trash bins until I a small wrapper, I pick it up it was a chewed gum watermelon flavoured. I feel like I've smelled this before somewhere, I remember putting all the trash out "Sarah you must leave" I almost kicked her out, I know I should be gentle but I'm afraid, it's some unwanted guest, I have nothing but a chewed gum, fingerprints and a footprint. I'm pretty sure whoever it was he looked around my whole house I hope he didn't sleep on my bed. I changed the sheets, mopped the floor and cleaned every single corner.
I didn't get enough sleep but I had a weird dream, the first thing after daily routine I did was meeting Ken. I was late, he was sat at dinning table having his breakfast neatly dressed in his uniform,
"Aren't Mondays tiring Max?" I bite my lips "I'm sorry, I won't be late from now on" maybe this is when I will finally break loose "Ace!" he finished his breakfast "hm?" I can force out an answer in this case. "Terry! Did--, How did Terry died?" luckily Dexter was on time he read the mood "I mean he died naturally right?" He sits back down "Are you suspecting me?" I choke on spit "of-course n-not" He tilt his head staring at us with no emotions at all.
"You should" I felt my knees were getting weak, I feel like fainting and nauseous. "I killed him" I'm sure Dexter can't move an inch like me.
My head was rotating, "I'll get the car" Dexter said, he smirked "handover the bag Dex" I gulp.
Suddenly Terry's face was infront of me, him laughing, sitting, talking to me and my brother, we having drinks together. Listening to his youth stories, "please please" I mumbled "tell me it's a lie" he slide on his leather gloves,
"its the truth Maximus".
I drop him to school, and parked my car aside. I couldn't hold it back anymore I throw up around the bushes. "MAX!!" Dexter was holding me "I told you he did it" I drank water while Dex was sat worried next to me in passenger seat,
"I need to know why?"
Both of us came to decision of visiting his younger brother (Wesley's house), this man changed his address it took us more than four hours. We were amazed to see, his Ferrari parked at the front gate. I check the number plate. Yes it was his, we can't go in so we have to wait out for him the moment he walked out, I couldn't help but pull him by the collar "Why? Why?" He pushed me aside "this is not the time Max we need to be somewhere first" I was desperate, but I won't get answer if I didn't listen to him. It was twelve minute full speed drive, we stop at a house that looks like tin box we were ordered to wait in car "what do you think is happening?" He placed a bag at the doorstep of that rusty tin-box then bang on it, a short haired, skinny guy opened the door he was only in his pants we were quiet while returning back.
"Terry! That pitiful thing. Yeah I killed him with my very own hands" Dexter was holding me tight "I read hospital name someday, and on Christmas eve he was late. He was late because he was buying me a coat since I was wearing the hand sewn which was pretty thin" he stare the ground "it was snowing heavily, I waited for him after heating dinner for both of us. That was the last gift of his to me, it was a light yellow colour, I didn't like the colour, but I hug him. He was coughing continuously we finished dinner and while having hot chocolate I saw a red line flowing down his left nostril he didn't knew until a drop fell into his cup. It was lung cancer, too late to even think that we can save him. Then I knew why I use to hear toilet flushing at midnight, why he was coughing most of the time and why he was growing paler and paler" I couldn't help but broke into tears, "it was after new year, second week of fourth month it was perfect five in the morning he woke me up. smelling like cigarettes, he showed me a bag and told me he has a biological son that went missing. Then hold my hands his palms were extremely cold that day, he put my hands of around his neck saying he can't take it anymore. That it hurts a lot, emotionally, mentally, physically. He asked me to end it and that was his last wish"
I know this was embarrassing but I was crying like a baby when he carefully hugged me.
"I waited for that bag, didn't knew it was with Dex all this time. The guy you saw was his son. He is jobless, surviving on one kidney" he slowly patted my back "Terry was my second father Max--I really loved him. He took care of me so well without knowing that his own brother tried to kill him. I'm sorry Maximus" He sat there with me, after two hours I was finally back to normal "I am sorry Ken I thought" he shakes his head, he was cooking for us today. He's not too good with food but he knows how to put up everything. "Its alright Dex, but there's a bad and good news" I helped him put the plates my eyes were swollen. "Thank you Ace" he prayed and started eating. "I will hear the good news first" He heaves a sigh "I've got a letter this morning in my mailbox it is from Jo's doctor he's ready to go out" Dex's fork slip from his hand and clank on the tiles.
"Congratulations Dex" tears drip into his plate. "and the bad news?" that is when he sat back and look at us spitefully. "You dimwits seriously" he mumbled.
"Why what's wrong?" My throat already feels dry.
"I saw Justice King Don around" I felt my hands sweaty. This was really bad news.
"So he's back?" He shake his head. "Maybe yes" Dex gulp down the water. Because it will be tough for me, Dex and even my brother.