The next morning Jamie woke to the most delightful aroma. Someone was cooking up a storm, he looked beside him, and Lucy was nowhere to be found. He stretched before making his way to the kitchen. As he entered, he was greeted by a dish filled with bacon, a plate stacked high with pancakes, and the smell of coffee.
"Not bad huh?" Lucy smirked which highlighted the cute dimples on her face. It was then that Jamie whisked her into his arms and kissed her on the cheek saying, "I could get used to this."
"Behave yourself," Lucy teasingly cautioned. "Oh, for the love of God! Can you two stop?!" Shaun uttered when walking into the kitchen causing the two to split apart. He had sleepy eyes and was scratching his head but when he saw the food on display he hurried to grab a plate. "Lucy you sure did outdo yourself," He continued to fill his plate until it wobbled.
Jamie, seeing him go mad with his serving, protested, "You're making me look bad, you would think I haven't cooked for you in ages."
"Well maybe if you cooked like this I wouldn't act like someone who was lost at sea and had not eaten for months," Shaun dismissed his claims before continuing- Hmmm! Hmmm! – "Lucy, Lucy, Lucy this is awesome. You know, more and more I see you as that sister I've always wanted. Sure, your taste in men isn't all that good but…"
Wack! - Jamie slapped Shaun in the back of his head while Lucy snickered, "Sheesh! You know I kid! Why are you always so violent?" He protested as Lucy filled his plate even further, exciting the teen.
Lucy then kissed Shaun's cheek saying, "Well thank you, Shaun, at the very least some of your brother's charm has rubbed off on you." Shaun replied, Psssh! - "Rubbed off on me? I've been the one giving him lessons," Which caused Lucy to chuckle even further as Shaun roasted his elder brother. Jamie retaliated by grabbing his plate, using one hand on Shaun's face to hold him back while he ate all his pancakes and laughed.
"See Lucy, I told you he was evil!" Shaun struggled to budge as Jamie laughed in an evil tone while Spek joined in the fun eating away at one of the syrup-covered pancakes.
Bzzz! Bzzz! – Lucy's phone could be seen vibrating on the kitchen counter. After a brief conversation, the two brothers watched as she walked to the living room. They looked at each other before shrugging their shoulders, they had no clue what was happening.
"Hey, get in here for a sec!" She shouted so the two made their way to the living room where they saw the tv had been turned on. It was tuned to the local station and the Mayor and his family were holding a press conference:
[Tv- The Mayor's face seemed sadden as he addressed the small gathering, "This town is known for many things, our rich farming soil, our wholesome nature and perhaps the thing we cherish most- Our sense of family. That's why with a heavy heart I must renounce the actions of a person, not only family in sense of community, but my very own blood.
Sheriff Veron was entrusted by all of us to respect his oath to this town. Whereby he would protect and serve us by ensuring the law was upheld. Sadly, I found out he went beyond his means to tarnish his oath. I can only be brief with the details since the investigation is ongoing, but charges have been filed against eight men including the Sheriff, one deputy, and six others. Charges range from but are not limited to embezzling public funds, tampering with evidence, sexual assault on a minor, and wrongful imprisonment."
A female reporter who like all who gathered gasped at the news– "How long has this investigation into the sheriff's illicit acts been ongoing Mayor? And how is the Sheriff and the other seven mentioned taking the charges?"
Mayor – "The investigation has spanned four months. As it relates to how the charges have been received...," He suddenly choked up as tears fell from his eyes, "Sheriff.., ahh, Veron unwilling to face justice took his own life and that of his fellow deputy. The other seven including Mr Burt Samuel are on the run.]
"Wow! I never did like that sheriff. He always seemed off, ``uttered Shaun who was still coming to terms with the news. This was a dead town, there had not been a case of murder for over twenty years, yet here there was a murder-suicide in one day. Lucy was the one who seemed most shaken up, she wasn't used to such things close to home, so she held onto Jamie tight.
"It's ok, I'm sure it's an isolated incident," He calmed her with a smile. It was then that Shaun jumped up. "Did he say Burt Samuel ran off?" This startled Lucy who replied, "Yeah, he and the other five fled from the town."
"Forget the other five, that bastard owes me money!" Shaun fumed when realizing all blackmailing money had up and gone with Burt.
"What money?!" Questioned Jamie which jolted Shaun back to reality, "Aah, just a small bet nothing of significance. I'm going to do the dishes." He scampered off to the kitchen without saying another word as he saw Jamie's suspicious gaze.
The news of what unfolded did not only shock those within the Sinclair home but the whole of Frankfield town. Many families were left broken, as they tried to find the seeming missing pieces of their lives. But time passed, six months later it was Shaun's final day working at the supermarket. However, there was no enthusiasm as he left the store. It had closed early, as today there would be a huge celebration for the town of Frankfield. One of their very own would go off into the city on early admission to join the prestigious Lake View Super Academy.
He wasn't even in the mood to ride his bike, simply walking it beside him while looking at the grand lights ahead. His heart ached to see his foe on the pathway to accomplish what he always wanted.
'I'm an idiot, aren't I? Always telling everyone I'll become a hero and leave this wretched town. As they laughed, I sucked it up because deep inside I knew the day would come where I would rub it in their faces. Who knew that my inner consciousness was also a fool? Guess it makes sense right, two of a kind. If I had talent my powers would have already manifested, the only thing that could save me now is the test, or Divine intervention from the Church of Divinity.'
Yet the testing began tomorrow spanning two weeks and the last option he knew his brother would not allow.
As he walked past the ceremony, he saw Nick who became the center of attention. He had a proud, smug look knowing that his town's hopes lied with him. If he were to become a Hero of worth, the town status would immediately be catapulted. There would be investment, media coverage, and the opening of a new industry for the town, Tourism. This was a booming industry for the hometowns of prominent heroes, who had hundreds of thousands of fanatics. It was a very slim chance but at least there was the possibility.
He detoured through the crowds making it home, parked at the side of the house was Lucy's Jeep. In the back, he saw the suitcases piled up. She was spending her final days with Jamie before heading off to college. As usual, she cooked a scrumptious meal, but he had no appetite; all his previous spunk was gone and he uttered not a word.