Zayden's POV:
None of us walk on this earth without committing sins.
In each of us lies a darkness, some with traces while others are enveloped entirely, clouding their judgment, actions, and thoughts. Life unfolds as a journey of making mistakes and seeking forgiveness until our end.
Being born under the shadow of crimes and bloodshed, I too acknowledged my imperfections and tendency towards paths.
What set me apart from the rest were my boundaries. I distinguished between right and wrong and wasn't swayed by greed, like many of the men I encountered in the depths of Brighton.
They couldn't escape their wrongdoing. Driven by a thirst, they were trapped in a cycle of sin. No amount of possessions, wealth, or women could fill the void they felt inside.
I had seen these men close up. In the end, they were the ones who deserved punishment.
As I decelerated near the sideways of the Sinclairs' private golf club, a large open field area with minimal security, the powerful purr of my black McLaren engine quieted down.
Noah Sinclair, Mayor Sinclair's loving and spoiled son, was hugging a young girl from behind to demonstrate how to hit the ball. The girl appeared young, around sixteen years old.
Before my arrival, I dedicated two weeks to researching my prey's background and learning everything I could about him. His lifestyles, habits, deeds, and so on. Including the dark sins he committed under the influence of his dad.
However, Noah Sinclair dared to commit something disgustingly terrible, and there were only a few seconds left for him to walk on this earth before I punished him with my hands devoid of mercy.
One month ago, at a party at my place, the bastard cunningly deceived our maid's fourteen-year-old daughter and eventually raped her. He even threatened to kill the girl and her mother if they disclosed his deed to anyone else.
From the moment I heard about this, I knew the poor girl would not receive justice, even if the mayor was aware of it. Therefore, the conclusion was clear that justice should be served on time, and by none other than me.
I lowered my car window slightly to extend my Colt M1911 barrel, aiming directly at the center of Noah Sinclair's forehead. Two bullets shot through the club's space, hitting my target perfectly, something I had always been ruthlessly good at.
Following my shots, a chilling scream of horror pierced the air. With my mission accomplished, I swiftly drove away before the lifeless body of the perpetrator fell to the ground.
~~~~~~~~~~
It was past midnight as I drove through the downtown Brighton. They called this city a place of passion, but beneath its surface lay a reality. It was a city filled with corruption, bloodshed, drugs, gambling, nightclubs, and shady dealings carried out by organized crime syndicates, corrupt officials, and even a mysterious secret society.
However, it was the same city in which my parents fell in love, and I spent my whole life there. Despite its imperfections, it still held memories that were very close to my heart.
The air in my throat felt thicker as I drove closer to my destination, making breathing more difficult. Still, I drove until I arrived at the Brighton cemetery.
Victor de Parenti called me before I even got out of my car. After my hit, I was meant to call him, but I forgot. He must have known, though, because rumors spread more quickly in this city. By tomorrow morning, a witty headline would be announcing that Noah Sinclair had been murdered at the hands of an unidentified profile.
I answered the call and waited for my grandfather to speak.
"Ciao, Zayden. You did it."
"Certainly, Nonno. I'm your favorite punisher. Remember?" With a proud smirk, I answered.
I heard him chuckling before falling silent. I knew asking about today's glorious kill wasn't the sole reason for my grandfather calling me this time. "Where are you, Zayden?"
"The place where I should be tonight at this time," I uttered, my voice muddled by the emotions I typically attempt to conceal from the world.
He sighed heavily upon hearing my bitter response as I gazed towards the cemetery, where, nearly eighteen years ago, I had laid my parents to rest on this very day. "Happy thirty-second birthday, Mio Ragazzo," the old man wished me warmly.
I digested my grandfather's words, raking my fingers through my black hair, but unfortunately failed to appreciate his wish. People usually celebrate their birthday as one of the days filled with enthusiasm, but for me, it's felt like the darkest day of life.
"I hope you have a future filled with happiness and success, Zayden. You will always be the greatest treasure for the Parenti family," Grandfather murmured softly.
When I still remained silent for a lack of a better word, he continued, "Don't keep yourself busy all day and come home soon. Your Nonna is preparing everything to surprise you."
I couldn't help but chuckle, as he was already revealing hints about my grandmother's surprise birthday party for me. "I will be there on time, Nonno," I assured him, as I would do anything for Serena De Parenti, my dearest grandmother, even if it required me to act happy on this cursed birthday of mine.
"I have to go, Nonno. See you soon," I said before hanging up the call and sliding out of my car. My chest felt heavy when I grasped the bouquet of my mom's favorite flower, the orchid, which my dad used to buy her every day.
Entering the graveyard, I took long strides towards the grave of my parents, and from a distance, I discovered a figure already sitting in front of their tombs. As I approached closer, the moonlight revealed that it was Lucas, my younger, beloved brother, and the person I trusted more than anyone else in this world.
"Lucas." My surprised tone caught him off guard, and he began to wipe his tears, straightening his composure. "You here!" I exclaimed, realizing that it was highly unlikely for him to visit them, even on their death anniversary—a thought I had never entertained negatively.
He stood tall in front of me, matching my above-six-foot height, but he still seemed quite unprepared to see me out of the blue. "I didn't think you would be here," I continued, placing the bouquet in front of my parents' grave. Lucas remained silent, and I could tell he was probably missing them badly.
As I kneeled down in front of their graves, Lucas followed me. We both say our prayers for their afterlife peace.
After we finished, he drew me into a warm, brotherly embrace. "Happy birthday, mio fratello." His deep voice, coated with agony, twisted my heart as he spoke, "I hope you will never leave me alone."
I patted his back, smiling at his childish apprehension about me leaving him like our parents, a fear that persists to this day, even after he has been taught to be fearless.
However, for Parenti, family was what mattered most. I firmly believed that there wouldn't be any betrayal or lies in our lineage.
In our childhood, we made a vow to always protect each other, and I was ready to live up to that promise until the very end.