Natalie,too,felt that Jeremy’s vitriol was misplaced.
He chose not to pursue those who bullied his sister,but instead sought retribution from an unrelated person.
However,Jeremy simply disregarded Brandon’s words.He insisted,”If not for you,would my sister have faced such bullying on campus?Would she have taken her own life because of it?You are responsible for her death!You must pay with your life!”
Regardless of Brandon’s innocence,anyone associated with his sister’s death had to face the consequences.
Over the years,he had sporadically ensured that these despicable criminals faced justice,and now, Brandon was the last one!
Jeremy was three years older than his sister.When she was in junior high,he was already in his first year of high school.
The high school he attended was a boarding school,meaning he could only return home on weekends.His sister had always been very attached to him,and he had always doted on her in return.Their bond was one where they could share anything and everything.
One weekend when Jeremy returned home as usual,he noticed a change in his sister’s behavior.
Instead of running to greet him as she typically would,she was secluded in her room,cheeks flushed as she diligently sketched something in her notebook.
Intrigued,Jeremy snuck a peek at his sister’s notebook and found it filled with the name of a boy
That boy was Brandon. At that time,Jeremy was oblivious to the fact that this boy would end up causing such a drastic turn of events in his sister’s life.Teasing her lightly,he said,”Hey,little sis,have you developed a crush?” Startled,she quickly shut her notebook,her face reddening even more.
“Jeremy,why are you sneaking around like a cat? You scared me,”she exclaimed,clutching her notebook tightly.
With a teasing tone,Jeremy read the name aloud from the notebook,”B-ran-don.Who’s this?”5
Under Jeremy’s questioning,his sister admitted to her teenage infatuation.As she spoke of Brandon, her bright eyes shimmered with a profound fondness for the boy.
At the time,Jeremy didn’t think much of it.He perceived it as nothing more than a typical schoolgirl crush on a handsome boy.He even ribbed his sister about it,delighting in her blushes.
However,as time passed,his sister gradually grew more subdued.Initially,she would blush and act shy when Jeremy teased her about her crush,but eventually,she seemed to numb,responding with silence.
Suspecting that she was being bullied,Jeremy asked her several times about her situation at school.
But his gentle,timid sister never told him the truth. Instead,she chose to bury all the pain deep in her heart,keeping her silence.
Whenever Jeremy questioned her,she’d deflect, saying she was having trouble with her studies. Believing her,Jeremy didn’t press further.
It was on a sunny afternoon while he was attending a P.E.class when he received the news of his little sister’s death.
By the time he arrived at the hospital,all he saw was a white sheet covering her lifeless body.
He wanted to lift the white cloth to see her face one last time,but he couldn’t summon the courage to do so.
The doctors had warned Jeremy against seeing her,as his sister had jumped from a significant height,leaving her body gruesomely disfigured.
So,Jeremy refrained.
He feared the sight of her shattered form, choosing instead to preserve the memory of her vibrant smile.
Jeremy endured a period of excruciating grief and even considered suicide,hoping to join his sister.
However,every time the thought surfaced,the unresolved mystery surrounding her death spurred him to persevere,investigating the circumstances that led to her end.
As he delved into the matter,he unearthed a startling revelation.
Jeremy discovered from his investigations at his sister’s school that her infatuation with Brandon had been exposed to other schoolgirls,many of whom also harbored feelings for Brandon.
Consequently,she became a target of relentless bullying,enduring daily humiliations such as being slapped or having her homework torn apart.
She was too afraid to report it to the teachers,and even if she had,it wouldn’t have mattered,as the primary tormentor was the daughter of a wealthy family,leaving the school authorities indifferent.
In the final incident,the bullies stripped his sister and took pictures,threatening to show them to Brandon.This physical and psychological torment culminated in her feeling so helpless and desperate that she chose to end her life.
Ever since,Jeremy had been consumed by immense guilt and self-loathing,berating himself for his obliviousness and impotence.But even more so,he loathed those who had driven his sister to her death.2
Specifically,Brandon,the object of his sister’s affection,became his chief adversary.Jeremy yearned for nothing more than his utter demise.
Over the years,Jeremy had devoted countless hours and immeasurable effort to bringing his sister’s bullies to justice in his own way.One by one,they faced their comeuppance,and now Brandon was the final one.
Jeremy had painstakingly plotted and prepared to make Brandon undergo the same despair his little sister had experienced before her untimely death.
As he concluded his story,Jeremy regarded
Brandon with sorrowladen eyes.”Now do you understand why I want to kill you?Because you and took pictures,threatening to show them to Brandon.This physical and psychological torment culminated in her feeling so helpless and desperate that she chose to end her life.
Ever since,Jeremy had been consumed by immense guilt and self-loathing,berating himself for his obliviousness and impotence.But even more so,he loathed those who had driven his sister to her death. 2
Specifically,Brandon,the object of his sister’s affection,became his chief adversary.Jeremy yearned for nothing more than his utter demise. Over the years,Jeremy had devoted countless hours and immeasurable effort to bringing his sister’s bullies to justice in his own way.One by one,they faced their comeuppance,and now Brandon was the final one.
Jeremy had painstakingly plotted and prepared to make Brandon undergo the same despair his little sister had experienced before her untimely death.
As he concluded his story,Jeremy regarded
Brandon with sorrow-laden eyes.”Now do you understand why I want to kill you?Because you were the root cause of it all.If not for you,my sister would never have been subjected to such torment!”
After hearing Jeremy’s accusation,Brandon finally grasped the chain of events.Despite this,he felt that Jeremy’s animosity was misdirected.”Tm sorry for your loss,but I had nothing to do with your sister’s death,”he protested.
Jeremy’s lip curled in a derisive sneer,his response seemed a foregone conclusion to Brandon’s denial of guilt over his sister’s demise. With a nonchalance bordering on apathy,he stated, “Your confession hardly matters.You can atone for my sister with your life.You’re doomed regardless,right?”
Blood loss made Brandon’s head spin,yet he managed to stay composed.”Fine,if you’re adamant I had a hand in your sister’s death,I’ll play along.But I did what you asked.I jumped in the pool.It’s time you release Natalie,as you swore you would.’
Witnessing Brandon still putting her first despite his circumstances,Natalie’s tears fell even more freely.
She longed to tell him to flee and forget her,but the potency of Jeremy s administered drug robbed her of her speech.
pool.It’s time you release Natalie,as you swore you would.’
Witnessing Brandon stil puting her first despite his circumstances,Natalies tears fell even more freely.
She longed to tell him to flee and forget her,but the potency of Jeremy s administered drug robbed her of her speech.
Jeremy’s grip on Natalie’s hand didn’t slacken;his intentions were clear.”Once you’re dead,I’ll free her.But how will you ever know if l keep my word?”
His smug evasion of his promise was clear.
Outrage washed over Brandon’s face but with
Natalie in jeopardy and his life hanging in the balance,reckless behavior was not an option.All he could do was continue negotiating,”If you don’t let her go now,backup will arrive.You won’t get away even if we end up dead.”
Jeremy scoffed,dripping with scorn,”This is my turf.Every inch for ten miles is patrolled by my men.Not even a fly can break in.Rescue is a pipe dream.Embrace your end!”
Yet,confidence laced Brandon’s chuckle.”Ever considered whose life Darkmoon values more?
Yours or mine?”
The mention of Darkmoon,one of the globe’s most feared assassin groups,was unexpected.
“Why bring up Darkmoon?”Jeremys eyes narrowed,suspicion flickering.
Brandon smirked subtly,his voice calm,”Before arriving,I struck a deal with Darkmoon.You’re aware of their reputation,right?In their eyes,I believe my worth outstrips yours.”
Disbelief overrode Jeremy’s features as he countered,”Don’t think I’m clueless.You’re estranged from them.How could they negotiate with you?You’re not fooling me!”
Brandon’s laughter bubbled up as if he’d just heard the punchline of an innocent joke.He fixed a knowing gaze on Jeremy and retorted,”Just because we had a fallout doesn’t mean we can’t reconvene.Darkmoon’s leader,Britton Scott,is a notorious opportunist.You should know his modus operandi all too well.’
Darkmoon’s ethos was simple.Profit trumped all;
they cared little for individuals,only their coin.
A glint of panic sparked in Jeremys eyes,which only widened Brandon’s grin.”I struck a deal with Mr.Scot.If I don’t ring him within half an hour of my arrival,Darkmoon will immediately place a bounty on your head.”
Jeremy gaped,a sheen of disbelief on his face.
“A bounty?Theyre actually on your side?”
Darkmoon’s reputation for ruthless assassination, coupled with substantial payouts,was enough to pique the interest of the most affluent killers.
Despite Jeremy’s skill in pharmacology and an expansive web of connections, surviving
Darkmoon’s assassination wasn’t a certainty he was willing to bet on.
Sensing Jeremy’s disorientation,Brandon dealt another hard-hitting blow.”Isn’t your longtime collaboration with Mr.Scott reason enough to vouch for his character?”
That statement hit a nerve with Jeremy.
Their clandestine dealings concerning special drugs were only known to the two of them.If
Brandon knew of it,it implied that Mr.Scott had spilled the beans.
Having provided Mr.Scott with various drugs over time,Jeremy was well versed in his counterpart’s modus operandi-proft above all,everything else was just a stepping stone.
“So you had an ace up your sleeve!”Jeremy’s face morphed into a malevolent expression,his stare bore into Brandon.“That explains why you jumped without a second thought.You were ready forthis!”
Brandon’s relaxed smile did little to hide his satisfaction.”You surely didn’t expect me to face you unarmed?After all,trusting you to keep your word and let Natalie go isn’t in my playbook.”
Natalie sighed in relief,realizing that Brandon had a backup plan all along.
Watching Brandon’s imminent victory,Jeremy was sent into a frenzy,his face contorting in desperation.”Do you think aligning with Darkmoon means you walk away unscathed?I suggest you make the call promptly,then accept your fate.As long as you cooperate,Ill free her at once.”
Brandon remained unflinching.”Your assurances don’t sway me.My priority is Natalie’s safety.Once you free her,Ill call Darkmoon.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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