The Crimson King

VII. His Pain

On a Friday, two weeks before Christmas Jake had a day off again. Unlike his other days free, Jake got up rather early. Early enough to have breakfast with his sisters. Today was different though. Unlike his usual attire, Jake wore a button-up and his hair was somewhat tidy.
Sam and Jen on the other hand were still in their pajamas. The three were sat together in the kitchen, enjoying their breakfast.
"Do you have a date big brother?"
"Kate is still busy."
"Then why are you all dressed up?"
"Jen."
Sam nudged Jen with her elbow and pointed out the look on Jake's face. Although he usually had a neutral face on all the time, but today it was obvious he was down. Jen looked down at her plate, now saddened as well.
"So it's that time again."
"Yeah."
"Want me to come with you big brother?"
"I'll be fine on my own."
In reality Jake was afraid of Jen seeing him break down. There was a high chance of that happening considering where he was planning to go.
Jake finished his breakfast, went up stairs to brush his teeth, grabbed his phone and earbuds. Once he was back downstairs Jake put on his boots and grabbed a coat. The weather has been getting colder by the day so now even he needed something warmer. The coat was on the shorter side, brown and with a hood that had grey fur on the edge.
Jake went to the subway and went to the Central station. From there he took the next train to Crater, listening to music the whole time. An hour later Jake was back in the capital, back home. Though he didn't care to visit home, Jake took a bus that went close to the cemetery.
"I really wish this place never existed."
He walked down the stone path in the field of gravestones, taking a look at the few that came to visit their lost ones. Jake stopped at the shop to buy some flowers and a lantern. With that he went to an area that was surrounded by a hedge wall. That was where he had to go.
He wandered through the gravestones until he found a pretty modest one. It was his fathers, "Nathan Russell October 13th 1972-June 16th 2021"
Jake got on one knee, putting the flowers on his father's grave and lighting the lantern next to it.

Jake tried to talk, but the words just didn't come out. He was choking up whenever he opened his mouth. After a while he put on his fake smile, one that his father was the only one who saw right through, but to Jake it felt like the only right thing to do.
"Hey dad, it's been a while. Over a year I think. Sorry I didn't come to your funeral, I just didn't have it in me. If I did... If I came then... I would have broken down."
He stopped for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
"Sammy and Jen are doing well. It's weird to think she's already fourteen, she's growing up so fast. And to think she's doing her best in track as well, despite being so sickly. Sammy's in college now, crazy isn't it? She did everything she could to get in one near my internship. Well, that's because she got in a pretty big fight with mom, not that I mind, haven't talked to her in a while."
Jake got back on his feet, looking down on the grave.
"If you're wondering why they got in a fight, mom doesn't approve of Sammy dating girls. It pisses me off, who she dates is her decision. It doesn't help that she tried choosing which high school Jen will go to. Heavily limiting Sammy and mine choices for our futures. I just had to get them out of there. I have to admit... sometimes... I feel that she's not our mom."
He clenched his fist, he clenched it so hard he almost dug into his skin. Jake was shaking in anger, but he calmed down rather quickly. He took one deep breath and smiled yet again.
"You probably heard that I'm seeking revenge and must be shaking your head at me. Thing is, that is the only way I will consider myself a Slayer. Not finally getting my own blade. And after I have done that, I'll get into the Pentagon of Judgment and crush the order."
Jake had that hateful glare back in his eyes, but this time around, he was radiating the evil energy his ancestors did as well. There was no doubt about it, the blood of the dark mages was in his veins. 

"One more thing, please let me have Jericho. Just for a little longer, I grew to like it a bit."
Jake started to leave when he turned back to look at his father's grave.
"It's been nice talking old man and next time I come to visit, I swear that I'll have my revenge."
With those words Jake left the cemetery. He took the bus back to the center of the city, just wandering around. Well there was more to it than just wandering around. Jake had to buy presents for his sisters.
There was only one place he had in mind, well at first. And that was the electronics store. Jake walked around for a while until he saw a pretty good laptop. It was good enough for Sam to do her schoolwork on and finally get rid of her old one. The next thing was a new phone for Jen and getting that was pretty easy. Jen already told Jake which phone she wanted. Done with the electronics store he went to a bookstore next. Another gift for Sam, a romance novel and a collection of myths.
Jen's second gift was more of a problem. He found a hoodie he knew Jen would love, but he wasn't sure if she needed a larger size now. In the moment of doubt, his best choice was none other than Sam. Jake took out his phone, a Hellcat Mk3, and sent her a text.
"Is Jen still XS?" - Jake 1:46 PM
"Size up!" - Sammy 1:52 PM
Jake had a bit of a bitter smile across his face, in the end, to him it felt like it was yesterday that she was still much younger. He grabbed the black hoodie with a neon pink heart on the front and went to the cash register. Although he had the gifts for his sisters, Jake had one more person he wanted to buy one for. Kate.
Her gifts were the easiest of all, a big stuffed penguin and a necklace. Jake got the necklace first, it was nothing special. A silver one with a heart pendant on it. As for the penguin, he had to search for a good while to find it, but in the end Jake got that as well.