I changed for you

16

Chay woke up drenched in sweat. His heart was beating so loudly, it felt like it would come out of his rib cage any second now. He had the worst nightmare. He couldn't remember much of it but fear gripped him as he switched on the lights.
He went downstairs to get more water. He had become so accustomed to sleeping next to Kim maybe his absence caused these nightmares. Nonetheless, he had to go back to sleep, he had classes the next day. He gulped down water and headed back to bed.
As soon as he switched the lights off his phone rang. It was 4 in the morning why was Porsche calling him?

"Chay, no university tomorrow. Get here, okay?" Porsche sounded tense.
"What happened, Phi? Is everything alright?" He asked.
"I'm sending Arm to pick you up right now. Just get ready. I'll tell you when you reach here." Porsche cut the call.
Chay slid out of his bed and brushed his teeth. He washed his face, changed his clothes and combed his hair before Arm arrived in a car.

"Phi, what's going on? Is everything okay?" Chay questioned getting in the car.

"It would be better if Porsche tells you himself. We will reach in a bit." Arm avoided the conversation.
Chay could feel the strange tension in the atmosphere. He knew something was up. Something bad.
Arm's phone rang. He talked for a bit and then ended the call.

"There's change of plans." Arm told Chay. "Porsche has asked me to take you to Yok's bar  instead."

"What? What do you mean? Why can't I meet my brother? What is happening?" Chay was so confused.
"Here. Call Porsche and ask him what's going on." Arm handed his phone to Chay.

"Phi! What's going on? I'm scared. Is everything okay?" Chay asked.
"Chay. I want you to promise me you'll stay strong, no matter what." Porsche replied.
"I will try my best , Phi. Just talk to me.  What happened?"
His brother remained silent for some time.
"Our mother was murdered."

Chay felt a lump form in his throat. His vision became blurry. His thoughts wandered off to his last interaction with his mother. It was just two days ago, when she had painted a little bird and Chay had helped her. He teared up thinking about her sweet smile when she was explaining to Chay what colours she had planned to use.

"I am with Vegas." Porsche continued.
"What is going on Phi? Why are you with him?" Chay had become frustrated.
"Chay, listen to me. I want you to go to a safe place. And stay out of this. It's too dangerous. Trust me. We will sort this out."
"What do you mean 'we'? You and Vegas?"
Porsche didn't answer. He kept urging Chay to not interfere with whatever secret plan he had come up with. Chay however, was feeling so many emotions, he could not keep it together anymore.
When the call was over he did something he was surprised he could do.

He took out his shoelace and strangled Arm with it.

"Phi. I'm sorry but you will take me to P'Kim's apartment. I had to do this because I know you wouldn't agree. Take me now! Or else I will jump off of this moving car." He tightened the shoelace around Arm's neck. The older man struggled for a while but then agreed. He couldn't harm Porchay so he couldn't defend himself in this situation, not that he was incapable.

"Okay. I'll take you there. But I will stay with you."
"That's not necessary."
"It is. I will ensure you are safe."
"If you try to stop me Phi, I would blame you for my death." Chay threatened as they turned towards Kim's apartment.

The place was empty. Kim had been staying at the main house for quite a while now. Chay just needed time to think. He knew his brother was planning something risky. The last time he had kept Chay at Yok's bar was when he had tried to kill Korn, the mafia head.

This time he's gonna kill his mother's murderer. He was so sure of this. He knew Porsche found out the killer. He asked Arm to call Porsche again, since the older wasn't taking Chay's calls.

"Arm? Did you reach safely?" Porsche asked from the other side.
"Who did it? Who killed her?" Chay's voice was so devoid of emotions it didn't even sound like him.
"Chay-"
"I want you to say the name. Right now."
"You will not do anything."
"I want the name, Phi."
Vegas could be heard besides Porsche. Chay heard him mention Kinn.
"What about P'Kinn? Are others hurt?" Chay asked.
"You don't need to know."
"She is my mother too." Chay stated, his voice almost commanding.
Porsche became silent after that. He didn't know how to deny Chay anymore.

The last words heard before Chay ended the call were "Korn."