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Chapter 29

SKYLER WILSON

Being evil is far more simple than being good. It is easier to cause harm than it is to help someone; to destroy than to create. It's simpler to revel in the ease of causing pain than it is to mend wounds. So, I decided to embrace the darkness. It's less difficult and less complicated.

That's why I don't understand why my twin has to go separate ways.

While I destroy, he creates. As I inflict pain, he tends to it. Our paths seem to differ at every turn, each step pushing us farther from each other. I kill, while he saves life. We're different. Despite us being twins and identical to everything, we are very much contrasting in principle.

But I guess, it is not my twin who walks in the opposite path, but me.

It started that one night. . . when I killed someone with my bare hands.

"You lost to your twin again. I can't believe he pulled that stunt on you, Skyler. You didn't even notice he was planning something, huh? Siguradong pinagtatawanan ka nanaman nun."

My hand balled into a fist. Hearing the words spit twice in front of my face is such a nuisance. I don't mind landing my fist on my friend's face, but I am serving my strength for later. I might give my brother a little beating, no? Uhh, it would make me feel a little lighter if I could just make him bleed. My mom wouldn't notice. That piece of shit would always resort to inventing alibis so our parents won't even realize that there's a big wall between the two of us. He's taking all the blame to himself when we're caught, as he should. He's the black sheep after all.

"He heard the plan." Bitterness coated my tone as I spit that bullshit. Pakielamero ang gago kong kakambal. Kung hindi niya ako sinabotahe, I could have avenged my friend already.

I stare at my hands. Scratches and wounds from my everyday practice of judo were still visible. I worked hard to win the contest. I know I could have won even without Kysler switching in my stead. Mananalo at mananalo ako dahil wala silang laban sakin. However, that was not the reason why I wanted to kill my brother for stealing my moment and the spot meant for me. If he didn't intervene with my fucking business, I could have had my hand tainted with blood already. I could have had my first kill. I could have passed the initiation!

"Your brother is obviously trying to get in your way. Kapag hinayaan mo 'yan, paano mo magagawa ang plano mo?" Madsen smirks dryly. Sumama ang tingin ko sa kanya sa patuloy niyang pang-uuyam pero wala akong magawa kundi ang manatili sa pwesto ko. The bottle of beer I had with me could only suffice my anger.

"He's no one."

"Well, if he's no one, why don't you put him into his place? This isn't the first time it happened, Sky. Noon pa man, kapag alam ni Kysler na may gagawin kang hindi maganda, palagi siyang gumagawa ng paraan para lang hindi matuloy ang balak mo. Ending? It was always you who was left as the laughingstock. It's as if he's mocking you, and making it look like you're only good at planning but not at carrying it out." He craned his neck to his right shoulder before chuckling in pure ridicule. "What was the term again? All bark no bite?"

"Watch your mouth." I clenched my jaw, my frustration growing with each word. Madsen is right, but dealing with my twin who is always one step ahead of me is easier said than done. Kysler may play nonchalantly and always act indifferent, but he has a cunning mind. Marami siyang paraan para sirain lahat ng plano ko.