Because of Him

Descent into Darkness

Dominic

It's been about five days since I landed. I got the keys to Mom's old house. Most of their furniture was still there, but I needed to make more purchases. I also had to upgrade some things in the house, like the water heater and other household appliances. There had also been a few leaks due to the recent heavy rain, so I contacted people to handle it while I stayed at the hotel.

It's been five fucking days, and I still haven't heard anything from Luka. Usually, Luka was pretty fast when it came to collecting information. I was starting to get worried. I tried to calm myself down by thinking no news is good news, right?

I was currently in my hotel room. Feeling hungry, I picked up the phone and dialed room service to order food. Before the other line could pick up, my phone started ringing.

Incoming Call From Luka...

I immediately dropped what I was doing and answered.

"Any news?" I questioned.

"Yes, sir, but you won't like it." He said warily.

"Spit it out already." I started to clench my fist, bracing myself for the news.

"I'm still trying to find your mother. The guys are working nonstop to find her. But we know where your brother is..." Luka didn't sound like himself. And this made me even more uneasy.

"Luka! Where is my brother?" I questioned. I was trying so hard not to snap.

"He's at Grove Stone Cemetery. He was killed while trying to protect this girl, Adriana Stone. Tomorrow would mark three years since he was murdered. There's not a lot of information about what happened. "He took a deep breath and said, "I am sorry, boss."

I stumbled backward, my phone dropping to the floor.

What the fuck. No, this can't be happening. It has to be some sort of mistake, I thought to myself. I knew there was something off. I had a fucking pit in my stomach as I waited for five days. I just tried convincing myself that it was nothing when it was the opposite.

I've waited ten years to be reconnected with my family again, and it only took a two-minute phone call to deliver me the worst news of my life.

I started to feel tears cascade down my face. I felt a large lump form in the back of my throat. It hurt to swallow. It hurt to breathe. I wanted to scream.

All I could think about was how I came too late. If I had been there, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Perhaps if I had been there, it would have been me and not him. I wished so badly that it was me.

I started feeling angry. I was angry at myself for being too late. I was angry at my brother for doing such a thing. When we were children, he was scared to stick up for himself; why did he change? He was cowardly, often hiding behind me whenever he was scared. He never fought his own battles, let alone someone else's.  So why did he... why did he have to save that girl? The person I was most angry at was her. Why did she let my brother get involved?

I ran to the mini bar in my room and started drinking. Liquor and I don't mix well, but I needed something to distract me from hell on earth. I open the bottle of bourbon and down it straight from the bottle. The burn sensation soothed my throat.

I cursed myself. Why did I come so late? If only I had the power and the courage to go to them when I first had the chance.

I started to open another bottle and down the whole thing. Tonight was going to be a long night.

-

I groaned as I tried to peel my eyes open. The sound of a tree branch hitting my window pierced through my brain. Fuck, my head felt like it was splitting open. I tried to get off the bed, stumbling a little due to blurry vision. I get back up, take a step, and feel something sharp go into the bottom of my foot. I curse as I fall back onto the bed.

I look down to see a jagged piece of glass sticking out of my foot. Well, isn't this peachy?

As I sigh, I drag my hands down my face and ruffle my hair angrily. I brace myself and pull out the piece of glass. I take off my shirt and use it to stop the bleeding. I look through the window. The thick grey clouds covered the sky, leaving no room for the light. I start to zone out. Staring at the tree branch tapping my window, I thought about last night.

"He's at Grove Stone Cemetery. He was killed while trying to protect this girl, Adriana Stone. Tomorrow would mark three years since he was murdered. There's not a lot of information about what happened. "He took a deep breath and said, "I am sorry, boss."

I started to search for my phone. I began to get agitated, trying to find it through the broken furniture and shattered glass until I felt a vibration coming from the floor and saw it light up on the floor next to the bed under a white sheet.

Text From Luka - 1535 Grovestone Dr.
Above is the address to the cemetery. He's located in section B. I know how much it meant to you to find them. Sorry, boss.

Luka was a man of very few words unless it was necessary. Hearing him say sorry angered me. I know it was from a good place, but it made everything feel too real, and I didn't want to believe it.

As I started getting ready, I texted Luka, saying I needed him to find as much information as possible. I need to know exactly how he was murdered and if they caught the piece of shit who did it.

If the cops didn't arrest them, they had better hidden themselves well. If I get my hands on them, they'll wish the police had found them before I did.

When I was done getting ready, I grabbed my keys and slammed the door on my way out.

It was time to see my brother.