Fathers and Law: Lom and Fah Book One

Chapter 29

In that split second Fah made his move. Grabbing Tao's gun, he released the safety as he stood up. His movements were so fast and fluid that no one had a chance to react.

Fah shot Bank in the head, killing him instantly. Mint and Tin screamed, the judge and his captors were in shock. Run now stood, showing he was free, as Mint took the knife and began freeing Tin.

"Attack now, Run" whispered Fah and the two rushed the group at the front of the room. Lom stared at Bank's body on the ground, brain matter and blood on the floor around him. He looked up to see who killed his best friend and couldn't believe his eyes.

"Fah!" screamed Lom. "How could you, Fah? How could you do that?" Lom was screaming and this took the whole crew by surprise.

"Fah? Your brother, Fah?" asked Kiat.

"Yes!"

"I thought he was familiar. Fuck you Fah, how can you side with a judge? Especially one that is screwing over your family?" asked Kiat.

"My family? That's fucking unbelievable. Don't you know the truth? Here it is - I was taken in by Ton at 6, I'm not his real child. He banished me a year ago. I found my real father, and you're holding him prisoner! Bank just tried to shoot one of my brothers. Do you think I'd side with trash like you? Like Ton? I'm glad I did what I did. I'll protect my family!"

The fury and passion in his voice surprised Lom, Run, Mint, and especially Khun Adi. No sooner did the last word leave Fah's mouth than he shot Kiat in the face while Run tackled Tao who he knew was without a weapon. Fah moved quickly and grabbed Ek, holding his pistol to Ek's temple.

Run moved backward until he was next to his mother, all the while holding Tao in front of them. If anyone were to try shooting them, they would have to kill Tao first.

Lom stared at Kiat's faceless body on the ground. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly?

"Now, let my father go!" demanded Fah.

Art and Lom regarded each other. Realizing only Art and Lom were armed and that most likely Fah would not hesitate to kill Ek and Tao, Lom tried to think.

"Fah put the gun down and let Ek go. You can't win here. We have your father. Even if we don't kill him today, Ton will kill him because he refuses to cooperate," said Lom in a calming tone.

"No! You will not kill my father. Lom, you know how I feel about you, that will never change, but I cannot allow this to happen. These are innocent people. They've done nothing wrong! Let them go." Fah would never give up on his newfound family.

Lom raised his gun and pointed it at Fah. "Well, that's where we are different, Fah. My feelings have changed," and Lom squeezed off a shot hitting Fah in the shoulder. Blood spread quickly over Fah's sleeve. Fah couldn't believe Lom actually shot him. "Are you going to let him go, or do I need to shoot you again, Fah?"

Fah's reply was the sound of a gunshot followed by Ek's lifeless body slumping to the floor. Now Fah no longer had anything shielding his body. He turned toward Art who quickly moved behind Khun Adi. Fah put the gun on the floor and kicked it to Run.

"Run, kill Tao if you have to, but protect Mint, Tin, and yourself. Don't let them hurt you!" yelled Fah.

"Not too smart, Fah. You've got no weapon, no shield, and I'm going to kill you!" Lom said, his seething anger barely under control.

"I know that, Lom. I believe you will kill me. But my brothers and parents shouldn't have to suffer. Please let them go. I'm not fighting anymore." Fah spoke quietly and made no moves in any direction.

"Fah, son, no! Don't let him kill you! I love you!"

Khun Adi was crying, unable to believe what was happening. In less than 24 hours he'd found his son and now he was about to watch him die.

"Whatever you want, whatever you want me to do, fine, I will do it. Just don't hurt my family. Don't hurt any of my sons or wife, and that includes Fah!" Khun Adi would sacrifice anything, including his reputation, if it meant keeping his family safe.

Lom was shocked by the judge's love for Fah. He wondered when Fah and this man met and how long Fah had known his family.

Once again, everything comes easy for Fah. Kicked out of one family, he finds a rich, respected family that loves him while I'm stuck working for a father who has no faith in me. After today, thanks to Fah, I'll be punished severely. Lom was furious.

"Okay, judge, here's the deal. You'll sign the papers we showed you and we'll let you and your family go since they are innocent," said Lom in a calm voice.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," said Khun Adi, tears running down his cheeks.

"We'll free your hands and you'll sign these documents now!" said Art. He and Lom untied the judge's hands, gave him a pen, and the judge signed each page put before him.

"There, I did what you wanted. Now, please, let my family go!" implored Khun Adi. Lom and Art re-tied the judge's hands.

"You, let him go now," said Lom, speaking to Run.

Run nodded and pushed Tao forward. He walked over to Art. Lom looked at Tao and Art and said, "Take the documents, get the van, and leave now!" They did as they were told.

Lom walked towards Fah who made no attempt to flee. He pulled Fah in front of him, holding the gun at his temple. "Now, Fah and I will be leaving. The rest of you can untie the judge and the kid and make your way home. Thank you for your cooperation."

"You said you wouldn't harm my family!" screamed Khun Adi.

"I said that I wouldn't harm your innocent family. As we all saw, Fah is not innocent. He killed three people in front of all of us. At least he showed everyone he's never forgotten his training growing up as part of the mafia. Are you sure you would want someone like him in your upright, respected family!" said Lom.

"He's my brother! I love him!" screamed Run.

"He's my son!" yelled Mint, "Don't touch him!"

"He's my brother, too Get away from him!" yelled Tin.

"To answer your question, he is exactly the son I would want. He didn't kill three innocent people, he killed three criminals while trying to protect the lives of his family. That's a son to be proud of," said Khun Adi.

"Oh, Fah, listen to them. They love you. Finally, someone loves you. That must be refreshing since no one in my family ever did; you were just the homeless kid we helped. You were stupid enough to think I loved you. Now you'll see how I really feel about you!" Lom backed out of the room with the gun still against Fah's head.

Fah couldn't believe it. He finally found his family, a family that loved him. Although it had only been for a day or two, Fah was grateful. He stared at them, tears running down his face, whispering, "I love you, I love you all."

He had no idea where Lom was taking him. He was aware he was about to die and part of his brain had already accepted it. The other part of his brain was trying to make him take action, to escape and return to his newfound family. Fah thought if he did escape it could result in Khun Adi or someone else being shot, and he would never jeopardize any of their lives.