𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓸𝔀...

𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝘆...

1 chapter left...

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June 10th, 2009...

A few weeks had passed since the fall of the Red Fang, but the memories still lingered like shadows that refused to fade. The bruises had healed, the stitches were out, and the city had slowly returned to normalcy. Marcus, though, was still carrying the weight of everything that had happened—both in his mind and in his heart.

But today was different. Today was his birthday.

The morning of, Marcus was seen on his phone, trying his best to respond as fast as possible to Nicole and Jecka's many messages. He laughed at some and smiled at most of the stuff Nicole and Jecka had to say about him, considering he's now 18... an adult. The day he had been waiting for. He set his phone down his chest and exhaled. 

...

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BROTHER!"

Nathan barged into his room, getting Marcus to scream for a second.

"GAAH! NATHAN!" Marcus yelled, irritated he caught him off guard.

"How does it feel being legal?" Nathan joked, approaching Marcus' bed and sitting down. 

"Wasn't I always leg-- Nathan..."

Nathan laughed, sighing after he wiped his tears of joy.

"You know, I've always dreamed of this day..." Nathan said, getting a sad smile. Marcus raised an eyebrow at Nathan's words.

"The day Marcus Graves goes out into the world and makes a difference... but it turns out you didn't even have to be 18 to do it..."

Marcus knew what he meant. From Jeffery to White, to Lucian, Marcus had risked his teenage years to protect the city that is Chicago, Illinois. It took loss, blood, and one night with a needy Nicole, but he did it. He survived senior year by a hair, if you were to ever ask him.

"You should go to school man. They're waiting for you~," Nathan said, chuckling as he got up and left the room. 

...

BRRING!
BRRING!

Marcus saw the caller ID and sighed.

"Hey Je--"

Marcus was cut off by Jecka telling him sternly that he took more than minute to respond.

"Yeah... was talking to my brother..."

...

...

"Mhm..."

...

"Yeah, I'll be there. Bye."

After getting ready, Marcus had walked out of his house to see a Green BMW M3 in the driveway, his favorite color. He ran up to it and found it unlocked. Curious, he opened the door to see a newly acquired license and keys in the front seat, along with a note. It read as follows:

Dear Marcus,

Congratulations on turning 18! This is such an exciting milestone, and I wanted to take a moment to wish you the very best as you step into this new stage of life. Adulthood brings a lot of opportunities, growth, and, of course, challenges—but I have no doubt that you'll navigate it all with strength and wisdom.

Turning 18 is a special time, filled with new freedoms and responsibilities. As you take on these new experiences, remember that it's okay to take things at your own pace, trust in yourself, and keep learning along the way. You've got the drive and potential to achieve anything you set your mind to.