The Killer's Girl (Watty Awards 2013)

Chapter 45- Brothers Forever

Jeff's P.O.V.

It had been a week since Slender Man had checked up on Iris. I sat on the couch next to my wife, who was comforting me. Trying as hard as I could not to cry, I looked up at her. Pity was flowing in her eyes. "He's in a better place now, Jeff." Iris whispered. "I want him h-here, though!" Tears clogged my throat.

The events of the past day passed through my mind.

Zalgo had called a meeting where every immortal gathered in his castle, where he announced a new rule. Every new immortal means the death of an old one. Meaning, someone would have their immortality removed so my child could have it. I didn't really care until they announces that it was Iris losing her immortality. I begged and pleaded, but he turned away, saying that he was sorry, but there were too many immortals.

The only way Iris could keep her immortality was if someone lose their immortality in her place. I offered, but they said since I was her husband, it didn't count. No one volunteered.

Iris wasn't too upset. She said that she would be happy to give her life for the life of her child. I couldn't live with that, though. I loved her too much for her to just... Leave me like that.

Iris was about to lose her immortality when someone stepped forward. I didn't know who it was, since the entire place was a giant mixing pot of people and creatures.

To my horror, I saw a scar faced man with a black and gray scarf, fuzzy black sweater, and long black hair. Liu. He walked up solemnly, not saying a word or looking up. All he did was take slow steps towards Zalgo. Slowly, his tired eyes peered up and he softly announced. "I will take the place of my sister-in-law. She deserves a happy immortal life with my brother. I have no one, anymore. It's pointless to go on." Those words will haunt me forever.

Liu looked back into the crowd and we locked eyes one last time. This was truly the only way to lose immortality. He gave me a small smile and a wave before meeting his fate. Zalgo placed a hand on his arm and pulled out a needle from his pocket. He drew blood and retraced the immortality symbol into his arm, but in reverse. The life left my brothers eyes and I watched as he staggered back before falling down.

I screamed and shoved past everyone. This couldn't be happening. The sea of people let me pass and I sprinted to his body. Lifting his head up, I saw that he was really gone. I called his name softly a few times. "... Liu? ... Liu? Liu?!" I tried not to cry as Grim, a soul reaper, carried his body away.

They allowed me to choose where to burry him. I told them to burry them in my backyard, right next to my son.

As I laid on Iris's lap, they finished laying him to rest. I was still in disbelief. He really gave his life for Iris. Was it because he was being a good brother? Or perhaps, was there different reasoning behind this? I didn't know, but I wanted to more than anything. I finally had him back, and now, he was gone.

That night I slept on Iris's lap. I didn't have the willpower to move myself. Iris didn't complain.

The next morning, I got up to go visit his grave. I didn't know what it said on it, and I was curious.

I read it. "Liu Barry Philips. Immortal age twenty five. Cause of death is loss of immortality. Loyal friend, brother, and son." That was it? That's all it said? It didn't give any quotes or anything to learn from his life? No, I couldn't accept that.

I ran inside and grabbed my knife off of my dresser. I dashed out and began to carve on the stone. It was harder than I thought it would be. The stone wouldn't give in right away, so I struggled to just finish the first letter. However, I was determined. If he could give his life to save my wife and child, then I could do this last favor for him.

Letter by letter, word by word, I managed to carve in what needed to be. As I looked up, I realized it was dark. How did it get dark so soon?

Stepping back, I admired my work. "As crazy as you are, brothers are brothers. I thought I'd hate you forever, but I realized, there's no point. I love you, bro, no matter what." That's what it read. It was something he'd told me once over the phone.

Suddenly, there was a scream from inside the house and the sound of something shattering. "Jeff!" screamed Iris.