One More Time

gone.

It was my fault at the first place. I knew I could somehow stop the feud. I knew  that I could just walk up to Mr. Lacroix and told him that he is the best, and how much I idolize him. But I just had to keep it going. Due to this great battle, I was able to push myself to be far better than ever. I was being selfish to think only the benefit of this rivalry on me. I was a fool to think that I needed the fame, the glory, everything. While everything that is important to me is already mine.

Mr. Lacroix has a 21 year old son named Abel. He is very much like me. A simple young man with dreams and full of potential. However, he sees me as an obstacle for his father to reach the top of the pyramid. He doesn't know any other way to help his father besides bringing me down himself. I can't blame him as he was too young in this world full of madness. I only have myself to blame for pushing this battle way too hard.

10th of December. I'll never forget that date. On that night, Anton Bissette  was at my restaurant having dinner with his niece Juliette. They stayed until the restaurant closes. I sat with them and we had a very long conversation. Anton talked to me about Julliette's funny moments back when she was young. Julliette told me why Anton shaved his head bald. It was a great night. One of the best nights I've had. But then, it became the beginning of the worst night in just a mere seconds. *DTHOOF!* the door slams open as someone kicked it. A group of young man in leather jackets and jeans came in. We were terrified. I was terrified. Anton straight away stood up in front of us, indicating that he is protecting Juliette and I. "Who are you boys?! What's all this?!". Then there was one who was probably drunk, took a step to the front and said "I am Abel Lacroix, here to send you people to hell!". The other boys with him ran straight to attack us. Anton reacted fast by grabbing a chair to use as an item to counter their attacks, while I stood back and made sure Juliette wasn't harm. In the struggle, one of the boys managed to hit Anton at the back of his head, which caused him to fall down straight away. Juliette straight away pulled Anton to the back while I stood in front. I knew that now I'm their target and I have to react fast. It was 4 boys in their 20s against me, a 48 year old man. I managed to block a few of their punches, and swings. But I did took a few. I fought back. I succeeded in knocking out 2 of them by giving them the sweet taste of my uppercuts and jabs. I shove one to the side and took down the other straight on a table. I got back up, seeing this as an opportunity to run, I straight away helped Anton to get up, and throw my car keys to Juliette. "LET'S GO! NOW!". We stormed away, while Abel was trying to gather back his friends.

We got in the car safely, and by that time Anton was already awake. I drove while Juliette sat at the back seat with Anton. "Where are we going?!" asked Juliette. "Police station! We need the help of the officers!" I replied while pressing the gas without any hesitation. As we managed to drove away, I thought we were already safe. Oh boy was I wrong. We could hear the sound of their car rushing towards us. Without me realizing it, they were already behind us. They kept shoving our car, trying to get us to crash. I did my best to keep us safe.

But I failed. They gave us one strong hit, and I lost control of my car due to the snow. I couldn't stop, so I swerved to the right. The tires were screaming loudly. We went over the curb and smashed against a tree. I went through the windshield and hit the tree. Anton was safe at the backseat. Then came the painful scream of a woman. Juliette went out through the windshield from the backseat. She landed on the snow while I was on the dented bonnet. The boys stopped and Abel came out "This is what happens when you mess with the Lacroix!" he took out a gun from the back of his pants, aimed at me from a distance. I closed my eyes and he fired it. *BANG!*. When I open my eyes, I was surprised to see, Anton Bissette standing in front of me with a very visible bullet  wound on the left part of his stomach. He fell down with his body full with blood, from the accident  and from the gunshot. The boys drag Abel back in their car and they drove away. I rolled down from the bonnet of the car, and I had to use my arms to move because I couldn't feel my legs. I checked Anton, he was heavily breathing, he needs to get to the hospital as soon as possible. It was late, no one was around that I could ask for help from. I reached for my phone in my pocket, and quickly call the ambulance. After I made the call, I look at the side, and saw Juliette. Laying down there, powerless. I crawled with every energy I have left to get to her. "Ju sweetie! Keep breathing Ju, please!". She looked at me and smiled. "Look at the stars my love, aren't they beautiful?" she said with a very weak tone. "Ju, please stay with me". She said it again, "My love, look! The stars!". I calm myself down and turn to look at the starry night. "I want my last view to be something that we shared together. Please, I know what's coming. I can feel it. My time has come." Juliette said that while tears were running down her face. I was weaken by the words that came out from her mouth. She said "Aw dear, don't be sad. I really believe that you were the best thing that ever happened to me. You're the reason my life is a very happy one. Thank you for the adventures we had.". I turned to look at her and said "Why let the stars be the last thing you see and share with me? Why not let my face be the last thing  you see and this kiss be the last thing we share." I lifted her head, I held her close. Then I kissed her our last kiss. And then she's gone. Even though I held her tight in my arms. She left. That was the night I lost my love. That was the night I lost my life.