Tortured Soul

Final Chapter

This is the ending you all voted for. I will upload the alternate ending after this.

(10 years later)
(Max's POV)

I sat on my couch at home watching TV. It was around midnight and I didn't feel like sleeping. My wife and children were already asleep. I was the only one awake.

"Papa?" A soft voice called out.

I looked away from the TV and saw my four year old daughter, Alison, standing in the hallway with tears running down her face.

"Alison? What's wrong sweetie?" I called out.

"I can't sleep."

"Come here sweetie."

Alison walked over to me and sat on my lap.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

Alison nodded. I smiled and started to wipe the tears from her face. I kissed her forehead and hugged her.

"Don't worry sweetie, I still get nightmares as well."

Alison looked up at me with her tear stained eyes.

"Do you really papa?"

"Yes I really do get them."

"But. But. Nothing scares you papa. You're my papa and my papa isn't afraid of anything."

I smiled at her. I start tickling her neck making her giggle with delight.

"Yes, you're right Alison. But I think it's time I tell you a story. It's about you're brother."

"Winston?"

"No, not you're baby brother. You're older brother, Jacob."

"I have an older brother!?" Alison asked with curiosity in her voice.

"Yes you do, but he's not around anymore."

"Do you miss him papa?"

"Yes. Very much so." I said with tears forming in my eyes.

"Why don't you call him on your phone papa?" Alison asked innocently.

I smiled and gave a small chuckle.

"I wish it was that easy Alison. Let me tell you the story now. It all happened ten years ago....."

(10 years earlier)

I paces back and forth across the living room. Everyone from the offices including Alesa were at the house waiting for any news at all.

"Max stop pacing back and forth you're making ME tired just watching you." Adam said.

"I can't stop Adam. If I sit down I get restless and have to start moving again. I'm just so worried."

"Max, we ALL are worried. Jacob was basically family to us as well." Red said.

*knock* *knock*

I rushed to the door and opened it. The two cops that were here earlier were standing at the door.

"Is he safe?!" I asked.

"May we come in?" One cop asked.

"Yes! Yes! Of course! Please come in! Just please let me know if Jacob is safe!"

The cops walked in and turned back around to face me. They both took their hats of and had the look of sorrow on their faces.

"Oh god, he... he didn't make it. Did he?"

One of the cops took a breath in and exhaled.

"No, he didn't make it. We're sorry for your loss."

At that moment I lost it. Tears began to form and fall instantly. My kid, dead.

"Noooo! Jacob!" I screamed.

Everyone came over to me and embraced me in a group huddle. Everyone was crying with me, but not as hard as I was crying.

(A couple months after the death)

"Hey Ross. I'll be back in a few." I called out from the front door.

"Okay. Tell Jacob I said hi and that I miss him." Ross said loudly from his room.

I left the house and locked he door behind me. I got in my car and drove off to the florist. I grabbed the usual arrangement that the florist makes for me and paid for them. After I paid I headed to the graveyard. Once I arrived I started to walk to the familiar spot I visit every week. I walked over to his tombstone and replaced the dead flowers with the good ones to make his resting place look nice. I looked at the engraving on the tombstone and read it to myself.

Here lies a person who was a loving son, person, and friend.

May his Tortured Soul Rest In Peace.

I began to cry softly.

"Jacob... I miss you so much... we all miss you... I hope you're in a happier place now... I love you."

(Present time)

"Papa?"

"Yes sweetie?"

"Do you miss Jacob?" Alison asked.

"Yes. I miss him a whole lot."

"Can I go with you next time you visit him?"

I smiled and shed a tear.

"Yes Alison. Yes you can."

This was the ending you all voted for which if you don't remember I had a blind vote for the ending. I gave you options: A) B) C) and D) I had this ending as options B and C while the alternate ending was options A and D. Don't worry, I will post the alternate ending right after this so hold your horses.

P.S.: the kids names will change in the alternate ending. Thanks to flo_the_wolf for Alison and thanks to etoniv  for Winston.