Don't Shoot the Messenger

15 We are the stars...

2509  words

* edited

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"Greg Stillson" AKA Stefan Garis POV

I ignore the gyrating crowd, the occasional push as drunken bodies collide. Other people are here to ring in the New Year; I am here to meet someone unobserved. I duck into the men's room and as the door closed, the music faded to a dull throb in the background. Spla-whoosh... I look right toward the stalls and see a skinny guy vomiting – into a toilet, thankfully. Of all the times... as his retching subsided, I help clean him up. 

The door opened again, and I glance over my shoulder. The new arrival pretends not to notice us and heads to the urinals to do his business. I heave the idiot to his feet and steer him toward the door.   "Time to head home man, get a cab"  I tell him while tucking a couple of 20's in his hand and pushing him into the hall.  

  When I close the door again, Mr. Gravitas was still washing his hands. "What's with all the cloak and dagger? You said we couldn't be seen together."  

  "You need to protect the family. I've set something in motion and whether it goes well or not, I need to insulate the family.  I couldn't bear it if Elysa ended up murdered over something I've done."  "What have you done?" His sharp eyes pin me, already realizing that my trip to the hospital was no random accident. "A good deed, I hope...that crossed a bad man." I shake my head. "My Dad can't know yet, no one can." I hand him the envelope; I wasn't sure how long until we were interrupted. "I've been pulling the maximum amount from my trust fund each month. Stefan Garis needs to be legally dead sometime after I disappear. Make sure the timing is not related."   

He pales, shocked, and starts to speak but I cut him off. "Don't let my Father look for me or investigate. If I'm faking my death he could lead real trouble to me... or he could bring it to the family."  He stares at me for a long moment. Then he swallows and nods, touching the front of his jacket where he tucked the letter. I walk away into the anonymous crowd and annoying loud music. I have burned my bridges; there is no going back.

Claire POV

"He wasn't always like this you know." His Mother is telling me. "When he was little, he was such a joyful child, impatient and full of mischief." I can hardly believe it. "Alissandru"? I ask incredulously..."Oh, yes. It was after his brother's accident that he changed. They were two years apart in age, but close as twins. Their Father was reconnecting to them after a long separation; he took us with him on several business trips. He hoped the boys would make friends with the sons of men he dealt with. 

  Marcu and Alissandru were with the sons of another Don and a few of their other friends. Alissandru was only 7 and a half, younger than the others, and they didn't care for him tagging along. I'm afraid they were not always nice to him, but his brother would not go anywhere without him. Alissandru decided to play a prank on one of the boys, the elder son of our host. As you may imagine, it did not go well. The boy thought that Marcu was responsible and pushed him ...I know it was an accident. He never meant for it to happen, but Marcu fell and broke his neck. There was a meeting between the Dons; the peace between them had been violated.