Hiraeth {Book 3 in The Emerald of Annihilation trilogy}

(36). Akrasia

Akrasia (n.) Lack of self-control

Lily turned her head to see the scowling face of her brother, Buck. Before she could speak, Buck yanked her from the room and flung the door closed. "Give up on him, sis." He spat. "Dylan is as good as dead. You may have convinced Jayden to stray which cost the whole grand plan, but Mister Houston will think of something else. And you will pay."

Lily groaned as her brother's foot slammed into her stomach, knocking her back into the wall. "Buck, stop! This isn't you!" She pleaded. The 17-year-old only smirked and gripped her collar, jerking her towards him. Inside Lily knew it was him. He had not been brainwashed., but wrongly influenced. And neglected. 

"This is me, dear sister." Buck purred, shoving her back quite roughly. Much stronger than a skinny teenage boy should have been. A blatant ringing exploded in Lily's ears. Her vision clouded with swarming dots and her knees gave way. As she slid to the ground, a loud smash was heard as Buck's fist crushed the wall above her head. 

Lily's head spun and she desperately tried to regain her full sight and strength. She blinked and shook her head. Buck hated her. Jayden had sacrificed himself so that his evil uncle wouldn't succeed, and to protect her. 

A low grunt and a soft yelp reached the young woman's ears. Lily forced herself to stand and blink the last bit of spots from her vision. Her legs nearly gave way once more at the sight before her. 

There stood Buck. A smug grin on his face. His forehead was split open and fresh, warm blood streamed down the side of his face. His arm wrapped harshly around Ethan's neck. A Glock pressed to the side of the young boy's head. Ethan's brown eyes bugged as he clawed at Buck's arm. The fear in his eyes sent a shot of adrenaline through Lily's body. She glowered at her brother. 

"Not one step, Lily," Buck warned, cocking his gun and pressing the cold metal of the barrel harder into the boy's temple. "I was pleasantly surprised to hear that you had an adopted son." He stated. "The little runt has your determination." Lily gulped. She then noticed a sociopathic glint in her brother's brilliant blue eyes that Jayden's green ones never once had. She then realized there was no helping Buck. He had fallen so far down the rabbit hole, there was no way back up. Unlike Jayden, there was nothing he loved. No one he truly cared about or considered family. 

"Lily..." Ethan's voice was rasping and crackling. Lily's heart leapt to her throat. the boy's eyes welled up with frightened tears. "Relax Ethan." Lily tried her best to keep her voice calm and soothing. But she could hear it waver and sway. Her throat was dry and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. 

All of a sudden, Buck let out a scream of pain and released Ethan. His recent captive dashed into Lily's safe arms, burying his face into her chest. Buck's hand flew to his now reddening shoulder. He spun around. 

"That's a warning, Buck." Alex held the Baretta still aiming it at her son. Despite his agony, Buck managed an amused smirk. "You wouldn't shoot me. Your own son." Alex' face was grim, but she was visibly hesitant. Scott took this opportunity and aimed his own rifle at Buck. "I won't hesitate." He growled. "Back away from them, or else." Buck, seeing he was defeated, backed away from Lily and Ethan. he dropped his weapon and fell to his knees, raising his arms in surrender. Scott nodded to Mark, who pulled Back's arms behind his back and handcuffed him. 

Lily loosened her grip on Ethan's shoulders. "Are you ok?" She asked, searching his gaze and holding his face in her hands. "I'm fine." he smiles a little and placed his hand over hers, leaning into her warmth. 

"Got something you'd like to explain?" Jack smiled, resting his arm on Alex's shoulder. Lily smiled and wrapped her own arm around Ethan. "I'll tell you guys everything...Once we get home."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Dylan hurled his fist into Marcus' face again. "You ruined my life!" The boy cried. Marcus smirked. "Blood was streaming from his nose, mouth, and lips. "If I hadn't killed your father, your mother would never have moved, and you never would have met Lily." The man spat out a load of blood and chuckled darkly. "You should be thanking me, boy." 

Dylan growled and wrapped his hands around Marcus' neck. An animalistic glimmer shone in his doe brown eyes. "Go to hell, Marcus." The man coughed and laughed. "I'll see you there, Hood." Dylan's glare faltered. 

"You think everything will go back to normal once this is over? You're still a wanted criminal, Dylan. But you can join me, and be free." Dylan shook his head, tightening his grip on Marcus' neck. "Because of you, I've never known what a normal life is. As for joining you....I'd rather die."  

A hand gently rested on Dylan's shoulder. His head snapped back to see a woman in her mid-forties with a messy brunette bun and a striking resemblance to the man on the floor. "I'll take it from here." 

Dylan squinted skeptically at the woman. "Who are you and why should I trust you?" He demanded. She gave him a sympathetic smile. "A friend. Go find your girlfriend and her family and get out of here. I've rigged the whole place to go off in ten minutes." 

Dylan took one last glance at the man beneath him and noticed his unnaturally pale face. Without a word, he stood and ran out of the room. Down the hall, he screeched to a halt. Lily looked up from where she was talking to a young boy and saw him. Her face expressed her relief. 

Running up, Lily embraced Dylan in a hug. "Hey." He held her tight and close, inhaling her sweet savoury scent. Marcus' words echoed in his head. 

'You think everything will go back to normal once this is over? You're still a wanted criminal!' 

Tears streamed down Dylan's cheeks. Marcus was right. As the two pulled away, the young boy appeared by Lily's side. "Who's he?" Dylan smiles a held out his hand.. "I'm Dylan." He flashed his signature boxy smile. Lily smiled as the two shook hands. 

"We should go." Dylan's expression turned serious. "This place is going to explode in about seven minutes." Jack stepped forward. "Who told you that?" The former marine asked. Dylan frowned. "A woman who suspiciously looked like she is related to Marcus came and said she'd deal with him." 

Lily blinked. "Elizabeth." She muttered. "Who?" Mark asked. "Nothing." Lily waved him off. "Let's just get out of here." 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Meanwhile, Marcus stood gazing out of his office windows. "I always thought you had died in the explosion." He spoke fondly as if it were a comforting memory. "I do wonder......Do you hate me?" He glanced over his shoulder at Elizabeth Houston, who gripped a Glock with her left hand, just in case her sociopathic brother decided to try something. 

"Do you hate me for putting a bullet in Ryan's head? For snatching Jayden from your arms and raising him as my own?"

Elizabeth wasn't even tempted to use her weapon. "Marcus." Her voice was composed. "You murdered our father. My husband. You kidnapped my son and he grew up to be like you. But in the end, he decided to think for himself." Her eyes were glistening, but she wasn't crying. 

"I hated you for years. I longed for revenge for ages. I wanted you to experience the pain I endured. Then I realized," She glanced at her watch. 

'10 seconds'

"Not only does a psychopath like you not feel pain but if I thought  like that,  I should be no better than you." Elizabeth smiles a sad smile. "I forgive you, Marcus."

'5'

Marcus still had his back facing her. So she never saw his slight genuine smile.

'4'

Or the tremble in his lips.

'3' 

Or the tear escaping his eye.

'2' 

The first real tear since the death of his mother. 

'1'

"Thank you." He whispered.

'0'

Wowwwwwww.......wha a turn of events!! What do you think?!?!?!? I honestly want to see what you guys think of this chapter!!! 

~Keziah