Volume V: The Tragic End of Treason

Chapter 17: Confessions of Devotion

Just like all other mortals in this world, I’m going to die.

            The only difference?

            I’m going to die now.

           

            Or so he tells me.

            He, being big brother. Being Marcellus. Being my only surviving family in this world. Being my comfort and companion; my traitor and tormenter. He’s my salvation and damnation.

            And I don’t believe him. I think I can get away with it. I don’t think he’s serious.

            But just in case. Just in case. I might want to make good use of this time, just in case.

            You never can tell these days.

            I don’t really know where to start. I know where it ends, but where’d it begin? And why? How did I come this far? How did I get this way? Do I even remember anymore?

            Not really. I can’t feel this. Why should I care?

            Because this might be the last thing I do on this earth. Then again, anything could be. Any breath you take could be your last.

           

            There was a hell of a fiasco when it comes to power when Vincent died. There was always tension between my brother and Vince. I was too young to do too much, but they let me do little things here and there. Vince was about 20 when he died, meaning I was 13 or so. It’s hard to be sure anymore. Marcellus wants the truth to be told. What the hell, here it is.

            So Vincent dies. Everyone suspects Marcellus. He’s overlooked as next in line as leader. Toryn would be the next pick. But she disappears. Some kid comes into the group one night, quick words, and poof - Toryn’s missing. A gang without a leader...is like a snake without a head. I was a little young to take over completely, so the gang kind of wandered halfheartedly. Cellus settled for what little power he could get along the way for awhile, but when hostilities got high, he decided to break away and take the more loyal members with him. This only created more problems and inflamed the ongoing war. And where was I? Torn between the loyalty of the gang, to Vince’s “honorable” memory...and my brother. I decided to stay, despite my brother’s wishes. So he waged war against me.

            That isn’t the point. The fact that my brother wanted me dead, that’s not the really significant fact. The really important point is - where the hell did Toryn go and why?

            And who knows the answer? I do.

            There’s a story that needs telling, sit back kids, this might be awhile -

            There was a guy, I’m not sure where he came from. But he was...well, young, but not too young. I would like to say he was Toryn’s elder by a year or two, but I could be wrong. He wasn’t from our part of town, but you put him there and he’d fit just fine. He didn’t cause trouble, and if he did, he was out of it before you could say otherwise. He was just that good. His name was Vagrant. He traveled around, here and there, very much like Toryn in his ways. If my sources inform me correctly, he was Toryn’s cousin. Her father’s brother’s son. She had family somewhere, uncles and aunts, none of which would come to her aid. She was an embarrassment. Haven’t you heard? Toryn isn’t the perfect little angel that Mommy and Daddy wanted her to be.