The Boy I Knew

Chpater Twenty- Five

TW: ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND ACTUAL MURDER

I looked around before getting out of the car and walking towards Larry house. With a few harsh knocks, he answered.

"Sal? What're-" I didn't even let him finish before crashing my lips into his.

"I love you, Larry. I love you so much; but I have to do this. I just want to know; will you be here, waiting for me when I come back to you?" I asked. Tears pooled in his eyes before he nearly doubled over and let out a small cry.

"I can't promise anything, Sal!! Just like you can't promise that you'll come back... and I don't want to make empty promises. I hate that, you know I do. I'm not the type of person to wait around for their heart to break, I actively try to prevent that shit! But here I am, on the verge of breaking every rule I have and telling you an empty promise; telling you that I can sit here and wait for you to die. Do you know what that's gunna do to me? What if I wake up one day, thinking as the hours go by 'oh, what if he comes back today?' Only to switch on the news and see your face. Do you have any idea how messed up I'd be?!?!" Larry shouted through broken sobs. Hearing him yell made me tear up, and I started to slowly realize the severity of the situation.

On one hand I'm saving the world- on the other, I'm destroying my own world. It's falling apart right in front of me and I... I'm still just talking like everything is going to be ok..

"Larry that's not going to happen. The devours of god aren't invincible, we know this already because we've seen them die. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing it again, but you know what I'm trying to say. Winning this war isn't going to be a peace of cake; but it is possible." I stood my ground, trying to sound confident and reassuring.

"You don't fucking know that!! We haven't faced Kenneth. For all you know I could be one of them! They have spies everywhere!! EVERYWHERE!! My dad was part of it, Meghan's parents got caught up in it, I wouldn't be surprised if Todd's parents drug dealer is part of it!" He shouted, hitting the door frame before glaring daggers in my direction.

"Well?"

"Well what?" He asked.

"Are you?" I replied, crossing my arms.

"Don't be unreasonable, babe.. of course I wouldn't be in cahoots with those fuckers.. they hurt you, Diane, hell they hurt Jim.." he clenched his fist as he spoke, recalling unpleasant memories. I gently cupped his face and his harsh expression softened.

"I know. I just... have to do this." He nodded sadly. "I love you. I'll see you on the side.." I stated, letting my hand slide off of his face as I stepped away from him. He watched as I walked towards my house, and I only let out a soft breath as I heard him close the door. A soft cry escaped my already quivering lips as I approached my door and slid the keys in.

I hope I'm not making a mistake...

...

I was up until about three in the morning, listening to the soft scratching of whatever was in the closet. That's when I heard my door softly creek open and s figure stepped inside. I acted like I was asleep, panicking as they stared talking. It was.. Brendan.

"I really liked you, Sal. You were one of the good ones... shame you chose the wrong path to take. Serene did, and look what happened to her.. she struggled, she really did. She even called for Larry, and most surprisingly, for you. When she stopped moving, I didn't feel remorse- I did what I needed to. Just like I'm going to do what I need to now... I'm sorry. I really am." Brendan spoke in a hoarse voice, almost as if he had been crying.

I felt him grab my arm and press something... sharp against it. That's when I squirmed and kicked, then I heard him drop the knife and took that as my chance to attack. I went to grab the pocket knife I kept on my table only to discover it was missing.

"Looking for this?" Brendan hissed, and I felt a sharp pain dog into my calf and twist around. I let out a cry of pain, kicking out at him. I heard a thump and a groan of pain, then turned to see Brendan on the floor. He slowly stood up as I pried the knife from my leg, and lunges towards me.

"I don't want to hurt you, Brendan! You don't have to do this!" I shouted as he grabbed me by the collar of my T-shirt.

"Ohhhh, but I do! Don't worry, birdie.. it'll be over quick.." he trailed his hands up to my neck as he spoke, digging his foot into my calf. I shouted again and he squeezed his hands around my throat as hard as he could. My mind felt fuzzy, and I couldn't think straight anymore. With the last glimmer of hope quickly slipping away, I took a chance and drove the dislodged pocket knife into his side.

He softened his grip enough for me to wiggle out from under him, and I drove the knife into his back. He yelped and flattened himself against the bed, giving me the chance to slam the knife down into his back again.. and.. again.

And again.

One after another.

He was still breathing as he rolled over, letting out a shallow breath as he gripped my wrist.

"Got... you.." he mumbled, waving his original knife around in front of my face before quickly stabbing me in the chest. It wasn't deep, as he didn't have the strength to dig it in,  but it was deep enough to do some.. damage.

I stumbled back, tripping over my own feet. My ass made friends with the floor as I crashed down, exhausted, confused, sad, and in pain.

I sat there for what felt like forever, waiting for someone to finish me off.

But as Brendan's shallow breaths stopped and the entire room went silent, I realized that that wasn't going to happen. Though, that would've been a merciful outcome.

My vision began to swirl in and out as black specs rimmed the edges of it, until I finally collapsed; allowing the darkness to cloud my senses and plunge me into a restless sleep.