Smoke And Smiles (A 2020 Jeff The Killer Story)

1

The Caito family was driving to their new home in Queens, New York.
Margret and Dave gushed over the promotion that allowed them to make this move while their two sons shared earbuds in the backseat.
The older and more cautious brother smiled softly at his younger and impulsive sibling sleeping slightly against the car window.
Liu sneakily took his phone and changed the music to a different playlist after having to hear the same things over and over again.
Jeff opened his eyes and looked towards Liu with a look of both surprise and annoyance.

"What are you doing?"
The younger sibling asked tiredly.
"I thought we could listen to something other than crust punk for the next thirty minutes."
Liu responded with a soft chuckle that eventually matched Jeff's smirk.
"Your the one whose phone is dead."
The blue eyed boy replied in a snarky but playful manner.
"Touché... but I'm older."
Liu pointed out as Jeff sat back against the car door once more.

As they pulled into the driveway of their suburban home, the family scanned the outside as Margret began to speak.
"Now boys, I want you both to listen to me very carefully. I know you don't want to hear this but it needs to be said. Since this a new town, that means a new life. No bullshit that will possibly get us in trouble, and no having fights or outbursts. Got it? We are leaving that behavior in Jersey."
She spoke with a harsh, authoritative tone that made Liu shiver in the slight fear that those things would happen regardless.
Jeff looked downward as his frustration started to rise in him again as though he expected this conversation. He felt Liu's hand rest softly on his shoulder.
Jeff looked at Liu who was smiling softly, unsure if it was out of assurance or fear.
Dave gave Jeff a harsh look in the rearview which made his frustration turn into humiliation.
"Jeffrey, do you understand what your mother is saying?"
He asked in a commanding tone.
"Yes sir."
He agreed, hiding his agitation.

"I miss Camden already."
Liu sighed softly as him and Jeff placed boxes in an empty bedroom that would soon be one of theirs.
One step into the new place was enough to make him feel homesick.
"I just don't understand why they're so happy about leaving everything behind like this... it's a new state, not a new life."
Jeff responded in apathy over the ordeal.
"Yeah... but knowing them, they like to pretend we're a perfect family."
Liu revealed as he pulled room decor out of a box.
"I guess this room is mine!"
He added, looking at one of his old posters.
Jeff suddenly felt his body start to shake, his vision fuzzed and a gradual ringing sounded in his head. He began to breathe heavily in anger.
"No..."
He muttered to himself, knowing that he was about to black out.
"Jeff?"
Liu called out in concern and stood to his feet.
"Not this shit again.."
Jeff grunted as the ringing grew louder, making his skull pound with every second.
He started to see thick red liquid flow down the white painted walls around him.
He stared up indifferently at the blood trickling down, it didn't scare him like it used to.
"Hey... bro, you alright?"
Liu asked as he carefully started to rub his little brother's back, Jeff started to regain focus.
"I'm okay now... thank you."
He sighed, moving his black hair away from his eyes.
"No problem.. you know I'm here for you."
Liu smiled softly in hopes of comforting him, which was successful most of the time.
"Y-yeah... you too."
Jeff stammered as he started to catch his breath and his vision cleared.
"What were you looking at?"
Liu asked in concern, Jeff just shrugged in dismissal.
"It was nothing."

After they were done unpacking and picking rooms, the family sat at the table to enjoy their first dinner in their new home.
Liu stared down at the toast on his plate that was covered with seasoned vegetables. His mind began to wander, wondering if they would survive at their new school and home.
Thinking of all the possible negative outcomes made his stomach turn.
Him and Jeff didn't know what to say and frankly didn't want to say the wrong thing, they looked softly at each other.
"We're gonna be okay..."
Jeff whispered to his uneasy older brother in reassurance even though he was just as unsure as he was.
He was convinced that New York wouldn't change anything but he didn't want to upset anyone by saying it aloud.
Liu wrapped his arm around him and smiled hesitantly,
"I want to believe that.."
He muttered.
"So we already enrolled you both in Bayside High School and you start next Monday! I'm sure you guys are excited to meet new friends."
Their mother exclaimed, trying to bring a welcoming conversation to the table.
The two boys looked up hesitantly, trying to find words to respond with.
All they could think about was their life back in New Jersey and how sudden this change of pace was.
Jeff didn't miss all of it as much as Liu did. The one thing he couldn't stop thinking about though was Abner's Weaponry, the shop that they lived near for years.
Him and Liu loved going over there to talk with the owners, Mrs and Mr.Abner, who always seemed to be in a good mood. They were the only adults close to them that they felt relaxed around.
Not to mention that Jeff would always add onto his knife collection when they went there.

"Yeah, I guess so."
The brunette brother finally spoke up trying to sound at least a bit enthusiastic.
"Come on, I know this move is a bit fast.
But, I think it will be good for us to start anew. Plus, there are new opportunities.
You guys once said you wanted to see Manhatten right?"
She asked as Jeff lifted his head slightly.
"Yes, we do but we still have to adjust to this place... after that, we'll be okay."
Liu replied back a bit shakily as his brother nodded in agreement.
"I'm sure you will. This will eventually feel like the home it is."
Dave added on.
"Yeah.. a home."
Jeff mumbled as he finished his food.