Crazy II

*Him*

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

I looked over to Kevin from my spot on the couch. House arrest has been an absolute bore, but tension and anxiety were clear in the forefront of my mind.

It was clear to me that no matter what I did I would serve time. It was crippling to realize and I had fallen into a starving depression.

I shook my head, chewing on my lips.

“Has your lawyer said anything?”

I inhaled, leaning forward, “Just the same. I testify and I only get three years.”

His eyebrows shot up to his hair, “Honestly that’s not too bad.”

I looked at him and tilted my head, “Would you be angry with me if it were more?”

He frowned, “What do you mean?”

“If I served life?”

He looked around the living room, as if trying to find someone else to confirm how crazy I was being. But we were alone. Always alone. I was grateful that he decided to stay with me, and continued to live my last days of my freedom with me, even if I craved being near someone else.

I had a feeling I always would.

“Why would you serve life?”

I swallowed the thick lump in my throat and looked away from him. The blinds to the window were shut, so I had nothing to distract me.

The house smelled different. It no longer smelled like peaches, and it was no longer bright with her sunshine. The knowledge pained me and I ran my tongue through the inside of my cheek.

“He killed my brother, Kevin.”

My voice was thick and I was on the verge of crying. I couldn’t believe the thoughts that plagued my mind and the plans that had began to form.

I didn’t recognize myself.

“He touched her.”

“Kian,” He stood from his seat at the dining table.

His steps pounded against the floor before the couch dipped with his weight. He smelled like smoke and my mouth watered from the sudden craving for a cigarette. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.

She didn’t like it.

“You can’t actually be saying what I think you’re saying,” He whispered, angrily and fast.

“Why should he get to live, Kevin? Why him? Why not Kento? Why shouldn’t he pay?”

Jacob had taken the last part of my family. The last of my blood.

“Are you fucking crazy?”

I shrugged, “Yeah, I think so.”

Inesa has been my last tie to sanity. Though I hadn’t realized it until I let her go, until she stopped becoming the air I breathed.

Kevin shifted, his clothes rubbing against each other before his fist connected with my jaw.

“What the fuck?!” I cupped my cheek, blinking from the pain as I stood up and stepped away from him.

He shook his hand as he hissed, “I had to knock some fucking sense into you. Are you seriously thinking about killing him? Is it worth it? To throw your future away for him? For Jacob?”

“It’s not for Jacob. It’s for Kento.”

He scowled, pointing a finger at me, “You little fucker. You know that Kento wouldn’t want that. This is all for you and your twisted sense of justice.”

I clenched my jaw and looked away from him, blinking the tears away. It wasn’t just that. I knew killing him wouldn’t be a justice, but I needed to make sure Inesa was safe.

I couldn’t trust that Jacob wouldn’t hold a vendetta. Against me. Against her.

“What about Inesa? If you only serve three years, you can still be with her. You still have a future, Kian. Don’t fucking throw it away.”

“No.”

He didn’t understand.

“What do you mean “no”?”

I huffed, turning to look at him, “It doesn’t matter, she’ll go on and live her own life. She’ll go to college. She has to. She’s smart. She- she’ll shine there. And-and she’ll probably find someone else.”

Kevin grimaced, “That girl loves you.”

I chuckled, trying to hide the sob. But it came out anyway and I made a strangled noise.

“I know,” I whispered, my voice hoarse, “And that’s why I have to let her go. Because I love her too.”

He shook his head, sighing, “How are you even going to do it?”

I shook my head, “I don’t know. I haven’t even made up my mind yet.”

“Good. Think about it, because this is insane.”

He walked away, slamming shut the door to his room. My chest caved in from the pain and I let myself fall to the floor on my knees.

How had everything gotten so messed up?

It was her teary eyes that caught me. That trembling in her bottom lip that had me wanting to go to her rescue. I should have never spoken to her.

I flinched at the sound of a loud knock at the door. I considered ignoring it, but it came again. This time louder and faster.

“Kian!”

The voice was panicked and my eyes widened as I went to open the door. My heart beat faster when I saw who stood on the other side.

Rick looked at me with tears in his eyes and his hair a complete mess, “I need your help.”