a short story

Picato Caine

The characters and events portrayed in this story are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author. All rights reserved

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I remember everything: the night, the plan and the kiss. Everything was unexpected. Who wouldnt thought that a douche bag like me would get a score to a pretty, innocent girl like her? She was gorgeous, honest and amazing while I was the opposite. The night was young. The evening sky was dazzling with stars from the heavens. The clouds were imperceptible in vision. The breeze was calm and the humidity was not that damp. It was the perfect night for victory, the night of a new spark. Man, hooking up with this gi rl would be the greatest thing ever. Next week shes going to be bullied by your goons, be miserable and youre gonna be awesome. Tyler, my best friend, said while pulling my Bugatti to a stop at the parking lot of Ricardos Pizzeria. Tonight was the night that I would get my long awaited prize, my membership to an exclusive fraternity and I doubted about it. Tyler I dont want to do this. This is freakin insane. I removed my seat belt and messed up my waxed hair. I was sporting my favorite vintage, camouflage jacket and faded Levis jeans. Id never thought that this would end up this way. That I would set her up to be tortured and molested by a bunch of drunken freaks. The way that I would care for a stranger, but as the weeks burned to an end, Id noticed that shes special. This was too much for her. All the good times wasted for this evening. Do it for us, do it for the brotherhood. Marley is just a doll, Hale. Play with her. Shes not a toy, man. Shes more than that! I protested as I opened the side door. Marley is not like those bitches that I used to date. She doesnt wear too much make up or short skinny skirts. Shes not dumb at all but unexpectedly, I lured her into this booby trap and she was about to pay the consequence.

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So shes something special. So much of this love fiasco Yada, Yada, Yada, Rodrick wants us in order to strengthen his alliance. He wants you cause youre the son of the former alpha. Tyler sounded like a retarded jackass and I dont want the sound of that. Thats it! Im quitting this stupid game, I reached out to my car keys and plotted an escape. But man, you cant. Tyler uttered while he sent out a signal from his beeper. I cant believe youre letting me down, man. I thought you were my friend, I started my first step to the pizzeria. I needed to rescue Marley before they get their hands on her saving her was my main objective. I was, a minute ago. And then it all happened. The fraternity showed up all in their dark leather jackets. The boss, Rodrick appeared wearing an all-black suit, gently hitting a baseball bat to his palm. As I saw them, I thought it was going to get messy. I then dropped my own beeper and ran to the pizzeria facing the fear. My aim was to get her home safely. This commotion was not about her, it was about me. Settling it alone was the best thing to do. I then saw her. She was gorgeous as always. She dressed herself up in white jeans and a corral toned top. Her long black hair styled perfectly and her brown eyes were dazzling with surprise as she saw me. Cmon Babe, we have company. I said as I pulled her from her seat. She was startled by my actions, filling my mind with questions to be answered but I refused to answer them all. Whats happening here? Whats going on? Im getting you home. I want you to be safe. We rapidly ran, exiting from the pizzeria. I parked my dads Volkswagen a few meters away for an escape plan. I hoped that this would turn out according to my plan. Get in. I ordered but she was whining about the sudde n change of plans. Im not getting in until you explain whats happening,

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Marley, the fraternity is following us. Their problem, they want me. Now, get in. I opened the side door and gently pushed her in, taking her seat. I took my seat as well, igniting the car to life. I looked at the side mirror and noticed that they were coming. The gang was in their motorcycles and sedans. The lack of street lights was kind of disturbing. Distinguishing the road with only the headlights was hard. The tires screeched as we spin around to face north, accelerating too fast in order to lose those stags. Sudden gunshots were perceived by our range and Marley was crying. Her moans were seizing the situation. Hale can you please tell me what this is about? she cried out . Her brown eyes were filled with tears and its a pity to see a girl cry like that. Babe, listen to me. All they want is me. Were gonna settle this and everything will be fine. Why are a bunch of guys following you? What do they want? Let me understand, I was the one who brought you here. They asked me to date and make your

life miserable but I refuse it. You made me realize things that I dont deserve and I dont wanna lose that. I cant lose you. And there was it. I said it all to her. A douche b ag confessed it all. I was confessing my love for her (very clich, right?) and sweating out every drop of fluids out from my body. She was speechless and I dont blame her. I took a sharp right, racing forward, blowing through several stop signs without a pause. The road was all ours. No sudden cars were appearing along the way, thinking that wed lost them. After a while, we came out to a gasoline station a few blocks away from her house. I pulled the car to a break. I went out, unlocking her door. She left the car anxiously. Go home, youre safe there. Lock all the doors just in case. Everything will be all right by morning. I reached her cold hand and gave her a handkerchief, the word Paradise was embroidered in it. We were looking at each others eyes . Her eyes were still slightly red. I love you, she whispered as she gave me a kiss. I felt my heart beating like a stunted drum. I gasped for air to pacify my senses but the sweet scent from her hair

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soothed me instead. I shifted to hold her closer. I was feeling her tears as our faces converged. I removed from our contact and softly held her beautiful face. Its gonna be alright. Promise Im coming back.

I halted for a stop at the fraternity's hideout. I took a deep breath as I prayed for myself. The whole experience was terrifying. I was wondering: would I ever see another sun

rise? My heart was beating like it was malfunctioning but I was not giving up. Never It was
now or never. The place was filled with the scent of gunpowder in the atmosphere. I entered the hideout with a pinch of hope in my chest and a pistol on my hands. The pistol belonged to my deceased father, the reason why Im connected to this bullshit. I may have inherited his fate but I respect that. He raised me to be who I am. Sean Hale Carter, the successor of the Great Terius, the utmost supreme of the Rocafelemos. What a disgrace to the frat, and Rodrick appeared behind the dark shadows of fear. He was still wearing the suit, still holding a baseball bat and still looking like an asshole. I give up. Im ready to take on the consequences just leave her alone. My voice was croaky but full of bravery. I would take it for a girl who changed me, who changed the perspective of my life. You coward, Lemme ask you Hale. How fun it was to lure a prey in a trap, letting her inside your circle and make out with her? Let me remind you, youre the predator here. Shes the prey. Her father killed your father so revenge is reasonable. Dumping her eventually is the cherry on top, torturing and mistreating her later on are the sprinkles. Terius deserves justice and I know you wanted it. Avenging the king was your mission. Letting you in was an obligation to your fathers name. We bow down to his greatness and youre sabotaging it. Just play the game, son and dont make things complicated. I noticed that he was moving closer as he delivered his speech. He tossed the bat out from his reach and pulled out a revolver from his pocket. Likewise, I pulled out my gun, pointing it at him.

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Oh, I see youre using Terius gun. How ironic, isnt it? He started his soft laughter, loudening to a boisterous one as he placed his index finger at the trigger, aiming it at my direction as well. Can you accept the fact that forgiveness can be the key, the key to op en a new beginning? Its not Marleys fault if her father murdered Terius. Jacobsen was in the NBI. It was his job to do it. Hes long gone and it looks like you killed him. I know he was the one who cut Terius strings, leaving me in your custody. But I p refer to change things. This was my mission, right? Screw my membership if you dont agree but Im saving her. Shes out of the picture. After a second, I gasped for air filling my lungs. I felt the adrenaline rushing through my stream as I sustained to target him. I saw a strange smile curling up on his face. a sacrifice for young love? How pathetic! If I cant have you then youll be worthless. I pity you dont inherited Terius guts. I might as well kill you. Say hi to your father and to the Jacobsens for me, He reached out a piece of clothing from his pocket. I was not mistaken, the piece of wool was covered with blood stains and a visible word can be seen embroidered on it. Paradise, You know, killing him was easy but she was a bit tricky. Seal ing it with a kiss, how pitiful on your part? He straightened his aim and so did I. I moved my torso a few degrees, slowly pulling the trigger. But unfortunately the bad movie ended and my screen turned to black.

I thought about many things. I thought about dying. I thought about letting go and be with her. I thought Id saved her. I thought I was the hero, her hero. I thought about the alternate endings.

What if I had continue the plan? What if I had played the game according to its rules?

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What if Im not the son of Terius? What if I was the one who killed him? What if I didnt leave the pizzeria? What if shes alive? What if shes the hero, my hero?
I hoped I had the guts to kill Rodrick. He was surely a douche bag. The dirtiest douche bag Id ever met. I imagined my life, my mirror slowly cracking from its frame. I tried to envision the faces of all the special people in my life. Blythe, my mom; Terius and my grandparents; Tyler and my friends at school; some people in our neighborhood; and Marley but somehow, they were a bit foggy, like I dont know them. I thought that I was halfway the afterlife but I was feeling myself. My mind was spinning and surprisingly, I perceived it. I heard the puzzle pieces coming together to fix the cracks. The mirror was still shinning. My life was still living, breathing giving my heart its beating. I didnt know what was happening.

Is this hell? But this was the parallel of it. This is not the inferno of hell. This is the radiance of paradise.

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A YEAR LATER

The radiance of the sun lingered in my vision. The clouds were flowing like big cruisers in the sky. The sky was flaunting its azure shade. The birds were soaring like rockets, reaching for the stars, aiming to touch the heavens. I, myself, tried to do that. I used to reach my stars. I used to aim them but I just cant reach them, no matter how hard I tried. Giving up was the option but I didnt accept it. I believed that giving up means living in the darker side, isolating one from succeeding because of fear. Giving up was like the Game over in reality, better to restart it than to pull the plug. The warm shore and gust were inviting me to jump into the beach. The cool waves were running like a parade of gravity and a group of chaps were surfing them. The ladies were in their swimsuits, flaunting their respective figures. Kids were busy making sand castles and flying kites. It was the perfect day to enjoy the sun. If only

I can.
I see youre looking at the beach again. You want some fresh air, Hale? Blythe asked as she saw me looking out from the window. She was wearing a stained red apron on top of her grey blouse and jeans. Her long brown hair tied in a ponytail and wrinkles were seen below her chestnut eyes, preparing the kitchen table for lunch. Because of the incident, I failed to attend my graduation. I was stuck recovering from the grievances of it. After that, I got my diploma and decided to join my mother in the Philippines, together with her new husband, Jason. It wasnt bad living with them. Actually, I admired the place, its people and definitely the food. Blythe ensured her care, helping me to adapt this new way of living. I gave her a nod. She moved to my place, aiding to stir my wheel chair to the terrace. You know, you are a lucky young man, Hale. A year ago, Mr. Jacobsen found you. Without his efforts, you might have joined your dad. I was wrong trusting Rodrick. Wed even thought that Frank was the one who killed Terius. He saved you and Ill be forever

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grateful for his deed. Frank Jacobsen found me. He shot Rodrick after I got shot. Id even thought that Rodrick killed him. But Rodrick wounded me. The bullet entered behind my left shoulder blade, punctured a lung, and lodged in my spinal canal. Instantly, I was paralyzed. I was able to recover but unable to pick my foot when I regained my senses. serendipity was always on our side. I felt the refreshing saline air from the beach as it hit my face. He said that Rodrick was the one who killed Dad. He even saw everything, the reason why Rodrick tried to cut his strings as well. Blythe positioned the wheel chair to the right side of the terrace. Blythe continued. I was so fretted when I heard the news that the paramedics found Marley out cold. Theyd thought that her pulse was in the flat line when they found her at her room. Thank God shes now okay, I was speechless for a minute. All of a sudden, my tongue was tied. Blythe noticed this, changing the topic. So Hale now that youre paraplegic, Im expecting no more gun explosions in the house, okay? I hope the incident taught you a very valuable lesson your father might rise from the dead to join you in your mafia games. She laughed, feeling her diaphragm shake as it flowed through the wheelchair. Promise no more guns for me. I shrugged, glancing at the view. I wished I could walk again. I wished I could go back to Ohio, to rewind time and correct my mistakes. I wished to be with her. I wished to hold her talk to her sway with her and kiss her. She turned out to be the best thing I never had. Suddenly, the phone rang. Blythe went inside to answer it so I was alone in the terrace. The smell of paradise went through my system. The air was blowing strong, messing up my hair. The air brought that vibe of relaxation in my senses, feeling to stay in here forever. Blythe returned carrying the phone. She handled it to me and said. Its Tyler. He wants to talk to you. I received the phone and thanked her. She swung her fingers, signaling to resume her work in the kitchen. Its Hale. Talk to me, Hale! Hows my boy? Are the girls checking you out? I noticed that his voice was croaky. I guess

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Ty remember. My body is half alive. I cant even walk. So how do you expect me to mingle with them? Oh I always forget that. By the way pal, I just got my admission to NYU! Congratulations man! Im so proud of you, Thanks geez. Im so nervous. Dont be, theres a bunch of hot college girls in New York. Theyll entertain you. He laughed quietly. His soft gasps echoed in my e ar. Ye-yeah definitely, so have you decided what career are you taking? Im gonna be a writer, man. I see boredom helped you there. He continued his laughter. Absolutely, the late night readings made me so fascinated with literature. Well, I tried to read books during the whole healing process. John Greens The Fault in Our

Stars and Paper towns were my favorites. It had made me understand that life offers you
different kind of strings to play with it all depends on our part whether were go ing to tie or cut it. I paused for a second and the thought hit me. Ty I know this is off topic but how is she? I tried to forget her. I tried to move on but her face continued to linger in my memories. She was the one who helped me change. She was the one who gave me my clarity. Marley left Ohio two days ago. Wha-what? She left? Why? I heard soft footsteps, hitting the planks of the terrace. The sound was growing closer. I assumed that it was Blythe coming back to check me out. But surprising, i t wasnt. I placed the phone on my lap and glanced at the sky. The sun was at its peak, shining bright like an enormous egg. I breathed in. The sweet scent of roses

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intertwined with the salty air. I felt a different presence in the in the place. The presence made my heart skip a beat. I thought you were coming back. said by the voice that I refused to forget. I turned my wheelchair around to face the company. The dark curls underneath a lilac sunhat and dazzling coffee almond eyes of a divine creature met my gaze. Her presence made my head doubt that it was a hallucination, that it was part of a memory. She shifted closer, flaunting a sunny dress. I remained still in my position. I was but my feet got tired and now they are asleep. After saying it, I scolded myself. I sounded like my old self again a douche bag. I heard her sweet chuckles though, so I guess she was buying it. She dropped her hat and embraced me like a fat teddy bear. I perceived her gasps and felt her drooling tears as she continued to hold me. The scent of roses grew stronger, shifting my hands to release the phone to clasp her tighter. I was so worried. She said, looking at my eyes. No more guns just roses. I swore to her. She continued her chuckles and held my face, filling the vacant part of a paradise, my paradise

Love.

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