Beautiful beast

Chapter 4

CHRIS

I felt like I had just done the most despicable thing in the world- refusing to save Megan earlier because of the sight of a familiar face. I could have done something, regardless of the consequences, yet I just hid like a coward.

But I was angry, and the fumes on my face could possibly light a fire if left to linger. I held onto the steering wheel of my car as if my life depended on it. And perhaps I was simply using it to contain myrage. Deep down, I knew what to do.

I stepped out of the car and proceeded to stand in front of an old mansion, which was perfectly hidden behind a veil of foliage on the outskirts of the city. As I marched forward into the building, the view could be clearly seen as a mansion with many secret passages and hidden rooms.

Different men armed with weapons walked around the building, bowing in reference immediately they set their eyes on me. Yes, I commanded that much respect. Plus, my poise had a domineering effect on the men. I was treated like a highly esteemed boss. And stopping one of men authoritatively, I asked,

“Where is he?”.

With a head bent low, the man pointed in the direction of an inner room. I walked in unhindered, and soon enough, I stood behind a man whose hands were firmly tucked into his pockets.

“Father”, I called in an attempt to get his attention, feeling a rise of bile in return.

He turned to look at me, his amber hair glowing despite the state of the dimly lit room.

“Son? What are you doing here?”

“Why did you attack the Browns?” I questioned, determined not to give in to sentiments.

“Well, it's simple. They had gold in the house and I love gold”, my father, Patrick, answered with a scoff, turning to face Chris properly.

“I'm not going to take that for an answer”.

“Who are you to demand explanations from me? Besides, who told you about the operation we just carried out? Have you been snooping around?”

“I saw one of your men in the Browns’ home”.

“I don't understand you. What were you doing there?”

“You know about Megan, right? That's the girl I told you I'm in love with, Dad! You attacked my girlfriend's family and stole their gold”.

“I also spilled some blood”, Patrick added with an expression of indifference.

It sounded more like a bombshell to me, and I drew in a long, ragged breath, “You did what? Who did you kill?” my voice thundered, as I took long strides towards my father, seizing him by the collar. He shook me off, landing a smack on my face. As a result, I landed on the floor. It took a while for me to find my balance.

“Get a hold on yourself! How dare you disrespect me just because of an ordinary girl? Have you lost your mind?”

“I want to know who you killed, Dad!” my eyes were misty with tears already.

“Okay, fine! I didn’t kill anyone. It was just a simple shot on the leg to a girl who can’t keep her running mouth shut. You know how much I hate disrespect, and I won’t take that from you either. So, you had better get your acts together”.

I swallowed hard, panting heavily. But to an extent, I was relieved Megan was safe. Of course, I knew that the girl my father was referring to was Emily. She was the only one with a running mouth in the family. As her colleague, I knew her too well.

“Reverse the operation, Dad! Return the gold you stole” I said.

He laughed, sitting on the only sofa in the room. “Perhaps you have forgotten that the Full Moon syndicate is not mine. I only act according to the orders from the boss. The boss wanted the gold, hence the command! I don’t operate on my own, Chris. So, I cannot do what you are asking for”.

“If that is the case, let me speak to the boss”, I didn’t know where my confidence was coming from.

“Well, my son, you seem to be so forgetful. But I would assume that you are still shaken by the incident. Let me remind you that no one has ever seen the boss. Not even me. Again, I only receive orders”.

***

MEGAN

“It’s nothing, Megan. Just some stuff I need to sort out. It’s nothing serious, don’t worry about me, our plates are already full”, she said, trying to sound more convincing.

"Mum, are you sure? That was quite serious".

"It's nothing, sweetheart. I don't want you to worry about me. Everything will be fine".

Before I could say more words, Dad appeared. “Amanda, the doctor wants to see us”, he said and walked away.

Mum seized that opportunity to evade the obvious- the fact that she had just told a lie. It was then that I realized that I needed to clear my head. It was around 3am, and I decided to take a walk out of the hospital. Apart from the suspicions from my Mum’s attitude, the hospital scent was sickening. It was enough to drive me nuts.

I was still in shock at the turn of events, and as I took one step after another, I journeyed far absent-mindedly. Many questions tumbled over one another in my head but they were all attached to the robbery incident since that was more powerful than my mum’s strangeness. Everything happened so fast: a terrible dream about Chris leaving me, Emily’s admission into College, gold robbery, and now, a wounded sister who might be unable to walk properly again. Chris wasn’t taking my calls, and it only mounted my frustration, hence the long walk. I kept walking till my legs hit a big stone.

“Ouch”, I screamed and flinched, my eyebrows creased in pain. Then, I suddenly realized the unfamiliarity of my environment. I was surrounded by trees with a big mountain in front of me. How did I get here?

I searched my pockets for my phone only to remember that I had dropped it on the bedside table in Emily’s hospital ward. However, instead of being scared, I felt different. The refreshing air of the unfamiliar surroundings made me comfortable. I limped to the mountain side due to the pain I felt from hitting my leg. Finding a spot to sit down, I raised my head to look at the sky, grateful for the faint illumination from the moon.

The environment was still. Still enough to organize the haphazard thoughts swimming through my head. What if I had also been shot? I wouldn’t be here brooding on my hurt and resentment towards the unfortunate group of people who attacked my family.

I became livid with rage than earlier. The refreshing air around me shared in my anger as it became bloated with suppressed emotions. I never knew I could overthink to the extent of being consumed with the desire to take revenge.

“My family has just been ruined. We are never going to recover from this pain. I wish I can do something, become anything, just to torture the people who messed with my family. No one messes with my family and goes scot-free” I screamed.

The echo of my voice disturbed the serenity, and it lasted for a minute. It was instantly followed by a howl. It was a strange sound.