Eternal Vengeance (PART II of Death)
Story by Daisy

If death is only the beginning, then why does everything seem to come to an end?

Chapter One

          Howie’s mind raced as he drove away from the cemetery. His eyes clouded over with tears that threatened to fall. He couldn’t believe that Kevin was dead. Dead. What a horrible word. Such a final statement. Howie couldn’t even begin to imagine what Kevin’s last memories were about. He shook his head to clear the image of Kevin’s lifeless body lying in his own blood in the car…

          Howie had been the one to find him. He left the rehearsal early because he was supposed to go to a doctor’s appointment. He hadn’t been feeling very good lately and this was the soonest he could make the appointment. He walked in the parking lot, running now because he was late. The sudden screech of tires made his head turn and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shoe hanging out of what seemed to be Kevin’s car. He walked over to throw the shoe back in the car. He knew how Kevin was about losing his clothes. Instead, he found Kevin lying there with his chest gaping open, a horrific wound showing clearly.

          Without thinking, Howie jumped into the car and began to shake Kevin, thinking that possibly he might still be alive. He finally realized that he was dead when he noticed that Kevin’s usually penetrating green eyes were rolled in the back of his head. He ran back to the rehearsal, covered with blood. What a horrible memory that he would have to live with for the rest of his life.

          He turned into the familiar road that led to his home. He sat alone in his bedroom, reminiscing all the good times that he and Kevin had shared together. He rolled over on his stomach, buried his head in a pillow, and let the tears flow—tears that he had struggled to hide at the funeral.

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

          “Howie? Howie!” Howie rolled over, looking up into the face of his worried friend. “Where have you been the past few days?” Brian sat down on the bed next to him.

          Howie stared at the walls of his bedroom, turning his head from side to side soaking up his surroundings. He looked blankly as he stared, then stared blankly at Brian. The past few days had melted into one and become a blur. He didn’t know what was happening anymore.

          “Come on, buddy,” Brian said, pulling Howie up from the bed. “Let’s get you something to eat. I’m sure you haven’t moved in days.”

          Howie let Brian lead him into an unfamiliar kitchen that he somehow knew was his own. He sat limply at the bar, staring intently at his hands. Brian shoved a plate of food in front of him, causing Howie to slide his hands reluctantly to his lap. He stared at the food. It looked great but he just wasn’t hungry. How could he eat at a time like this? He stared up at Brian, his eyes shouting the question at him.

          “I know. I don’t have any appetite either.” Brian sighed and hopped onto the counter top. “He was my cousin, man. I loved him just as much as you did if not more.” Brian hung his head as silent tears began to slide down his handsome face.

          “You didn’t find him. You didn’t have to see what he looked like.” Howie’s voice was monotone but shot daggers at Brian’s heart. He hunched his shoulders over with obvious pain and Howie immediately regretted saying those words. “I’m sorry, Rok.” Brian shook his head, unable to speak for fear of sobbing instead.

          Uncomfortable with watching Brian mourn over his cousin, Howie reluctantly bit into the sandwich that Brian had made for him. His mouth instantaneously began to water and he wolfed the food down quickly. Brian looked down at him, smiling now.

          “Thanks for coming over, Bri.” Brian nodded. “So, what’s been going on for the past few days? How long have I been missing?”

          Howie watched Brian’s face contort in pain, then he quickly regained his composure. Howie’s brows turned down quizzically.

          “Well, I did want to talk to you about something…” Brian’s voice trailed off and he hopped off the counter. “You see, the police were asking us questions about where we were when Kevin was…” Brian’s voice caught in his throat but he managed to continue. “Was murdered. They questioned us for long, tedious hours. And…you see…there was a slight problem.”

          Howie’s eyes were staring directly into Brian’s. Brian turned his head away quickly. Howie’s heart began to race, knowing that what Brian said next could not be good.

          “What is it, Rok?”

          “Howie…” Brian ran a hand through his hair slowly, pulling at the ends. “Howie, they think you killed him.”

Chapter Two
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