Chapter 7: Madness

Stripping the form from the envelope, the twins had their hearts in their mouths. The scent of the exquisite ink used in the document filled the air, as it briefly brought a restraint to the tension already building up within them.

Ever since the strange illness consumed their mother and left her restricted to the four bleak walls of a hospital ward, letters never seemed to carry any spirits of optimism and joy. The Goodends were perpetually being carefully observed under the watchful eyes of schemers and opportunists with shady motives. Like vultures, they circled around them and patiently waited for the hurt family to completely fall apart. Letters, thus, carrying a proposal for a joint investment in rubber plantations or even application forms for subsidised healthcare, were promptly disregarded and chucked away. Pain, seemingly, numbed their senses and blinded them. This painful process brought out the best of their suspicious natures, and with which they safe guarded the welfare of the falling household.

This letter, however, was different.

It was a hand written letter from the provincial authorities. It was the first they have ever encountered. The future as it seems was to be decided on this one form.

Reading it took a lifetime, accepting it took eternity. It seemed as if their lives were being taken away from them. They faced this impending Armageddon on their own, unable to communicate with a drunk of a father.  Dark clouds loomed over their heads as they waited for the day to come. The day of reckoning, the day their lives took a drastic change.

Then it came, like a wave, and swept them away.

It happened so quickly and suddenly. Five well dressed men, carrying a stack of bills, were ushered into the Goodend household. Taking it in their stride, Romulus and Remus took it in their stride and tried their very best to be the men of the household, though their age defined and confirmed their lack of maturity.

'Mr Romulus and Mr Remus Goodend?' The first man in the smart attire looked up and asked.

'That be us.' Replied the twins in unison.

Evidence of their disbelief was clearly reflected through raised eyebrows and jaws left hanging.

'Well..we would have you two lads know that your home is under mortgage due to the financial debt owed to the county. As such, the ownership and contents of this house is now under the full jurisdiction of the governing body.'

The words, uttered in clear articulation, delivered the final blow to the boys. They watched helplessly as the clergymen started declaring everything available in the house up for sale. Romulus, upon full realisation of the dire circumstances that his entire household were in, simply could not help but sob tears of bitterness.

'Ah! Whats this!' A clergyman with an eye for great value had exclaimed.

To the horror of the young men, they watched as there in his hand held a locket of pure gold, with its edges adorned with precious stones. Though dusty and rather dirty, the sapphires glistened in the scorching hot summer sun. Opening the locket revealed a photo of a young couple. They were so happy, so truly in love. He sniggered and gave a slight chuckle, as if to ridicule the current predicament that the Goodend's were in.

The crooked man then stealthily dropped it into his side pocket of his blazer. A smile quickly formed on his face as he pondered on the true value of the token of love. Remus, all the while sitting quietly at the corner of the corridor, got up abruptly.

Suddenly, in an act of sheer madness, he charged like a bull towards the man.

Pinning him down, he grabbed the startled man by his collar and shouted with such rage that the house reverberated with his roar.

'That is not yours to take!'

The others were taken aback. Even poor Romulus, was left stunned at the sudden course of actions that his brother had taken.

Recovering from the shock, the man got up and pulled Remus up to his feet. He promptly hit his jaw with a strong right cross. The sudden violence that had erupted worked up the other men and soon they formed a ring around the two. Remus was obviously no match for the well-built clergymen and soon his words were gargled with blood. Just as they were about to clash again, the sound of footsteps brought a sudden hush over the whole boisterous atmosphere. Romulus looked up and behold, someone was descending the stairs.

[!] Update

Hello readers,

Firstly, Im sorry for the massive delay in material release. I've decided that the plot requires some extra touch-ups and also improvement is needed on my part in writing out the story that unfolds. Furthermore, the constant worry of my O Level results hindered efforts severely. I continue to thank and request for your support!

Next, I'm also glad to announce that I'll be taking on a project to write a romance novel. It is my first time and I am excited! Do stay tuned for more details regarding this other upcoming project.

Lastly, I would also like to wish all readers here, albeit a late one, a Happy New Year. Let's live each day as if it was our last and not have any regrets.

P.S Its a promise to you that Chapter 7 WILL be out this week!

Regards!
Jethro