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

Chapter 6: Shadow

A fine liquid. Discovered during the era of the great Persians, it gradually fulfilled many of men's needs. Its importance has extended beyond its medical purposes to posing as a consumable painkiller, though the latter is but a perception of many in sorrow. And alcohol was to be Ethan's drug and companion.

Night after night, bottles were unloaded from the cellar. 'A fine spirit', Ethan would say to himself before drowning himself in the rich taste of the finely fermented product. The alcohol flowed smoothly down his throat and into his stomach. It burned. It hurt him. It reminded him of the predicament that his wife was going through alone in the hospital.

It carried on for 10 years.

By then, the two infants were already young, fine men. They rose from the ashes of their Father's fall from prominence to once again represent the towns best hope and source of joy. They were, however, completely different lads. Remus, was an academic, who did extremely well in school. Never once was he ever caught without a distinction in his studies. He was also a shrewd young thing who loved to broker many a deal on behalf of his friends. It was such fine profits that helped build a solid foundation for the larger boots he was to fill in time.

Romulus, well, was a talent of sorts as well. Never interested in the lessons and talk of a good education, he taught himself music. On many a school day, he would liven up the town hall with melodies that reflected his melancholy. However, his audience was only able to take from his fine playing, the joy and gladness that burst out from his wonderful playing. His eyes never failed to twinkle and his smile seemed to be etched for eternity and beyond.

Then one day a letter arrived.

[!] Merry Christmas: Wishes + Poem

Dear readers,

As we enter the 25th of December (in Singapore time) let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas. Its not just a holiday, but a day of remembrance and significance to a model of a great person. Give from the heart peeps!

Here's the poem I wrote last night:

Streets of snow,

faces that glow

Presents all wrapped, 

but is there a gap?

Lest we forget, 

the one true fact:

That a baby boy was brought to this Earth.

To love and respect.

To forgive and forget.

A toast to this day of feasts,

and let us be reminded to give

to say the least!

Hope its good! Thanks for the support over the last two months. Hope you guys have a great festive period ahead.

Merry Christmas!

Jethro.

Chapter 5: Titanic

'Get the doctor here right now!'

A chilling and desperate voice echoed through the town hospital. The fire from the kerosene lamps gave off an eerie glow that revealed parts of the dark and damp corridor.

'For Gods sake its an emergency!'

This time a door slammed open. A man, cloaked in white promptly rushed out. Sweat dripping and with parched lips he stared at the woman in the man's arms. More importantly, he noticed the extremely huge inflammation of her abdomen. With horror in his face, he shouted for nurse.

'Ethan...'

'I know! God damn it! Just do something!'

'I..but..'

'I'll take care of her now.' The nurse suddenly intervened.

She could feel the numbing and aching of his shoulders. The strain of every muscle. The tenseness and unrest within as his eyes refused to blink. Sweat dripped from his eyebrows and tears flowed freely from his eyes.

Ethan grabbed the collar of the man and nailed him to the wall. His grip, firm. His desperation, immeasurable.

'Save...her.'  He choked in between the sobs and whimpers.

'Is mummy going to be alright?' Little Remus uttered with a forlorn gaze at the woman being wheeled away on a stretcher.

'I hope so..' Romulus replied. His head hung low from the shock he received after seeing both his parents in such a state. Papa, was never the same again.

[UPDATE]

Recently, a friend of mine decided to do some artwork for the story.

Great art. Greater guy. Thanks Marcus!

Chapter 4: Additions

The world stood still in that instance. For as long as a second, or two, he saw straight into the thoughts of Amadeus. Through his fiery eyes, he sensed the shock, disbelief and surprisingly, the commitment of a man who had recently, too, just welcome a new member into his family. It wasn't actually a secret. Once again, the room was filled with boisterous cheers and generous applause.

'I must say, this is quite an honor.' Amadeus burst out, with a broad grin across his face.

'I must have startled you, but I do believe that you are more than just your weight in gold and property.' Ethan managed a weak smile.

The celebrations slowly died down and silence ruled over the streets once again. However, sitting on the front of the porch of the Goodend residence were two men, deep in talk. The end of a party, in this case, did not signal the end of a long-delayed conversation.

'Trust me. Your two boys will grow up faster than a blink of an eye!' the godfather exclaimed.

'By golly i hope not! Ahh, you've yet to tell me about her.' Ethan replied with his face towards his wife in the kitchen.

'Well, old friend, I think you need to tell me something too.' Amadeus whispered in a grave, sullen tone.

Ethan turned pale and a clanking of his goblet on the floor, turned the soft white snow into a pool of melting crimson.

'You've got to help me'

It was only around 2 in the morning did Mr Kelly leave the unsettling residence with a heavy heart. Thoughts shifted to his very own child. Though a man of responsibility, he wasn't sure if he was the right moral compass for such a task. His newly adopted family also lingered in his subconscious as he braved the blizzard that awaited him.