3 bullets

"Two years back,Jan 21.Do you remember that day?"Jonathan asked as he coughed a little.

"How would I forget?.That was when you killed her"he said cluntching his fist.

"Then you should also remember,that I was the one who came to rescue when you and Esha were kidnapped."

"I do.But I wish you never did."Fredrick gritted.

At that time,Jonathan was in his 10th grade and Fredrick and Esha were in their 9 th grade.The two were so in love.Esha was someone who loved him for who he was.Even more than his own mother.She was someone who was very precious to him.

Though Fredrick was jealous of his big brother, he was still a good younger brother.When their parents went abroad,the two brothers were left alone in their house.But they never fought.They cared for each other.Even if their parents were showing partiality to the siblings,Jonathan never treated him like that.But all these changed on that one day.

"Brother.Someone has kidnapped Freddie and me.They say that if you come they will leave us"the crying sound of an innocent girl was heard from the other line.

"Where are you?"Jonathan stood from his study table.

A man snatched the phone from the girl and spoke"In the old mill.Come alone if you wanna see your brother alive"and the call ended.

Jonathan didn't think much beforehe did as he was asked.After all his brother was in danger.

He took only the gun,which his parents had given to him for protection.

"I am here let them go"he said to 40 something year old man.

The group of 6 men started laughing."How naive?You thought you will just leave you two?Do you know how much we could earn with the two of you?"one of the men said.

"Do as you said or I will shoot you"Jonathan said as he pulled out the gun.

The men burst into laughter again."Can you hold a gun little boy"

Jonathan pulled the trigger and shot the ceiling"It won't take long for me to aim it at you"he said in a serious tone.

"Big brother.Shoot them all"Fredrick and Esha were kneeling at the corner of the room."Release them"

One of the men went and untied Fredrick and Esha.The two walked towards Jonathan.

Just when Jonathan thought everything was under control,someone hit him from behind.He fell on the floor and the gun is hand slipped from his hand.

"Big brother protecting his younger brother.What a scene?"the man,who was their leader said.

"Tie the two"he ordered before grabbing Esha.

"Let her go"Fredrick yelled as he tried to escape from the person who was holding him.

But all of a sudden,there was firing.And the man behind them fell the ground,rolling in pain.

Jonathan managed to get the man's gun and shot him on his leg.He also shot two other men on the shoulder, who came to catch them.

Seeing that all his men were down,the leader headed towards the exit using Esha as a shield.

"Here.There are 3 more bullets left.Don't shoot.Just use it to get out.Okay.I will go get Esha"Jonathan said as he took his gun which had fallen earlier.

"But-"

"Do as I say"he ordered before he went to look for Esha.

Jonathan caught him before he left the building.But he was still using Esha as a bait to get away.

"Let her go.You are cornered.You have know where to go"Jonathan said pointing his gun.

"You are not the only one who has a gun here"the man said as he placed his gun against Esha's head.

"Don't make me shoot you Mister"Jonathan said again.

"Try your luck"the man laughed.

Jonathan pulled the trigger.Three firing sounds were heard continuosly.

"Stop it I know all this story"Fredrick was becoming more impatient.

"Of the three,two were from mine and one was from the gun that I gave you"Jonathan looked at his brother."I hope you know that too"

"Yes.Yes I do.I am the one who had to save her.Not you"he answered.

"Bullet 1 landed on his knee.2 on his shoulder and 3"Jonathan paused

"On her head"Fredrick completed.

The two then became silent.Sandriya and Elena froze hearing what the two brothers were saying.What type of childhood did they actually have?

"And that third bullet"Jonathan continued"was not from my gun.It was from yours."He finished.Everyone was stunned.

"No.No I don't believe you.What proof do you have?"Fredrick dropped the gun in his hand.He took a fewsteps back in fear.

"Will the forensic report be enough?"

Fredrick fell to the ground.

"I didn't want you to die of guilt thats why I never told you about the report.I never would have told you this,if you hadn't done the foolish things you did today"Jonathan slowly got up clutching his bleeding wound.He walked towards Fredrick as he took the gun from the ground.He pointed it at Fredrick.

"Jon what are you doing?"Sandriya was terrified.Was he gonna shoot his brother?

But Jonathan simply took all the bullets from the gun a threw them on the ground.

"Once you have finished processing all this,come home.I will buy you a new one okay.This one is very old.I will take it for my vintage collection"he said walking towards Sandriya.

"Come lets go.I don't think I can hold longer"

"Okay.Are we gonna just leave him like this?"She was concerned he might harm himself.

"He will be fine.Besides You know the way home don't you Freddie?"he asked loudly.

"I do.Big brother"Fredrick answered after a moments silent.Jonathan's lips curved upwards.It was almost 3 years since he called him that.

"I will stay with him"Elena said"Now that he doesn't have the gun,he can't harm me"

"Ha...even if he did,he won't harm you.He likes you.He was holding back because of Esha.Now that,thats over,I hope he will focus on life"Jonathan said as he and Sandriya continued to walk towards his car parked at the end of the woods.

Elena's cheek reddened.

"For once can't you concentrate on your life"Fredrick yelled.

Jonathan simply waved a bye without turning his back.The two then disappeared into the dark.

When they reached the car,Sandriya helped him lay down before she went to the driver's seat and started the engine.The car headed towards a nearby hospital.