2

Knowing he couldn't put it off any longer, John made his way out to the car. It would take him half an hour to get to the old house from where he now lived. It was time to get it over with. The expressway was as crowded as ever. He cursed at a few cars as he drove past, not sure why he was in such a hurry.When John finally pulled into the drive way he was relieved to find that his brother James had yet to arrive. He still had a few things to do before he faced him anyways. Today was a big day for him, it was the day he promised himself he was going to stop being afraid of his past. The flat bed arrived to pick up his old car. He wouldn't need it anymore with the one that sat unused in his garage. Receipt in wallet, he fished around in his pocket for something he had been carrying around for a long time, a petite diamond ring, nestled in the velvet box. As he stared at it with a smile the old familiar voice spoke to him from behind."Hello brother," James growled with a smirk."James, I'm glad you're here. We have a lot to talk about." John said as he turned around, putting the ring back in his pocket."Let's do it over dinner. I had a long flight and I'm starved." James replied."That would be fine. Where would you like to go?" John asked."Wherever is closer. I don't care." James chuckled."Alright, off we go then." John replied as he headed for the garage.At the small sea food restaurant down the road James listened intently as John told him all about the woman he had secretly been in love with for the last five years. He could hardly believe his ears as John told him that he intended to marry the woman and return to the family estate to live out their life together. He tried hard to hide his distaste as he put on a false smile."Well, this calls for a celebration." James spoke carefully. "Let's get a bottle of whiskey and go out on the sailboat.""That sounds great brother. I'm glad you're being so supportive of me." John smiled as he drove them back to the house."How could I not want your happiness? You're my only brother after all." James replied.James raised the anchor as John powered up the little engine that would motor them out past the barrier and into the bay. They turned off the engine just off the coast and let the boat drift along with the waves. James took the wine bottle and two glasses and made his way to the bow of the boat. He stood next to the anchor wire and poured them both a glass. As John reached for his glass James moved swiftly with the bottle and smacked him in the side of his head. The glasses and bottle went overboard as James cursed, "You son of a bitch."John looked at his brother with shock and awe. However, James wasn't finished. He took his brothers head in his hands and smashed his face into the rail several times before throwing him back down on the deck."All that work," James growled as he bound his brother's hands to the anchor."All that waiting and all the planning and you were just going to throw it all away for what? A woman!" James laughed wildly."I'll let you in on a little secret brother. I did not kill our parents to watch you throw away their money to some two bit whore. The Prichard legacy is mine and you stole it from me." James howled."James, it was you?" John replied in a horrified daze."Yes it was John. And now, it's your turn to die." He replied with a grin.James didn't give his brother a chance to plead or beg. He lifted him up over the rail, anchor and all, casting him into the water. Then he leaned back and waited. Satisfied that enough time had passed, James took his pocket knife out, opened it up and placed the handle in his mouth. He then dove into the water and swam along the anchor line. He couldn't help but smile at the look of death was frozen upon his brother's face.James took the knife and cut John free from the anchor. He then returned to the surface and swam back to shore. He walked the length of the beach back toward the house and with a smug content, waited out the night.