The Ring of Fire

The whole nation held a vigil for their beloved president, Mongali. Thousands of candles were lit along the major streets in the capital city. Flowers and cards wishing him well were flooding the front of the hospital and the President's House.

BUlldog was disgusted at the sight. The love and care these people were giving to his brother were annoying him. He relished them to himself. He was imagining them worshiping him.

"Master, we're here," his driver said that disturbed his sweet dream. When he opened his eyes, reality struck him. He wasn't the loved one, he wasn't the greatest, he wasn't their hero. He was just a sidekick kicked aside. His disgust and bitterness started eating him.

"Father, mother," he said, greeting his parents with a smile.

"How dare you put a smile on your face we are not even sure whether he's going to survive or not," his father thundered. Bulldog's smiled immediately vanished.

"Sometimes, I think you wanted your brother die," his mother added.

"What kind of brother are you?" his father condemned. Bulldog's inferiority turned to irritation. The man in a bulky physique started to crumble and cry like a child in front of his parents. "I am so disappointed in you. Since you were a child, you have disappointed me! Sometimes, I ask myself what horrendous thing did I do in the past to deserve a disappointing son like you!"

BUlldog had had enough. He snapped. He stood, towering over his parents. "So, no matter what I do, I am still a disappointment for you, is it? Even if I save the planet from its demise, that wouldn't be enough for you! Mongali will always be a good son and I will always be the evil son. Fine! Yeah... not a day passes that I don't wish my brother to die! Yes, I want him to die because if he does, you might see me as your son," Bulldog cried.

Then there was a phone call from the hospital. Bulldogs mother went hysterical upon receiving the news that his son is dead. "No! Tell me you're joking!" she screamed as her husband calmed her down. Bulldog ran to his bedroom upstairs and cried. But, it wasn't a tear of sorrow but of happiness. He screamed and banged every piece of furniture he had.

"Well done, Mevious! Thank you," he said gleefully in a controlled tone. he could still hear his mother wailing in the livingroom.

"No, thank you. I am just doing as promised," Mevious replied. The plan was to kill his brother to gain his trust. Besides, if the president was alive, he would have more problems to handle. Mevious realized that his father was right. Sacrifice the few for the sake of the many.

"Anyway, how was the mining?" Bulldog asked as he wiped his fake tears.

"All is good. You will have your share wired tonight in your Swiss account," Mevious informed. Bulldog jumped onto his bed and bounced like a child.

"Aren't you going with us to the hospital?" Bulldog's father yelled. "At least, pay your last respect for your brother. This is what you wanted, isn't it? Cherish it while you can," he mocked.

Mevious watched from afar as the president's family arrived at the hospital. People who were waiting were crying when they saw them. The death of the president wasn't announced publicly, and only his family knew about it. So, some people were still giving them good wishes and prayers.

His father and mother cried as they held the president's lifeless body covered in a white sheet. Bulldog held his dead brother's arm, which was still warm, and shed tons of crocodile tears in front of the hospital staff and his parents. He was wailing and beating himself, seemingly regretful of what happened to his brother.

"I love you, brother! You're my hero. How can you leave me like this?" he sobbed. "Can I look at his face one last time?"

The doctor lifted the sheet and revealed his brother's unrecognizable face from the impact of the explosion. He felt satisfaction. "Oh, it's real. It's finally happening," he thought as he cried.

His family chose to keep it a secret despite Bulldog's eagerness to reveal it to the public. His parents want to have a private funeral for their beloved son. They didn't want a media intrusion, but it was inevitable since their son is a public servant. So they decided on private mourning first that night before revealing it to the public the first thing the following day.

That night, Mevious met Bulldog near the mine. He said he wanted to talk to him before he went to the funeral. They remained inside the car will Bulldog's men on the watch.

"There's a big person coming tonight. He is a very important person, Mevious. I have to please him to gain his favor. You understand?" he said.

Mevious nodded. "Is he your boss?" he asked. His heart was beating so hard in anticipation that Bulldog might tell his name. But Bulldog was quiet and he looked at him in the eyes. Mevious felt that intimidating cold stare again. Then Bulldog took a deep breath and turned to him.

"I will tell you only because I trust you. If you do something funny, I know exactly where to find you," he muttered. "The person coming tonight to see the diamonds is the Devil himself!"

"What?" Mevious gulped. He couldn't believe that he would actually meet the person he had been looking for these past months.

"He will arrive here at midnight, so you must be ready. I would be at my brother's private wake so no one would suspect. I will do my acting, you do your job," Bulldog said before going out of the car.

Mevious waited patiently and anxiously at his little cottage near the mine. The time went slowly. Every time there was a car approaching, he jolted and peeked through the window.

Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok.

He checked his time. It's ten seconds to midnight.

Ten.

NIne.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

Brooooooom! A black car finally arrived. He went outside, ready to welcome the Devil. But, he wasn't prepared for what he was about to see.

His father!