Chapter 8

Chris stood before Sarah's grave. A small plot at the edge of an old cemetery. It had only been two days sense the death of his sister but it still didn't feel real.

Mikey walked up behind Chris and placed his hand on Chris's shoulder.

"Are you okay kid?" Mikey knew what the answer would be. All Chris had talked about the last few days was revenge.

"No. I'm not. It's dawned on me mike."

"What has?" Mikey watched Chris closely.

"I have killed so many people, I have seen so much blood shed. Yet not for a single moment did I think about the lives I had taken, the families waiting for their loved one to return." Chris trailed off. Mikey always knew Chris didn't think much of death. He figured the small boy that witnessed his parents death became desensitized to the concept of death itself.

"I held her in my arms mike. Her body was still warm, but her eyes... her eyes were lifeless."

"Chris.." Mikey wanted to say something. Something that would comfort Chris. Something that would make this easier for him. But there was nothing Mikey could say.

"Now, I wonder how many families I tore apart."

"Those people were not like your sister Chris. You can't confuse yourself."

"And how do you know that Mike? They were people that others disliked, that doesn't mean they deserved death..." this is what Mikey was worried about. Death has a funny way of changing someone's heart and clouding the mind. Mikey gritted his teeth. If he says one wrong thing Chris could give up complete or worse, blame Mikey.

"Maybe your right, but that doesn't bring them back, it doesn't change how things are now. What you need to focus on is getting bella-"

"Don't you dare say her name!" Chris yelled in a deep twisted tone. Mikey felt a chill run down his spine. Chris had never talked to Mikey like this before.

"You... you gave them my name Mike. The only reason I haven't killed you is because you were once my family." Chris didn't look at Mikey. His gaze was fixated on the headstone with his sister's name printed in bold letters. Mikey swallowed a lump in his throat. Chris was more then capable of killing Mikey within an instant. Mikey may have trained him but he was older now, tired and out of the fighting game.

"I didn't have a choice chris. You think I wanted to tell them!?" Chris thought for a moment. He knew directing his anger at Mikey was pointless, but if he had never gave them his name.. then maybe...

"They would've found out who you were regardless.. I'm not the only one that passes on information you know." Yes.. Chris knew that very well. He knew that if it wasn't Mikey it would have been someone else. Mikey only told them his name, it was Chris who made the mistake of letting them see his sister and niece.

"I'm sorry mike." Mikey sighed,

"It's okay kid, look we can-"

"No" Mikey was confused by Chris interrupting again. "Mike. You raised me, and that was more then I could ask for. But you need to leave. Now." Chris now turned to face Mikey. Mikey noticed Chris eyes, they pierced into mikeys very soul. Mikey took a step back, nervous as too what Chris will do next.

"L-Look, I can help chris..we can round up the guys.. we can go after them-"

"No, they have my niece. If I don't play by their rules they won't hesitate to kill her. I'm doing this alone." Chris's body language seemed threatening to Mikey. His fists were balled up and his muscles tensed.

"I will let you live and leave because of our past. But you'd do well to never show yourself in front of me again." Mikey relaxed himself. Chris was giving him a warning, a dire one at that. He wanted to help him but he understood all to well that he was the reason things escalated to this point.

"Alright Chris. I'll do as you asked." Mikey reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a black card, "here. It's my personal number. I know you hate me now, but if I could be of service to you at anytime don't hesitate to call. I owe you a life debt. I intend to repay that." Chris took mikeys card and Mikey turned to leave. Before he walked off to far he gave Chris a few last words. "Be safe kid." Chris nodded to Mike's words and watched him walk to his car. Chris sighed and stared at the card.

"A life debt huh?" He thought aloud. He knew what a life debt meant. A life for a life, and until it was paid that person owed you for the rest of their natural lives. Chris made a point to never owe someone such a debt. But he felt a bit of relief knowing Mikey was forever loyal until his debt was paid.

"There may come a time I really will need him..." Chris thought again out loud. He placed the card in his Jean pocket and turned his attention back to Sarah's grave. He leaned down a kissed the head stone.

"I'm sorry Sarah, I swear on this worthless life I will get Bella back." He stood back up. He pulled out the locket that had been in his jacket pocket. "I hope you don't mind sarah, but seeing you and bellas faces will keep me going." He placed the locket around his neck and tucked it under his black shirt.

"Now," he said pulling out his phone. His phone screen showed a text messaged with only a location written. This was the place he was to meet the men he would kill.

"I better be off, I have some blood to shed."