ASHES: 12

 Inside his car, Lucas looked at the large Victorian family home and grimaced. He didn't want to go in. Especially since this was all Jake's plan. He had dismissed him from work and now forced him to come for a 'family meal'. He knew he was walking into a trap. He could literally feel it as he walked in and headed to the family room. 'Maybe I'll give them one last chance' he thought as he stepped in the room.

Five pairs of eyes set upon him. The pressure they released was strong enough to break a man's will but he didn't cower. Inside the room were his parents, his brother Jake and his fiancée Angela and Melanie. Hot anger rushed up the back of his throat the moment he saw her but he pushed it down ' Not now' he said to himself.

After exchanging pleasantries, his mother, Rosanna, stood up and came to him. She hugged him then asked him," What do you want to eat today dear? Its been a long time since I last cooked for you," she said a bit too cheerfully. "I'll help you," Melanie chimed in, " I want to cook for him too." "That's a great idea come on lets go you too Angie come along", said his mother as the three women went to the kitchen

'Couldn't you have made it a bit less obvious' Lucas thought angrily but kept a poker face. As soon as the door closed, the room changed. 'Here we go' he thought, trying his best to hide his smile. From the moment Jake had called him and told him about a family dinner, he knew it was a trap. The whole thing had been set up to lure him in since this was the only place where he'd let his guard down. Unfortunately this time, he was going to find out just what exactly they do to him and why they seem so anxious about the letter.

 For a moment no one spoke. Then his father Allan Decker lit a cigarette. With eyes a similar color to his youngest sin's, Allan Decker was a proud man. He was tall and well built which was surprising for his age. He was once a prolific athlete in his younger days which probably helped him maintain a well thought out and perhaps disciplined life. However, he also did something to his youngest son whenever he came home. Something wrong in all sorts of ways. Did he like it? At first, he didn't, but as the money trickled in and his wife became happy, he continued. Then greed took over and, he could not remember the last time he loved his second son. Did he?

The cigarette smelt good. Too good. 'Oh its about to start. Well let's play along now' Lucas thought as he pretended to stagger and grabbed on to a seat. Allan smiled. Jake almost laughed out loud but stopped himself. "I think he's ready Jay," his father said in a deep voice. Jake nodded and then went closer to Lucas. "You ok bro",? he asked.

Lucas decided to play along. "Myyyyy hheeaaddddd ffeeelllsss heavy," he slurred and held his head. Jake smiled than began asking a series of basic questions. This was done to ensure that the level of intoxication was deep and strong enough to withstand interrogation. 

Satisfied, Jake sat directly in font of his brother and, with his voice getting a few octanes lower, he asked again. This time more specific." Where are you now Lucas"? he asked trying to see whether he was well under hypnosis."Iiiiiii ammmmm attttttttt hoooooome," Lucas replied. Jake smiled and told his father, " He's all yours" he said. 

 * * *

Lucas was driving maniacally. As if there were people chasing him. Everything had been fine until his father spoke. He didn't remember what any of them said but there was one thing he was completely sure of, revenge. He was going to make them pay for everything that they have done to him. He drove on in rage as tears fell down his face. This wasn't family. Family are people whom you share close bond and look for when you're in danger. 

However, for Lucas, that was no family. Family doesn't put you in hypnosis, extract all the information they need, and have your fiancée take advantage of you in every possible way. Those were monsters walking on two legs. No matter what it took he will have his revenge on them and this time, he won't stop for anybody. Everyone was fair game.