Chapter
2
Kevin’s point of view
In the darkness, I had collapsed only about ten metres away from
my father, without clear reason. I may not have been able to open my eyes, but
my mind was conscious and I had the soothing sensation of wind brushing off my
face, as if I was being dragged or pulled at high speed. After an eternity, the
breeze subsided and I found myself lying on a cold stone floor on my stomach.
Cautiously, I opened my eyes a chink.
My eyes barely adjusted to the dim light, coming from two burning
torches. I was lying in a hall of yellow, sandy stone with images depicted on
the walls. Strange creatures were shown, in battles, rituals and other major
events. But that aside, this place looked Egyptian. The giant, stone blocks,
the style of the drawings, the wall torches: they all looked like something out
of a book I’d glanced at in school.
I hoisted myself upright and rubbed my eyes in weariness.
“Richardson,” a deep, booming voice behind me called, echoing off
the walls of the hall.
I spun around, looking straight at another cloaked figure.
“You are worthy,” it claimed in its mysterious voice.
AJ’s point of view
All of the guys and me nervously began to leave the hospital.
Final details for the funeral had to be sorted out and forms had to be filled
in. Kristin couldn’t bring herself to do any of it; she was in such a state.
The whole incident was wearing away at us, eroding down our emotional strength.
The media were waiting, as usual. Always at the worst time: the
media summed up, that was.
They gathered around us. The security bodyguards helped us by
trying to fight a way through. Unfortunately, the sheer amount of reporters
meant it was inevitable that a few would get through to us. Two men ran up to
Howie, blurting out questions. Howie obviously felt trapped, enclosed and
beyond any normal reasoning.
In a flash, Howie let his emotions show, and his clenched fist
connected with the reporter’s face. There was a gasp followed by a moment’s
silence. The people gathered around us backed away to leave a clear circle.
“Get away from us, you vultures!” Howie yelled at them all, tears
falling down his face unchecked.
He quickly made his way towards the edge of the circle, willing to
literally fight his way out if he had to, but I stood in front of him to try
and reason with him.
“AJ, get out of my way!” he ordered.
“Howie, calm down,” I instructed.
“GET OUT OF THE WAY, YOU TATTOOED MISERY!!” he roared at me.
I grabbed his shoulders and shook him with as much force as I
could, “ Get a hold of yourself, Howie!”
He ripped out of my grasp and shoved me backwards. I regained my
balance only to find him attacking me; he punched and kicked in fury.
Anger now surged through me: he wasn’t listening to reason, so
he’d have to find out the hard way. I began to fight back.
I growled and retaliated. We were both being ruthless and
merciless, forgetting the fact we were supposed to be best friends. And the
entire world was watching us.
I aimed another punch at his chest but someone grabbed my hand and
grabbed me in a headlock. Howie grinned evilly and nearly took advantage of the
fact I was restrained before he was apprehended, as Brian ambushed him. I glared over my shoulder, seeing Nick there,
upset but disappointed in Howie and me.
Both of our companions dragged us off to the waiting van.
Brian’s point of view
In the van that was taking us home, Howie and AJ sat apart glaring
at each other. Nick was very disappointed in them both. He thought he’d be the
one to snap first, but Howie? Not even I expected Howie to lose control so
easily. But Nick didn’t say a word. He was the youngest, therefore felt he had
no right to act superior and berate them himself. Ten minutes of this hate
filled silence passed, before it became intolerable.
“Oh, grow up, you two!” I snapped at the two men.
Howie glared at me, “Shut up, Brian! Just shut up!”
“Don’t you dare, Howie!” I ordered. “You should control yourself!”
I turned to my sunshade-donning friend. “And you! You should have
known better than to fight back!”
“It was instinct! What would YOU do if he punched YOU in the
head?!” AJ retorted.
“All of you, will you just stop!” Nick pleaded through tears.
“Don’t you guys see? It’s been a week, and its already tearing us apart!!”
We all looked down shamefully. Lost in our own argument, we’d
ignored our youngest member. Nick wiped his eyes.
“Please, stop fighting! Stop turning on each other!” he begged. He
hugged his knees and wept onto them.
Guiltily, I walked up to my best friend. I hugged him tightly.
“Sorry, Nick. I’m sorry.” I chanted, resting my head on his
shoulder.
***
