Chapter 4 Liam's hatred

"I hate her. I hate the Johnsons. I hate them all."

Each word dripped with seething anger, a corrosive poison that boiled beneath the surface of Liam Forbes' composed exterior. As he paced the dimly lit room, the faces of those he loathed flashed before him, but he couldn't shake the image of Elsa-the girl who once brought joy into his life, now a terrifying reminder of everything he had lost.

A rush of memories descended on him, chaotic and bright, as he was transported back to the innocence of his childhood. He could almost hear the laughter of a younger version of himself echoing in his mind-the boy who was madly in love with his best friend. They were inseparable, sharing secrets and dreams, running around the neighborhood with boundless energy. Back then, Elsa was everything to him-his confidante, his partner in adventure.

He remembered a particular summer day when they'd dared each other to sneak into a neighbor's yard. Excitement had bubbled as they clambered over the fence, only to be chased down by a pack of barking dogs. In a moment of unthinking bravery, Liam had pushed Elsa away, taking the brunt of the attack himself to save her. The dogs had sunk their teeth into his leg, and the fight and fear of that moment had faded into the background as Liam took all the blame when their parents found out. Even though it was Elsa's idea, he could never bear the thought of her getting into trouble.

But all those joyous days vanished in an instant when the argument erupted between their parents. Liam still felt the bile rise in his throat at the memory. He had been barely twelve, huddled in the corner of his living room, frozen in horror as his mother and father faced off against Mr. Johnson and his wife. The air had been thick with tension.

"I will destroy you and your family!"

The words had cut through him like a knife, and fear had settled like a stone in his stomach. He couldn't comprehend what brought such fury, but when Mr. Johnson had grabbed his father by the neck, rage had twisted the man's features into something monstrous. That was the day everything changed.

Days later, chaos had erupted in their home. His mother had rushed in, frantically packing his clothes, her face pale and wild, the shadow of fear lingering in her eyes. "Liam, we have to go. Now!" She sounded frantic, desperate, and it scared him more than he had ever been. He could still remember the way his father had rushed in, enveloping him in a tight embrace, his expression betraying a mix of protectiveness and terror.

"No matter what, do not trust anyone-not even your closest friend. The world is wicked."

Little Liam had nodded, but confusion clouded his mind. Just beyond the chaos, darkness loomed, threatening to consume everything. Tears had slipped down his cheeks as he clung to his dad, his heart racing with dread. He didn't fully understand what was happening, but he sensed it was serious.

A loud, relentless knock shattered the fragile moment, sending a shiver down Liam's spine. His father had looked toward the door, then back to them, before making a move to open it. "Stay here," he commanded, but his mother had grabbed his arm, eyes wide with panic.

"No! It's too dangerous!"

But Liam's father had brushed past her, opening the door ever so slightly. Moments later, he had heard the unmistakable sound of struggle, followed by a deafening gunshot that echoed through the air, rattling him to the core.

His mother's hand had quickly covered his mouth, and they both froze, paralyzed by fear as silent tears traced lines down their cheeks. Taking a deep breath, she had carefully maneuvered to peek through the crack in the door. Liam had joined her, heart pounding fervently in his chest, and his stomach dropped at the sight before him. His father lay lifeless on the ground, surrounded by shadowy figures, one of whom had a familiar posture-one he recognized all too well.

It can't be.

He wanted to believe it was another man, but the watch that reflected the dim light caught his eye. His father had gifted that watch to Mr. Johnson as a token of friendship.

Fear and betrayal coursed through him, twisting his insides as questions swirled in his mind. Why? How? What could possibly have led to this?

Before he could process the enormity of what he had witnessed, his mother had pulled him away from the door, urgency etched onto her face. They had fled through the window, the drop leaving him with a sprained ankle as pain shot up his leg. He opened his mouth to cry out, but the horror had stolen his voice; only silent tears could express the agony welling inside him.

His mother had hoisted him up, guiding him to the car as they prepared to escape the nightmare that had devoured their lives. Fear mingled with loss, a dull ache resonating deep within him. The realization that he would never see his father again stunned him into silence.

As they drove away, the world blurred outside the window, but not the memory of that day. Loss and betrayal coiled around his heart, hardening into a singular focus-a fire igniting within him that refused to be extinguished.

Liam's gaze darkened as reality settled back in, and once again, he felt that desire for revenge wash over him. He cursed the Johnsons, cursed Elsa, and cursed the world that had turned on him. No matter how much time passed, the wounds from that day remained fresh, and the need for justice consumed him whole.

This was only the beginning.