Chapter 2 Two

Back at the house, Sage grunted as he was finally subdued and some of the men spilled out, to search for his sister. He grinned with his bloody teeth, satisfied that he was able to delay them enough for Lillian to escape. Whatever happens now, he doesn't really care.

It's a tough world out there but he knew she would survive. He hoped she would survive. She is kind, too kind but she is not weak, definitely not weak. He whispered a quick prayer on her behalf to anyone listening, that might be the last words he would ever utter anyway.

He was held up and dragged further into the room, a few feet away from his parents. His face was battered but he doesn't even seem bothered, the only expression on his face is that of triumph.

He looked around the room and was quick to figure out the real ones who held the power right now. They were two, dressed in the exact same way. They were the same height but the first man has his hair slicked back while the other one has on, a buzz-cut.

He heard his father call the one with slicked back hair as Clayton. The name wasn't familiar.

He was not familiar at all with the men. Not that he knows all his father's acquaintance but he does know a good amount of them as much as he made sure not get involved with his father's dark world.

He wasn't at all in support of his parent's activities but he was involved by default; being their child isn't exactly a benefit. He loathed everything about his father and his activities and that is why the man never really acknowledges him anymore since his son refused to be in support of their lifestyle.

"You've got a brave son, but it's such a shame." Clayton spoke for the first time, looking at Sage's father.

"What exactly do you want from me, Leo?" Sage's father asked.

The panicked expression on his face has disappeared all because in his mind, he believed that his daughter has escaped. As much as he would have wished that she got away with her brother, he was still glad that she at least made it out.

"I know you know exactly what we want." Leo, the other man with Buzz-cut spoke.

"Then leave my son out of this, he's not at all involved in everything I did." Sage's father said.

"He shares your traitorous blood, that's enough reason." Leo answered with a bored tone.

"Leave him out of this." Sage's father continued. "A life for a life."

Clayton, the other guy with slicked back hair, chuckled wickedly and took a few steps closer to the couple, before speaking.

"Unfortunately for you, My brother doesn't go by that rule. It's double lives for a life."

"And it's very stupid of you to assume that the life of either one of my parents equals one of yours. Wiping off your entire generation off the earth's surface is not enough as retribution." Leo seethed in anger and was walking menacingly towards the couples but halted due to the entrance of Oliver, who was holding Lillian by her right arm.

Sage's face paled as he stared at the scene in front of him, he almost burst into tears. He attempted to stand up but was held down firmly by two men. Oliver released Lillian's arm and she ran to her brother.

"Oh sage." She sobbed, examining his bloody face.

"I'm okay, I promise." He said.

"What's happening?" She asked the question she has been dying to ask the moment they walked into the men earlier.

"Everything will be fine." Sage assured.

And he wasn't just saying it in vain. In his mind, he already had a resolve that whatever has to be done, he will do it before allowing anyone to hurt his sister. Over his dead body, would he allow anyone to hurt her.

Lillian looked towards her parents and sobbed silently.

"Oliver, you bastard!" Sage's father called out in anger.

"Sorry boss. You went past your boundaries this time." Oliver said to him without remorse, bowed in the direction of Leo and Clayton, before making his exit.

Sage was processing. His brain already started making out who it was that his father really offended but he really prayed that it shouldn't be the one he's thinking. Because if it is, then the issue becomes more serious than he anticipated.

Just because Sage refuses to partake in his father's activities, doesn't mean he was completely oblivious. He sneaks around his father's office sometimes and find things he wasn't supposed to find.

"Double lives for a life, bastard. You took my parents away from me. And my sister is in a fucking coma." Leo said calmly before he reached out towards his back and in his hand was a gun. He walked towards Sage, who was still in a crouched position hugging his sister.

Sage quickly pushed Lilian behind him, hiding her from view with his body. Leo didn't hesitate to aim the gun directly at his head. Lillian was sobbing like a child holding Sage's left hand that he had extended behind himself.

Sage looked at his father, who stared back at him with regret and pain evident in his eyes.

"I told you this is how it was going to end." Sage said.

He faced Leo, looking bravely into his eyes while he held Lillian's hand in a tight grip. That was the only thing he was going to regret, not being strong enough to protect his sister.

Leo pulled the trigger and three different voices let out a scream of agony.