Yvonne and I decided not to attend the funerals for Douglass, Evangeline, Amelia, and Candace (which was planned as a joint service by my great-aunts and great-uncles and their families), mainly because there was too much bad blood between us and them. But I mainly decided not to attend since I knew that those relatives would accuse me of putting a curse on the deceased after they visited or trying to gain a part of the family inheritance. In either case, I knew that I wouldn't be welcomed with open arms. Besides, the funeral was held on the same day that I had another swim meet to attend (Oliver and I led the men's diving team to championships and helped the men's swim team get a spot for the championships by being part of the relay races), so I knew that I had to put all my energy into that.

Anyway, the next few days were relatively quiet as October gave way to November with the thrill of the Thanksgiving Day holiday season close at hand. Tests were given out nearly every day to make sure that the students were staying on top of their classes (which was fine by me since it gave me time to focus on my schooling). And as I was coming home from a long day of classes and swimming on Wednesday, I was called into the den by Taylor and his husband yet again and discovering an athletic police officer who looked as older and domineering as he was dressed in his uniform. "Oh, hi," I said. "Can I help you?"

"Demario, this is Officer Slater, one of your uncle Carl's former coworkers," Joel said as I took my seat. "And he mainly came to talk about your upbringing by your family and-"

"I know, how he hates my family for them mistreating me," I deduced. "Sorry, I guess you can say that I've been expecting these kind of visits since the last few times many people have voiced their distaste for my former blood family."

"All the same, young man, I felt like I owed you this visit since I needed to come see you," Officer Slater intoned, his voice deep and masculine. "Especially since I was the one who got the call about your suicide attempt that fateful day."

"Wait, what?"

The tanned, brunette officer nodded as he sat back in his chair, Noreen coming in to distribute mugs full of spiced cocoa. "Yes, Mr. Bader, I was the one who got the 911 call from your landlord's daughters when they discovered you. And I took this call personally since I lost my son to suicide not too long ago. But your uncle Carl only saw this as a hope that you were going to be  out of everyone's hair..."

***********************

FLASHBACK (The day of Demario's suicide attempt), Third-Person POV...

"Carl, I'm surprised and disgusted how you and your clan hasn't bothered to rally around the kid," Officer Slater said, his tone laced with contempt as he watched the older and obese older officer enjoy his umpteenth donut with some coffee. "From what I know already, your nephew is basically homeless no thanks to your late sister."

"It's been a long time coming, Slater," the dour-faced officer said in mid-chew, bits of donut flying out everywhere. "That boy should've been gone a long time ago if it wasn't for my momma vowing to disown us if Vivian aborted the kid. The only thing he was good for was being Vivi and Damon's maid, cook, whipping boy, and all that. They would've beaten him if they liked to, but they thought that mental and emotional abuse was twice as effective as beating him silly. And besides, Demarcus, De'Sean, Camilla, and Shauntay are the ones who should've been alive with their parents while that runt should've died beforehand."

"Don't you even care about the kid's future, Carl?" Slater asked, eyes narrowed in silts. "Would you be content if the kid hadn't been found in time enough and he was left for dead?"

"Hell yeah," Carl replied eagerly. "It's like Vivian would've been happy with her final wish being fulfilled. Of course, it would've been something if lightning had literally struck him down. And that might make our family happier. But suicide by poisoning still works."

Officer Robert Slater didn't like one word that was being said by a man who was twice as big as a barn and one jelly donut away from a heart attack. Making a mental note to talk to the police chief about a transfer, Slade took a deep breath and said one final sentence to describe his contempt for a dirty cop. "You mark my words, Carl. There's a special place in hell for your ilk, especially for your sister and her brood," he intoned. "Believe me when I say that you and the people who should've shown the kid love will soon pay for your sins."

Carl rolled his eyes before grabbing another jelly donut. "Please," he said. "When that day comes, I'll have a heart attack..."

******************

Demario's POV

"After that day, I put in my request for a transfer to a new department so I wouldn't have to see Carl Ingram or his family," Officer Slater went on. "My family and I have been keeping track of you, even more so after the shooting not too long ago. And I just felt like I had to say my peace about your former blood family and tell you that you deserved much better than the hand that you got dealt with."

I nodded. "Thank you, sir," I replied.

"Mr. Bader, your late mother and her family weren't too bright when it came to kids of your caliber," Officer Slater went on. "And the way that your family played favorites with your late siblings while treating you like a slave proved my point that they only wanted people that fit into their version of the American dream, your uncle and his family members included. It's sad to see kids like you get tossed to the side while others who danced their way though life get all the praises, getting to the head of the lines when they didn't deserve it. Son, you're meant to go far when everyone else says otherwise. Even with everything going on, I still imagine you coming out of the ashes like a phoenix. You deserved better, if it needs to be said again. And with you now in a better environment, my hope for you is to make a name for yourself and to break away from the past. It's not going to be easy, I know, but I wish nothing but the best for you."

His cell phone buzzed. He held up a finger to excuse himself as he stepped outside.

"Wow," I said finally.

"He meant every word, Demario," Taylor intoned, giving me a soft look. "The people who came before the officer knew that your late mother and her brood believed that they were rotten to the core. They knew you had suffered the longest thanks to Vivian, but were often threatened with blackmail if they interfered with her plans. She's paying for her sins in hell while you're still alive. Continue to keep fighting for your right to live, son."

We watched Officer Slater come back into the den, a look of seriousness in his eyes. "I just learned that Carl Bader and his wife were found dead," he intoned. "His daughters were the ones who had them executed by none other than-"

"Ryan and Theo," I said. "Have the girls been arrested?"

"They would've, if it weren't for them committing suicide. They also said that Peavey and Blake were planning their next kill, the girls of course before they died."

"This getting messed up," I said.

"It sure is," Joel said, coming to my side. "Demario, are you okay?"

I shook my head no. "Something tells me that this isn't over yet, not by a long shot."

Unfortunately, folks, his feelings will be validated once he and Oliver discover the next victim before they decide to pay a visit to the Peavey home in the next chapter. And this victim is going to be hitting a bit too close to home. Who is it, you ask? Read the next chapter and you'll find out!

Dedication: Avylinn and ceciliatan.

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