At the Adamson/Thade/Turner residence, that afternoon...

"I don't like this," Ro'Niah said angrily as he, Chanel, LaVanna, and Kristen were in the middle of the family room as their parents and Jeremiah were sitting down on the sofa as plans to meet up at Coral Bay Diner were voided due to an inspection.

The rebels had seen the video that Jeremiah had sent to them and the feelings of shock, horror, and disgust were mutual for the teens. More so for Ro'Niah since he and his cousins knew that something was going on in Glenview Valley. "I don't like this one bit, y'all. That footage proves my point when I know for a fact that there was something going on in this town."

"This is why you guys have to work extra hard to get Ja'Marco out of this town," Kristen commented. "I know that he's a good kid and all, but even good kids like him can get corrupted by all the guys at GVA if he's not careful."

"And there's no telling who might be next if we're not careful," LaVanna pointed out. "I mean, anyone from our circles can be affected with little to no warning."

"Focus, children," Mr. Adamson said sternly before turning his attention to Jeremiah. "You said that Felicia gave you a journal that could provide some clues to what happened to the writer?"

Jeremiah nodded. "This was originally gifted to my nephew by the head maid at the Quitman house," he replied as he glanced at Elodie, the maid nodding in assent. "It belongs to someone known as S.G. Hedare, and he might be a close relative to Melinda's husband."

"We need to read some of those entries to see what we're dealing with," Kimani replied. "I mean, who can say what this S.G. dude was dealing with? Maybe there could be something that we can learn."

"True," Mr. Adamson replied as he took the journal from Jeremiah and opening to the page that was bookmarked. "Let's dive into this boy's life and see what's really going on."

September 12th

Guess who's now a member of the Glenview Valley Academy Tritons swim/dive team, Ellie?

That's right, me.

Despite feeling self-conscious from wearing those speedos that showed off way too much skin, I had a good tryout run thanks to Frank and Freddie coaching me alongside their dad (who happens to be the head coach of the team). Thanks to them, I was able to dive, swim, and relay my way to being a part of the varsity roster. And...I kind of wonder if there can be more to the brotherhood, but in a good way. Maybe if I continue to give this town a chance, I can-

"Wait, he never finished the journal entry?" Ja'Marco exclaimed.

"Guess not," Chanel remarked.

"Well, maybe he got rudely interrupted by his folks or someone when he was in class," La'Vanna suggested. "Still, you can admit that this S.G guy knows something and why."

"And it's all the more reason for us to learn more about S.G. Hedare," Ro'Niah declared before facing Mrs. Lancaster. "Ma'am, if you know who this S.G. Hedare is, it'll be good to know how he's connected to this town."

Before the head housekeeper could reply, it was Chanel's mother who spoke up. "S.G. Hedare was a close friend of mine," she began. "We were originally from Johnson City, Tennessee when our parents decided that we would have better luck in Rhode Island. While I was in boarding school over in Providence, he was here and making friends with the Quitman men."

"I knew it," Kimani hissed. "So there is a connection to this town? What's this kid's name?"

Mrs. Freeman and Chanel glanced at each other briefly. "He's Beau Hedare's little brother known as Steven Gregory Hedare," the former replied. "And the journal that I gave him was the one thing that I had of the boy who was twice as antisocial as Ja'Marco Hedare is. Unfortunately, Steven fell into the same trap and learned the dark secrets of this town that has him as part of this brotherhood."

The look on everyone's faces were priceless, gentle reader. Ro'Niah huffed a deep breath. "We gotta get my boy out of this town," he muttered. "We can't afford to sit by and do nothing while he's stuck at that school."

"Yeah, but what can we do?" Kristen asked worriedly. "You know that Melinda Hedare and the Quitmans will have us arrested if we even plan to crash another event at the school or storm in unannounced. Right now, all eyes are on us as if daring us to try anything. We have to be discreet and humble."

"Discreet and humble be damned. October 13th isn't far ahead and there's no telling what might happen if we stand around and do nothing."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it," Mrs. Adamson remarked as she got up and walked to the main foyer. A few minutes later, she returned with a well-dressed Dominic Nassau. "Everyone, this is Dominic Hedare himself."

"Oh, my God," Kimani breathed, covering her mouth at the sight at the handsome man who was formerly Melinda's right-hand woman. "This is..."

"This is very real, Miss Hedare," Dominic finished, smirking at everyone's disgust and contempt. "And I knew that you all deserve an explanation for my new identity. The long and short of it...well, there's indeed more than what meets the eye."

"I'll bet," Jeremiah scoffed. "This world is heading for hell in a picnic basket."

"I concur," Mrs. Yuen commented.

Dominic sniggered before his face grew serious. "I'm only here to make sure that you all are aware of what will be part of Ja'Marco's legacy," he continued. "That, and to let you know that there is no point stopping the inevitable. Ja'Marco Hedare is to remain in this town and inherit his birthright. And none of you will dare interfere."

"Wanna bet, pal?" Ro'Niah spat lowly. "I'm not going to back down from this fight. Once he does learn whatever's going on, Ja'Marco's going to see the light and finally walk out from his family, legacy be damned. Y'all have corrupted him for the last time."

"You're playing with fire, boy. Like Frederich Quitman said, you and your ilk belong with the rest of the riff-raff while my godson belongs with the creme-de-la-creme. You and your family will do kindly to leave things be and accept the inevitable, just like Ja'Marco will. Now, this weekend will be a special event for the Quitmans and the Hedares as Ja'Marco will learn what he will soon discover. All the members from the oldest families will be there as well as those whom the Quitmans trust with their secrets. The rest of you, on the other hand, will remain in your homes and will not be involved. Police patrols will make sure that you remain where you are or will escort you to some other events to keep you occupied. If any wind of your plans to crash the party reach Francis' ears, you all will be arrested without any mercy or another chance. Now, heed this warning...or risk the consequences."

With that said, Dominic Nassau turned on his heel and strolled out of the house, slamming the door so hard that it made everyone jump.

All eyes were on Ro'Niah. "Let me guess, we're going to try and crash the family event, right?" Mrs. Lancaster said.

"Damn skippy," the young man said. "We back off for now since it's only Friday, but we still gotta  do our research for what's going down."

"Guys, Nassau sounds very serious," Kristen said uneasily. "I dunno about you, but Mom and I are already on bad terms with the guys from GVA and the other males who are involved. And for what it's worth, I think that we're sitting ducks at this point."

"Kristen, come on," Chanel said, glaring at her best friend. "You can't be thinking about backing down now, not when Hedare could be in danger."

Kristen sighed heavily as her mother stood to her feet. "I'm only saying that we might have to cut our losses and learn to let things be, Freeman," she said. "After losing my brother and father, Mom and I know that things aren't always what they seem to be and the mysteries of life are not meant for the world to know. I dunno about you guys, but Mom and I have to consider about our future. So, yeah. We're jumping ship. But we will warn Ja'Marco about what's coming up."

To a glaring Ro'Niah, "And I know all about your true intentions, Adamson. Mom and I know why you want Ja'Marco to leave here, but you're playing a lethal fool's game. If I were him, I'd choose the lesser of two evils and decide to embrace whatever lies ahead of me."

"Leave!" Ro'Niah barked. "Leave now before I do something you and your mother will regret."

"We have no regrets, not after today," Mrs. Yuen remarked. "Farewell." With that, she and her daughter walked out of the house.

As soon as the door was shut, Ro'Niah turned towards everyone else while Jeremiah quietly excused himself to use the restroom. "Looks like it's down to the rest of us," he said, his tone hard and full of venom. "Yeah, my family and I have other intentions for Ja'Marco, intentions that involve death and sacrifice, but I promised Jonah and Lizzadene Mae that I would protect Jay from everyone and anyone. If it means saving him from himself by murder, then so be it."

"Ro'Niah, what are we going to do?" Chanel said.

The young man turned to face the blonde beauty. "We go ahead with the plans, but we act stealth for the weekend. If my hunches are indeed correct, then we're going to have to plan for the inevitable. Freeman, if you and your family want to walk out now, then speak up now because any form of treachery or betrayal will mean that you side with the Hedares or the Quitmans. So, Chanel Freeman, are you and your family in...or out?"

Chanel inhaled sharply. "We're in," she replied.

"Good," Ro'Niah replied. "I will save Ja'Marco Hedare from this town and get him to see that this is not meant for him. And if he refuses to see reason or is too far gone...then we'll have no other choice but to put him down. Sometimes death is needed to save a life."

"Then we better prepare ourselves for what's ahead," LaVanna commented. "I have a feeling that this is going to be a week that no one will forget."

"I just hope that Ja'Marco will forgive us if we do have to kill him," her mother added. "He's such a good soul, you know? But maybe him being a martyr will ensure that no one else will fall into the same trap."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Mr. Adamson intoned. "Now, let's just get a game plan going on.

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

Jeremiah Colby heard every single word that was said.

And he didn't like it one bit.

He knew that he didn't want Ja'Marco to know the whole story or even accept the birthright when his birthday arrived, but he also knew that the Adamsons were indeed extremists to the core.

He had to make sure that Ja'Marco stayed alive and sane enough to escape what was coming for him. He needed a plan. And fast.

I bet y'all didn't see that coming, did you? Trust me, folks, there's a LOT of secrets that you don't know just yet. But all will be revealed before the end of act two.

Coming up next, Ja'Marco's having lunch with Dominic after the events from the previous chapter and he has another surprise reading from Melina who drops another warning about his future. Stay tuned!

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