If you live for people's acceptance
You will die from their
Rejection.. Lecrae

At the hospital; " we have to check if you really not infected, there is a virus spreading , but we been trying to keep it on the low key so the people won't be alarmed" said the doctor who helped  take Jon's brother into the emergency room, they had Jon sat in a confined room with  a soundproof glass windows , the room was painted all white and suspiciously quiet, but that wasn't his worry , he wanted to know if his brother was ok,three nurses and the doctor were in front of him trying to inject something in him , after the doctor spoke.

" what do you guys think you doing , get away from me" Jon yelled at them , making them halt what they were doing. " As I said earlier we need to check if you not infected , you were covered with the blood of an infected person, we need to know". The doctor tried to persuade him.

Damn it, I told you l'm ok , all I want to know is , will my brother be ok, I need to know please"  he said nervously, he was trembling, he needed to know how his brother was doing , it been 30minutes already and they had kept him here without saying anything.

"Your brother is going to be fine , fortunately he's at the first stage of the virus , he can be cured so please worry about yourself." The doctor said touching his shoulder softly.

He breath out a sign of relief and relaxed his shoulders and allowed them to do what they wanted to do.

Time went by quickly, he was released ,he wanted to wait for his brother , but the doctor advised him to leave , it was already pitch black outside and he needed to leave , he hesitated at first but gave in. It was a long walk to the town, there  was hardly any taxi or trotro (in Ghana trotro is a mini bus that help in transporting passengers).

He wasn't afraid of the dark , nor wasn't worried to walk alone, how can he be afraid of the dark and being alone, when all his life, he dine with darkness and loneliness for it was the closest thing he knew.

Meanwhile in the town , his brothers were having a meeting with the elders of the town, for a tragedy had befallen their family.

"We have kept a monster among us for so long, we can't have him living with us , not only did he take our mother away as a baby but now..." one of the brothers said as he sobs.

"Kofi stop, we have to be strong for our late father , nothing will come out of it, if we keep weeping.. we need your help elders , questioning him won't help, he will deny it" the other brother said as he comfort his younger brother.

The elders kept quiet yet paid attention to want they were saying , they didn't want to convict their brother without hearing his side of the story , they decided it was best to wait for his return.

An hour passed, and finally Jon had arrived , he noticed the stare the people were giving him, it was still dark , but their snaring eyes could be seen from all point of direction , he didn't understand , just a few hours ago, he helped some of these people whose children, fathers, mothers and siblings had gotten infected by the virus to board a taxi or trotro, which was the cause of him being late in taking his brother to the hospital earlier.

He wondered why they were looking at him like that , but kept his thoughts to himself. Suddenly three men came facing him , he was startled but kept his composure, they asked him to follow them and he obediently followed.

He was led to the old traditional hut that is used to host royal meetings , they hardly do any meeting, since the chief's mother died not long ago, so he wondered why he was being taken there, they reached and one of the men knocked and announced their presence.

" come in" a man voiced. They entered, Jon was surprised when he saw his brothers , why were they here he wondered. There were four elders siting on his left hand side and his brothers on the right , and he was standing at the centre , he bowed to the elders.

" we will get straight to the point and all we will need to hear from you is a yes or no and when we need you to defend yourself we will let you know understand" the first elder spoke looking directly at Jon. He wanted to speak but he knew he needed to be quiet.

" you've been charged with murdering your own father in cold blood do you accept this claim" the second elder said to him.

Jon was aghast by what he just heard, his knees felt weak, he was trembling, his heart was aching , a burning pain, no, more like he was being pierce with a thousand needles in his weak heart. He held onto his chest, trying to grasp what was happening to him right now .

To his surprise, his brothers seemed nonchalant, looking at him and he could swear he saw a smirk on his second brother's lips. It hurts even more now.

"Jon stop with this your drama , we  saw it with our own eyes , you killed him with your own hand, and took our brother away, where is he, tell us now ?" Kofi yelled..

"Silence" the third elder commanded.

" you killed your father and kidnap your brother , correct.. you must speak for us to know if you agree or not". The first elder said to him.

Jon suddenly fell on his knees, with his head down, he felt defeated and more alone than ever , he didn't know what to say nor understand his own feelings and the only word that came out of his mouth was..

"Why?.."

"Will you believe me if I said I didn't kill my father nor kidnap my brother, and that the truth was both my father and brother were infected  by the virus , and I had to choose either to save one or let the both of them die , i chose my brother since I felt he would be the one likely to survive.." Jon words were cut short when his second brother yelled at him

" liar!!, you murderer, now you lie in front of the elders now , we saw you , and now look at your clothes stain with blood all over and you still deny it , Jon ..

" kofi stop, there's no point" the older brother said to him and asked him to sit , he then looked at the elders and spoke again.

" I told you he will deny it , see, even with the evidence pointing at him, he still feigns, he is no brother of ours, so please give us the justice we deserve."

Jon felt his heart being shredded in pieces, everything was too much for him, his own brothers had made him out to be a murderer, he was dying inside , why? , why?, why?, what did he ever do for them to treat him like this and he finally spoke..

"Did you .. guys ever considered me as your brother?, did you love me , did you care about me , did you ever consider my feelings even once , no no right , why I am asking when I already know the answer, have always been the monster in your eyes, haven't I .."

" stop trying to act like the victim here , you not that innocent, so don't make us look like the bad people.." kofi said to him.

One of the elders was about to speak , when Jon interjected..

"If I am a monster then you guys must really be the devil in flesh.., his statement cut so deep  into his  brothers hearts , they grit their teeth in anger , that didn't stop him, he continued..

"I didn't kill our father, and for my brother, he is resting well in the hospital, by tomorrow or next you probably be able to see him, you don't have .. I will accept anything.."

The elders gave their final statement which was letting Jon stay at the keep house,tomorrow he  will receive his judgement. The four elders left first , followed by his brothers who didn't even blink or look back at Jon, the three men grabbed him and dragged him out, people had gathered to see what was going on, seeing Jon being dragged , some of them started to throw stones at him, unfortunately one hit his head making him fall and all he could hear amid the dizziness " murderer, murderer!!

A few days passed,
A cargo ship heading to the US, unknown to the ship captain, there were passengers on board, they weren't many and one of the boarding mate was Jon..

"Hey you look so young , what are you doing here, it's dangerous and you are too young to die" said another illegal passenger on board"

"It's nothing, I am not scared to die and I won't die"  Jon said to him.  " I like your confidence , but why are you leaving home".. he asked Jon..

" home is no home"...

Flashback..
Kofi and Jacob, Jon's brothers , coming to see their father after Jon had left with Micheal to the hospital, their father almost at the brick of death, they rush to his side ..

"Papa, are you ok? You smell of death.." kofi asked.. " Don't get any closer, you may get infected," their father said as he coughed and blood came out..

They moved back to avoid any infection and covered their noses with their elbow, and moved further..

" don't speak and just listen and do what I say , you got it.." their father said to them and they nod in response and he continued. " I don't want anyone to know that I died due to the outbreak of the virus , that fool of a child , your little brother must serve his purpose, he saved his brother instead of me , to be Frank with you , that is the only wise thing he has ever done."

" I want you guys to frame my death on him, he has already brought lot of dishonour and misfortune to this family it's time he pays for that.."

"But papa" Jacob said..

" there is no buts , so do as I say, if you guys want to have peace of mind do so.." their father said and coughed , and that was his last breath..

After Jon left..
At the hospital..
" what did you guys do , tell me !!" Micheal yells...

Author note:
So here you have it , this chapter is full of emotions , make sure you have tissue beside you ☺️😫😭

Sweet bit..
Read whilst listening to the song " train wreck"
Magic..😉