What could she say? It’s okay? It’ll be alright? None of it could replicate her true feelings. The best option was to stay here, together. Sit here and be with him, taking on some of his burden in any way she can.

Minutes passed as they sat under the starry sky, in utter silence. Francisco slowly relaxed as his sister sat next to him.

Every breeze that passed through them took a small portion of his weight away.

His once-heavy shoulders were now manageable. However, he was still burdened.

Although he had confessed, his past still remained.

Those he killed and their grieving families still existed. No matter how much he tried to forget it, he was still a cold murderer.

Before he could ponder it further, headlights shone from the opposite side of the street. It approached the house and turned into the driveway, stopping in front of the garage. Then, the headlights ceased as the roaring engine quieted to a stop. Moments later, Matthew stepped out and approached the two with his truck locked behind him.

“What are you two doing out here?”

“We were just chatting. How was the shop today.”

Matthew walked past the two to the door and opened it, responding to Marcia.

“Same as always, nothing different happening these days with my work.”

"At least you're used to it; let’s head inside; I’ll prepare your dinner.”

“Alright, is Elena asleep already?”

“Yeah, she’s got school tomorrow, after all.”

Matthew entered as Marcia stayed behind and spoke to Francisco.

“Come in.”

Francisco’s eyes widened slightly before standing and walking inside with the two of them.

They then ate and slept.

——————————————————————————————-

“Javier, is he dead?”

Vicente spoke to Javier in an unidentified warehouse; both were heavily exhausted. Dried sweat stuck to the two’s foreheads as blood stained their clothes. Fortunately, the blood was not theirs; rather, it was the blood of their enemies.

“No, he fled.”

“Haha.”

Javier looked at Vicente and saw his beaming eyes while he laughed mockingly. Chills crept down his spine as he kept his distance.

“Then that means we just have to hunt down that coward.”

“ It won’t be so easy.”

Vicente began walking but stopped hearing Javier’s statement. He turned and spoke to him with a clear, concise tone.

“Javier, this isn’t a discussion. Gather all those we have left; we’re killing Emilio no matter what.”

“Vicente, we lost many good men in this fight. We can’t afford to…”

Vicente smiled widely at Javier as he finally understood. This feud served two meanings: cementing his power, and disposing of those who disagreed. Although it was impossible to perform perfectly, Vicente was satisfied with the results. It could have been better, but it also could have been worse. The gang had not been completely cleansed, but there was not much more he could do currently. Now all that was left was to eat Emilio and grow, feeding off his nutrient-dense body.

Vicente turned again and proceeded to walk out of the large gate that signaled the entrance to the warehouse. While Javier stood behind, frightened at the man's despicable nature, It reminded him of someone to a lesser degree, someone who once led the same people who were just killed.

A car started as an engine roared briefly before dying out due to increasing distance compared to the warehouse.

Stolen story; please report.

In Vicente’s car, a Dodge Charger, while his personal driver drove out onto a small road, leading back towards the city, Vicente made a call. After multiple rings, it was answered, by a rough, exhausted voice came out through the phone.

“What do you need?”

“Where’s he hiding out?”

“…”

Vicente frowned lightly before regaining his composure.

“Don’t do this now… We’re close. This is the final stretch, and both me and you can finally end him. Is that not what you wanted?

“He’s… in Modoc County, specifically at…”

Every word the man uttered caused Vicente’s smile to widen.

“Thank you; I’ll see you after he’s dealt with.”

He then hung up and spoke to the driver about the specific location, as he stared out the window, looking forward to the near future. His first step towards his peak.

———————————————————

Sunlight peaked into Francisco’s room. Slowly, as time passed, it crept towards him and stopped directly on his bearded face. Feeling its warmth, he opened his eyes to look at the source. Outside his window, the sun beamed as a chunky tree shielded Francisco from its penetrating gaze. Yet a portion of it still reached, no matter the tree's effort.

Francisco sat up as he rubbed his dry eyes, yawning.

Last night, Marcia gave Francisco a proper room to sleep, leagues superior to the couch he slept on his first day here.

It was originally a storage room, filled with miscellaneous items; however, it is now Francisco’s room. Currently, multiple items still occupy the room, but it is now a livable area.

Francisco stood up from his bed in a loose shirt with shorts. This had also been provided yesterday due to Francisco’s poor excuse of a wardrobe. Marcia had noticed his lack of clothes when he searched through his things.

Now, he was getting old clothes from Matthew, although they were slightly big on his body. Matthew was inches taller and much wider than Francisco, likely because of his regular trip to the gym every couple of days.

Francisco walked at a soft pace towards the other side of the room, where his bag was. He zipped it open and took a deep gaze at it. Twitching, he reached in and grabbed something, before pulling it out.

Minutes later, he walked out of the room in a calm, relaxed manner, slightly different from those minutes ago. He had not ingested much, just enough to ward off the desire, for now, anyway.

Downstairs, multiple vague voices could be heard through the wall. Francisco walked down and saw Marcia and Matthew rushing around the house, looking for certain materials and finishing tasks.

They were both dressed nicely, as though it were an important day. Matthew was dressed in a black and dark blue suit, while Marcia was dressed in a dark blue dress that reached her calf.

In the living room, Elena sat on one of the sofas with a tense, angry face, unsuited for her age. She was dressed in an adorable light blue dress that sat under a denim jacket. She crossed her arms, glaring at her parents, before noticing Francisco.

“Tio!! Can you believe it!?!?”

Francisco walked towards her and sat on a sofa opposite hers.

“What?”

Elena tried to hold in her rage but finally exploded as she yelled.

“They overslept!! And now I’m late!"