Monday, July 10, 2023

Day 191 - Past Forgotten

 Past Forgotten
Matthew Ryan Fischer
 
It took tremendous effort not to storm out. Declan was a surprise. Declan was a lie. His father was a liar. Both Declan and Ace continued to talk, but Seven didn’t register it at first. All he could think about was that his life had been a lie and his father was the one who made it happen.
“Why?”
“That is a long story.”
“Then tell me.”
Declan and Ace were reticent. Ace suggested they talk in private later. Declan wanted the information about the gangs and potential infighting.
“What about my mother?”
“Killed. I never lied about her.”
“How can I believe that?”
“I know this is hard. Please believe me son. Your uncle left the Dragons. His life was in danger. I helped him escape.”
“And he became a police officer?”
“I spent years undercover. My knowledge bought my freedom, my protection.”
Seven thought about the USB and the files on the families. Was that the sort of knowledge that he traded? Was he the leak? If so, had he killed Nine and did he have further plans? Seven loved his father but was hurt and angry and knew nothing of Declan.
“You sell your former family and friends. You’re a rat.”
“I had one target, one goal. If I told the police anything, it was only on those that truly deserved it.”
“You’re both fools. I’m a fool for standing here as long as I have. I’ll be killed. Or arrested and then killed in prison.”
Seven headed for the door.
“Son…?”
“You never should have told me.”
“Son, please. I beg you. Please. You reached out to the police. You had something important to share. You’re violating your family, your position. It must be important. Come back. Tell him. You don’t have to talk about family or the past. Use him, use me, protect and preserve the future you want. You can hate us both later. But right now, finish whatever it was you came to do.”
Seven collected himself. He knew there was an ounce of truth to his father’s words. Some things were more important than his bitter anger. The city would be in flames soon and if he did nothing now then it would be just as bad as if he lit one of the matches. He didn’t want to be reasonable in the moment, but he had to be.
Seven walked back into the dojo. He could hold his tongue for now. Somethings were more important than his wounded pride.
 
 
After they were done, hours later, after Declan had left, Seven told his father he was in no mood for further conversation. He would want answers later, but for now he wanted to be alone with his thoughts. Then Seven went down the street and hid to watch what happened next. He expected Declan to return, but instead his father left his dojo for the night. Seven followed.

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