The Last flower

Chapter 3

ISAAC'S POV

Out of all the holy things out there, why did I get caught and then talk to the person I am supposed to be researching and possibly kidnap. The drive home was filled with me thinking why I am doing this for August. My family and I have known each other for a long time as our fathers are business partners. I met August after I finished high school and doing some work experience at my dad's company. We have been great friends ever since and after I came back from my tour in Afghanistan, I joined the company with August and me as partners.

I do not know how our friendship ended up with me looking for a girl and her grandmother and possibly finish off the whole family tree. Growing up he didn't seem to be this heartless, well his whole family did not seem to be psychopaths. Guess you can always be surprised about a person.

As I was still in my mind l did not notice when my phone was ringing until it was too late to answer. I did not have to wait long until l started hearing my phone vibrating again and I pressed the answer button on the steering wheel as I was driving. As soon as the call was answered,

"Isaac what did you find out", August said from the other side of the phone.

"Hey man, what do you want me to tell you".

"That you found the b***h and her grandmother that's what I want you to tell me", he said sounding annoyed.

"Well, I found them, but I'm not going to tell you anything more until you tell me what that hell is going on," I said not appreciating the sound of his voice.

"My family has been hunting them for god knows how long and dad thought it was a good idea for me to finish them off. So, with your help, we are going to do this. End of the hunt really", August said.

I kept quiet for a long minute deciding the right words to say so that I do not say something I might regret on a later date.

"This evening I was watching a game on TV, a game that my team was losing which has pissed me off to no end. l expected to drown myself in alcohol to forget the game ever happened, I did not expect a call from you telling me to track 2 people all because your family has the itch to hunt. All I am asking is why you are hunting them, and I need you to tell me the truth", I said calmly.

Knowing my friend if I shout then we will not go anywhere as he reverts to being a narcissistic pig.

"Well to be honest with you mate, I don't know the whole story. I do not need to know the whole story. All I just need to do is to take care of business", August said like what he just meant was a walk in the park. A task of his calendar to just tick off that does not involve actual murder.

At that moment, my house came into view and I turn into the driveway and park my car.

"Is it a problem if you can take care of your business by not including me in your scheme. Seems like your family is doing a great job without me", I said parking my car.

"My family doesn't need you; I need you as my friend to do this. If I do not pull this off, I might lose my fund or even get disowned. Plus, my brat of a brother has been fighting to be the one to carry on the business. I cannot let that happen. The ladies need me", August said sounding like it will be the end of the world to him if he doesn't off two people.

"And their life is better gone so that you can get to sleep with women", I said angrily.

"Now you are getting me", August laughed.

At that point, I chose to cut the phone on him wondering why I have a self-absorbed, hypocrite of a friend. out of all the things you can want in the world this man is preferring to be a killer to get an easy life. Does he know where he will end up when he dies, I for sure did not want to join him in the pit of imminent doom.

Taking a deep breath I collected my things from the car and walked to my house. I walked to my sofa and sat down to take off my shoes. Afterward, I laid back trying to forget about the day I just had.

Not only was I going to be hearing some type of profanities at work due to me supporting a losing team 2 seasons in a row, but I also had to hunt down people as well. I even did terribly at stalking the girl, all training forgotten, and I got caught. To make things worse, I talked to her and told her my name. How was I going to get out of this one?

I did not know how long I was sitting before I heard someone banging at my front door.

"Isaac open the door it's me", August just decided to just show up at my front door. Rolling my eyes, I willed myself to stand up and drag my feet to open the door.

As soon as I unlocked the lock, August burst into the room looking like some pigeon pooped on his shiny sports car.

"Dude I was talking to you and you just cut the phone on me", I did not want to get into it with this man but now that he was in my personal space, I had to deal with him.

"And that was your invitation to come over to my house?", l asked going to the kitchen to get myself a drink, l was not going to have this conversation sober. l opened the fridge and took out a can of beer.

"You want one", l offered August a drink.

"Yes I will have one", he said still sounding angry.

"Well tough because this was my only can. After what you have pulled today with me don't be expecting good hospitality", I said.

August just grunted some words I did not catch and sat down on my sofa, putting his feet up on my side table.

"Make yourself even more comfortable why don't you", putting a mental note to sanitize the table where he just put his feet on. You can never be too careful where he has been.

August turned towards me, "As you rudely cut the phone on me when I was asking you to help me, l came to get the location of those women so that l can take it from here. Better yet, you are the one who has been trained to be a sniper and to kill people. Also, you have a permit to hold a firearm. Can l pay you to kill these women for me?. l like getting my hands dirty but l was thinking if l get those women even one meter from me, their deaths will not be quick and painless. You know how l am with women, l like to take my time whether it's pain or pleasure. So, l will cut a deal with you, you just shoot them straight in the head and then l can be done with the family hunt"

For what seemed like a long time, l just stared at him speechless. From all our talks l had specifically told him not to include me in his family hunt and now here he is offering me to kill Melody and her grandmother. In the military, you are trained to know your target but not personally to prevent from getting attached or prevent you from doing your job. Even if I was itching for a hunt, there is no way l would do it for an absurd cause like this one August is dishing at me. l would rather go to some forest and hunt a deer or something, l can even have a good meal out of the whole experience too. 

l downed my can of beer wishing to get buzzed quicker.

"l went to the military to assist in protecting my country, not for you to use my skillset on innocent civilians," l said to August after finishing my beer.

l quickly regretted not buying more beer at the shops when l went shopping two days ago but quickly remembered my emergency stash l hide underneath the sink. l started walking towards the sink when l stopped dead in my tracks remembering l have an uninvited guest l would not like to share my alcohol with. Right at that moment, l planned to get rid of him quickly so that l can get my buzz on in peace.

"There is nothing innocent about those two, especially the grandmother. You can't live that long without doing something that will raise some brows. So are you going to do this for me or not", August asking as l was sitting in a chair across from him?

"No", l simply said

"Did l just hear you saying no", l hoped he was not going to start shouting at me because l was not in the mood? l was too sober to deal with him.

"Yes that is exactly what l said", l said.

"And why is that", did he just ask me why l did not want to do this.

l sighed and told him calmly, "l take no pleasure in killing people, better yet killing innocent people for sport. Why don't you own up to your father and tell him that you are not interested in killing these women? Your brother can take over since you said he is keen. From all l can understand, you are a little brat asking someone to do YOUR job then taking credit for it. Because what? Your fund is being threatened and you are not interested to work for your own earnings. Grow up".

August didn't take what l told him nicely because he stood up, walked over to me, and leaned in so close to me l could smell the cigarettes he was probably smoking before he got here on his breath.

His face blanks but his voice deadly, "You are my best friend but remember who you are f*****g talking to. l could end you and your family with just the click of my fingers. You do NOT get to disrespect me. Now, l want you to go grab your equipment like a good soldier you are and go get those bags from wherever you found them, bring them to my house dungeon and l will end them however l so, please. If you don't bring them to my house by this time tomorrow you better get you and your family someplace l will never find because you will be my NEXT hunt". He straightened himself up and walked out of my house slamming my door shut for good measure on his way out.   

l didn't care whether he was my friend or not, he did not have the right to go as far as to threaten my family and that made me angry. So angry l threw the empty can of beer l was still holding in my hand missing the TV by a hair and it bounced on the wall behind it. It landed on the floor behind the TV stand. If l had hit the TV he was going to owe me big time. 

Before l made a decision that l would regret l decided to call my dad and see if had any ideas. After five rings he answered the phone,

"This better be good, your mother was suggesting we try a round of salsa which l plan on taking a big advantage on doing other things than dancing" he laughed. 

"Hi, dad, grossing me out as always. Ain't you supposed to be slowing down since you are like 60", he had no filter for an old man. No one wants to know what their parents are doing sexually. 

"Remember you called me and you are using the time l could be utilizing someplace else. AKA with your mother, in your mother, all over your mother. Now hurry up and tell me what you want", he seemed to be in a hurry so l decided to make this a quick phone call. 

"August just left my house, he threatened the family. Apparently, I'm to trace down the last two members of some family and deliver them to his house by tomorrow or run away where he will never find us. He plans to kill them tomorrow.", l summarised the story the best l could.

From what l said, my dad, did not seem like he was still in a playful mood. 

"That t**t threatened who now", he said clearly angry. Seems like l was not the only one who didn't appreciate what August said. 

"Us dad, he didn't give me much of a choice. It's either l give over some innocent family or risk our family being hunted and killed"

l heard shuffling from his side of the phone and he told me to stay put and that he was coming to my house. 

After receiving this information l decided to continue my aim of getting at least buzzed by the time my dad gets here. With alcohol on my mind l went for my secret stash under the sink. From the choices presented there, l took the vodka, may as well take shots that way the buzz will come faster. l took a glass from my glass cabinet and poured myself a glass. 

By the time l heard the knock on my front door, l was 5 shots in and feeling good.