STORM: IT'S A CURSE TO REMEMBER

by Gurpreet Kaur Sidhu

  As he thought, a mischievous smile lit his face.

  Marvin walked upstairs to have a look around. There were only three rooms. The one right next to the staircase remained shut while the other two doors were wide open. He turned the knob, hearing the latch retract, and pushed the door inward.

  He walked in with his hands in his pockets. He stood in front of the dresser, where a few photo frames sat of Bruce and Geneva. One of them was of their wedding day and one of them with Denise and Evan. He looked around the floor, noticing it to be spotless. It was evident that Evan was in this room often and had no plans on changing it.

  Marvin chuckled as he walked out of the bedroom. Evan was in for one big surprise.

  ***

  Evan stood in the middle of his driveway, but couldn’t manage to walk any farther. Shadow was already inside her house. He peered at his front door, not wanting to go in. His mind replayed the last hour over and over. Bits and pieces of his past flashed through his mind’s eye in slow motion, reminding him of how he’d hurt Shadow. He wondered what she’d done to him in a life that he didn’t remember. Slowly he walked to the curb, and sat down on the sidewalk feeling overwhelmed.

  His belief of why Shadow entered his life no longer sustained him now that he knew she too remembered her past and disagreed with his belief.

  Nothing was making sense. Was this how it was supposed to end? For what reason did Shadow walk into his life then? Perhaps Shadow was right, but a part of him still didn’t want to let go of the possibility he and Shadow were meant to be together in this lifetime. Now that he’d fallen in love with her, everything became complicated. After a long debate in his mind about the “what about’s” and “what if’s,” Evan got up from the sidewalk and brushed himself off. He wasn’t going to get the answer right this moment but he wasn’t going to give up either. There was still tomorrow.

  Evan proceeded to walk toward the front door, fiddling with his keys as he tried to keep a positive attitude. He looked down at his keys, swinging away the ones that didn’t unlock the front door. The third one he pushed through the lock, turning it to the right and then back to the center. Evan simultaneously pulled out the key from the doorknob and pushed open the door, closing it behind him.

  He slipped out of his shoes at the front door. As Evan headed down to the kitchen, he removed his coat and threw it over the couch. His eyes slowly began to adjust to the darkness as he walked into the kitchen. Evan searched for the light switch with his hand.

  Just as he was about to flick the switch, he was held in a chokehold, restricting him from oxygen. His head jerked around, trying to gasp for air. Evan tried to pry the perpetrator’s arms off his neck but slowly he felt his body slipping away. He tried to fight the drowsiness as much as he could. Suddenly, breaking free didn’t seem too hard.

  “No, no, no,” he said in a tired voice as he drifted into unconsciousness.

  Evan’s eyes slowly shut and his body went limp.

  ***

  Several hours later, Evan woke up to find himself tied to a chair, his head drooped to his chest. He felt dizzy and everything was a blur. Evan lifted his head up, trying to figure out what was going on. Looking around him, he couldn’t see anything. It was still dark and his eyes were slowly adjusting to his surroundings. He was in his kitchen. Evan began to feel the soreness around his shoulders and wrists. As he tried to move his feet, he realized they were tied to the chair. His heart began to race.

  Afraid of making any noise, he twisted his hands from side to side, trying his best to loosen the rope around his wrists. He pushed his rear against the back of the chair, managing to slide the chair against the hardwood floor. Evan grunted as he pulled his hands farther away from the back of the chair, in hopes of loosening the rope, but again, he had no luck.

  But he continued to struggle to break free.

  His head jerked backward in agony. What was going to happen to him? Who was behind all of this?

  Footsteps pattered down the staircase. As the sound of each footstep neared, his heart began to pound louder and louder.

  The footsteps drew closer.

  Suddenly the light switch flipped on. The kitchen never seemed so bright. Evan squinted. The lights burned his eyes and he felt the beginning of a migraine.

  A calm voice came out of the darkness. “You’re awake.”

  The footsteps appeared out of the dark. Evan craned his neck to see someone he recognized. His eyes widened and the brightness of the lights were no longer a bother. How could this be? This man looked like a spitting image of Derek’s brother, Adrian. But this wasn’t Adrian. It couldn’t be. Evan continued to stare at the stranger.

  Slowly the conversation he’d had with Venice started to come back to him. The stranger who she’d seen in her vision. Shadow’s ex who’d threatened her, who’d been keeping tabs on both of them.

  The puzzle was slowly coming together. Evan realized who this man was.

  “You’re still a little woozy there.” Marvin shoved his hand into his pocket, pulling out a syringe and holding it up in the light. “Propofol. This is what they use before surgeries on patients so they don’t feel a thing. I had to use it because you’re a big guy. You work out six times a week. Every day you go for a run, but you have been slacking ever since you have been on winter vacation. I did my research,” he said in a reassuring tone as if this was going to make Evan feel better about anything that was happening. He stood staring at Evan for a moment, not saying a word. Then he chuckled to himself. “Where are my manners.”

  He held out his hand in front of Evan. Quickly a solemn look faded over his eyes when his attention jumped to the ropes wrapped around Evan’s hands. He slid his hand into his pocket. “I didn’t get a chance to properly introduce myself. I’m Marvin Stone, Shadow’s fiancé.”

  Evan clenched his jaw, knowing it was only going to get worse from here. “That’s funny since you guys aren’t even together anymore.”

  Marvin pondered this. “That’s very well true,” he finally said. “However, we’ll be together soon enough.” He smirked. “It’s eerie.”

  Confused, Evan asked, “What’s eerie?”

  “In a lot of ways, you remind me of your father. He does not give up when he should and neither do you.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Marvin proceeded to the table, pulling up a chair in front of Evan. He chuckled to himself. As he looked at Evan, a malevolent smile crept across his face.

  “Oh, that’s right. You think your father is dead. He died in a car accident when you were four years old, correct?”

  Evan was speechless.

  Again, Marvin chuckled. The look on Evan’s face was priceless and it was just about to get better for Marvin.

  “Your father is very much alive, Evan.”

  Evan shook his head. “That’s not true. My grand—”

  “Let me stop you right there,” he said, cutting him off. “Your father is alive. I understand it’s hard to believe since he has been dead to you since the age of four. However, do you want to know what boggles my mind? Your father didn’t even attempt to reach out to you in all these years. It’s horrible, if you ask me.”

  Evan’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you want from me?” He fidgeted in his chair, wanting badly to break free.

  “You’re not at all interested in hearing more about your father? What he’s been up to all these years when you thought he was dead?”

  Marvin waited for a response, but Evan sat there with his lips pursed. He knew deep down inside, this was killing Evan.

  “Did you know that your mother was a heroin addict? Actually, let me correct myself. She was a user before she met your father and then after she had you, she started using again and became an official addict.” Marvin wore a puzzled look that faded with a grin. He chuckled softly to himself before he spoke.
“Why would anyone get involved with someone who is a drug user? I don’t understand. I am mind blown by the fact that your father chose your mother, even after knowing the fact she had an addiction to drugs, which only became worse after she started sleeping around.” He sighed to himself. “If she hadn’t associated with drug addicts herself, I believe she would still be alive today. I bet you didn’t know your mother left a suicide note on the kitchen counter the day she killed herself, did you? Her death was no accident. I believe everyone is entitled to the truth. I do, however, apologize that it’s coming from a third person.”

  Evan clenched his jaws. He didn’t know what to believe. Had Grandma Venice been lying to him and Denise this entire time?

  Evan glared into his evil eyes. “People like you always have proof.”

  Marvin pulled out his cell phone from the inside coat pocket. “Of course. I am a man of my word.” He placed the phone in front of Evan.

  Evan leaned forward, feeling his heart stop for a moment.

  “That is his picture ID. Proof that he works at the agency. We’re colleagues at a very secretive agency.” Marvin swiped the screen with his fingertip, exposing Evan to more pictures of Bruce. “I wasn’t bluffing like you hoped I was.”

  Evan’s mind went blank as he stared at the photo of his father.

  “Enough with the history lesson,” Marvin said as he picked up his phone. “Let’s switch gears. You and Shadow. Now, that really angered me. You stood in the middle of our relationship, Evan. I warned her, over and over, and she very well knows what I’m capable of. I don’t know why she didn’t listen. I love her, so I can’t hurt her…but you, my friend, I can hurt you. You clouded her judgment. Now, she doesn’t know who is right for her—which is me, obviously.”

  Evan tugged against the chair, trying to loosen up the rope. “You’re a psychopath,” he grunted.

  Marvin chuckled. “That’s exactly what your father said when he came to see me. Not only are you like your father, but there’s quite a bit of resemblance between the two of you. I’m sure your grandmother has told you that in the past amid the other lies.”

  “What do you want from me?!”

  Marvin leaned over the table and whispered, “Nothing. I came here to get some things off my chest and to…well, put an end to my problem. I wasn’t going to kill you in the beginning, but then your father started becoming nosey,” he said, pursing his lips, “so I’m doing this to let him know that he shouldn’t get in my way either. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  “I don’t have the comprehension to understand a maniac,” Evan hissed.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be out of your life shortly, but before I do anything, I would like you to know this all could have ended differently.”

  Evan lowered his head and closed his eyes. Right now, all he wanted was to wake up at 3:30 in the morning, drenched in sweat, and realize this was all just a dream.

  “This still can end differently. You have the choice to make a different decision.”

  “That’s the problem. I don’t.”

  Evan raised his head, squinting as he looked into Marvin’s eyes. All he saw was Adrian but with Derek’s characteristics. This was what Derek had done. Anything that didn’t sit well with him, he’d make sure the outcome was in his favor and anyone who betrayed him would know not to ever cross Derek. Ever.

  “Yes, you do. You always have a choice.”

  “I don’t,” Marvin said, shaking his head. He frowned but the look in his eyes showed Evan Marvin in fact didn’t care for Evan’s comments.

  “Let’s think about this rationally. If you get rid of me, would Shadow ever forgive you? Think about it for a second. You’ve warned her repeatedly, but she hasn’t listened. Taking me out of the equation is simply going to make her hate you even more. Is that what you want, Marvin? Do you really want Shadow to despise you?”

  “She may hate me for a little while, but she’ll get over it. I’ve known her a lot longer than you have. She gets over things quickly and once I’m done with you, it’s just going to be a matter of time until she comes back to me. She’ll forget you ever existed.”

  Little beads of sweat began to form near Evan’s hairline and his throat felt like it was on fire.

  Marvin stepped back into the darkness for a moment. Out he came with a gasoline carton and a matchbox. Evan’s eyes traveled around the room as Marvin proceeded to walk toward the table. He placed the carton and matchbox on the table, in front of Evan.

  “I took the liberty in writing your suicide letter. It’s sitting on top of your dresser upstairs.”

  Evan’s eyes remained focused on what was sitting in front of him. “What did you write?”

  “Nothing too drastic. Just plain and simple. To the point.”

  “No one’s going to believe I did it.”

  “Perhaps, but with the evidence, they’re not going to have any choice but to believe you did it.”

  “How so?” His heart expanded as it beat louder and faster, overbearing Marvin’s voice. All he heard was words. The thought of this being the end of his life overwhelmed him and everything around him felt scattered.

  “I’m going to give you an injection, which will cause you to start to lose consciousness. You’ll be too weak to fight the medication but will be aware of everything that’s happening. I’ll proceed to untie you and leave you here as your kitchen burns in flames, but before the fire spreads to any other room in the house, someone will notice the smoke and call the fire department. By the time they come to save you, you’ll already be dead. And your father will be released from the agency just in time to find out what happened to his precious little boy. He’ll learn his lesson and I’ll start my life with Shadow. Sounds like a marvelous plan, doesn’t it?”

  It was starting to sink in that this was the end of his life. Moments that he’d spent with Grandma Venice, Denise, Ryan, and Nate flashed in his mind. Evan’s eyes glazed as he began to think about Shadow. His heart fell into the pit of his stomach. This wasn’t how it was supposed to end. He wasn’t ready to leave everyone and everything he knew behind.

  “Help! Somebody help me!” Evan yelled at the top of his lungs.

  Marvin laughed at Evan’s attempt to save himself.

  “Somebody help me!” He tugged at the ropes that were wrapped around his wrists.

  His face scrunched trying to break free but Marvin had tied the ropes too tight for Evan’s strength.

  “You’re wasting your breath, Evan.”

  Evan didn’t want to burn to death. He tugged and tugged, wrestling with the chair from behind, desperately wanting to flee. “Somebody help me! Somebody help me!” Evan continued to shout from the top of his lungs, hoping someone would hear him. His veins bulged across his temples and his face now pink from all the strength he was using.

  Marvin took out a syringe from his pocket and removed the cap. He held the needle up to his face, admiring the sharpness and strength it contained.

  Evan’s chest moved rapidly up and down. He was out of breath and sweating. He grunted as he tried again to loosen the ropes, using all the strength that was left in him.

  Marvin moved closer to Evan, peering over him with the needle in his hand. “It’s time.”

  “No, no! Please don’t! Somebody! Help me!”

  Evan felt the needle poke through his skin. His eyes closed and he screamed again, as loud as he could. His veins protruded at the side of his throat. “Help! Help!” he pleaded. “Somebody please…help me…”

  Within seconds, Evan began to feel lightheaded. He felt the ropes around his ankles loosen and then after, his wrists started to feel freer.

  “Your father will learn his lesson,” Marvin claimed, proceeding with his plan.

  The room had become blurry. He tried to keep his eyes open and not let his mind shut down, but with every passing second, he felt h
is body slowly slipping away from him. “You’re…going to…pay…for…” he murmured, as his head sank lower to his chest.

  Marvin picked up the gasoline carton and popped off the cap. He proceeded to pour gasoline over the stove, the countertop, and all over the kitchen floor. After pouring the last drop, he approached Evan, who appeared unconscious. “Sleep tight, don’t let the fire bite.” He chuckled.

  Marvin picked up the matchbox and scraped the match against the coarse side of the box. With one swipe, a tiny flame appeared. He took two steps toward the kitchen, and threw the match near the stove. Marvin watched as the flames slowly started to rise from the emptiness. He turned around and bent down, picked up the ropes he used to tie Evan’s hands and feet, and threw them into the flames. As he turned away, he looked at Evan, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

  He wore a smirk as he walked to the front door. Everything was falling into place.

  Chapter 22

  Bruce’s knees started to ache. He hadn’t done this in an extremely long time, mainly because he never figured he needed to do it. He had his hands propped up on top of the bed and palms pressed together. Bruce closed his eyes as hard as he could. He pressed his forehead against his hands, not knowing where to begin.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  Bruce cocked his head in the agent’s direction, not making any eye contact, and responded, “I’m praying.”

  “Praying? It’s gonna take a big ass miracle to turn around whatever the hell Marvin is up to.”

  Bruce clenched his jaws. “Just…stop talking.”

  Agent 334 rolled his eyes and remained in position.

  Once again, Bruce closed his eyes. He cleared his mind and focused on one thing: Evan.

  “Hey,” he whispered, “I know I haven’t talked to you in…well, a really long time, and I’m going to be brutally honest with you. I didn’t think I needed you back then. We’re probably not on the best of terms and I’m not even sure if you’re listening right now, but I don’t feel like you were there when I needed you. My life was a mess and you weren’t there to help me—it’s beside the point.” He took a deep breath, and gathered his thoughts. “Right now, you’re all I have and…this is hard for me to do,” he said, beginning to feel his heart open up. “My little boy is in danger. I’m in here locked up unable to do anything. I love him, so much. And I know you know that. I had plans. I was ready to face the reality and tell my kids the truth. I wanted to make things right. Please, just give me a second chance. Please let me make up for everything I did to my family. If Evan lives, I promise that I will quit the agency and do better, become a better man and help others who truly need it, and do it the right way. I’m making that promise to you and all I need in return is Evan to be safe. I beg you.”