Silence of the Nine

by T. Styles

  Leaf removed the phone from his pocket. “We already have it. But the first thing you’re going to do is tell my grandfather which one of your daughters you choose to remain alive.”

  Gates’ body trembled and he erupted into a quiet cry. Choosing between his daughters was not only impossible; it was the worst thing he could imagine. “Please don’t,” he sobbed. “They are innocent.”

  “Nobody is innocent in war. Remember? You came into the Prophet mansion and tried to kill me. The difference is I’m still here.”

  “But you murdered my daughter and—”

  “She got mad and pulled a gun on me because I fucked her and left her,” he interrupted. “That was my only crime. I’m a kid. If you mad about that, you charge it to the game, not my life.” He tossed Gates the phone and he caught it. “Talk to Kerrick. Tell him which daughter to keep alive or he will kill them both.”

  Gates placed the phone against his ear and sobbed. He would’ve preferred a thousand deaths than to choose between his children.

  Without even saying hello, Kerrick said, “Which one?” Gates could hear his wife and his twin girls weeping in the background.

  “Please don’t do this,” Gates begged. “I’m begging you.”

  “Time is of the essence and I’m a man of my word.”

  Realizing Kerrick was unrelenting, Gates went deep into his mind and recalled past memories about Dymond and Berry Gates. Dymond woke up every morning with something positive to say about her life, while Berry took to analyzing the world and the things around her. She trusted no one.

  When he was done with that thought, he considered their appearances. Dymond always took an extra minute to make sure her hair was perfect and her makeup was in place. Berry preferred zero makeup while throwing her hair into wild ponytails. She felt beauty was a waste of time.

  When he finished making the decision best for himself, he placed his lips to the phone and said, “I choose Berry to remain alive.”

  “Done.”

  A machine gun let off in the background and Dymond’s life was snuffed out instantly. Gates cried to the Gods because the pain in his chest ripped at him. The only thing he had to look forward to would be dying soon so that he could be with his naive princess.

  But death would not come to him soon enough.

  When the work was done, the Prophet family packed up. “We have already emptied your stash houses in Baltimore,” Leaf said to Gates. “We aren’t foolish enough to believe that what we collected was all the money or product you owned. But for now it will be good.” He paused. “Now someone will be in contact with you soon to negotiate the business that you pushed back from for so many years with Kerrick. Considering everything going on, he thinks you will make great business partners. I do too.”

  “What if I don’t work with him?” he yelled, emboldened by the promise to keep him alive.

  Leaf pulled out a list of names and addresses. He handed them to him. “You can keep that copy. We have others.”

  Gates briefly scanned over the document. He knew exactly what it was. The addresses of everyone he loved. His wife’s parents, his only living aunts, uncles, everybody he cared about was on that paper. And that included friends.

  “We don’t want anymore war, Gates,” Leaf said. “Your remaining daughter and wife will be let go and returned to you. We realize that you are a made man. So let the violence stop here. Because if you don’t, our next move will be final for everyone you know and love.”

  CHAPTER 32

  NINE

  ONE MONTH LATER

  “Could I come near your beauty with my nails, I’d set my ten commandments in your face.”

  -William Shakespeare

  This was the best information in seventeen-year-old Nine’s life. She had gotten news from her relatives that her grandfather was dying. Although she still met with the Prophet army, in an effort to know all of the ins and outs, she played the vigilant granddaughter.

  She was also expecting a child of her own. Lord Knight Prophet was due in eight months and she couldn’t be happier. Although life had gotten better after the plan to take Gates down was successful, even on his dying bed, Kerrick’s lust grew each day.

  He would no longer accept her brush off. If she wanted the kingdom, she had to first render to the sitting king.

  A week after the successful plan she created to infiltrate the Gates’ mansion, Kerrick was consumed with lust. And he was no longer interested in denying his thirsts.

  It was midnight when Kerrick knocked softly on his granddaughter’s door. He was carrying a small bag.

  “Come in, grandfather,” she said softly.

  He placed his hand on the cool knob and turned it slowly. Before entering, he looked down the hall for his wife. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t allowed to do what he pleased anyway, he just didn’t want any interruptions.

  Once inside the room, he stared at his granddaughter. The bulge from her growing baby was not big enough yet to give away her and Leaf’s secret. She was draped in a green silk nightie that brushed against her hips, exposing most of her lower body. She turned around and walked toward her vanity mirror. Now he could see her red thong before it disappeared into the flesh of her cheeks. She sat down at her vanity and brushed her hair.

  Excited, he locked the door and strolled up to her.

  Before he gave her the gift, she asked, “Do you think we’re monsters, grandfather?” Her mood was as calm as her brush strokes, deliberate but precise.

  “Why do you ask?”

  She sat the brush down, turned around in her chair and stood up. Then she allowed the silk nightie she was wearing to float to her ankles. She was now naked, with the exception of her red thong.

  Kerrick felt lightheaded when he observed her body. She was more spectacular than he remembered Thandi to be.

  “Is that for me, grandfather?” she asked looking at the bag dangling in his hand.

  Kerrick swallowed. He had forgotten all about the gift. It wasn’t like he didn’t see her nudeness many times before. On the contrary, he had, every time he took a whip to her flesh in an effort to break her mentally. But this time was different. She was in control, not him and he knew it.

  “Yes,” he said.

  “May I have it?” she asked with a wide smile. “I just love gifts.” She extended her hand and the diamond bracelet she wore sparkled. He handed it to her and she removed a red box from the bag. When she opened the lid, a necklace draped with five diamonds sat inside. Her eyes widened with excitement. “I love it, grandfather! Can you put it on me?” She turned around and he removed the necklace. In the mirror, she saw her naked body as Kerrick stood behind her in utter amazement.

  While he clasped the necklace, he reviewed the scars he’d added to her body. He ran his hand over the healed ripped flesh and a single tear fell from his eyes. “I never got a chance to say I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, grand—”

  “Please, let me finish,” he said raised his hand cutting her off. “I never shared my story with anyone. I led a difficult life where the more violent you were, the greater your chances of surviving. But there were two times I regretted my decisions. The first was when my actions caused my wife to be murdered and the second is this moment. I regret abusing you and I regret the lust I have for you in my heart.”

  Nine turned around and looked up at him. “I’m a woman now, grandfather. And tonight, I beg you to look at me as your wife. Thandi. Bury your worries inside of me. Soon all will be over.”

  Her words rocked his core and he led her to the bed. He was slow and meticulous with her body. In his mind, he had been given another chance to make love to his wife and he would not waste a minute.

  ****

  A few days after Kerrick took Nine into her bed, he fell severely ill and the doctors were certain he would not survive. Believing he was being poisoned because they could not find a cause, they tested his food and drink but everything was clean. Whatever was getting him ill was inter
nal and was not ingested.

  Before long, he was given only hours to live. He had already taken a separate room in the mansion, away from his wife, so that he could be alone with thoughts of Nine and Thandi.

  As he lay on his deathbed, he called Victoria and Nine to his bedside. While he waited on them to enter, he watered the beautiful plant that Nine bought him almost two months earlier. It had certainly grown.

  When Victoria and Nine finally came into the room, Victoria’s face was wet with tears. Nine also acted as if she were inconsolable at her grandfather’s condition. “I’m dying,” he said plainly. “And there is nothing more they can do for me.”

  “No,” Victoria screamed, dropping to her knees. “Please don’t leave me.”

  “Victoria, please,” he responded out of breath. He was in no mood for her performances. “I need you to remain calm.”

  Embarrassed, she stood to her feet and held his hand while Nine gripped the other. “The doctor believes I have cancer but because I refuse to go to the hospital, he can’t be sure. And I’m okay with dying.”

  “Why don’t you just go get help, Kerrick?” she begged. “Please.”

  “I’m sixty-six-years-old. And while some may believe that age is young, I am tired. My life has been everything I wanted up to this point. I migrated here from Africa as a poor man and then was blessed with a family and more riches than I deserved. It’s okay. I have lived the American Dream. And I’m ready to die.”

  Victoria knew he was hoping to see Thandi in the next life but there was no use in arguing. She could never control him and she wouldn’t start today.

  Suddenly, Alice burst into the room. “Grandfather, I just heard what was happening. Why didn’t you call for me?” she cried, her face blush red from crying.

  “Because I wanted to meet with Victoria and Nine first.” He frowned. “Now leave. This is a private conversation. I will call for the rest of the family later.”

  Alice’s jaw hung and her eyes widened. “But I—”

  “Alice, don’t make me say it again!” he yelled, using the little energy he could spare. “Leave at once and I will meet with you later.”

  Alice looked at Nine but Nine’s expression was filled with concern. Nine was great at maintaining her poker face. Someone looking in would think that Nine felt bad that Alice was being treated so badly. But Alice could see beyond the façade and knew that Nine loved every minute of it.

  When she left, Kerrick said, “I want you to carry out my wishes exactly as I have them outlined, Victoria.” He paused. “Nine is to get my home and half of my possessions. You will get the other half.”

  “Half?” She paused looking at Nine as if she had spoken. “But what about the other children?” She focused back on him. Kerrick had her sign a prenuptial agreement when he was a young, broke man. In the agreement he specified that in the event of his death or a divorce, she could possibly walk away with nothing. So she had no say so even as his wife.

  “These are my wishes, Victoria. And I’ve already spoken to my attorney. He has a copy of my will. If you disobey me, you will be cut out of everything.”

  “But why?” she cried and pinched her neck.

  “Because I have treated Nine terribly and this is my feeble attempt to make amends. Before I see my maker.” He paused. “I have done a lot of things, Victoria. Some things I can never repeat but I will not leave this world without doing right by her. Do you understand? Will you do what I asked?”

  Victoria looked up at Nine and then at Kerrick. “You fucked her, didn’t you?” she yelled. “Must you fuck all of your children?”

  Kerrick sighed. She and he both knew that he never touched one of his relatives, before Nine. He also realized based on her attitude that his wife would not do what he wanted. So he got on the phone and contacted his attorney with both of them standing in the room. When the call was over, Nine had become the executor over the entire estate. She ruled and would determine how things would be divided.

  Victoria was beside herself with anger. “I have loved you all of my young life,” she sobbed. “I have given up my body to bear your children. I have given up my morals to follow your rule and I have given you my heart.” She placed her hand over her chest. “And this is how you repay me?” When he didn’t respond, she stormed out leaving them alone. Her performance was certainly theatrical but it didn’t change his opinion.

  Kerrick reached out his hand and pulled Nine closer. “Your family will hate you after this but you’re strong enough to deal with it. I know it. I hope you have the life that you’ve dreamed of. The one you dreamed about from your books.” He reached over on the table and handed her some keys and four brown leather journals. “The downstairs has been repaired. I want you to go and look what I’ve done for you. And when you have some time I want you to read about my life. I’ve depicted it as best as I could in these books. Trust me, it’s rough and you will look at me differently.” He yawned. “I’m tired now, my dear Nine. I want some rest.”

  “I love you, grandfather,” she said kissing him on his eyelids.

  He looked directly into her eyes. “I know that you are responsible for my death. I always knew this day would come. And I’m okay with it now.”

  Nine was shocked. “I don’t understand, grandfather. I didn’t do anything.”

  “This plant you placed at my bedside is known as the grim reaper. You gave it to me to take my life, and I always knew I would die by your hand,” he responded before closing his eyes. “There’s no need in lying.”

  Nine was impressed. He could’ve ousted her a long time ago and he didn’t. He was taking his murder like a G.

  So she ran out of his room to see what was in store for her. When she used the keys to enter the room, she was captivated when she saw the ceiling to floor cherry bookshelves. Not only did he have them built, he also stocked up the first shelf with Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe and other great writers. She was blown away.

  “I hope you know this isn’t over,” Alice said walking up behind her.

  At first Nine threw on her innocent mask but her grandfather was dying soon and she would reign supreme. What was the use in being fake?

  Nine walked up to her and stared dead into her eyes. “Alice, we will have our day. Very soon. I suggest you get your body ready.”

  CHAPTER 33

  NINE

  “Memory, the warder of the brain.”

  -William Shakespeare

  Kerrick Prophet, born Kerrick Khumalo of Zimbabwe, died on a Tuesday. His ceremony was uneventful. The only people who came were members of the Prophet family and that was mostly because they wanted their faces recorded in case Kerrick had stipulated their presence being required in his will.

  The next day, the entire family was summoned to the law office of Bradley Howard for the reading of the will. The family sat in one of the conference rooms while the attorney stood behind a podium in the front. Everyone but Nine and Victoria was surprised when they learned that Nine had been given everything. After the will was read, Nine stood up and approached the podium. She looked at Bradley Howard and said, “You can leave now. I would like to address my family.”

  “Sure,” he said rushing out of the room.

  When he left she looked upon the Prophet family. She winked at Leaf who stood proudly in the back, while leaning on the wall. “Although I only recently met some of you, I don’t know you personally. I would like to take this time to introduce myself. My name is Nine Prophet and I was abused by Kerrick for sixteen years of my life. He has left me everything and I will be fair to those who choose to follow my rules. But if you try to sue me for this money, you will fail and be given nothing. There are only two exceptions to my generosity. Alice and Victoria will be given nothing.”

  “But why?” Victoria sobbed.

  “Because you allowed my aunts and uncles to be raised in an incestuous environment and did nothing. Because of it, my parents were never able to care for me, my life was torture and now I am in l
ove with my cousin.”

  “But I was a victim too!”

  “And they were children. You were their mother and you failed.” She paused. “Now you will live the life the only mother I knew led. You will be depressed. You will be broke and you will spend every moment with the realization that you fell in love with the wrong man. Just like my precious Fran. Now leave.”

  Victoria ran out of the room sobbing.

  “I know many of you do not agree with what I just did. But my decision is final. This meeting is adjourned.” Alice was about to walk out until Nine said, “Alice, we will have our moment soon. I haven’t forgotten.”

  ****

  When Alice woke up she was sitting in a wooden chair with a rag in her mouth. She had been poisoned and abducted in the middle of the night. She was in an abandoned property in Maryland that the Prophet family had just acquired. Her arms were tied behind the chair and her ankles to the legs. Nine stood in front of her dressed in a black cat suit with red boots. Without even speaking, she brought a whip down over Alice’s face. The pain was unbearable.

  “Hello, Alice,” Nine grinned. “Are you ready to reap what you sowed?”

  With limited mouth movements, Alice said, “Please don’t do this. I’m sorry for everything.”

  “Now, now, my dear Alice. I never once begged for mercy. Did I? Instead, I took what you dished and kept on living. And I must ask that you do the same.” She paused. “And just so you know, Hector has been murdered. You are alive because you share my bloodline. But don’t make me kill you too.”

  Nine snapped her fingers and three men appeared from the darkness of the building. They were naked and held the largest penises she had ever seen in her life.

  “They are going to do whatever they please with your body for sixteen weeks. Unlike me, you will be fed but only when you do what is asked. If you buck the system, you will be kept for an additional week or killed.”