going, going, gone. || a self para.
date: january 18th, 2015.
time: 10:30om, pacific standard time.
where: a warehouse in los angeles.
trigger warnings: death, weapons, drug mention, maybe more.
characters mentioned: kasimir bostwick, mika munroe, ed bostwick*.
*-- fictional characters, mentioned only for this para.
Kasimir had a heavy feeling in his heart as soon as he said his goodbyes to his ex-girlfriend, Mika. The very last thing he ever wanted was to have to leave her for good, but this was the only way to keep everyone-- himself included-- free from harm's way. Harm meaning his father, and the rally of troops that were at his beckon call.
A little over a week ago, Kasimir betrayed his family "business." On the outside, it was merely a long-haul trucking company who hauled goods over both borders, as well as throughout the United States. While this was a legitimate business, it was nothing more than a ploy for the Bostwick Cartel. It was ran out of a bigger town in Southern Oregon, with Ed Bostwick holding the reigns. He groomed his youngest son to be exactly like himself, but it backfired on him. Kasimir was such a free spirit, such an adventurer, that when he stayed in one place or one job for too long, he felt like a caged animal. He could not live a routine life; it simply wasn't in his blood. His mom always joked about how he was adopted, because none of their past family members were "hippies", but Kas knew that was nothing more than a way to poke fun at him.
It was a task to give up some information on his dad's business. He didn't give them much; some old information on a drug run to Toronto, the killing on a San Jose mafia soldier, the burning down of a local business. Kasimir was certain that none of that could fall back on his father in a way that would hurt him or his business-- they were all dead ends, the cases closed long ago. But it was enough to prove his association, and therefore his debt was paid and he was placed in Witness Protection in Kansas City. The safe house was nice and he had all the modern amenities, but the one thing he didn't have was Mika. His sunshine, and his first love. Kasimir didn't feel trapped because he was away from his warm home, he felt trapped because he was away from her. She was his home, and it had been that way for over seven years.
Kas made friends with a Mexican cartel in Kansas City, and luckily they'd dealt to the Bostwicks before. These men hated Ed, and would do anything to help Kas go against him-- even give the boy a one-way ticket to LA, including protection on the way there. They couldn't promise protection after the ride, but they would see him off. It was enough for Kas.
As Kasimir rethought his day, he was grateful. Grateful that he got to hold Mika and kiss her and tell her that even though he knew she had moved on, he loved her. He would always love her, with everything in him. When she drove away, it was as though his world stopped. But he did what he does best-- picked himself up and tried to go on. Tried to pretend like there wasn't a hole in his heart and a sick feeling in his stomach.
Now, as Kasimir walked back to the bus station, he heard the sound of a car behind him. He was naturally jumpy, because he knew Ed had word that he was in Witness Protection-- and of course Ed knew that Kas would come back to Mika given the first chance. Who's to say they didn't have men watching her too? She was their best assassin, after all. Thinking about that alone made Kasimir realize how stupid he was to come back, but his self-chiding was interrupted by a hand over his mouth and the cold muzzle of a revolver pressed to his temple. "Struggle and I shoot," a deep, minacious voice snarled in his ear. Kasimir didn't dare nod, didn't risk a word. He just allowed the man to push him into an industrial van and place a sack over his head. A blow to the ribs knocked the breath out of the boy, and he spit out a harsh "fuck you." The last thing he remembered was the butt of a pistol slamming into his jaw, and he was out.
Kasimir's head of thick, messy waves raised, and his eyes strained to see in the darkness. His hands were bound above his head, and a look upwards indicated that they were tied to a steel pipe. Loose boards hung in a rafter above, and the lighting was so dim it was nearly nonexistent. This must've been a warehouse. The boy looked around, his heartrate accelerating and his breath quickening. He knew this place; it was a stock house for a load of dope. He'd picked up many a shipments here. Not even two weeks ago was the last time. "You son of a bitch." he whispered, the pounding in his head making it difficult to keep his eyes open.
"Did you think I would't pursue you, son?" the all-too-familiar voice of his father sounded, directly in front of him. Kasimir didn't look at him, didn't make an utterance.
"I have to say, talking to the Feds... that was a new low, even for you." Ed's head tilted, and he examined his son. "Everyone thought you were the golden boy. Smart, cunning, a hard worker. Why, they even thought you'd take my spot someday." now the man was taunting his son in his most condescending tone, and he walked closer, his steps slow and deliberate. A 44 was tucked into his right hand, his fingers curled around the butt of it.
"If you're going to kill me..." Kasimir began, his words slow and even. "Then just fucking do it already." he challenged, knowing full and well his dad would do it in his own time.
"Oh, I will. But for now, I just want to know why you did it. Why would you tell on me, boy? Betray your family. Your blood." he cast the last word like a dagger, aiming right for Kasimir's throat. It didn't affect him, though. Nothing his father did could surprise him anymore. He expected Ed to be the one to off him-- he was vile and cruel and heartless in that way. It's the reason why his mother left the man, the reason his brothers and sister wished he would drop dead. Kasimir felt the same thing in this moment.
"You say this like my blood means something-- like you're actually working for the greater good. This family doesn't mean shit to me." Kasimir said, his voice sharp and harsh. He still didn't meet his father's gaze, partly because of the pain and the other because he couldn't bear to look at him.
"I know it doesn't, Kasimir. It hasn't for a long time. All you care about is that girl. Tell me... what is it about that girl that reels you in so much? Has you so... whipped. What sold you out? Was it her--"
Kasimir refused to let Ed finish, let him say anything to degrade or hurt Mika, even if she wasn't here to hear it. "Shut the fuck up," and at last, he lifted his head, spitting in his father's face. "You don't get to say shit about her."
Ed looked shocked beyond words, raising an arm to wipe his face on his sleeve. A breathy chuckle left the man's throat, and he shook his head, almost sadly. "I'm sorry it had to be this way. You know, at one point, I wanted to hand you the throne too. Give you everything," he released a long sigh, eyes downcast, before meeting his son's gaze. He walked forward, and took Kasimir's face in both his hands, tenderly, like he did to the boy when he was a child. Kas's dark eyes were wide, and he stared back at his father, but he felt no need to beg. No need to cry and scream and kick and fight to live. Even if he were to escape, they would find him. He would never live a normal life-- looking over your shoulder forever isn't a quality of life. Just a week of it was enough to do Kasimir in.
Looking at Ed now, he was looking at a different man than he knew as a kid. A man capable of killing his own child. A man who would never love again. In this moment, he knew his time was up. "I'm sorry too dad." Kasimir whispered, his tone low and pitiful. At one time, he really did love this man. He respected him. Of course it hurt that he was the one to deliver this.
"May God have more mercy on you than I ever could have." Ed said, before releasing his son and taking a step back. In one fluid movement, Kasimir's father lifted his arm, cocked his pistol, and fired.
Kasimir didn't feel a thing, not then, and never again.
