3 men were in the room with him, each clothed in a way that would shield their identities while they did the deed. Edward recognized them though.
His old teammates. Traitors, the lot of them. They’d sold him out to the enemy to save their own skin back during one of their missions, Edward had been severely wounded and the three were discharged from the military after being discovered. Edward glared at them, rage bubbling up in his gut. “What do you want?” He growled.
The first man, pale skinned with brown eyes, sneered at him. “We’re just here to settle the score, Ed. Did you really think we wouldn't find out that you sold us out?” The man, Markus, spat.
“I sold you out?” Edward scoffed, “You did it to yourself during the mission when you betrayed us, Markus.” Edward wanted nothing more than to strangle the man to death, right here, right now. Edward took a step forwards, intending to hurt Markus when the second man, the one who was holding the gun to Jared’s head, spoke up.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Lieutenant.” He smirked, pressing the gun further against the boy’s head. A third man pressed his own gun to the back of Edward’s head. “One wrong move, and both of you die.” The second man laughed.
“Sanford…” Edward glared, gritting his teeth. He didn’t move. As much as he wanted to kill these bastards for what they’d done to his family, he’d be damned if he lost his son due to his own inability to keep himself in check.
“On your knees.” The third, Jamison, one bellowed. Edward had no choice but to comply. His Sunshine’s life was on the line here. He kneeled down onto the soft carpet… it dug into his knees. It hurt.
What hurt worse, was when Jamison hit him in the head with the butt of his rifle. Edward crumpled to the floor, holding his head as his ears rang, his vision blurred. He looked up at the three, his breathing labored.
Jared cried out in terror, his small form shaking. “Daddy!” His son looked so scared. His eyes, usually so bright and innocent, filled with hope and wonder, were now marred with the grim reality his father had tried so desperately to shield him from.
Edward forced himself to his knees once more, blood dripping down his forehead as he looked up at Sanford. “If you touch a hair on his head…” He warned, feeling bile rise into his throat.
The three grinned, Markus laughed a bit, waving his hand at Sanford. “You moved.” Markus hissed, a maniacal glint in his eyes. Jared’s little eyes went wide, he tried to rush over to his father. “Papa!-”
BANG
Blood splattered throughout the room, brain matter staining the pristine white carpet. His son dropped to the floor, blood pooling on the carpet.
Edward’s ears rung from the sound of the shot, his heart beat loudly in his ears as he stared at the body of his little Sunshine. The body of a boy with a smile brighter than the sun itself, a boy who’s laughter never failed to cheer up those around him, a boy who was his son.
A boy who was dead all because his father decided to work overtime.
If I had just been home sooner, Edward thought, If I hadn't taken that overtime shift, I could have made it home to be with my family. I could have protected them. It’s my fault, it’s all my fault.
The mocking laughter, the sound of his own heart and the ringing of his ears was all he could hear. He hardly had time to process before 3 more shot’s rang out.
Edward felt himself falling to the floor, he felt nothing but weightlessness. At least, he thought once more, I’ll be able to see my family again. His vision began to go dark when he heard footsteps rushing up the stairs. He heard yelling, could see lights, but everything hurt too much for him to open his eyes anymore.
Edward didn’t wake up until weeks later. He had found out that during his coma, an event had occurred at his place of work and everyone inside had gone missing.
Edward had lost everything.
His home.
His Job.
And His family.
|| @a-friendly-dogday part 3, FINALE ||