Maximillian
People say we each have our personal prisons, even though we're not physically confined; sometimes, we choose to remain trapped. It had been a year since my best friend Darius passed away, and I hadn't moved past my grief.
How could I, when everything around me served as a reminder of him? His face haunted my dreams, his laughter echoed in my ears, and his voice lingered, sharing dreams of a future he'd never witness, all ended by my own hands. I resented the pity mirrored in my parents' and siblings' expressions, and their delicate treatment of me as if I were a ticking time bomb. Rejecting their sympathy felt rude, and I couldn't openly express my disdain for my privileged life.
Writing a farewell letter to my parents proved to be the most challenging task I'd ever faced, yet it was necessary. I couldn't be certain if leading an ordinary life would ease my guilt or bring slight comfort, but regardless, I'd acknowledge my suffering as deserved. Having completed my letter, I sealed it in an envelope and placed it on my reading table, ensuring it was in a noticeable spot.
It needed to be found promptly, but not too quickly, allowing me time to escape. I was certain my mom, who worried excessively about me, would be the first to discover it. I didn't wish to subject her to this emotional rollercoaster, but being apart was healthier for both of us. Perhaps, in the future, I could return as the son she remembered, as this version of myself was unrecognizable even to me.
At 1 am, I grabbed a backpack, filled it with discreet clothes and two pairs of shoes. After securing my wallet in my jeans, I removed my credit cards, ensuring I had enough money to sustain me until I found a job, then quietly left my bedroom. Having pondered for two months, I devised an escape plan.
I studied the guards, noting their shifts and positions around the palace and gates. Exiting the house was a breeze, but the real challenge lay in bypassing the gates or scaling the fence. I tiptoed across the lawn, crawling quietly when necessary, until I reached the farthest tree in the corner, scaled it to the highest branch, and hid there.
After making sure the guards were gone, I carefully approached the fence, threw my jacket over the barbed wire, and jumped down. Experiencing a sharp pain from my knee to my ankle, I gritted my teeth in frustration. My left leg, injured in the accident, had undergone reconstructive surgery, sparing me a lifetime of limping. Now, I worried I might have worsened it, especially since I was still recovering from my second hospitalization incident.
Testing my leg to determine the extent of the injury, I sighed in relief when I found I could walk normally. Realizing my father's money had not gone to waste, I waved a final goodbye to the house, placed a black baseball cap on my head, and went my way.
~~~~~
"I heard the bad news. I'm sorry for your loss. May her soul rest in peace. What are you going to do now? How will you take care of your children?" The man consoled his friend, expressing his condolences.
The friend, wearing a resigned expression, replied, "I intend to go back to my hometown. There's nothing for me here anymore. At least, my father's house is there waiting for me. I can work on the farm to take care of myself and my children. All I need right now is money."
"What about your truck? Sell it and use the money to travel." The man suggested.
The friend sighed. "And what will I use to carry my belongings? It's at the mechanic's shop waiting for me to come and get it after I've paid Silas all the money I've been owing him. It's really not fair of me to repay his goodness with evil."
"How much do you need?" The man inquired.
"I'm owing Silas twenty thousand. I need at least forty thousand." The widower replied.
"That's tough. I don't have any money right now." The man said.
Listening to these men discuss gave me an idea. All I needed to know was where he was headed and how fast he could leave before my father would send his guards out to look for me. I was cutting it too close as it was and couldn't afford to go back home.
Stepping out from behind the abandoned bus, I stood in front of them, startling them. They quickly composed their features when they realized how young I was and that I was unarmed.
"Who are you?" One of them questioned.
"I'm sorry to drop in on you like this, but I overheard your conversation. You said you need money, don't you?" I inquired.
The men eyed me warily, but I could see they were considering that I didn't look like a thief or a scammer. They exchanged silent looks until the one in need of money spoke up.
"I do. May I ask why?" He questioned.
"I'll double the amount if you take me along," I offered. "But, we must leave within thirty minutes."
"What's your name?" He inquired.
"It doesn't matter. I'll provide the money you need and pay you to take me wherever you're going," I explained. "But first, where are you headed? Is it far from Mercia?"
"It's a two-day journey without traffic or stops," He replied. "I'm heading to Havindelle, the last of the five kingdoms."
The mention of Havindelle brought back memories; my dad had once mentioned it was enemy territory. Grandpa had eliminated the entire royal family, and King Elroy's cousin had claimed the throne. Dad didn't like the late King's cousin either, but he seemed better than his predecessor.
"Perfect," I said. "I'll triple the amount if you leave your belongings behind."
Despite their initial wariness, the men couldn't resist the tempting offer. The man nodded, exchanged a handshake with his friend, and we departed. In less than an hour, with only their clothes for the trip, the man bundled up his three kids in the truck, and we began our journey to Havindelle.
~~~~
I could have accompanied the man to his house in Havindelle for the night, but I anticipated his expectations: covering accommodation and dinner costs. Initially doubtful, he became cheerful upon seeing the cash, addressing me as 'sir.'
I wandered without a clear destination, relying on his tip about a one-star hotel nearby. Planning to stay there for the night and search for a better place later, I dismissed approaching footsteps, assuming they were mine. However, I had to acknowledge that I was about to be robbed as two men brandishing pocket knives blocked my path.
I sighed, shook my head, and turned around, only to face three more men—one with a toy gun, the second with a baton, and the third with a dagger.
"I don't have the energy to face all five of you tonight," I declared. "But if you don't leave right now, I'll have to teach you a lesson."
"Five against one? That's amusing. Hand over your belongings, and we won't harm you." The supposed leader, his high top fade dreadlocks framing his face, retorted.
With a sardonic smirk, I cracked my knuckles. "Looks like you'll have to try and take them."
Dreadlocks exchanged glances with his mates before they lunged at me together. However, I skillfully dodged their blows, swiftly incapacitating one or two with powerful strikes to their stomachs and delivering a precise uppercut to another guy's chin, sending them sprawling to the ground.
Engaged in a stare-down with dreadlocks, I was caught off guard and couldn't dodge the blow that struck the back of my head, causing me to slump to the ground in pain. An irritated hiss escaped my lips as I tried to rise, but they relentlessly attacked me with kicks and punches, and one of them cut me with a knife.
"You should've handed over your stuff," Dreadlocks sneered, seizing my backpack. "And for that... Strip him down."
Left in just my underwear, I endured another brutal kick to my ribs. Through blurred vision, I watched them walk away, laughing and chatting. I recognized their faces; revenge would be mine later. For now, oddly, I wasn't furious—it felt like a well-deserved lesson.
As darkness enveloped me, a man's voice asked if I was alright, countered by a woman telling him not to bother. I wanted to agree with her, but my eyelids grew heavy, and I succumbed to unconsciousness.
LeonidasDear Mom and Dad,Writing this letter fills my heart with overwhelming emotion. It's challenging to convey the depth of my feelings as I bid you farewell. Expressing this pains me, but I cannot pretend everything is alright in my world when it's not.I regret to inform you that I am not in the right frame of mind to continue as the Crown Prince of our great kingdom. So, I am relinquishing my rights to the throne. The time has come for me to embark on a new chapter in my life, yet you will always be in my thoughts and my heart.You've been my pillars of strength, my guiding lights, and the source of unconditional love. I regret taking that love for granted and disappointing both of you. Leaving you is difficult, but it's something I must do. Please understand that I carry your love with me wherever I go. Thank you for your endless love and support. Please take care of yourselves and don't worry about me. My love for both of you is beyond words, and I will deeply miss you.Wit
EdwinaI couldn't believe that a man so incredibly handsome could exist. In this Kingdom, I had never encountered anyone like him: soft, silky black hair, long eyelashes coveted by women, perfectly proportioned lips, a chiseled jaw, and a body I was sure even Steven would envy. I refrained from counting his abdominal muscles, but I estimated there were around eight."Where are you from?" I wondered. "Are you just passing through, or are you here to stay?""Are you speaking to an unconscious man?" Evelyn inquired."I'm just thinking out loud," I replied. "Are you back from the market? How did it go?""The same," She sighed, settling down on the low stool. "I'm sick and tired of everything that's going on.""Papa said that the farmers' cooperative society is willing to loan him the money he asked for," I informed her, trying to offer some reassurance. "They gave him six months to pay back.""Will that be enough to get what we want done?" Evelyn asked, her concern evident. "The roof is l
I woke up in a dimly lit room, my memory hazy after being attacked by thugs. My body ached, and my head throbbed with pain. Wondering where I was, I strained to see through the dimness. Surprisingly, I could spot a lantern on the wall and another nearby, despite the pain. A nauseating smell filled the air, adding to my confusion.Struggling, I propped myself up with my good elbow, attempting to understand my surroundings. Four walls enclosed me, adorned with only a large portrait and a wooden table tucked in a corner. There were no other furnishings or electronics in sight. The possibility crossed my mind that the beating might have left me blind, but I could discern the faint light and the room's sparse contents, so that idea was promptly crossed out."Where the hell am I?" I muttered, scrunching my nose at my bad breath before mustering the strength to rise. Stumbling across the room, I reached for the door and pulled it open, stepping outside. To my surprise, there were five peopl
Edwina "Edwina," Evelyn inquired, noticing my unusual silence. "Are you alright? You're quieter than usual." I know I'm not exactly the life of the party, but today, I'm just not in the mood for small talk. "I'm fine," I replied, attempting to conceal my inner turmoil. "I was just about to ask the same thing. Last night, when you returned to the room, you went straight to bed without a word. Did something happen?" Esther chimed in. "Nothing," I replied, my tone masking my true feelings. Evelyn, ever perceptive, asked, "Is it your period?" "No," I scowled, irritated by the question. "I'm perfectly fine. I just have a lot on my mind. By the way, did you mention that Samantha's mother refused to pay you for the three tubers of yam she bought yesterday?" "Yes," Evelyn sighed, frustrated. "She said since my mom still owes her for the cassava flour she bought last week, she won't pay up." I clenched my fists, feeling my patience wane. Today was definitely not the day to test it. "I
Maximillian"Are you sure about this, Max?" My brother, Julian, asked me." He appeared even more nervous than I was, despite my suggestion for him to wait in the car. Nevertheless, he insisted on joining me, accepting whatever challenges awaited us."This is your last chance to leave," I warned him as the screen door opened and Darius's mother, Annis Sterling, emerged with Darius's dog, Bomer. I had missed Darius's funeral due to a coma, making this moment even more significant."No way. If anything happens to you, dad will have my head," Julian protested as Annis descended the porch steps. He questioned whether I had informed our father about our presence here, but got no response from me. "You didn't tell him?!" His eyes went wide.Just before she turned away, Annis noticed me, her expression changing from indifference to outrage. Despite her disapproval, Darius and I had always found ways to stay connected, even defying Annis's attempts to keep us apart.The last encounter between
As Cyril Jonas was leaving his farm, Chief Williams's booming voice stopped him in his tracks. "Ah, just the man I wanted to see." Chief Williams said.He couldn't fathom why Chief Williams had traveled all the way to his farm, considering its remote location on the outskirts of the Kingdom. Cyril, curious about the reason behind this unexpected visit, speculated that it must be a matter of great significance, given the chief's effort to reach him. He couldn't imagine what Chief Williams, a man of average build with a noticeably protruding stomach, might have to say to someone of his humble status, other than possibly concerning an incident involving one of his own daughters."Chief Williams," Cyril inquired, concern etched on his face. "Is everything alright?""Nothing is alright, Jonas," Williams retorted bitterly. "Nothing will ever be alright until you find a way to tame that hellion you call your daughter."Pretending ignorance, Cyril asked, "Which one of my daughters?"William
Edwina"Why does Dad want me to head home now?" I asked my sister, taken aback."I'm not sure, but I think you might be in trouble," Evelyn replied, shrugging her shoulders."But I haven't done anything wrong," I protested. "We need to sell all these peppers today, or we'll have to use them ourselves.""Maybe you should go home. I'll stay until six," Evelyn suggested."Are you sure? Will you be able to manage bringing some things back by yourself? If I can come back to help you, I will. Otherwise, Esther will come," I said."No problem.""I'll go home and see what Dad wants," I muttered before leaving. Dad rarely called me home from the market. Whatever he usually had to tell me could wait until I got home, but this might be very important."Edwina Jonas, is that you?" A female voice questioned.I turned around, only to find myself face to face with Samantha Williams, my arch-nemesis. In a surprising turn of events, she had gained admission to a university in the city and had traveled
Hi guys! I'm back! Back with a new story titled Bared To You and it's the sequel to my very beloved book; Someone Like You. This story is going to explore the life of Leonidas Sebastiani's first son Maximillian and his relationship with the rebel from an enemy territory; Havindelle. Her name is Edwina Jonas. Not to give any spoilers but just to make my lovely readers aware just in case you get confused... Maximillian lied about losing his memory so he wouldn't have to be sent back home and adopted the name Justice for himself, which is what he's going to be called for now. I don't want any confusion which is why I'm stating it in this author's note for you guys to know.With the few that have started reading, I hope you stay tuned to this story and don't go anywhere because it's gonna get hotter than this. Just you wait! Lots of love🥰😍 P.S. See what I did there? Lots of love? 🤣