RECAP:It's Christmas time in the Small Town of Zadence and the one thing on everyone young person's mind is Chelsea Averra's Christmas Eve party. Chelsea is known well as 'The Princess of Zadence' daughter of the town's Sheriff and very popular. We begin with brothers Tyler and Kyle Banks reacting to getting their invitations. Tyler is the jock of the two, very confident and outgoing, mostly popular but arrogant and ignorant of how his behavior can cause some to dislike him. Kyle is the younger of the two and largely a loner, spends a lot of time on his own drawing and watching people which causes some to find him creepy. Tyler pressures Kyle to be more outgoing and due to his temper and bluntness they sometimes fight.
Tyler pressures Kyle to go to the party as he knows he has a crush on her. Kyle however is very hesitant. Later we see Chelsea trying to convince her brother Corey to get up and attend the party. Corey clearly has some issues he won't talk about and complains but reluctantly agrees to go. We then meet Naomi, Corey's best friend. They run into Tyler and that's where we find out Corey and Tyler seem to dislike each other. Tyler tries to convince Corey to take part in a bit of a show where Tyler and his friends would seemingly beat him up to entertain some kids. Corey refuses and walks away.
Next Naomi runs into Kyle at her father's Diner, she shows an interest in him and gets rather flirty as she befriends him. Kyle is shy but seems to enjoy Naomi and then agrees to go to the party with Naomi and Corey to the party instead of with his brother Tyler, though Corey is unsure what to think of Kyle.
Later Kyle and Tyler have a brief fight, Kyle gets angry and marches off to meet Naomi and Corey. On the way Naomi gets annoyed by how rude Corey is being and scolds him. Kyle sees Chelsea but freezes up and walks off much to Naomi's disappointment. Chelsea suddenly confronts Naomi and we learn they used to be good friends but had a falling out but we don't learn just yet why. Naomi yells at Chelsea in front of everyone and marches off.
Next Corey is outside and overhears Tyler's best friend Carl Edwards. He gets some people together and talks about forcing Kyle to leave and possibly beating him up if he refuses. Corey much to his own dismay reluctantly decides to force himself to intervene.
And now we're caught up! I hope the recap was decent but brief enough to remind you of where we are in the story. Enjoy the finale
CoreyCorey groaned as he felt his conscience forced him to protect someone he barely knows. "Fuck it, I'll do both" he muttered to himself as he lit another cigarette and followed Carl and his group of friends. Carl wasn't sure what to make of Kyle, especially after finding out he's Tyler's brother. He hates Tyler with a passion but Kyle does seem alright, not to mention Naomi has made no secret about liking him. Corey still doesn't think he's that good looking though.
Corey turned a corner as he took a puff of his cigarette and saw Carl and two others cornering Kyle. One was large and clearly obese, much bigger than Corey and he didn't much like the idea of being crushed by him. The other beside Carl was short and scrawny though. Carl sighed as he approached Kyle "Look buddy--" Kyle immediately interrupted and gave a venomous glare "I'm not your buddy, Carl." Kyle said bluntly and to the point. As he said this he tried to move past them but fatso pushed him back against the wall. Kyle was visibly angry "What the fuck, Carl? I was invited!" And Carl shook his head "A pity invite. Look Kyle I'm not trying to be a dick here, but it's not a good look for you to be here, not for your brother and not for Chelsea. You have to leave for everyone's sake."
Kyle tried to push back again "That's bullshit! I didn't do anything."
As they argued they hadn't noticed Corey and he proceeded to grab his old metal baseball bat that his granddad bought for him, whilst holding his cigarette in his mouth. Meanwhile Carl suddenly lost his temper and grabbed Kyle by the neck "Listen here you little shit, you're nothing but an eyesore, you only live in that big house because your adoption was a PR stunt to make your mum look good, and look how you turned out? A creepy loner everyone tries to avoid. It makes your mother look like she didn't put in any effort to raise you. You're a parasite who makes everyone around him look bad!"
Kyle couldn't speak and tried kicking Carl off him, that's when Corey stepped forward with a bat on his shoulder "Sounds like we'd get along" Corey said as he glared daggers at Carl. As the group turned to him Carl's large friend step forward and Carl got in a swinging position "Come anywhere near me 'extra fries' and I'm gonna crack your knee caps, make it even harder for your legs to carry your sack of a body"
"Fuck you!" He responded angrily before Carl stepped in and Kyle fell to his knees behind him coughing. "And here's the other parasite, whereas Kyle makes everyone look bad you do the same but on top of that you make them miserable. It's only a matter of time before my brother drops you or has an overdose because of you." Corey pointed the bat "Shut your fucking mouth or I'm gonna make it more obvious to tell the difference between you two. My relationship with your brother is none of your business!"
Carl smirked "Pathetic." It was a sickening smirk that reeks of condescending. A smirk that Corey sees everywhere. "Look at your sister, she should be focused on her future but because you're constantly pumping yourself full of drugs she's constantly worried about you and it makes her miserable." Carl sneered "I'm warning you Carl, shut your mouth!" But Carl shook his head and continued "Look at you, a sickening human being. No wonder your mother is always whoring herself out to drunk losers."
And that was it, Corey snapped and moved to swing his bat and screamed "Shut your mouth, Cunt!" But fatso grabbed Corey's arm and gave him a knee to the balls. "AUGH!" Corey groaned as he fell to his knees in pain "Fucking chicken shit. Fight me like a man…" as he said this fatso pinned Corey down to the ground and couldn't move as Carl kicked him in the ribs and fatso punched him in the mouth. "You're not a man, Corey you're a parasite, just like Kyle here--" as Carl turned around he was greeted to a right hook from Kyle. "Ahh shit!" Carl said as he covered his eye, that was definitely gonna bruise. But meanwhile Kyle was shaking his hand "Shit that hurts." He whined.
But then the skinny shit turned and pinned Kyle to the wall. As tubby was distracted Corey spat in his face and kneed him in the groin. "UGH! My balls!" He complained as he fell backwards. Corey chuckled "Can dish it out but can't take it?" And he quickly moved to grab his bat. As fatso stood up Corey swung for his leg and it hit hard. "AHHH! You fucking psycho!" He fell down again as he screeched in pain. Corey glared at him "Don't fucking mount me if you don't want to get hurt!"
Corey then turned and saw Kyle headbutt skinny shit. Obviously it hurt. "OW!" they collectively complained but when skinny shit saw Corey he legged it, dragging his fat friend with him. "Fucking pussy." Corey muttered before turning and finding Carl still nursing his eye and groaning. He turned to run but Corey quickly grabbed him by the collar of his shirt "I don't think so, elitist." And forcibly turned him around and held him tight "You really hurt my feelings you know. Speaking on shit you know nothing about!" Though Corey didn't want to acknowledge it but those words stung so bad because a part of him thought they were true. Carl sneered "I ain't gonna apologize. Besides you won't do anything to me. My brother won't forgive that. Even if he's as trashy as you are, he's loyal to his family!"
Corey punched Carl in the gut as though to prove him wrong "Zack is nothing like you!"
As Carl groaned in pain Kyle walked up "Corey maybe that's enough--"
"Shut the fuck up, Kyle!" Corey snapped at him before turning back to Carl. Carl looked just like Zack and he couldn't stand it. Zack was good, loyal and didn't care what others thought. But Carl was a condescending prick who made Corey feel like garbage. "Now that you mention your brother, the family resemblance does repulse me quite a bit, let's do something about that."
Corey picked up his still lit cigarette and twisted Carl's arm. "No wait! Corey don't fucking do that!" He panicked, he was scared but Corey didn't care. He took his cigarette and pushed into Carl's hand, burning him. "AHHH SHIT!!!" Carl screamed before Corey pushed him away "I'll just look at your hand and more easily spot the weasel. Get out of my sight!" And Carl ran off, presumably to take care of his hand. Corey threw his cigarette away and sat against a nearby wall.
Kyle hesitantly sat next to him as if carefully trying to gauge if Corey was okay with it. "Thanks for stepping in." He said and Corey shook his head "Don't worry about it, Naomi wouldn't have wanted me to just ignore you and those cunts deserved a beating." Zack nodded "Still, thanks." He said before pointing towards his lip "looks like you might have a busted lip, should get that looked at." Corey groaned as he felt his lip before chuckling "Fatso has a good arm, I'll give him that."
Kyle laughed "Well he got a bat to the leg so maybe he's worse off"
Corey laughed along with him. "I misjudged you Kyle. You're… you're alright" and he patted him on the shoulder "a bit strange but alright" Kyle smiled "Yeah… thanks I think?" Corey nodded "It's a compliment emo, I promise" Corey thought about asking about Tyler but worried Kyle would mention him to Tyler so he decided against it, best not to sour the mood.
Kyle sighed as he rubbed his neck "I just don't understand what everyone's fucking problem is, I--" Kyle stopped himself but was clearly angry about something. "Go ahead and vent." Corey said "I don't mind"
Kyle shook his head and turned away as if to avoid making eye contact. "I don't understand what's wrong with me. Why Carl and people like him have such a problem with me. As if my mere existence is getting in the way of something. It just… it pisses me off!" He yelled as he kicked the grass. Corey knew in a way how he felt, but in his own case he knew why, Kyle didn't deserve this treatment though. "And sad too right?"
"Huh?" Kyle turned to Corey a little confused and Corey continued "Under how pissed you are I mean. You feel lonely and sad, so it pisses you off. Am I wrong?"
Kyle stammered "I-- probably not. Even with my brother and parents. They're all right but I do feel pretty alone sometimes… a lot of the time." And Corey nodded. He hated his mum but his sister was caring. Even if she hurt him sometimes, she never means to. And Naomi is always there, no matter how much of a dick he is to her. But at the same time he does feel alone, like he's suffocating and everyone is just watching, glad that it's happening. Before Corey got too lost in his thoughts he turned to Kyle in an attempt to comfort "But Naomi likes you. You have her now and you can definitely count on her" Kyle sported a bashful smile "Yeah…" fuck he was into her bad. Corey couldn't say he was entirely okay with it but it made him laugh, he'd just have to get over it. Reluctantly Kyle turned to Corey "And you maybe? I think I can count on you. You helped me just now." Corey bitterly shook his head "Nah mate." He said as he stood up and lit another cigarette "I'm sorry but… nobody can count on me. Don't set yourself up for disappointment."
Corey turned away from Kyle so he couldn't see his face, "Look mate I have to go. I um… I can't be here. I want to go home." Corey felt stupid for saying that but maybe his mum is at a hotel and not home. He could only hope.
Kyle looked confused but nodded "Okay but seriously, thanks for having my back. Nobody ever steps in like that for me." Corey smiled "like I said, they deserved it. And besides… us parasites have to stick together yeah?" Kyle smiled "I guess so. See ya and… Merry Christmas, Cory."
Corey smiled, a little sadly "Merry Christmas, Kyle." And he walked away, time to go home.
KyleAfter Corey left Kyle held his present for Chelsea in his hand as he looked inside trying to will himself to walk in and talk to her. He was always looking in from the outside. He thought about the things Carl said and scowled bitterly "Fuck it, not like anyone wants me in there" he mumbled to himself as he put the present back in his pocket.
"I want you here!" He suddenly heard behind him as he jumped and gasped at the surprise. He saw Naomi smiling and he sighed, genuinely pleased to see her "You… kinda scared me" he said with an awkward chuckle and she smiled "Well you scared me running off like you did. We were supposed to be hanging out? I thought you might ditch me" she said and Kyle sighed "I'm sorry I just… had to get out." Naomi nodded as she leaned against the wall, inviting him to stand next to her and he did.
Naomi gave him a knowing look "You froze up and panicked when that car showed up… Tyler's car" Kyle sighed, he didn't think she noticed "yeah… ok" was all he said and got quiet, not knowing how to explain. Naomi leaned closer to Kyle, presumably in an attempt to comfort him, it kinda worked, it felt nice. "Look, Kyle I'm just trying to help you and understand. I like you and… I can tell you're uncomfortable here, even though you wanted to come. Are you alright?" Kyle struggled to form a sentence and suttered a lot "I do want to be here but-- I just… people, some people don't like me for seemingly no reason and Tyler can make things worse by trying to help." He sighed in frustration as he thought he sounded emotional or unreasonable.
Naomi leaned against Kyle and spoke softly "How do you know Tyler?" She asked him "has he been picking on you?" Kyle shook his head "No… It's not like that. Tyler's my brother and we're kind of… fighting right now. He cares about me but he does it in a frustrating and suffocating way." Naomi showed surprise for a second beforr going back to listening intently. "I Love my brother and he loves me but…" Kyle felt anxious at the thought of saying it out loud "He's not… a good person" he whispered as though he'd feel less horrible in saying it. "I've seen how he treats… some people and I hate it. It's not that different from how others treat me." Naomi nodded as if understanding "I get it, family can be frustrating. You hate them but for some reason feel loyal or obligated to them. And it sucks to love someone who's intent on hurting others or… themselves" Kyle briefly glanced towards Naomi noticing her thoughtful smile changed to a sad one before changing back.
Kyle sighed and leaned back, feeling strangely relaxed talking to Naomi "These are my issues though, I'm not sure why I'm telling you all this."
"Maybe because… you like me?" Naomi said with a mischievous smirk and Kyle turned red as he turned to her " Oh! Well… that's a theory, I suppose." He said feeling rather awkward. She wasn't entirely wrong, Naomi made Kyle feel rather happy.
Naomi let out a small giggle and gently took Kyle's hand "Just tell me I'm wrong." Naomi said with an irresistible smile Kyle turned even more red but couldn't say he didn't like it. "I umm, well…" Kyle could feel himself turn red as he giggled awkwardly and felt as though Naomi leaned closer every second. She was so cool… that was all Kyle could think as Naomi teased him. It crossed his mind that she might've been flirting but how could he be sure?
As if to answer his thoughts Naomi was suddenly unbelievably close. "I think there's mistletoe above us…" Naomi said with a mischievous grin. Kyle looked up with a confused expression "Was that… there the whole time?" Kyle never noticed it. Naomi had a knowing smirk. She must've known the whole time. "You're kinda sneaky aren't you…" Naomi gave an innocent pout "I don't have any idea what you're talking about…" She even spoke in a mockingly innocent voice.
Kyle must've looked nervous because Naomi took his hand reassuringly "We don't have to if you don't want to…" Kyle had come here because of his crush on Chelsea and yet she was the furthest thing from his mind right now. Kyle felt himself move forward barely an inch and Naomi leaned forward suddenly as well, much more quickly and impulsively and gently Pressed her lips to his. It wasn't a long and passionate one like you'd see in movies, it was a quick but sweet one. It was just… nice. And with that Naomi pulled away with a mischievous smile. "Merry Christmas Kyle…" She whispered and Kyle in turn couldn't hold back a happy but awkward giggle. He'd completely forgotten about his earlier altercation and his rant about Tyler. Perhaps that was Naomi's intention… "Merry Christmas." He replied.
"So uh…" Kyle stammered as he tried to collect his thoughts. What does this mean? Were they a thing now? What about Chelsea? All these thoughts chaotically ran wild through his head. But Naomi snapped her fingers in front of him "Hey Kyle? You alive? Relax!" She said with a laugh and Kyle laughed in turn as he rubbed the back of his head, he must have looked nervous. "We're just having fun, yeah? I don't expect anything from you." Kyle wasn't sure how to take that. Is that good or bad? Maybe they were just having fun? Regardless Kyle felt good. Like his confidence was renewed, he felt on top of the world… "Um… yeah! Okay. This is pretty fun." And Naomi giggled in reply. The two just spent the rest of the party chatting and not worrying about anything. They were just happy and didn't think about anything that was weighing them down.
CoreyBy the time Corey got home it was pretty late at night. His mum should be home by now, he thought. He knew she was when he found the front door unlocked. You would think the Sheriff of all people would practise basic common sense in home safety but apparently not. He didn't bother knocking and just walked in. The House was already a mess before but it was worse now, even more alcohol littered the place. And to his dismay he saw his mother, Sasha Averra with her bright and long red hair and her pale, freckled face laughing with the man he couldn't stand. Sasha wasn't exactly in her prime anymore. Wrinkles in her cheeks, bags under her eyes and had gained a noticeable amount of weight, though not quite on the obese level.
"Mum?" Corey called out but seemed drowned out by her laughter with her scumbag of a boyfriend. If you could even call him that, there was a different one here just a few months ago. Corey only knew him as Ryan. Ordinary name for an ordinary douchebag. Chelsea tolerated him, Corey despised him. "Mum?" Corey called out again and still no answer. Corey got frustrated massaged his forehead before shouting "Mum!" The pair both turned, Sasha sighed and Ryan responded first with a harsh glare "Would you lower your voice you fuckwit!? You sound like such a sook sometimes."
Corey merely glared at him, not saying anything in response. He didn't deserve his attention. Sasha finally found her voice "Hey Corey. I thought you must've been staying with Um... what's his name?"
"The fag." Ryan interjected bluntly and crudely. Corey despite his best judgement couldn't let that stand "Don't fucking call him that!" Corey shouted with venom and hatred in his tone. Corey had earlier resolved he wasn't worth his attention but for him to talk about Zach Like that was so aggravating it felt like his body was boiling. Corey stared at the lowlife as though looks could kill. But then Sasha spoke up. "Corey. That's enough." But it was Corey that was told to stop... how does that make sense? Why would she...
Corey shook his head quickly as his rage was taking over before trying to calm down. Chelsea suggested a present to fix things and despite Corey's better judgement he went along with it. He saw the time and realised it was midnight. It was technically Christmas. What better time than now. "Um... mum?" He forced himself to say softly as he tried his best to stay compose. "Could you come to my room for a sec? I want to show you something. For Christmas, please?" Fuck... Corey hated saying that word and in that tone he felt so pathetic, especially in front of that douchebag. Sasha gestured towards Ryan as if to say his presence was somehow more important. "Can't it wait? And it's so late I'm just not feeling up to it." Corey felt like he was choking on his own words as he tried to speak "But... it's Christm--" and suddenly the he was interrupted "She said no, sook. Can't you hear?" Ryan snapped at him and insisted of snapping back Corey looked for the support of his mother like she was supposed to... but of course she said nothing. Without saying another word Corey gave up and stormed off to his room.
He slammed the door and slammed his back into it. "What's the point?" He muttered weakly to himself as he slammed against it again. "Why?" How did things get so shit? It was like someone singled out his life and took a massive dump on it, it wasn't like this before... why did It... And then his eyes locked onto to the wrapped present he had made for his mother. Of course he knew why it all went wrong but he didn't want to go there... tried so desperately to ignore those intrusive thoughts. He didn't want to blame him.
Impulsively Corey made a beeline for the present and ripped it open. Such a disgustingly cutesy pattern of wrapping paper. Why did he waste his time? Inside was box with a disgustingly cutesy message. "Merry Christmas Mum, I love you." A waste of time... he ripped the card in half and threw it across the room before reaching for the actual present. A CD. He grabbed it and moved towards his DVD player, put the disc in and turned on his TV. Next Corey sat on the floor and reached under his bed, pulling out a bottle of bourbon. He opened it and immediately began drinking it straight. "Merry Christmas Corey!" That was when he heard that kind voice coming from his TV. He almost hesitated to look fearing he'd break down. That's when he looked up and saw him, his dad. He was tall, short Blonde hair and he looked so happy. "Merry Christmas dad!" And then a stupid little boy appeared on camera with a happy smile as he ran to hug his father.
And then a beautiful and happy young woman also appeared. Hard to believe that could be Corey's mother. "Oh? An what about Mum?" She said and the little boy ran to her next "Merry Christmas Mum!" And she smiled "Merry Christmas, sweetheart" she said warmly. Corey noticed a cradle in the background. Right... Chelsea was just a toddler at the time. Corey president fast forward on his remote and then saw the boy being cute and playing with toy cars. "I Love you Corey..." the mother said as she watched him play. Corey glared at the screen and whispered softly "Liar..." and pressed fast forward again. Then she was hugging the boy "You're the most important man in my life." She said to him while the father mockingly acted as though he were offended "Liar." Corey said again and again he skipped forward. Next he saw a small toddler hugging the boy as the mother said "Awww..." practicality melting at the sight. The boy whined "Ugh... she's so annoying!" He complained and the dad laughed "Come on, mate! She loves you." Does she? She acts like she does but she's friends with people he absolutely loathes. How can both things be true at the same time?
Again Corey skipped it and then stopped at the boy nagging his father as he played "Hurry up dad! I wanna show you something!" And the dad laughed "Hold your horses Mate! I'm not going anywhere!" That's when it happened, tears began streaming down Corey's face as he dropped his remote and cradled his bottle like a security blanket. "Liar..." He said as he sobbed and couldn't bear to look at the screen anymore.
Suddenly Corey's phone rang. The extreme heavy metal ring tone was pretty hard to miss. He had half a mind to ignore it but looker anyway and saw Chelsea's name. Corey immediately hung up, she probably just wanted to nag him about not showing up at the party. Pretty soon after he received a text message. It read "Merry Xmas! I love you." With a smiley face. Corey sported a reluctant smile as tears streamed down his cheeks. He forced himself to reply with a simple "Love you too." None of that those donkey emojis. Figured she might be worried he might've hurt himself. Things were still shit but... maybe Chelsea isn't a liar like the rest.
TylerTonight's party was a bit more dramatic than Tyler expected. Chelsea didn't come back downstairs after the emo chick went off on her. But Tyler wasn't gonna let a catfight ruin his night. He drank, ate and drank some more as the night went on. Chatting and dancing with anyone who looked his way. That must be why he was passed out on a couch. Felt like he choked on his own saliva as he was woken up suddenly and Christmas music was blaring in his ears. "UGH... I'm up, where's the fire?" In his drunken state when he looked up and saw his friend Carl with a black eye and bandaged hand he could only laugh in surprise. "Oh shit! The fuck happened to you?" As he laughed he turned away as though he might go back to sleep. "Tyler..." Carl said with a sigh as he dragged him back up to his feet. "Come on, promised I'd take you home right?"
Tyler was still laughing as Carl practically dragged his feet along the floor. "Oh man, hehe. How was there a fight and I missed it? You did win right? Tell me you won!" He drawled and Carl smirked "No point in telling you the story mate. You're not gonna remember this tomorrow." Tyler whined as Carl dragged him to his truck and placed him in the passenger seat. "Aw... come on!" Tyler might have put more effort in showing some sympathy if he wasn't so drunk, or at least pretended to. As Carl got into the driver seat Tyler looked again at Carl's hand and saw that he winced as he grabbed his seat belt. And idea crossed his mind and he went to grab his hand. "Ahh!" Carl winced and pulled his hand away. "The fuck are you doing?" Tyler stubbornly reached again "lemme see." He said lazily and Carl pulled away again "Tyler." He warned "You are drunk. Keep your hands to yourself." Carl wasn't normally so stern with Tyler. Something bad must've happened. Tyler really wanted to know what as Carl was persistent to putting his foot down.
But Tyler was as stubborn as he was strong. He again grabbed his hand and managed to pull away a strip of the bandage. "Ahh... fucking stop it!" Carl suddenly shouted at him. He never snapped at Tyler like that. Even at his worst. Tyler felt bad and that he might've crossed the line. But he noticed what looked like a burn on Carl's hand. A cigarette burn. Tyler only knew one person who smoked. A person he couldn't stand. "It was Corey wasn't it? That little fucking pussy, we didn't even do anything to him!" The audacity of that prick to come to his own sisters party to jump Carl. What just because of their Santa's Bandits joke? "Ha!" He laughed loudly "I'm gonna fucking kill him." Carl shook his head "stop it Tyler." He said like a stern mother but Tyler shook his head "Nah fuck him, man! He's a fucking weird who's draining the souls of everyone around him and what? Now he's attacking people?"
Carl seemed to be getting impatient and closed the trucks windows as Tyler got more aggravated and activated the child lock on the doors. "Think of your reputation alright, you can't be--" and Tyler groaned as he rolled his eyes "Oh fuck reputation man! That freak deserves worse than a beating, which I promise you is what he'll get!" Carl once again snapped "Yeah and what's Chelsea gonna think if you attack her brother huh?" Tyler shrunk under his friend's shouting like a child. "She should thank me." He muttered. Corey only dragged Chelsea down with his baggage, she deserves so much better than that cockroach. And Carl kept yelling "Yeah well she won't! And guess what happens next? Princess of the school hates you, then everyone at school hates you. And then that gossip travels to the political sphere and they say 'Son of the Mayor attacks the Sherrif's Son' and then her reputation gets fucked too. Then who wins the next election? Probably that greedy prick Tyson Andrews, then we're all fucked." Tyler's mum has mentioned him a few times and he's even met him himself once. Not exactly a good man, so yeah it'd suck if he replaced his mum.
Tyler struggled to get a word in but Carl kept going "It really fucking pisses me off how you have it so damn good and yet you're so willing to fuck your own good standing! Just please fucking THINK, TYLER" He practically screamed before turning away and took a deep breath. Tyler was stunned by the outburst. Carl's family didn't have a great reputation so that must be where he was coming from but he didn't know he could get so angry about it. Tyler turned away childishly "Don't have to shout..." He said with as smirk. He carefully glanced and he could see Carl was trying to hold it back but in the end he couldn't stop himself from laughing. "You're such a dick." He said through reluctant laughter and Tyler as well began laughing along with him. Carl then sighed and Tyler let out a yawn as he leaned against the door. "Just... go ahead and pass out man. I'll get you home." Tyler moaned as he shut his eyes. "UGH... Merry Christmas, Carl..." Carl sighed and gave a small smile. "Yeah... Merry Christmas mate."
Epilogue-Rebecca:It could've been nothing. Just a dumb prank, but Rebecca couldn't ignore it. She's worked too hard to ignore a threat like this. She took the letter and immediately called the council members to arrive. The most influential people in town that she personally invited to her inner circle. Even the ones who have quit the council, they're part of it too. Rebecca folded back her long blonde hair when her husband suddenly hugged her from behind. "Come on babe..." her husband Franklin Banks whispered as he kissed her neck. "It's Christmas Eve... the boys are out. We shouldn't be stressing about a prank." She leaned against him and sighed "It might not be a prank. There could be a sick individual out there who unreasonably hates us and wants to hurt us. We shouldn't ignore it. We should deal with it." Frank was a sweetheart with sweet curly brown hair, Hazel eyes and sweet muscular arms attached to a tall frame but far too complacent, ignoring every possible danger and assuming it was fine. Finally the doorbell rang and she pryed her beloved husbands arms off of her.
She opened the door and was first greeted by her political rival Tyson Andrews. A tall man with a white beard, white hair and blue eyes. Of course he wore a suit. She wondered if this arrogant individual even owned casual wear. "Rebecca." The man spoke with a deep voice. "It's Christmas Eve. This better be good." Rebecca sighed "It's far from good but it's important, thank you for coming." Despite their differences she gave him a kiss on the cheek as she welcomed him inside.
Next was Layla Mason. Someone who Rebecca called a friend "Sorry for the sudden summons Layla, I'm sure you were busy." Layla had long dark hair, Hazel eyes and dark skin. She wore an expensive fur coat with a dress underneath. She very quickly hugged Rebecca. "Nonsense, if you say it's important then it's important." With a warm pat on the back, Layla made her way inside.
The last person was none other than Declan Reed. Not a powerful person by any means but well liked by the community. He had shaggy red hair and green eyes. A tall and thin man who keeps fit despite the amount of baked goods he enjoys. "Thanks for coming Declan." Decaln sighed and shook his head. "Beks, I really don't want to go in there." Rebecca stepped forward and placed her hands on his shoulders and spoke softly and warmly. "I know, I know which is why I'm grateful! This is for everyone's on good not just my own!" Declan left the council in quite the dramatic fashion. Raised voices and a slammed door, said he couldn't stand the scheming and politics. Even punched Tyson on his way out. With a sigh Declan slowly stepped Inside.
Rebecca frowned when she realized that was all who arrived. Raymond and Sasha were no shows. It wasn't surprising but still disappointing. She'd have to do this without them.
Once inside Frank opened the door to the old meeting room. "Gentlemen if you'll just come inside." As they entered he bowed his head as Layla passed with a charming smile "And Lady..." Layla laughed "Oh stop it, Frank!" Once inside they all sat at quite literally a round table. Declan looked most uncomfortable in his old seat. He avoided the gaze of Tyson who was openly glaring at him.
Rebecca closed the door behind her and placed an envelope on the table. Tyson immediately groaned "Really Rebecca? You called us here on Christmas Eve for one of these fucking annoying letters? We all get this shit all the time! Threats and accusations just..." Layla sighed "He's not exactly wrong, dear... I believed you when you said it's important but... edgy and cryptic messages aren't exactly knew for us." Declan groaned "You people haven't fucking changed. Every damn time you would jump like a dog at Rebecca's command and them whine when you arrived!" Tyson glared "I'm not gonna take this from a weakling who squandered the opportunity he was given. To make meaningful decisions that would affect this town!" Declan chuckled bitterly "Opportunity to steal people's homes you mean?" Tyson nearly stood up when suddenly Rebecca raised a finger "That's enough." Everyone fell silent and allowed her to speak. Rebecca was never the loudest in the room. But she absolutely commanded respect and people's attention."
"This letter is different... they know things. Things that even I didn't. About some of you. I won't ignore it and you shouldn't either." She passes the letter over to Declan's side of the table. "I'd like you to read it." She trusted that Declan at least would read it in full without groaning or making a joke. Declan sighed "Yeah... alright Beks." And he opened it before reading it in full. As he got further along the more concerned those around the table became.
"Enough is enough. Again and again I hear and witness absolutely foul crimes and indifference from people who witness them People can do something and yet do nothing. This message is a direct warning to the Sins of Zadence. Tyson Andrews, you are perhaps the most foul, there are times I feel ashamed at the things I wished would befall you. You, the sin of Greed. To build your Empire people have lost homes, families have been torn apart to satiate your greed. A woman abandoned her family, leaving her son and husband behind because you wouldn't risk her damaging your Empire.
Raymond Edwards, Sin of Sloth. I equally feel shame and disgust when I think of you. This town and in particular your family suffer and you do nothing. Your Son lives a life of crime, and you do nothing. Your other son causes misery and inflicts shame upon those he deems unworthy. Why do you allow this? Because you feel sorry for yourself? Not good enough. Rein in your children before I do.
Sasha Averra, Sin of Lust. How can our town be protected by one who lays with the lowliest of men. An armed robber, a drug dealer even a wife beater. All have been welcomed into the Sherrif's bed. While crime occurs instead of arresting them, our Sherrif is sleeping with them.
Layla Mason, Sin of Gluttony. How do you sit by and watch those close to you commit horrible acts whilst you drink the finest wine from your ivory tower? Perhaps the view makes rape easier to stomach. You're the one with the power you could stop it but no. Instead you enjoy your fancy food and luxurious home.
Declan Reed, Sin of Spite. You should've been the light in a cesspool of darkness. The people love you, eat the food you make with innocent smiles as they make small talk with you. Would they still smile if they knew what you knew? Knew the things our town leaders were capable of. But instead of changing or even better exposing the evil that plagues the town's evil you left. Left and remained silent, all because you don't like them. A petty and selfish excuse not to take action.
Rebecca Banks Zadence, Sin of Pride. You appear kind and sweet, a leader Zadence loves and can count. But look at what you're leading. I'm sure some of these crimes appear as a shock to you, that perhaps you'll deny they exist. But you know, you know you're surrounded by vile people. And yet you lead with a smile and tell the people our town is perfect. But it's far from perfect. Look closely at the rainbow and you'll something not so colourful. And at the end is a liar who pretends it's beautiful and houses and pot of gold.
Enough is enough. Put an end to our Town's suffering, stop inflicting it. If this town continues to suffer than so shall you. I will not stand idly by any longer. Merry Christmas."
End