Bestial Planet

Chapter 1: Spearhead Eulogy

"Play Drum and Bass."

A chime sounds and Calyx erupts from the speakers. I hold my finger on the up-volume button in the steering wheel until I can't hear myself think anymore. For the next 30 minutes I drove in relative silence; occasionally dabbing the blood from my cheek with a fast food napkin.

When I got to Jaison's, who was essentially like my brother. I paused just before the front gate and unconsciously shifted into neutral. Not sure why but I just sat there with muted the music for a few minutes. I closed my eyes and hoped for something to happen. When I opened them and saw that the world just kept on going without me I felt an odd peace.

I rolled up to the gate and the security system I installed for them picked up the tag in my car and I rolled up the driveway that was too long. I thought I'd be the last one to show up for the reunion but there was a car missing. I turned the music down before shutting off the engine and tossed the napkin into a garbage can next to the garage. I tap in the door code, the heavy lock unbolts and I walk in, announcing my arrival "Yo!" I hear someone call back from the living room and see almost everyone there watching T.V.

Angelica looks to me, notices the cut on my cheek immediately and looks away awkwardly before speaking. "The pair are in the kitchen, but the third of you nerds isn't here yet." I wave hi to everyone with a big smile and nod before I make my way to the kitchen. I hear them laughing before I see them. The perfect couple really... Then I hear a serious tone cut the laughter, "He should leave that girl, she is not good for him in the least."

A pang hits me in the chest as I walk through the doorway and try to act oblivious. My brother, Jaison, is sitting on the counter and his other half is nursing a drink while sitting at the island. "How's it going you two, whatcha talkn' about?" He looks at me like a concerned parent. "You know damn well who we're talking about, Mannie." My eyes dashed to the ground. "Yeah..." and almost immediately he gasps audibly. "She did that to you?" You can hear the anger in his voice as he practically stares another cut into my cheek. I trip over my words trying to head off his next, but it's no use. "Nope. Ahuh Mannie. Did she do it?" I nod my head and he jumps off the counter and turns around to the drawer in the blink of an eye. "Calm down Jaison, you're not going to assault anyone." He scoffs at the words. "Like hell I'm not Kristoff! Every-time I see Mannie he's got a new bruise, cut or broken bone! Here we go. I'm go cut her ass, see how she likes it." I feel a misplaced fear and I rush over to him and put a hand on the knife. "No, please!" Jaison's eyes go wide in surprise as a tear forms but doesn't drop. He nods his head and puts a hand up in submission. "Ok, ok – you know this is an abusive relationship right?"

I look at him then at Kristoff, then back at him, trying to keep from thinking the thought I've kept myself from for 3 years. "It's... she isn't..." It finally crossed my mind. "Either you break up with her or I do go over there and beat her the fuck up." Kristoff sounds his disapproval. "Babe that's a little abrupt, to say the least." "Mannie needs abrupt Krissy! And I ain't about to sit here and find out she's actually killed him one day. Shit like this happens too damn often."

My mind freezes and a flurry of emotions swirl around in my head. I essentially check out mentally for a few seconds before I can speak again. "... you promise to leave her alone?" He scoffs, "Leave...? Mannie, you're lucky I haven't found some dirt on her to blackmail her ass into obscurity! The way I see it, it's your life later on for a momentary sadness now. I don't know what I'ma do the next time I find out she's hurt you! We're all lucky I haven't done anything already."

There was an awkward silence as Kristoff sipped his bourbon. Our other friend, Joel, threw a door on the opposite side of the kitchen open, shattering the silence when he saw me. "Oh, hey Mannie! You're here! I bet my brother isn't yet." He looked over to Jaison just as he hopped back onto the counter and pulled out his phone. "Nah, he's probably asleep in front of his computer again." He says shooting me a stealth glare. Kristoff looks worried as he takes a big gulp of bourbon. "Well since my brother and his girlfriend are the only ones left, how about we go motivate their asses?"