The Darkest Minds

PROLOGUE (Bloodlines and Business)

The clock struck thirteen. The boy was trembling in a darkened room, his hands dripping with blood. A corpse lay face down in front of him. A gunshot wound in the head and a battered body. "What made me do it?" He questioned himself. "How come Father made me do this?" "Was there another option?" These unanswered questions ran through his head like a never-ending cycle of anguish. And it will undoubtedly stick with him, like a horrible memory. A brief history.

He was rooted in place, the icy sensation of the cold on his feet preventing him from moving. His arms were aching. His head hurt. He heard the soft thud of someone's footsteps coming closer to the room. A soft knock on the door reverberated across the dimly illuminated room. The boy walked towards the door, the metal handle cold against his fingertips.

"Who is it?" 

"It's your father, son. Come outside, I would like to speak with you".

The youngster pushes open the door. A middle-aged gentleman in a spotless black three-piece suit and a fedora hat grinned as he observed the boy. "Come on, Brody." He said with his deep voice. "Clean yourself up. Meet me in the courtyard. There are some things I need to discuss with you."

The smell of expensive cologne wafted in the air as the gentleman left. Brody ordered one of his bodyguards to wipe away the gruesome evidence of the blood-soaked chamber. With a heavy heart, he returned one last glance at the lifeless corpse before approaching the basement steps. As he progressed up the stairs, a unforeseen sense of fear ran through his jitters like the bite of an icy wind. He could not help but condemn himself for the murder he committed. Will God forgive him for his conduct? Or will he be penalized by Him for carrying out his father's request?

He arrived at the grand corridor's entrance. And as soon as he opened the door, he saw several butlers and housekeepers milling around as if it were a special event. Their voices bounced throughout the grand hallway. Loud as the storm-wind that tumbles the main. Teenage Brody made his way to the magnificent concrete courtyard, where he discovered his father painting a far green hill.He remained for a long time behind his father, waiting for him to complete his painting. After what seemed like an eternity, his father turned around and faced him.

"Son." He stated. "I understand how you feel. This was your first kill. And the lad deserved it as well. Trust me on it." Brody stood there in torment, listening to his father but unable to utter anything. "Brody." The man pressed his large, thick-skinned hand on Brody's shoulder. "You, are a Collymore. You should understand what we stand for. You are Frank Collymore's son. Liberty City's most dreaded man. Our mafia's roots are sprouting day by day. And, in order to exist, we must do business." "Father, I understand." He replied with a trembling voice. "Good," Frank said. "My buddies are coming over, and this is going to be a huge thing. If we are successful in this agreement, the whole city of Liberty will be in our grasp. Now go get some new clothes on, you look like a butcher with all that blood on ya."

A few years later, The Collymore Mafia seemed to have complete control over Liberty City. They would choose politicians who would benefit them. And wiped out anyone who opposed them off the face of the Earth. Brody Collymore was chosen as Frank Collymore's right hand man. Brody evolved from the child he once was into a cold-blooded killer. A courageous individual who knows how to get things handled right. And his father was pleased with him. Brody's personality changed dramatically due to a number of variables. But no one dares to speculate on what they may be. Maybe Brody comprehended what his actual goal was, or maybe Frank played some role in this matter. Nonetheless, Frank gained what he really desired from his kid.