Chapter 792
Gary was sweating bullets, his entire body shaking like a leaf in the wind. Five vials of deadly poison, each carrying the hatred of five souls.
It was odd, really. Not even when he’d had his arm hacked off by Jareth, or when he’d been shot thrice in a life–or–death struggle at the natatorium, had Gary felt the fear clutching at his heart as he did now, staring
death in the face.
Maybe Dean had hit the nail on the head. Having tasted the chance at life, however fleeting -countable on his fingers he found he couldn’t face death with the same abandon.
Dean’s eyes darkened with a ferocity that could cut glass, as he jabbed the first vial deep into Gary’s chest, the cold, thick needle vanishing into flesh!
Gary whimpered, shaking uncontrollably, his eyes bulging with horror.
“This one’s for Mr. Fairhaven’s dad murdered by you. After being injected, it’ll paralyze your limbs and set your
nerves on fire.”
Dean took the second vial, stabbing it viciously into Gary’s left rib, “And this is for Barry. You’ll feel like your guts are being ripped out, and your head will spin with nausea.”
Tears and snot streamed down Gary’s face, his pleading expression towards Dean drowned out by the unrelenting agony that made being shot feel like a tickle in comparison.
“The third shot’s for Mr. Fairhaven’s sake. You’ll foam at the mouth and gasp for breath,” Dean drove the Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
needle into his right rib.
Within seconds, Gary started to show signs of vomiting, but with his mouth sealed shut, the vile contents could only build up, and then flow back, clogging deep in his throat. The sensation of suffocation turned his face from red to a ghastly blue!
“The fourth, for the poor Ms. Marilla. After injection, you’ll go blind, and your pain will double.”
He plunged the needle through Gary’s belly, a chilling smile on his lips.
Gary’s vision blurred; toxins coursing through his veins caused spasms in his organs, his facial muscles twitching uncontrollably, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm. His bloodshot eyes reflected nothing but hysterical despair.
“And the last one, for my mentor Lily.”
Dean’s hands trembled incessantly as he held the final vial, tears hovering in his eyes, his voice breaking, “She lived through storms of blood, endured so much pain. Never had a day to herself, and then she was gone. How can life be so unfair, so cruel? She never saw Mr. Fairhaven marry Mrs. Fairhaven, never found her own happiness. How could she just leave us like this? If I could go back, I’d die for her. I wish it was me who fell into that cold, empty pool. Gary, go to hell. Confess your sins to the devil, be reborn into the darkest depths of misery, and pay off your debt, lifetime after lifetime!”
With that, he thrust the needle down with all his might into Gary’s heart.
The man on the bed stiffened, his fingers spread wide, a muffled groan escaping his lips. Then his life extinguished, eyes wide open in death.
Dean left the scene quietly, abandoning the trolley as he slipped away. Just as he reached the stairwell, a voice of a police officer on duty called out behind him, “Stop! Show me your ID!”
Dean’s heart skipped a beat, then he thrust the door open and bolted out!
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Two officers gave chase, but he ran desperately toward the hospital’s underground parking lot. As they nearly caught up, Dean felt a sense of defeat, ready to give up when suddenly, a black sedan, like a specter in the night, sped toward the officers!
They dodged, and another car followed closely, stopping right in front of Dean, the door flinging open.
“Get in!”
A familiar, deep voice beckoned from within the shadows of the car. Dean’s heart leaped, and he jumped into
the vehicle in no time.
Thanks to the other car’s blocking the officers at the hospital, Dean had managed to escape.
The black sedan tore through the neon–lit Elmsworth Boulevard. Jareth’s hawkish eyes gazed emptily out the window, under the flickering light, his features still sharp and striking, yet tinged with an indescribable melancholy.
It was as if he’d become a completely different person. Dean watched him intently, searching for the man he once knew as Mr. Fairhaven, but he was nowhere to be found.
Broken, completely shattered.
“I didn’t give the order. You shouldn’t have done anything unnecessary.”
After a long silence, Jareth finally spoke, “There were plenty of chances to kill Gary, and yet you chose the
riskiest one.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Fairhaven.” Head bowed, Dean’s fists clenched in self–loathing, “But I just wanted him dead so badly. Every day he lived felt like an insult! I’m sorry. I know I’ve caused you trouble, and I’m ready for any punishment! If the cops come knocking, please, turn me in. My revenge is complete; I have no regrets, and I’m willing to confess.”
Jareth closed his eyes, raising a hand to cut him off, “I didn’t want you involved because I didn’t want you to risk yourself.”
Dean’s heart raced, his eyes widening, “Mr. Fairhaven.”
“You’re all I have left.”
Jareth’s throat tightened, the pain surging from inside, “You were Lily’s best friend. If something happened to you, I’d owe her an explanation.”
“Thank you,” Dean couldn’t hold back his tears of shame any longer.
“Is he dead?”
“Yes, I watched him take his last breath. Rest assured, Mr. Fairhaven, his end was painful. I made sure of it.”
A ghost of a smile flickered on Jareth’s pale lips. A complex swirl of emotions scorched his throat, and he fell silent once more.
“Today, the police called, saying Barry’s autopsy is done. You can take care of his affairs, Dean said
somberly.
“Okay.”
Just then, his phone vibrated. His mother was calling. Jareth looked down, his gaze lingering on the screen. After ignoring her calls countless times, he finally answered.
“Jareth! Are you even human?! Do you have any humanity left at all?!”
She bellowed into the phone like a tempest unleashed, her words a torrent of fury, “This is the result of pampering that damned Abernathy girl! The Fairhavens are ruined; the family’s fallen apart! Your
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grandfather has passed away, and your sister’s been hurt by you so badly she’s coughing up blood every day. Are you happy now, satisfied?!”
Jareth listened to his mother’s unchecked tirade with an undisturbed heart, a smirk even breaking across his face.
“It’s all because of that foolish girl! She’s the root of all evil, a siren luring souls to doom, a curse brought upon the Fairhaven family!”
His mother raged, her voice devoid of any high society lady’s grace, “I’m telling you! Even without your grandfather, I will never accept her! She can dream on about marrying into our family and becoming my daughter–in–law! Over my dead body!”
“Are you done?” Jareth’s voice was cool, almost icy.
His composure choked her anger, leaving only her ragged breathing.
“It seems the recent events at home have taken their toll on you, not to mention your mental state.”
Jareth calmly instructed Dean, “In the next few days, reach out to the most renowned mental health clinic. overseas. We’ll be sending my mom there for proper treatment.”