1 Chapter 1 - Death without Happiness
Percival Graves was CEO of Mystic Games, a game company, famous for their strategy and RPG games. Percival is CEO but he divided the stocks of his company among his two brothers, Theo and Brad, and their sister, Angela.
On a dark and empty night, Percival was on his balcony thinking about the board meeting and the beta version of their new strategy game "Harmony or Revolution". He was also thinking about the family reunion he was about to attend. Unexpectedly he heard his doorbell ring and went to see who was at the door. Surprisingly, it was all three of his siblings and his siblings' mother, Kathleen. It was surprising because his stepmother never liked him since the day, he became CEO of his father's company.
When he opened the door, surprisingly they all greeted him with warm hugs and kisses, yet he got the eerie feeling that they were all nervous. Of course, his stepmother was stoic as usual when greeting him. He never thought about the greeting he received from her as that was her normal response when seeing him.
" Is everything okay?" Percival asked and all three of the siblings nodded yes. When he asked that, he saw them become even more nervous and asked if they wanted something to drink and again, they all nodded yes.
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Living Room P.O.V.
"Mom do we really have to do this? We could just ask him for some more shares," Theo asked.
"This again Theo, how many times do we need to explain to you that we need all the shares not just some of them," said Brad. Angela nodded her head agreeing to what Brad said and asked, "Mom we could have just hired someone, why do we have to do it ourselves?"
"Sweetheart, I know we all feel awful we have to do this. I know Percival helped us through your father's death and my cancer treatment." Then in her snotty voice, Kathleen said, "This is the least I can do for him after everything he has done for us."
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Percival came back with a tequila bottle in one hand and shot glasses in another. When he came back, he saw that everyone was talking and asked, "What are you guys talking about? "Nothing," Kathleen responded quickly. At that moment he had a feeling that the conversation was about him but didn't pay any mind to his intuition. He poured everyone a shot of tequila and asked how everyone was doing. Brad and Angela responded with an "okay" and Theo said he was just tired after completing a long day of work and having to do paperwork all day. Kathleen said that she was feeling better and that her doctor had indicated that she only had to more doctor appointments to clear her of all treatments and she wouldn't have to go to the hospital again. His earlier tension melted away and he thought to himself "I must be crazy thinking something is off." He felt happy that his stepmother beat cancer and his siblings were all there spending time with him even if it was only for a moment. He then thought this is the perfect time to ask them so he said "Hey, can I ask you guys a question?" In unison they all said "yes."
"After this new game comes out, I am thinking of retiring and passing it to one of you guys. What do you think?" He asked. Everyone was shocked, including his stepmom. "Why" Theo asked.
"Well, I have been CEO since I was 20 and it has been 20 years since then. I know you guys have been trying to buy more shares in the company." responded Percival and once again everyone was shocked. Brad, thinks that they were caught, takes out a gun and shoots Percival.
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Percival P.O.V.
I feel something wet going down my shirt and I see something red. Wait, is that my blood? Yes, it is. I can feel it dripping down my body, down to the floor beneath me. Oh god, this is bad, this is really bad.
The only thing holding me up is this stupid chair beneath me. Maybe I can use it to stand up and get outta here. Should I ask Brad why he shot me?
No, it is no use. I am too weak. I feel myself losing strength. Is it in my head or do I feel my legs going numb?
No, I cannot give up. Giving up means I lose; I will never give up. There must be a way out of this, there must be a way I can live. Surely there must be somebody around here who heard the gunshot, somebody who can help me. Save me. Save me from these evil people, who I called family.
My entire body is aching, I cannot take this anymore. I want to sleep, but I cannot, if I do it will be my death.
This is it, isn't it? I'm going to die; I know it now. Oh god, I am going to die right here, all alone. I don't want to die; I don't want to die.
"Why" I ask, and I see Brad scared and everyone else mad, but no one helps me. I ask again and my stepmom responds, "Sorry but we needed you dead so we can take over your company. No use in keeping secrets from a dead man, right."
I was shocked to my core and then something happened to my body, everything turned numb. My body, my mind, everything. I cannot feel pain or think straight, in a way it is a relief.
So long world.
