Cody staggered, blood seeping between his fingers as he clutched his neck, but he didn't back down. With gritted teeth, he raised his right hand, pulling out his revolver and firing off three rounds. George barely had time to react,the bullets aim for his stomach but luckily in the nick of time George had block the bullets with his arm taking all three bullets to his arm with a grimace, but he didn't falter. Cody was breathing hard, the pain blurring his vision, yet he held his ground, defiant. But then George raised his own gun, calm and unhurried, and fired back, each shot sharp and deliberate.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQIIhEHpU9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45rdzIFmVz
The first two bullets tore into Cody's leg, dropping him to one knee. The third hit him square in the arm, forcing the revolver from his grip. Cody hit the ground hard, gasping, his strength fading.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqTgZEocPW
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7XG1pAXrH
George walked over, shaking his head slightly as he pressed a bloodied hand to his chest, his tone cool, almost amused. "Mr. Cody, I could've killed you right there, you know. And believe me, if I'd chosen to send my little 'friends' after you…" He smirked darkly. "…it would've been a whole lot worse."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCwcn7mpEU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1DmyAxUZD
Cody's vision swam, his breaths shallow as he looked up at George. "Why? Why'd you kill all those people?" he choked out, his voice a strained whisper.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKrapl4H2Z
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj84YOX17qV
George paused, clutching his arm where one of Cody's bullets had grazed him. He looked down, the memory flickering in his eyes as he replied, "Why? You really want to know?" He chuckled, cold and distant. "Well… it all started a few years back."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsObKtC978L
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDl98k9q0R
The scene shifted to 5 years ago a quiet room bathed in warm lamplight. George sat at a desk, a heavy book in his lap. He was 24, softer around the edges, lost in thought as he read about philosophy and the pursuit of inner peace, his gaze calm and intent. But his focus was interrupted by the creak of the door, and he glanced up to see his younger sister, Dallas, slipping into the room.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwSvx9p6ny
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz97Vr7Rvhc
"Brother, I'm back!" she called, her voice bright as she ran over and threw her arms around him.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89WEgdfqgs
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNShPfvDv4
George hugged her back, pulling away to look at her with a mix of relief and concern. "Dallas, it's ten o'clock. Why were you out so late?"
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTCoOazpZp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswuxoxFFV3
Dallas shrugged, her grin unapologetic. "I was with Rylan and his friends. They're cool. A little rough around the edges, sure, but that's what makes them exciting, you know?"
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK0j37TCdt
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZrE3z0Sr7
George's face darkened slightly. "Rough around the edges, huh? And by 'exciting,' I assume you mean they're out there picking fights, drinking too much, and causing trouble?"
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK1UBeBmny
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWj3CtFt8x
She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. They're not that bad. Yeah, they slap each other around, maybe start a scuffle or two, but they're harmless."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexTKo8ubCQ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeJzoAKjxA
George's patience was wearing thin. "Harmless? Dallas, these guys are a gang, aren't they? What's their name? 'The Boys' or something ridiculous?"
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3xJLcsCan
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaR3dbFTNL
Dallas shrugged, unfazed. "Yeah, *The Boys Gang.* And so what? Rylan wouldn't let anything bad happen to me; he's strong. And… well, you know… he's kind of…" She hesitated, blushing slightly. "Hot."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B3XsjjJ3C
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcXs3k4dlI
George sighed, pressing his hand to his forehead. "Listen to me, Dallas. I don't care how 'hot' he is or how 'strong' you think he is. Those people are dangerous. They pull you into their chaos, and before you know it, you're too deep to get out. What if one of them kills someone? What if they pull you into something you can't walk away from?"
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbssivYuTH
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnHW7xsVTZ
Dallas's playful expression hardened slightly. "George, you worry too much. You're acting like I don't know what I'm doing. I'm eighteen—I can make my own choices."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xKs3fMmpG
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DAhi29jap
George looked at her with a blend of frustration and desperation. "I'm telling you this because I *care.* You're my sister, Dallas. You might think I'm just some overprotective, 'boring old man,' but I'm trying to keep you safe. One mistake, one wrong person, and your whole life can be ruined." He paused, his voice softening. "You may think what I'm saying is just me being strict, but I'm not. I've seen what people like that can do. I've seen what happens to people who trust the wrong crowd."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYyk8nR3lr
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP1UggbJU0
Dallas's expression softened, and for a moment, she looked down, contemplating his words. Finally, she sighed, crossing her arms again but with less defiance. "I don't think what you're saying is useless or boring, George. I know you're just looking out for me… But I'm not a little girl anymore. I can handle myself, and you can't control everything."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZKjnkMYbH
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuqt38k4Yk
George's jaw clenched, but he nodded. "Maybe I can't. But I hope, at the very least, you'll remember this conversation when things get rough." George pulled Dallas in for a hug, feeling the weight of his protective instincts intensify. After a moment, he pulled back and looked at her, his voice gentler. "Let's go out back, pay our respects to Mom and Dad."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1AkPBuToC
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFo26jdoAq
Dallas nodded, her usual defiant spark dimmed for a moment. Together, they walked quietly to the backyard, where two simple graves lay under an old, sturdy tree. They knelt before the markers, hands clasped, and George's voice came out in a low, steady murmur.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nQ0CGsln2
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSDFqAd5WK
"Dear Mom and Dad, I hope you're at peace up there, together. And damn the war for taking you both from us," he said, his voice catching ever so slightly. Dallas echoed his words, voice softer but carrying the same deep hurt. They both bowed their heads, and the silence that fell over them felt heavy, yet oddly comforting. Finally, After their somber moment at the gravesite, George and Dallas made their way back inside. The weight of their shared grief and the day's events left them both drained. George gave Dallas a gentle squeeze on her shoulder before they parted ways to their rooms, each retreating into the solace of their own thoughts.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOcSgiFAFz
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU02F9z12xh
"Goodnight, George," Dallas murmured as she entered her room, giving him a faint smile.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn6HlDIUTe
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5iQzYXpZk
"Night, sis," he replied, watching her door close before finally heading into his own room. He took a deep breath, the day's tension settling in his bones, and fell onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow, he thought. Tomorrow would be different.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoHOF3knrR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMeSobZUiR
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over George's room. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and glanced at the clock. Nearly eleven in the morning. He sighed, letting the realization sink in. "Damn, I slept in."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9btsmbHTGt
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffSOLxIYqd
With a stretch, he got up and made his way down the hall to check on Dallas. He gave a light knock on her door, waiting, but there was no response. Frowning, he pushed the door open, only to find the bed empty. He looked around, noticing her boots were missing, and sighed deeply. "This girl never listens…" he muttered, more out of exasperation than anger.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjz5YiP0nk
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s4ZC3cj7Q
Knowing his sister's stubbornness, George went to the kitchen to make himself a simple breakfast. He put on a pot of beans and spooned some onto a plate, taking them back to his room while he read and kept an ear open for the door.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNnIPZ78xR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCM8cEEAcn
George got up and opened the door, his heart sinking as he saw Dallas standing there, face pale and eyes rimmed with red. A fresh black eye was darkening on her face, and she looked shaken, her usual fire replaced with something almost vulnerable.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4gbiEsAE6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEH2MYXKO4
George's eyes hardened, but he kept his voice calm. "Dallas. What happened?" He stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmQ7rouhrx
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPLwSWIJ7e
She shuffled in, casting her gaze downward. "It's nothing. Just… Rylan's friends thought it'd be funny to rough me up a bit," she muttered, her voice wavering despite her best efforts to sound nonchalant.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKvkEwSJrN
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JGS3vjnfk
George's jaw clenched, his expression dark. "Funny?" His voice was low and steady, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "They gave you a black eye, and that's 'funny' to them?"
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQqjNbOt3s
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF862xnnHSl
Dallas shrugged, avoiding his gaze. "They were just… playing around. It got out of hand, but it's nothing."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn7jDzSYxu
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWnVbS5ycq
George took a breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "Nothing?" His voice held a dangerous calm. "Dallas, this is exactly what I warned you about. These people—they don't care about you. They're not 'cool' or 'exciting.' They're reckless, violent. And they'll drag you down with them if you let them."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ8wmMHvm1
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVAAGSEWtP
Dallas finally looked up, her eyes flashing with a mix of shame and anger. "I can handle myself, George. I'm not a kid."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFqN9ghxQp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9lbnM1Bol
"Handling yourself doesn't mean letting people like that put their hands on you," he retorted, his tone sharper now. "And it sure as hell doesn't mean letting them get away with it."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdmSe92sHR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wyl2RI079
She swallowed hard, and for a moment, George saw the vulnerable girl beneath the tough facade. "What would you have me do, then?" she murmured, almost as if she didn't expect an answer.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCDaSnevy7
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfkYlbvS9J
George's gaze softened, but his voice remained firm. "Stop hanging around with people who don't respect you. You're worth more than that, Dallas."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3Ol0PI1eq
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvWspw6Vgq
She looked down, nodding slightly, the fight draining out of her. "Yeah… I know."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpshQvf11Pz
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XPd8lr5y0
After a moment of silence, George placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Come on. Let's clean you up. And tonight…" He hesitated, a rare, warm smile breaking through. "We'll make dinner together. Something good."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwETcLB6e0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XPZOVtOAJ
Dallas managed a faint smile, the pain in her eyes tempered with gratitude. "Alright… But only if you don't burn the beans this time."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNID0oHuh0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3iZ09WuYG
George chuckled, guiding her towards the kitchen. "I make no promises." George cooked the beans slowly, his hands steady but his mind distant. The gentle bubbling of the pot filled the silence of the small, dimly lit kitchen. As he ladled the beans into a chipped bowl, he carried it carefully to the table and placed it in front of Dallas, who sat slumped in her chair, bruised but defiant.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2VPhvFffp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDqwPdzr34
"Here you go," he murmured, meeting her eyes for a brief moment. "Eat up."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU5Jy82Trc
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb8D4j5rVr
She picked up the spoon, stirring the beans absentmindedly. She had her usual spark, but George could tell that her pride was stinging more than her black eye. Her silence said more than any words.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWe46wRbEC
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE57nmqdG5L
"I'm heading to town to get more supplies," George said, watching her reaction carefully. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "And while I'm at it, I'm gonna… talk to those boys."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9NXLrRBab
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK6s2E43kw
Dallas glanced up, her bruised face flickering with worry. "Just… be careful, alright?"
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8rzdb4Shf
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMONfQK7QqT
George gave her a small smile. "Don't you worry. I'll be back before you know it."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vdkZREGw8
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbfzjLdLZt
He took a deep breath, stepping out into the fading morning light. The ride to Grant's Pass was a familiar one, but today it felt longer, the weight of what he'd seen—of Dallas' bruised face—pressing down on him with every mile. What kind of brother would I be if I didn't stand up for her? he thought grimly, gripping the reins as Apollo, his loyal horse, trotted ahead with a steady rhythm. Mom and Dad would expect better.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RD7Jp7IWO
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipnMm8yGvk
When the small town finally came into view, George's senses sharpened, his gaze scanning the streets. A few townsfolk gave him curious glances, but he paid them no mind. He wasn't here for idle talk.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5m4hcmyV7
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P0ZVbN1aV
It didn't take long to spot them. Rylan and his gang were standing near a general store, harassing an elderly Chinese man with weathered skin and trembling hands. George could see the fear in the old man's eyes as he pressed himself against the wall, trying to avoid Rylan's knife, which was leveled at his ribs.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27DVijiK5T
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jP6sRNCyG
"Please, s-sir," the man stammered, clutching his side as Rylan jabbed the blade a little closer. "I will pay you back… just need a little more time."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL18zgzhDy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOqmTxvQkg
"That's too long, old man," Rylan sneered, pressing the knife deeper. One of his lackeys laughed, reaching out and slapping the man across the face, sending him reeling.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5DEarYFkM
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7MsppItt7
George's blood boiled. He dismounted from Apollo, his boots hitting the ground with a thud as he took purposeful strides toward the gang. His voice rang out, loud and firm.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVruUk4HZw
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzjT47Fuy8
"Rylan!" The name cut through the noise, and the gang turned to look at him, sneers falling as they took in George's presence.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWPW9pnSjH
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak9Kg53KYf
Rylan cocked his head, smirking as he sized up his new opponent. "Who the hell are you?" he drawled, clearly amused.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFLfoHCjrp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycKtBVPleC
George didn't blink. "Name's George," he said, voice as steady as his gaze. "And I know you gave my sister a black eye."
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgtqHRbl6a
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsneK5z6Unc
The smirk on Rylan's face didn't waver. "Oh, so she told you that, huh?" he sneered, his tone mocking. "Guess she's got a big mouth. Well, big brother, what're you gonna do about it?"
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEGiWdrugT
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwdR8TG6Of
Without a word, George walked forward, ignoring the jeers of the other men as he squared off with Rylan. Before Rylan could react, George's fist shot forward, connecting squarely with Rylan's face. The impact sent blood splattering from Rylan's mouth, but he barely flinched, a twisted grin spreading across his lips.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAi3r4VxzH
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGUcvaikNK
"That all you got, fool?" he hissed, before swinging back with a savage blow to George's gut.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI0yhFe9LM
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6cvzADq60
George doubled over, gasping for breath as Rylan's cronies closed in, fists and boots raining down on him in a brutal, unrelenting barrage. Pain exploded across his body—his ribs cracked under heavy blows, his face split open, his vision swimming as they kicked and punched, dragging him down into the dirt. He tried to fight back, but it was like fighting against a tide, each blow sapping his strength until he was nothing more than a battered, broken mess.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9p7lkPTCF
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NQmEtDzJD
Hours passed, or maybe only minutes—it was impossible to tell in the haze of pain and darkness. He was already passed out when the gang finally dispersed, laughing as they wiped their bloodied knuckles on their pants, George lay motionless on the ground. His breaths were shallow, his mind drifting in and out of consciousness as the fading light cast long shadows across the street.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1PsXsPXkT
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4afGJFt1R
When he managed to open his eyes, he was greeted by a blurry view of Apollo standing faithfully nearby. With an agonizing groan, he forced himself to move, crawling toward his horse and clinging to Apollo's reins as he pulled himself up onto its back. He didn't know how he'd make it home, but he knew he had to try.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbIYHOK43d
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP2YN8tFg6
The ride back was a blur of pain, every jolt and sway of the horse sending fresh waves of agony through his battered body. By the time he reached the house, it was well into the evening, the sun casting a faint, dying glow over the land. George slid off Apollo, stumbling toward the house with his last scraps of strength.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwnPl3JrhH
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcQq9mR4Oa
"Dallas…" he called weakly, his voice barely more than a whisper as he staggered through the doorway, blood leaving a trail behind him. The silence was deafening, a hollow emptiness that filled him with dread. "Dallas!"
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihzjiGUsU2
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKv1ws7mnM
He limped down the hall, his heart pounding as he noticed a trail of blood leading toward her bedroom. Fear gripped him, but he forced himself to follow, each step feeling like it would be his last.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfJ16iYynj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IaBbziDyv
When he pushed open her door, the sight that greeted him was beyond anything he could have imagined. Dallas lay sprawled on the bed, her body a horrifying mess of blood and gore. Forty stab wounds covered her from neck to waist, her eyes had been gouged out, her tongue was missing, her teeth shattered, and both legs had been cruelly severed.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtMXYDEC2l
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRPvB7sUp1
George's legs gave out beneath him, and he fell to his knees beside her, pulling her lifeless body into his arms. His fingers brushed over her blood-streaked hair as he cradled her, his face a mask of grief and fury.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc9u6SIrHO
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Gxp5ZrmDZ
"No… Dallas…" His voice was raw, choked with the weight of unshed tears. He buried his face in her hair, whispering broken apologies. "I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry I wasn't here…"
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnv0gheiW1
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl7JGYwznX
The reality of it crashed over him like a wave—he had failed her. He had tried to protect her, to keep her safe, and yet here she was, her life ripped away in the most brutal, senseless way imaginable. And the image of Rylan's smirk flashed in his mind, a reminder of the cruelty he had just barely survived.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bDHedkjdC
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM3jouInxZ
His heart hardened, his tears drying as a cold, dark resolve settled within him. There would be no forgiveness, no mercy. What they had done to her—what they had taken from
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4fOcmb7Tt
him—could never be undone, but he could make them pay.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqWtEbJEjh
ns216.73.216.197da2
