Chapter 1 The Vow
Soon, the newlyweds settled into a small cottage nestled near a tranquil lake. It was a picture-perfect beginning, a dream come true for Angel.
Time flew by. A year later, they welcomed their first son, Andrew Fernandez, named after father. Three years passed, and another son, Anthros Fernandez, joined their family. The townsfolk affectionately began referring to them as the "A" family, a testament to the unique bond they shared. Others simply called them the Fernandez’s, a name that resonated with warmth and familiarity.
Life unfolded in a gentle rhythm. The boys grew, and Anthony, a skilled hunter, often took them on excursions into the nearby woods. Andrew, following in his father's footsteps, developed a passion for hunting. Anthros, however, found solace in the lake, fascinated by the smooth, colorful pebbles he collected.
One day, while engrossed in his search for the perfect pebble, Anthros heard the sharp crack of a gunshot. Fear gripped him, and he instinctively ducked behind a large oak tree. Peeking out cautiously, he witnessed a horrifying sight: Andrew, his face pale with shock, cradled a lifeless bear cub in his arms.
Anger surged through Anthros. "Andrew! How could you?" he yelled, his voice trembling with fury. A heated argument erupted between the brothers. Just as the situation threatened to escalate further, another gunshot echoed through the woods. Anthros, peering around the tree, saw his father standing over the slain mother bear. A chilling laugh escaped his father's lips.
Andrew, ignoring his father's grim expression, proudly displayed the cub on his shoulder. "Look, Papa!" he exclaimed.
Anthony's face hardened. "You should never kill a cub alone, son," he said sternly, his voice laced with disapproval. "Always kill the mother with it." He then turned to Anthros, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. "And if you ever fight with your brother again," he warned, "you'll see the consequences."
He playfully tugged on Anthros' ears, much to the amusement of Andrew. The incident, though unsettling, soon faded into a distant memory as the brothers, hand in hand, walked back towards home, leaving the orphaned cub behind.
But Anthros could not shake off the image of the weeping cub beside its lifeless mother. He felt a pang of guilt, a profound sense of pity for the creature. He returned to the spot, his heart heavy. Gathering some discarded blankets and sheets from his room, he carefully constructed a small shelter for the cub, naming it Ash, after the greyish black fur that covered its tiny body.
An unlikely friendship blossomed between Anthros and Ash. While Andrew followed in his father's footsteps, taking over the family's wood and leather business, Anthros, inspired by his mother's gentle nature, pursued his dream of becoming a doctor. Ash, meanwhile, thrived in the dense forest, growing stronger each day.
Ash and Anthros raced into the forest laughing and enjoying themselves.
Despite their shared childhood, the brothers grew into vastly different men. Anthros, the epitome of his mother's nurturing spirit, remained his mothers' favorite. Andrew, mirroring his father's rugged individualism, often clashed with his mother. These differences inevitably led to frequent arguments, creating a rift within the family.
One night, after a particularly grueling night shift at the hospital, Anthros fell asleep, exhausted. Suddenly, a cacophony of sounds erupted. Andrew, fueled by anger, had stormed into Anthros' room, throwing his belongings around in a fit of rage.
Anthros, startled awake, confronted his brother. The argument escalated rapidly, voices rising in a heated exchange.
Angel, their mother, rushed in, her heart aching as she witnessed the escalating tension.
But her attempts to calm the situation proved futile. The fight spiraled out of control. In a moment of blind fury, Andrew, driven by a surge of anger, grabbed Anthros and dragged him towards the lake.
Suddenly, a terrifying roar shattered the night. A massive bear emerged from the dense undergrowth; its eyes gleaming with predatory intent. Terror gripped Andrew. He scrambled up the nearest tree, leaving Anthros alone to face the enraged beast.
The bear approached Anthros, its massive paws scraping against the ground. To Andrews' astonishment, the bear merely sniffed him curiously, then licked his face gently.
Just as the bear was about to turn away, a gunshot rang out. Angel, their mother, lay lifeless on the ground, a single bullet wound her chest.
Anthros let out a bloodcurdling scream. The bear, startled by the gunshot, retreated into the forest.
Andrew, scrambling down the tree, cried out, "Amma! Amma!"
But it was too late. Angel, her eyes glazed over, whispered something to Anthros before succumbing to her injuries.
Grief consumed Andrew, his cries echoing through the night. But Anthros was frozen in shock, his mind reeling.
Anthony came running towards hugged her still body and cried remembering the VOW
"I, Anthony Fernandez, take you, Angel Gabriel, to be my wife. Through every year, every minute, and every circumstance of my life, I will remain constant in my commitment towards you. I pledge this in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy
Spirit."
Anthony, his face contorted with rage and grief, blamed Anthros for the tragedy. "You caused this!" he roared, his voice thick with anger. He lashed out at Anthros, the leather belt stinging his flesh.
Andrew, horrified by his father's violence, tried to intervene, but Anthony was beyond reason. Driven to the brink, Anthros, his mind clouded with rage and despair, fled from the scene, seeking solace in the sanctuary of the church.
Andrew hid himself behind the tree not to know what is to be done? Andrew saw Ash who was witnessing everything from far. He remembered how he separated his mother from him and cried with folded hands.
Time, though heals everything but has the power to repeat itself. Time: gives the deepest wound and leaves a scar.
