Chapter 1
Rained poured down all around me, I still couldn't believe he was dead. My brother, Liu Millard, dead. Everyone thinks he committed suicide, but I know that he didn't. He wouldn't leave me alone. He promised that he wouldn't, he made a promise to come and get me. He lied. I know I can't blame him for dying, but I can blame his murderer. The police, as well as everyone else think he committed suicide, so they won't investigate the matter, so I will. I will find out who killed him, and I will avenge him.
I don't know where I'll begin, or how I will even find the guy who did this, but I won't stop until I do. I will use any means necessary to find the culprit, even if I have to kill or be killed trying. I look down at my brothers grave. It was dull, had barely any words inscribed on it. This was because my family is too poor for anymore words. Not like they'd care anyways. I blinked, trying not to let the tears fall, but there was only so much I could do to keep myself from crying. I look up at the sky, where the full moon hovered above me. Are you up there, brother? Is there really a heaven where you can rest?
I looked back at his grave. I hope that when my time comes, I can meet you there, wherever you are, but before I do that, I have to find your killer.
"Cody, come back home, you'll catch a cold standing in the rain like that." I look over and see Mrs. Anabel, our neighbor. She was the only one who ever cared about me and Liu, who looked after us when our parents were drunk. She had this kind old lady look, with her dyed brown hair pulled into a bun. She was wearing a raincoat and was holding an umbrella.
"Yes ma'am." I obediently walk over to her and get under the umbrella.
"Oh, Cody, I'm so sorry that this happened to you." She whispered
"Death takes anyone it wants, whether we want it to or not." I replied
My brother was 18, he would've been turning 19 in a few months. Me and Mrs. Anabel had decided to throw him a party, but we can do that anymore.
"Dear, do you still want a party for your birthday? 16 is a very important age you know." She said, giving me a sideways glance
A party? That would be nice, but at the moment, the thought of having one made me sick. It would bring memory's. I never had a party without Liu, this would be the first one he wouldn't be at.
"Um, yea that would be nice." I was trembling, either from the cold or the fear of never seeing Liu ever again. Mrs. Anabel guessed it was the latter.
"Losing a loved one is hard, my dear, but you'll need to get through it." She put her arms around me, a act to comfort me.
"I know, but I can't get over it right now." I murmur
She nods " I understand."
"Mrs. Anabel, did Liu commit suicide or was he murdered?" I look at her, she would know he would never take his own life.
She stopped as well, and looked at me with sad eyes, " They said he committed suicide, do I believe it? No. He was such a happy child and would always tell me or you anything. Life was going so good for him, there was no point in him taking his life, but he did. I believe it was a murder. But what can an old women like me do?"
"There are so many people who think he took his own life, I know he didn't but they say he did." I swallow my tears, Mrs. Anabel really believes the same as me.
"I know, but right now, unless there is more proof, we have to just deal with the fact that he 'committed suicide'" She used quotations with her hands to show she didn't believe it nor did she like it.
For the rest of the way to her house, we barely spoke. When we finally got to her house, she stopped me.
"Cody, I know that losing your brother is hard and you want to bring the guy who did it to justice, but its way too dangerous. I want you to promise me that you won't do anything unless you talk to the police and promise me that you will stay in school." She said all of this with a stern voice
"I promise" I wince as the lie stings my throat.
