8. Tae

My father was never meant to die. My father wasn't supposed to be the target. Go ahead, praise my skills of deduction.


The Graysons visited us after ma's death but something was off with them, they didn't seem to be grieving. Not that I can blame them, they hardly knew her anymore, after fifteen years.


The next night, a team of Elite dropped by our house. I'm pretty sure they weren't after my father. They just... engaged him first. 


My father, he didn't make enemies. The exact opposite to my grandfather's regime, he was the parley kind of guy, firm and understanding, but not soft. A great 'head' of the bloodline.


I heard the scuffle downstairs, it was messy, blood everywhere, the hall was advantageous for him but he was outnumbered. It was truly a reminder of how fast we move, how brutally ferocious. 


He took down three and the remainder 'fled' by the time Chae, me and... grandpa got downstairs. 


The 'team' needed to kill someone in the house. Either my father, Chae, me or the old man. See... Chae and I, we don't know enough Elite to have made a proper enemy, not enough to betray anyone, not enough to have anything other than a 'rival.' We weren't in a position to threaten any bloodline yet. 


They would either have to be going after my grandfather or my father. The more likely one? Well, you can tell. Grandfather's got more enemies than I can count on my fingers, your fingers and all my neighbors' finger added all together. Plus our toes as well.


The old codger has started ordering the bloodline around. He's assumed the head of the bloodline. I can't stand him. He's a dictator who's just reinstalled his anarchy.


Amee, Wes and the others are going through it tough as well. They're going through his harsh training. Chae's going to put her foot down soon. I can tell. They look the same as she used to. Tired, worn, blank.


Amee asked me the other day if I had any inclination of being a 'head.' That was never something I aspired to, and I never needed to. There's no benefits anyway. Chae was older and the elders naturally assumed her to be next.


I don't need the pressures of a community upon my shoulders. But don't be mistaken, I will  do what is best for my family. Even if it means giving up my life. Like my father.