•••••
{ BLOODY NIGHT }
“Cody! Who the hell are you?!” Ricky yelled,his voice a mix of anger,betrayal,and curiosity.
Cody dropped the cat and took a step toward him. He held up his hands.
“I can explain, just let me talk….” Cody mumbled.
Ricky threw his hands off and step back.
“Well, start talking” He said with his arms crossed.
“We can’t talk here, let’s go somewhere else.” He made to take his hand again but Ricky shot him dangerous glare stopping him.
“No, tell me every single details I need to hear here without leaving any thing out. Tell me right right now!”
“It’s exactly what you’re thinking….” Cody began.
“Don’t tell me….
“It’s me, your best friend Leo” Cody drop the bombshell.
★
“This for Trace right?” Lily jumped on the seat where Trace guitar is kept and picked it up.
“Yes, how do you know?” Kris asked sitting next to her.
He just finish showing her around and they settle down in their studio.
“He uses them often in live shows and fan meeting sometimes. I basically knows everything about you guys,I’ve been a fan since your debut,except I’m obsessed with Ricky” Lily grimaced.
“Well, It’s pretty obvious. Ricky told me everything about you, and of course how crazy you are when you’re still living next door”
“He told you all that too?” Lily pouted.
“We’re quite close” Kris smiled handsomely.
“Can you teach me how to play this”
“Sure” Kris nodded and grab the guitar from her,he started by showing her the keys to play.
She caught up quickly being a fast learner,after few minutes of trying, Kris returned the guitar to her.
“Your turn?” He said.
Lily took a proud deep breath and almost start playing when suddenly, there was a scream from outside.
Kris and Lily exchange glances and rushed out at once to see what was happening.
Getting there,they met Ricky and Cody screaming at each other, clearly in some sort of argument. Trace, who was also in his room,ran outside to see what was going on.
“What is going on here?” Trace stood in between them.
Cody grabbed Ricky by the arm and started dragging him away from the house.
“I said what is going on here?” Trace interrupted and Cody released Ricky’s hand.
“Let’s go Lily” Ricky grabbed Lily’s hand and she hurriedly carried White,he started taking her out but Cody blocked thier way.
“There’s a lot I need to tell you but we need to get out of here, I can’t tell you anything while we’re here…. Just come with me please,it’s important” Cody pleaded.
Ricky hesitated,torn between wanting to know what was going on and trusting Cody.
“Don’t wait for him and go home straight from here, I’ll see you later” Ricky peck Lily’s forehead and walk out of the house.
Cody immediately followed.
Lily,Trace and Kris continue looking confused.
Cody opened the door and practically shoved Ricky into the passenger seat,he got into the driver seat and started the car.
There was a long silence throughout the drive and Cody periodically glance at Ricky but Ricky’s face was unreadable probably having a lot going on in his mind about Cody.
They drive felt like an eternity,though it was probably only a few minutes. Finally,they arrived at the cemetery Leo’s supposed body was buried.
Cody parked the car and turned to Ricky.
“What are we doing here?” Ricky asked at once.
“I bring you here so we can talk we can talk.” Cody replied.
“You haven’t answer my questions” Ricky said.
Cody remained silent and Ricky followed him silently to Leo’s grave.
“You still don’t believe I’m Leo” Cody said slowly.
“How’s that even possible? How did I even miss anything else? I remember seeing Leo’s face before he was buried,I even had an autopsy done on him and his DNA matches well, what the hell are you saying? But how…. I don’t understand? This doesn’t make any sense,you’re Leo?”Ricky scoffed.
Cody took a deep breath.
“I know this is a lot to take in,But please,just let me explain.”
“Okay”
“I’m not the guy you all buried,It’s one of Tanya’s gang members” He began.
“What?!!”
FLASHBACKS•4 YEARS AGO•THE NIGHT LEO DIED•
Leo lay on the cold,hard ground,the pain from his beating coursing through his body.
He could feel the blood seeping from his wounds, and his heart was racing with fear and anger.
Tanya had left him there,alone and helpless,after she had ordered her men to beat him. He could still hear her cold, mocking laugh ringing in his ears.
The door to the room creaked open, and Tanya appeared in the doorway. Her eyes were filled with hatred, and her lips twisted into a cruel smile.
“You brought this upon yourself,Leo” she sneered.
“I never really liked you from the start” Tanya continued.
“I would have let you go for old times’ sake, but you just had to keep pushing. You just had to keep insisting that you were going to tell Ricky about me. Now you’re going to pay the price for your stubbornness”
Leo struggled to sit up,his body protesting every movement.
“Tanya, please….”
Tanya just laughed again, her laugh sending chills down Leo’s spine.
“You should have known better than to mess with me. Now you’re going to have to face the consequences” She said.
Leo knew that he was in serious trouble. He had no idea what Tanya was planning,but he knew that it couldn’t be good.
Just then,Tanya’s men entered the room,carrying gallons of gasoline,Leo’s heart sank. He knew what was coming next, and he was powerless to stop it.
“Tanya, please don’t do this,” he pleaded, tears streaming down his face.
“I’ll do anything you want. Just please don’t hurt me.”
But Tanya was unmoved. She just watched as her men poured the gasoline around the room, creating a trail of fire hazard.
Tanya held up a small, ticking bomb.
“You have five minutes to live. After that, the bomb will go off and you’ll be gone. Permanently.” And with that, she turned and left the room, leaving Leo alone with the bomb.
Leo frantically tried to free himself from the restraints,but they were too tight. He screamed for help, hoping that someone would hear him and come to his rescue. But there was no one around to hear him.
He struggled to find the strength to stand up, but his body wouldn’t cooperate.
Leo’s desperation turned to fear as the timer on the bomb ticked down. With just minutes to go, he noticed a fork on the floor and realized it might be his only chance to escape. With trembling hands, he crawled over to it and used his foot to pick it up.
Then,with all the strength he could muster, he began to work at the ropes that bound his wrists, sawing through them with the fork.
But just as he was about to break free, the door burst open and one of Tanya’s men entered the room.
To Leo’s amusement,he ignored him and started searching for what’s best known to him. He probably came back for something.
He finishes untying himself and made to sneak out quietly but the guy spotted Leo and went for him.
“How dare you try to escape!”
Leo reacted quickly, using his newfound strength to push the man away. The man stumbled and fell, giving Leo the opportunity to launch himself at him, landing punch after punch until the man was unconscious.
Now free, and with the clock ticking down on the bomb, Leo scrambled to his feet and made for the door.
He was already out before the whole building exploded.
END OF FLASHBACK*
“After that, I got a face surgery done to change my look completely,I change it to the face of the guy who came back that day because I want to be in Tanya’s cult member and about the autopsy,I had it all planned up,I don’t want you to know I’m alive…. I’m sorry Ricky” Cody explained.
Ricky was still finding it so hard to believe at the same time, fighting back his tears.
It’s just too much for him to bare at once. The guy he has known for years and have been living with is his best friend he thought he lost years ago.
Most importantly,he can’t believe Tanya did all that and she has been faking tears in front of him for years.
He slowly folded his fist,wishing she could get hold of her right now and ki|| her on spot.
“You should be really careful, especially Kelly. He’s willing to do anything to get you ki||ed and I don’t want it to happen….”
Ricky still remain silent,staring at him internly.
“I still need sometime to think, alone” Ricky finally mumbled and Cody slowly release his hand.
“I’m going to wait, no matter how long it’s takes” Cody said as Ricky walk away.
★
Tanya was still pacing around in shock even after Kelly told him everything,she just find it hard to believe he’s alive.
“Are you saying Cody has been fooling with me all along?” She snapped
“Because you don’t like him from the start,that’s how foolish you are. You even release our only tool against him cos of Ricky? When are you ever gonna learn that the @zzhole will never like you” Kelly gruggled.
“Are you blaming me right now? I don’t even know that idiot as a sister,I mean he never introduce one to me when we’re still together” Tanya yelled.
“That’s not important right now,we’ve to think of a plan, right now, I don’t care wh@ťěver we’ve to do as long as I get him out of the way….
“And you’re still stupidly in love with that Ɓîtçh too?” Tanya hissed and Kelly threw her a murderous glare.
“Don’t you dare do anything stupid this time,I’m not including you in my plans this time around. If you think you’re gonna try to save him this time,you’re wrong,be ready to face hell with him if you try to stop me….
“But Kelly-”
“This is my final warnings Tanya!” He grunts and started walking off.
“What should I do? I can’t let anything happen to him” Tanya began panicking as she watch him leave.
Her mind went to Cody being Leo again..
“How’s that even possible? How did that idiot manage to survive?” She gritted her teeth.
★
•SATURDAY••SOUNDSCAPE ENTERTAINMENT•REHARSAL ROOM•
Kris was doing some dancing step from their song cheorography they are gonna perform tonight alone in the room.
He was still missing some steps so he decided to retake them alone.
He was so focused on what he was doing that he didn’t notice when Linda came in. She stood at the doorway watching him for minutes before walking up to him.
“Don’t you think that’s enough for today?” She said and Kris stop moving.
His face brighten but he suddenly remember there’s a CCTV camera in the room,he turn off the music and grab her hand pulling her into the restroom with him.
“What are you doing?” Linda asked.
“Do you want to get yourself into trouble?” Kris said breathlessly.
“Cos I came here for my boyfriend.” Linda said casually and walk out.
“Babe…..” Kris followed her and grab her hand.
“The camera already got us,you dragging me into the restroom will get us into more trouble and what’s so wrong with us dating? We can’t keep hiding it forever” She held his face and kissed him.
Kris broke it.
“You know,I somewhat envy Ricky’s girlfriend” She pouted.
“Why?”
“Cos he’s not afraid to introduce her to the world unlike you….
“Babe…….” Kris held her waist.
“I understand, it’s fine if you still want to keep it a secret. I’ll leave if I’m disturbing you” She turned to go but he pulled her back,this time he hugged her.
“I’m not ashamed of you…..
“Then prove it,kiss me” She continue pouting like a kid.
He held his face and slammed his lips against hers.
★
•9PM•TOWN ARENA•
The arena was packed with fans,all eagerly awaiting the final round of the competition with different bands light sticks.
The members of The mP were backstage, getting ready for their performance. But Kelly, was nowhere to be found.
The band mates searched frantically for him,but he was nowhere to be found.
“We’re going to be the next to perform,what should we do if he’s still not here” Kris said worriedly.
“Let’s keep searching” Trace replied and they resumed their search.
“Trace?” Amelia suddenly appeared with a flower,she walk up to Trace and hug him.
“I don’t know you’ll come” Trace said with a small smile.
“Of course, I’m a fan now. I wouldn’t miss it if it’s about you” Amelia said and Trace smile largely.
“Where’s Lily?” Ricky interrupted.
“What? Is she not here?!” Amelia faced Ricky with a surprise look on her face.
“What do you mean?”
“She left me cos she wanted to get here earlier, I’m surprised she’s not here already” Amelia said.
“Maybe she’s out,among the crowd” Trace said.
Ricky nodded and leave the backstage. Cody saw him and went after him.
Kris came immediately.
“We’re next, what should we do?” He panicked.
★
OUTSIDE…
Ricky was pacing around as he search for Lily,he called her several times and even text her but she didn’t respond to any which made him more restless.
“Where are you Lily?” He mumbled under his breath. Something keep telling him something isn’t right.
A voice came over the PA system,announcing that it was time for The MP to take the stage. He stood in a huddle, trying to figure out what to do.
Just then,his phone buzzed. He looked down and saw a text message from an unknown number.
* If you want to your girlfriend alive,come alone to the address I’m about to text you. You have one hour *
Ricky’s heart started racing as he read again,another text with the address came in and he immediately pocket his phone and start leaving when Cody grabbed his hand from the back.
“Everyone is looking for you,where are you heading?” He said and Ricky threw his hand off.
“I have to go,Lily’s in trouble….” He said at the verge of tears.
“What? Are you sure about this?” Cody eyes widened.
“I don’t know,all I know is I must save her.”
“I’m coming with you” Cody said in unison. But Ricky shook his head.
“I have to do this alone,If I don’t, he’ll hurt Lily. I can’t risk it” He said and got into his car and drove off.
“Ricky?” Cody shouted and immediately take his car going after him.
Ricky was so eager to got to the location that he didn’t notice Cody’s car behind him.
He got to the address in less than ten minutes and practically ran into the only building he found. Cody’s car halted in front of the place instantly and he secretly follow him.
“Lily!” Ricky desperately screamed for her name but nothing happened,he entered the building and met darkness.
“Lily! Can you hear me? Where are you? Are you safe? Say something please!” He shouted again.
Cody who was trying to get to where Ricky is suddenly spotted Kelly with a gun in his hand.
He rushed after him and soon lost him,Kelly is really cunny,he must have noticed him.
“Ricky where are you?” He tried Ricky’s number countless times but he didn’t pick.
He ran almost everywhere and finally find the building. Ricky’s loud cries for Lily was what made him go into the building.
Cody ran towards Ricky, trying to warn him about Kelly’s intentions.
But as he got closer,he spotted Kelly in the dark,standing by the doorway of the building and aiming a gun at Ricky’s head.
“Jun hee,watch out!?!” Cody yelled,trying to warn his friend. But it was too late.
Just as Ricky turned to look, Kelly pulled the trigger,and the sound of gunfire rang out.
Cody had run to cover him,taking the bullet meant for him. He collapsed on his hand and Ricky’s eyes widened.
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to spend more time together like I’d hoped”
“Stop talking!” Ricky sobbed.
“But I’m glad I was able to stop him. You’ve got to hurry…..you can’t let….. that guy get away with this! You have to save Lily and stay together, no matter what. I’m counting on you, promise me?”
“I can’t……”
Cody gave a weak, dry smile as he held Ricky’s hand.
“I never told you about my half-sister because she had the same illness I have. She’s at my aunt Cindy’s place… please look after her for me” He said.
Ricky nodded, tears streaming down his face.
“I was planning to give you a hug on stage after tonight’s performance,tell you how much I miss our friendship and forgive you… How could you do this?” Ricky lamented in tears.
“I’m sorry but I don’t regret doing this…… Just promise me you’ll save Lily and none of you will get hurt, fulfill my last wish please…..
“I promise, but please don’t do this to me. Don’t leave me again,Leo!” he sobbed uncontrollably.
“Goodbye,Jun Hee…. I love you as much as I do then” were Cody’s last words,and his eyes closed.
He stopped breathing instantly…..
“Leo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
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To Be Continued