Free Aftermath by S. W. Frank

display sincere repentance for any of his transgressions.
    Cold.
    Killer.
    Monster.
    Nico was not a man.
    No sound emitted from Nico. He was being choked.
    Giuseppe’s father was not an abusive man. He gave Giuseppe love and lessons in life. To kill was always Giuseppe’s choice. Erne sto taught Nico to slaughter and om itted love . “Clip a man in the manner in which he’s lived,” was the sentence spoken to a frightened boy. The boy became the man and remembered everything he was taught.
    Nico’s victims were faceless and his indifference was a soul shield . Today he placed it down to confront the naked truth. His eyes closed under the choking pain. He was not a victim, but a predator. That is what he became and Giuseppe was releasing him into the wild where he belonged.
    Nico was n’t completely heartless ; he did feel. The ache of rejection from Ari was real; the guilt each time he looked in Alfonzo’s face and now regret for his treatment of Giusep pe who had always only sought the love of his cousin and received only scorn.
    Nico relaxed his limbs. His legs dangled high above the bar e trees and jagged rocks . The night was thick and heavy like his body . Slowly, he peered down at the hard sediment and pointy spears of foliage. From such a distance he’d become impaled or get his head cracked open. There’s no way he’d survive the drop.
    The guilt from his transgression slew his will to live. Tonight he chose the executioner and the manner of death , he accepted the punishment . He loved Giuseppe . He’d been tough on him because he was spoiled rotten. An ungrateful bully of a kid who required a firm hand , b ut, perhaps he’d been too hard on the kid a nd not affectionate enough. His sin toward his cousins, led him here and he saw no reason to fight. It’s a battle he chose to lose to Giuseppe who needed a win to gain salvation.
    Nico closed his eyes, his throat burned and staying awake became difficult. ‘ Come on do it Geo… get it over with . Exact your punishment goddammit . I deserve it… send me home release me…I’m ready .’
    “ Why are you god damn heartless cugino? My father said I can always count on you and Vincent . You were our protectors if anything ever went wrong. I looked up to you …cugino … you are my family…I wanted to do as my father sa id and come to you, but you betrayed our family when you took what was not yours…yet I love and hate you cugino!” The sound from the bereft man shattered the calm air, “ P apa I wish you were here to see Nico the protector…why did you not wait for me…babbo…I died with you…I did not want you to die alone…I am your son…we die together…never alone… ”
    Giuseppe’s wound s were deep and the wail ing sound were from the depth of a loving son who missed the talks and laughs of the father he respected. The overwhelming misery caused Giuseppe to falter and despair clung to his chest like razor sharp wires and his muscles convulsed. The arm slackened and Nico began to slip.
    A musical overture resounded . It carried on the forceful gust of wind to bl o w across the desolate trees, wilting the weake r branches and leaving t he st rongest upright.
    Nico inhaled oxygen and it brought renewed life, his lungs expanded and he heard his father . It was Alberti’s voice shouting, “Nico… d o not give up life…you are loved and needed…grasp hold son…fight !”
    Infused with renewed purpose Nico grabbed hold of the metal rods jutting out from the railing. He flexed his knees up and at th e exact second Giuseppe’s arm gave way. His nostrils were gills from the exertion on his arms . H is spine slammed hard into the metal grate foiling the drop and he howled from the pain, “Aaaahhh dammit Geo … motherfuck !”
    Giuseppe’s reaction was instant remorse , “Nico!” He shout ed, when he realized what he’d done . He grappled with his cousin ’s arm as he swung precariously below like an anchor on a rope .
    Nico’s