Page 24 of The Heart of a Villain

Maybe because I’m the oldest, so it’s my duty to protect Mom, yet I never manage to do so, and instead she suffers more?

“The boat is there.” Kelly’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I blink in surprise at how fast we passed by the forest and have already reached the shore, where a single boat sways on the ocean. It’s the smallest one out of all Father’s collection, yet it still has a cabin with a bed. “Everyone else must have grabbed the others.” She parks the car several feet away, and we all jump out, Kelly snatching up Lavender as we run to the boat with all our might.

“Kelly, hide with Lavender in the cabin. Try to get her dry. William, get the boys settled,” George orders when he lifts us up and places us both inside the boat. Kelly does as he said, and I glance at Lavender, who waves at me.

My brows furrow, and I wave back as unexplainable sadness washes over me, urging me to get her in my arms and never let go.

“Rush, come on,” Rafael says, tugging on my elbow as he moves on the cushions toward the deck, while William tries to start the motor several times.

George assumes the captain’s position, holding the wheel as the ocean sways us from side to side, the waves crashing hard against the beach. A loud boom echoes in the air following the lightning that graces the sky.

One of the most dangerous times to ever be on the boat. Storms should be avoided at all costs, but right now, we have no other choice.

All we can do is pray we’ll survive it.

Finally, the buzzing of the motor fills the air, and George pulls out while William picks up two life vests and puts them on us. “Grip the railing and do not let go. Do you understand?” When we nod, he goes back to George, helping him navigate the boat and leaving us alone.

Rafael squeezes my palm. “I’m scared, Rush.” Without thinking, I throw my arm over his shoulders and hug him close. “Mom… the house… what are we doing?”

“Everything is going to be okay. Mom is the best. She will survive.” She even taught us how to live on only the island’s resources and the best places to hide during storms.

If anyone can survive on this island until we get help and save her… it’s Mother.

“Can you promise—” he starts, only to yelp when the boat sways hard to the side, the water getting inside and soaking us while more rain pours from the sky.

“Boys, hold on tight!” William screams as the boat swirls around and around, making us dizzy, with George in the distance hectically trying to turn in the opposite direction.

“Whirlpool,” Rafael says and then screams, “Rush!” when I’m pushed to the side, landing on the other side of the boat and coughing on water as more waves crash into us.

“Stay where you are!” I order him, gripping the railing while the boat continues to fight with nature—or more like begs for its saving grace to get out alive.

Rafael, of course, doesn’t listen and instead races to me, ending up on his knees next to me as he laces our fingers again. “We should stay together.” That’s all he manages to say before we are tossed sideways, our backs hitting the floor, and we groan, then cough when more water gets into our lungs.

We try to get up, but the boat rocks from side to side so hard my head gets dizzy, and then another onslaught of water comes, even more powerful than the previous ones, and with a shout, I end up overboard. My only lifeline is Rafael’s hand holding mine tight.

“Rush!” he calls, tugging me forward as more rain pours into the swirling water, while the ocean shows its displeasure, crashing into us over and over. “Rush!”

“Rafael!” I yell back, silently pleading for him not to let go; otherwise, the ocean we used to love so much will kill me.

“William, help us!” But his voice is barely audible through the thunder and chaos all around us, and the coldness becomes almost unbearable. “Rush!” He calls my name again, this time with panic. I still have my death grip on him, trying to swim toward the boat and get up.

With each swing of my arm, my legs become more and more numb, while strength slowly seeps out of me, exhausting my body in ways I’ve never felt before.

However, I still preserve my connection with Rafael as he cries and pulls me. But how can he possibly save me? We’re just two little boys.

One more wave follows, and then something sharp digs into my stomach, pushing me far away, and I manage to whimper, “Rafael,” right before our fingers untangle and the ocean claims me as its own. Another hit comes to my head, this time sending me into the darkness that soon will be my only salvation.

That night changed everything, as it divided my life into “before” and “after.”

Before, I was an heir to the throne.

A son.

A brother and a twin.

After?

I became a villain destined to bring chaos and mayhem to those around me, and in exchange, darkness took my soul.

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