All Is Not Well
Chapter One
Sounds of typical Sunday morning conversation was heard over the mild breeze; it was two male voices with a female voice interrupting them every so often. Nobody else seemed to be around.
"Bloody hell; move back" one male voice commanded; resulting in slight panic from them all.
There was a stranger sleeping outside their garage; the strange man was covered with just a piece of cardboard laid across his body with a plastic bag resting by his resulted in him arising from his restless slumber; he had bags under his eyes.
"I'm leaving" the man informed them, still half asleep as he held onto nothing but a plastic bag.
His clothes were not exactly old and ragged but they were cheap and dirty. He had a black beard covering most of his face. His build up was not exactly strong; he barely had any muscle. He looked feeble; something must have broken him.
"Sir; are you well?" a brown-haired woman asked him; her tone sounded kind and gentle.
She was a junior doctor so this was expected, even if you didn't know; you would likely guess. Her name was Lindsey Butterfield and she worked in the local hospital but once again; you could guess it if you didn't know. He just nodded without even saying a single word before he walked away; feeling like he lost some of his dignity. He could hear a man (most likely her boyfriend) telling her that she can't help everyone in the background.
"But he didn't look well,Joe" Lindsey insisted; though she didn't bother to try to retrieve him; for that he was grateful.
He had no idea where he was going; it's not like he has a home anymore. So he went the only place he could go; the village. He knew it was a bad plan but it's the only plan he has; so he knows he has to chance it. It was a brisk walk; taking him around five minutes with a few seconds to spare. The village looked different from the last time he was here; the people were different too. He looked towards the club; walking towards it however he stopped himself going any further. That place held too many bad memories.
"Oh my God" a female's voice spoke as she looked at Brendan in surprise; she dropped her drink on the floor in shock.
Brendan sighed as he looked at the familiar blonde; she was pushing a pram. Theresa McQueen hasn't changed a bit. He was about to reply though she already beat him to it as she spoke again...
"Oh my God; I can't believe it; look; don't hurt us Brendan... It was totally his choice and you know; I know how you feel... You can have a hug if you want just don't visit!"
He was baffled as he had no idea what she was going about. He just looked at her in confusion. He was about to walk away but she grabbed onto his arm with a nervous laugh and a smile.
"Don't walk away Brendan... You have loads to tell me"
Brendan knew that she wasn't telling him something; she looked nervous. After a few moments; Carmel Valentine rushed over as she spotted him. She took one look at Theresa and she knew exactly what she was panicking about.
"Brendan! Oh my God; so nice to see you... Why aren't you in prison? Not like I want you in prison" Carmel spoke cheerfully yet nervously with a smile
Theresa was still grinning like an idiot. Brendan shook his head as he looked at the two awkward women.
"I don't know what drugs you are taking and quite frankly I don't want to know but I must really leave" Brendan finally replied; he didn't expect this when he arrived back.
His head was already all over the place and this wasn't helping at all. He has been released from prison for only two days. He was still adjusting to life outside the four walls and sadly; prison has broken him.
"Okay but don't visit us!" Theresa shouted as she watched him walk away.
He scoffed slightly as he wandered over towards where the deli use to be; it wasn't there anymore. He was confused by this sight; he didn't think Douglass or Steven would sell up. He peered through the window; only person in there was Dennis Savage. He opened the door; giving Dennis a fright.
"Brendan... I didn't expect to see you here" Dennis truthfully replied; adjusting his glasses correctly.
Brendan just wanted answers about the deli and why it was sold.
"No games; just tell me... What happened to this place?... What became of 'Carter and Hay'?" Brendan asked with a slight shudder.
Dennis eyes widened; of cause he wanted to know that. He was too afraid to ask him about his reasons for being outside prison. So he thought that he best tell the truth and leave it at that.
"Ste sold up; after Doug's death; he couldn't cope with it all... So he sold up and I brought this place" Dennis informed him.
Brendan couldn't quite believe his ears; he sat down on the familiar couch which was still across from the window. Dennis hesitated before nervously walking over and sitting besides him.
"How did Douglass die?" Brendan asked out of curiosity; he didn't care that he was gone but he did wonder.
A couple of moments passed; Dennis wiped away tears as he thought about Leanne. She died just days apart; from the same explosion. He tried to brace himself; tried to think of what he could tell him.
"An explosion; some pathetic lowlife had a bomb and that's what killed him... It also killed my Leanne..." Dennis was cut off...
"Yeah; yeah; I didn't want your sob story" Brendan replied insensitivity; prison has turned him back to being bitter.
Dennis scoffed slightly; of cause. Brendan was never one to show sympathy or sensitivity. That gave him all the knowledge he needed to know; he stood up and walked around the shop. He then walked out without a word or even a glance.
Prison life really has broken down any form of change that Brendan went through. Apart from being out; nothing else has changed. Brendan was walking around; not knowing where to go. So he went back to where it all started... The club.
"Sorry were not open" Trevor Royle spoke as he heard footsteps on the stairs as he turned around.
Though Brendan paid no attention as he placed himself down on one of the familiar stools. He felt like he still owned the place; despite being away from it for a year and a half. He shuddered slightly as he looked at the spot where it happened.
"This place has really gone downhill after I left; all the character has been lost; you're doing a terrible job" Brendan simply replied; taking a sip out of the wine glass that was on the bar.
Trevor didn't look very impressed as he crossed his arms.
"Who do you think you are? I don't even know you mate" Trevor replied harshly; Brendan laughed.
He reminded him of the infamous Warren Fox. He wouldn't be surprised if they were cut from the same cloth. They did go around in the same circles with the same people so he wasn't far off.
"No you don't know me but I think you might know off me" Brendan insisted with confidence.
The tabloids described him as a 'ruthless killer'. So naturally the news of his release startled them all. Trevor looked back at him; trying to figure out this riddle he was giving him however he didn't know him from Adam.
"I don't know you... Should I?" Trevor questioned; he was growing anxious and Brendan knew it.
Brendan shrugged; he supposed not. He looked towards the spot where his father was shot down. He got flashbacks; Trevor watching him as his face changed to horror. He turned back around.
"I got to go" Brendan spoke; almost like a whisper; he walked down the stairs and out into the open air.
He looked up at the sky; his thoughts changed to his sister. How could he had let this happen? The CCTV footage was discovered; clearing his name however Cheryl's name was dragged in. She was last seen at an airport with her husband Nate; everything after that was a blur.
"Steven" Brendan spoke to himself... What could he tell him?
He caused his Steven too much pain already; he has suffered too much already on his behalf. Yet he knows he won't be able to stay away; he tried that before and it almost killed him. He doesn't want to do that again. He had his hand pressed against the brick wall as he was lost in thoughts... He heard Steven's voice and he couldn't believe it at first.
"You" Steven spoke softly before fainting because of the shock and the drugs in his system.
Brendan quickly turned around to find him in a right old state; he was lying on the floor and shaking like a leaf. The drug has gotten to him before anyone could react. He was at a lost to what to do.
"Steven.. Get up...What's wrong?" Brendan asked while kneeling down; he pressed his hand against the younger man's forehead; it felt cold.
Steven looked at him in wonder and disbelief. Thinking he was hallucinating; it took a couple of moments before Steven had the willpower to get up from the ground. He was still drugged and he was still lost.
"You... I loved you.. I still love you" Steven told him; looking into his tortured eyes.
He felt Brendan holding him up as he was losing his balance. He was out of it again as he collapsed into his true love's arms. Brendan panicked slightly; he looked around for help. It came in the form of Dennis as he rang for an ambulance.
...
TCB