Chapter 21 - Ghosts with Voices
Everybody's got their problems, everyone will say the same thing to you...
It's just a matter of how you solve them, and knowing how to change, all the bad, you have been through.
But, he feels he has come to realise, how hard, life can be to find...
For he has taken a step back, to see what's going on, and he can't believe.
This is happening to him...
There's no point, in trying to fight this, for he knows the truth now, but he is trying to figure out, out of the two, who is everybody's fool?
For he will hate to survive this encounter, as no one will win, no one can win, this headline, that will make front page news.
This will make heads turn, the baying crowd, will be ready, to set on fire, the liar, the burning candle, who's time is running out.
So...just what will he do, to maintain the pretence, to drown and kill, his own ignorance, that will cause him to burn alone?
Why is he, holding his hands, into the air?
As if he cares, as if that will be enough, that will never be enough, Jackson cannot let this slide...
Both men, will be the rumour, on everyone's lips, the ghost that haunts your every waking breath.
Tell all your friends...and sound the alarm.
...
"Aaron's been talking about you, all the time, spreading the crap, spreading the lies.
I know who you are...AND HE WON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE!" Jackson screamed, finding the strength, in the back of his legs, to stand, to show him he is a man, to show him what he is made of.
"You don't understand" Gordon whispered, his eyes, holding hazel eyes steadily.
"It was an accident, it was his knife, he..."
"DON'T YOU DARE, DON'T YOU DARE TARNISH HIS MEMORY, I WAS HIS BEST FRIEND, I KNEW HIM, I KNEW EVERY SINGLE DETAIL ABOUT HIM. THERE WASNT ONE OUNCE OF MALICE IN HIM..."
"No, you don't believe that, I can see it in your eyes you don't believe that, he was young, hot headed.
He was determined to keep the fight going, I, just, I beat him, roughed him up a bit, then I walked away.
But, he pulled the knife, I, had to defend myself.
He pulled it from his sock, he was, he was out of control, I tried, I tried not to use it against him, but...it was the only way to stop him.
Ano, this is hard for you to hear, because he was your best friend but, It's the truth" Gordon adamantly stated, his voice, quiet, but laced with such urgency, for Jackson to believe him.
Jackson, bowed his head, unable to communicate, what he needs to say. His world, has gone up, into flames.
"I'm so sorry Jackson, but I couldn't have gone to the police. I know who I am, but they wouldn't have believed me, the evidence is stacked up against me.
The truth, would have been blurred into murder...I didn't mean to kill him, it was an accident" Gordon said softly.
Jackson tipped his head back uncontrollably, wanting to be taken into the air, carried away, floating on currents, above the cold and evil ground.
He knew who he was now, but would they believe him?
"If I was honest with myself, Billy was highly strung, and he was full of surprises, I just, I just, I'm in shock" Jackson sobbed delicately, forcing himself to remain in control.
"Ano, it's a lot to take in" Gordon sympathized.
"But, there is just one thing...
Billy was wearing his open toe sandals...he wasn't wearing socks" Jackson whispered, with as much violence as he contained inside, before adding.
"And, you stabbed him in the back, while he was running away.
I found him, face down in a puddle, I saw the wounds, opening wide.
I know who you are, and I will never sleep, until you come to justice".
Let clarity wash through the air, let's get this straight...
Without a thought, Jackson can take it away, but that's the price the man before him will pay...for having luck, in the first place. And that is exactly what Gordon has been...lucky.
All, the little pieces, falling, shattering.
The shards, too sharp...to be put back together.
Jackson's words, lingering in the atmosphere, just noises.
Ghosts with just voices.
But Jackson, has a front row seat, as he is about to see, Gordon, on his knees.
Gordon, stunned, for Jackson knew...too much.
The day old hate, reflecting in the pupils staring opposite.
Jackson, finally found him, he found the man responsible, for the death of a star.
He found him, before he drifted away...
"If you tell Aaron, he will never forgive you, you do know that?" Gordon stated confidently.
Jackson laughed, he hysterically, uncontrollably let go of his subconscious mind, losing himself in the absurdity of the moment.
"Yeah, Aaron will be heartbroken, but, a beautiful lie, will never compete against the freedom of truth.
Because, he will finally see you, for who you are.
The man you were all along, and he will realise just what a lucky escape he had from your clutches.
People like Aaron, like me, out there now in this world still keep quiet about who they are...because of people like you.
You were the poison, in Aaron's veins, keeping him sick forever.
The best thing you ever did was kick him out, because, he was saved.
Paddy saved him...he's more of a dad than you will ever be.
You're gonna rot in hell for what you've done, but first, you will decay your days away in prison" Jackson seethed.
Gordon just stared vacantly, thinking of a way to get out of this.
"Common, say something Gordon, because I can feel you falling, I can hear your silent wishes of escape" Jackson mocked.
"I've changed" He whispered slowly.
"Too little too late" Jackson stated defiantly, emotionally, for this will be the last time Gordon will ever be here.
"It's over" Jackson said, his tone laced with sadness "it's time you get what you deserve...
You're no better than the worst".
The words, hanging in the sky, like a song.
The lyrics, playing, surrounding the room, hoping to save the world.
But the sad song, the one he made, will end up being the last song...he will ever hear.
The knife, blurring through the darkness, at the speed of sound, shooting, like a shooting star, into his core.
Crucifying him, delicately, bringing him, to his knees.
His soul, following the light, he deems brightest.
TBC