Kiss The Ring

In the end they didn’t go home that night.
The three of them were on a high. A normal and expected one for Mikey and James that came from violence and another, entirely new one for Gerard. He felt liberated, free and in control of his own destiny for the first time since the shooting and he wanted more. All three knew they couldn’t be seen in public together so headed back to Mikey’s empty flat for food and something a little stiffer than coffee.
Mikey noted that Gerard was shaking a little, his eyes still wild.
“You ok ?”
“Yeah. I really did that. I really hurt that guy.”
Mikey nodded, the fact that his brother was seemingly discovering a new talent more than a little amused him. He knew that Frank Iero had a plan, knew that if that plan went wrong thanks to him it would probably end in his death and yet the idea of Gerard running with him and James was too intriguing to let go.
“You did really well and you liked it.”
Both Mikey and James watched for his reaction. For a moment it seemed that Gerard was appalled before looking back at them, a strange light shining in his eyes.
“Yeah. Yeah, I liked it.”
James chuckled, the idea of someone who spent his days sucking up to people and kissing babies suddenly discovering that they had the darkest of dark sides was amusing. He could see the danger too but it was pretty clear that Mikey had a plan.
“You wanna do it again ?”
Gerard stared at him, licking his lips nervously.
“Again ?”
Mikey nodded, passing Gerard a bottle of vodka before settling back against James.
“Again. Me and James have an issue to deal with. One of our own that doesn’t involve Frank but needs a permanent resolution.”
James suddenly realised what Mikey wanted and it was too good, far too good to resist. It would also bind Gerard to them whatever hold Frank had over him. Power can corrupt but other things can too. Gerard nodded slowly, realising what Mikey meant by permanent.
“Ok, what are we going to do ?”
“A while back someone stole from us. Personally. He thinks he got away with it but we have been waiting for the right moment. Tonight seems to be it.”
Gerard nodded again, James now seeing a familiar madness in his eyes.
“You sure you wanna do this ?”
Gerard stood up, his smile firm.
“Absolutely. Family comes first.”
Without another word he followed the boys back out into the dark, James only stopping to pick up a few things they wanted. This was going to be worth the wait. It took less than an hour to reach their destination, a small non descript house on the outskirts of town and less than two minutes for James to pick the lock.
His heart in his throat, Gerard followed James and Mikey silently up the stairs. All was deathly quiet, the house having only one occupant who was sleeping undisturbed through the last minutes of his life. It was the realisation of a hand over his mouth and others roughly at his wrists and ankles that caused the man to violently wake.
“Hello Mike.”
The man started to struggle against the ropes now tying him to his bed as James took his hand away from his mouth and stood back. Gerard stared, the naked fear on the mans face was somehow mesmerising.
“I didn’t mean it, it was a mistake. Please Mikey, James, don’t.”
James cut him off with a judicious application of pressure to the throat, enjoying the choking that ensued. They had been friends, almost partners until the man had done this, stabbed them in the back. Mikey watched his eyes, noting how he still continued to struggle before looking back at Gerard.
“Traitors like this you have to stamp on Gee. Frank knows it, we know it.”
He threw James a shirt from the dresser to use as a gag and then handed him the long, barbed knife. He would let his boy do this, show Gerard how things could be dealt with.
The muffled screams caused no sign of distress from Gee, he simply watched as James carved long rivers of blood into the mans chest. It bothered him a little to know it didn’t bother him that much to see someone suffer so badly but it seemed so logical.
Mikey watched dispassionately. There was more enjoyment in a personal job than the others despite the fact he wasn’t getting paid for this. This was more justice for wrongs served. Nothing more.
“You’re nothing, less than nothing.”
James was bored, the screams having subsided to a low moaning. He considered removing an eyeball before it struck him. Traitors lie. You remove their tongues.
“Mikes, give me the pliers.”
Gerard was starting to feel a little sick. He couldn’t watch that, didn’t watch it but had no choice but to hear it. The buzzing in his head made concentration hard, maybe this was a bad idea. If Frank found out ………
“Gee, look at me.”
Gerard stared back at Mikey, his hands now red.
“It’s ok.”
Gerard nodded dumbly, his legs giving way meaning he was now sitting against the door.
“Is he dead ?”
“No, not yet.”
James stood up and looked around for the finale. The full can of gasoline. There were still half uttered pleas, some sound but nothing that made sense. Without a word the room was flooded the pungent smell as he emptied it over the bed and most of the room. He looked at Mikey and Gerard.
“Lets go. This is now over.”
They didn’t look back, didn’t feel the heat as the thrown match caused a bright flow of light. Just headed back downstairs and outside. There would be nothing to show he had ever existed which was just how they wanted it. Both felt a peace while Gerard was left to wonder just what kind of man he had become.

Notes