Forever Black-Eyed Jeremy stood quietly beside his brother. Neither one of them had wanted to stop driving, but they were tired and hungry, and the rest stop was right there. They were about a mile away from the Taylor cabin. “Don’t worry, Jeremy. We’re almost there,” whispered Trevor to his twenty-one year old brother. Jeremy nodded as they reached the front of the line. He let Trevor order for him. Looking up, he stares directly into the security monitor above and behind the cashier’s head. It felt weird, knowing that someone would be looking at his image hours later… and that he might be already dead. Feeling Trevor’s hand on his arm, he lets himself be guided away from the line and leans against the counter. “What do you think it’s like?” “What’s like?” Trevor asks, trying to keep an eye on his car in the parking lot. It was pretty easy to spot: bright red; a graduation gift from his father. “Being dead.” “Jeremy!” Trevor scolded. He didn’t have time to deal with this. “Stop fuckin’ thinking like that. We’re almost to the cabin.” Closing his eyes, he feels himself floating away. He was never good in stressful situations. That’s why Trevor was the favorite son, not that he cared. If being his father’s favorite meant working for him, then he was much happier being the “other kid” in the family. Abigail was the brilliant daughter, Trevor was the quick and ambitious son, and Jeremy was… well, Jeremy: the average kid. “Do you think Abigail is already there?” Jeremy asks, trying to focus on being positive. “More than likely. Look, our order is up. Let’s eat in the car.” Without another word, Trevor takes his brother by the arm and drags him out of the diner. The day is bright, and that bothers Jeremy. To him, this day should be dark and gloomy; at least raining. “It’s just not fair,” he says quietly. Trevor nods, his tone forcibly light, “Who ever said life was fuckin’ fair?” “We didn’t do anything wrong.” Jeremy wills himself not to start crying. His brother was harder on him than his own father when he ever showed emotions. “Grandpa will take care of it. He always does.” Trevor glances over at his brother and gives him a reassuring smile. “And Dad too? Do you think Dad is okay?” Trevor is silent. He didn’t have the heart to tell Jeremy that he had found his father ded a few hours earlier. That was what started their run to the cabin. Trevor had driven to his father’s house early that morning to discuss a business transaction that had soured. Trevor’s grandfather didn’t like the route it was taken and had decided to take matters into his own hands. They needed to brainstorm their next move. Unfortunately, when Trevor arrived to his childhood home, he discovered his father’s lifeless body lying on the floor by his desk, the phone still in his hand. Without a second thought Trevor jumped into his car, sped to the apartment he shared with his brother and the two started their ride to the cabin. He called his older sister Abigail and told her to get her ass to the cabin and he’d explain the rest later. He hoped she made it. “Trevor?” Jeremy asks as they reach the car, “Is Dad okay?” Trevor shrugs, “What do you think? Dad’s tough. He can handle anything: just like Grandpa.” Entering the car, Jeremy smiles softly, “Yeah, you’re right.” Trevor laughs, “Of course I am, Jeremy. Now let’s go to the cabin.” They shut the door and start the car. “Trevor…” “Yeah?” Trevor asks, turning to his brother. It’s then when he realizes that someone else is in the car. But it’s too late to react. The gun first shoots through Jeremy’s temple before aiming and shooting a second time through Trevor’s own head. Neither brother had time to register anything other than the fact that they were not going to make it to the cabin.