A Family Tradition

He was reaching a nearby house. One which he hoped would welcome him in with hot chocolate and a hot water bottle, anything hot. He was probably thirty metres away, but from here he could see how lively this house really was. It was covered in snow, so was everything here, snow was still pouring down as if from a shower head. The house didn't seem to be transmitting any light, or sound.

Jack thought he had seen the white outline of houses buried under the snow, but that wasn't the fact. What he had seen was a big pile of snow which resembled the shape of a house. There was nothing more to it. It wasn't anything else, just a big lump of snow.

The mountain was getting to him, he was shaking irregularly, his sight was blurred and he was seeing things. He knew this would be an advantage to his predator. She was a six foot lady, determined to kill Jack. There was a reason to go with it, but the reason had long lost sight of Jack, he had no idea what it was. The reason was obviously serious as it had left a life-long scar on his left cheek.

He'd been walking up this mountain for a good part of two hours. 'Walking never did you no harm' were the words of his father, or his mother, he didn't like either of them and didn't like thinking back to them, so he tended not to remember certain things they told him, but this one held its ground.

What Jack didn't like about mountains, was that there really wasn't much of a point. Once you're at the top, you won't feel enlightenment. You'll feel the need to get down. That's the only way you can go from there. Also, he knew once he was up there, as always, she will have caught up, it was what always happened.
***

Twenty years ago, there were two children, their names unknown to the world. They were the best of friends, and the best of relatives. These two liked a good chase up the mountain, and then a slow walk down again. This would usually take them about 5 hours, two hours up, and three hours down. Their parents never really worried about them getting lost, the girl was the strong one, and she would take care of the boy. The town where they lived was full of adults. Those two were the only children known there. It wasn't too bad, except for the problem with the school. A bus would only come to about 2 miles away from the house, so there was a 'good' walk before and after school.
***

She was beginning to feel the cold. But she knew if she was only starting to, her prey must almost be dead. He wasn't as well adapted to this environment as she was. She worked in these climates. He hadn't been here for maybe twenty years. Jane looked up, not to the sky, but to search for the peak of the mountain. She was sure that it would be the same as it was twenty years ago. She'd catch him up at the top.

Amazingly, she felt there would be a nice slow walk back down the mountain. She believed after this final confrontation, her regrets and sorrows would be left up at the top. This man had ruined her life, and probably many others, but to her, it was the biggest blow, to the others, it was just another bad thing to the list.

She was sure that after disappearing, he'd been killed or something, but she always had that inkling of doubt in the back of her mind, that inkling which unfortunately came true, that inkling which had haunted her for many years, that he'd come back.

***

The kid's parents were both pretty bad. The mum was disabled, only able to mutter a few words and beginning to lose the power of her body, she was dying slowly. The dad wasn't any better. He had been diagnosed with cancer and had been promised a maximum of maybe a year left. The kids hadn't been informed of the times, but they did know of the dangers. The doctors were taking the parents in more frequently, and it began to develop an ever-growing chain. If one week they saw the doctors for two hours, each week after that would increase by an hour. Dad had to quit his job at the supermarket, if he thought he was getting bad pay then, he was in for a shock of unemployment. Mum didn't work, probably never would, she was in too much a state to do anything too physical. Her day included: TV, Soaps and Quiz shows. The kids hated it. They didn't want to witness their mum watching a screen till the end.

After a few weeks, the two parents were taken into hospital to stay. They were just not fit enough for the outside world. The kids had to stay at there neighbours, but got to visit their parents frequently.

It was a school day. The kids were getting to do some painting, but were interrupted with a message. The woman came in and told them the neighbours were waiting outside to drive them to the hospital. The kids, not knowing what it was, followed to the car. They entered and were driven to the hospital, the car was silent, nobody felt the need to speak, the kids didn't know why.

At the hospital, they met their parents and then realised their worst fears, the fear of loss.
***

He knew he was close, the fact that he was ready to keel over because of the cold, the fact that there were no houses here, the fact that the peak was in his grasp. Jack's clothes were all ragged, they were ripped and ready to, like him, keel over. Every time he ripped a part of his clothing, it would quickly be patched up with a great deal of snow. He wasn't doing this, Mother Nature was. He was probably the worst to decide what he should wear, designer shoes, designer jeans, designer everything. Designs wouldn't help in a time of fear; they would help in a time of fashion.

He was probably five metres from the top, and knew that his time was soon. Once up, he'd have been caught up.

His face was beginning to produce some icicles, but the place it stung most, was the scar, the little inhabitant of his face he couldn't remember welcoming.

It was then, the time his curiosity got to him, that he heard something behind him. He hoped to God that it was an animal of some sort, or just his mind. But he had the doubt now, and it wasn't going to go without a fight.

Turning around, he noticed, nothing. But looking a little closer to the ground, he saw the footprints, and the broken twig.
***

"Dad? What's wrong? Asked little Jack. He was alone in the hospital ward with his dad lying on a bed with many things plugged in and beeping.

"Me? asked the dad, "I'm fine, just a bit sleepy, that's all. Was the reply of his dad, trying to put it nicely. The mum was in the other room, alone at the moment.

"Dad, can I help you live? He understood what his dad meant, and was trying to hold back his tears for his fears.

"There is, only one thing you can do now. Replied the dad slowly, watching Jacks face brighten.

"Yes? Please, please tell me! Said Jack jumping with joy, he was a help, and could save his dad!

"You see these switches? Jack nodded, "Turn them all off. I'll be saved. Jack's smile faded.
"Sorry dad, I'm old enough to understand. That'll, kill you. protested jack, flinching when he uttered the word kill.
"Oh well, I too am sorry, but your dad is going to have to suffer now, waiting 'til I am completely drained of my life. Goodbye. were the final words of Jack's father.

Jack looked his dad in the eyes and noticed the tired look just before he closed them. From there they never opened. Jack stared at his dad, feeling a slight hate. There was no need for him to have to witness his father's death. But there was also no need for his father's death, wasn't there?

Jack's little sister was waiting out in the waiting room, hoping to see the parents next, she hadn't seen any of them, and didn't know what was going to happen.

He stood beside his dad, waiting for a sign of movement, waiting for the magical moment he jumped out of bed and told him it's going to be alright. That moment never came. He stood beside his dad in silence, now noticing that he'd really witnessed it. Tears began to flood out. He'd seen what his fears were based on, death and loss.
***

She knew what she was going to do, but not how or when. Jane figured it'd be obvious when, and at that time, how it'd work. She'd seen Jack for that second, despising all that he was. Staring at him from behind wasn't the finale view she'd expected, so she wandered closer, accidentally standing on a twig, she hid behind a rock. This was it, he was going to follow the sound, stupid as he was, and accidentally start the final scene of his life. She waited a minute. Nothing appeared. Another minute. Again, there was nothing.

What was taking him so long? She sneakily peered past the rock to the direction of where he was last time. She saw him, but he was further away, he was sitting on a half crumbled wall. It was the ruins of a castle, but there was more gone than was standing. Only some walls were left, others were crumbled and tumbled around or had rolled down the mountain.

She began to take a detour route to visit him, going around the castle to the right. She spotted her chance and climbed swiftly up the wall. Jack still hadn't noticed when she was on top of the wall. Was he blind?

He was writing something in the snow, but it was hard to read because of the excess snow covering parts. She could make out 'I'M SO' but that was all.
***

It was time to meet his only other living parent. His mum. He knew he wasn't going to allow her to die, even if there was that little voice in his head saying 'She should've died first' although he was ashamed, he couldn't stop this voice. It was here to stay, and he knew it was right. Still, he would still try and stay strong.

He slowly slipped his head in and saw her. "Mum? Are you ok? Jack asked, hoping for a positive answer.

"I, I'm not¦ sure¦ I¦ think it's¦ time. Was the slow reply of his struggling mother. 'Not her as well!' cried Jack in his mind.

"Please, what can I do to help? he hoped for a different answer this time. It was granted but this one was worse.

"Tell¦ Dad I¦ Love him She begged, before stretching her hand out to a switch and flicked it. Jack saw this, but she also slammed her fist against this machine, breaking it slightly. Jack quickly flicked it back, but it wouldn't help, his mum's fist had made sure of that. He stared into her eyes, as they became less and less fidgety. They were flying everywhere, he thought maybe to see as much as possible before she died. Then it was over. They were both over. That was when his sister popped into his head.

'What'll she do?' he thought 'She never even got to see either of them before the end' he concluded 'I'll tell her myself'.

From that thought and those events, he walked out of the room to tell his sister the full story.
***

Jack was serious about what he'd written, he always had been. He never wanted any of it to happen, especially how it happened to his sister, how she saw him, and how she was forced to cope. If this was where he died, he guessed she should know how he felt, and he figured that if he wrote it, there would be evidence she could see before, after or both.

He knew she was watching him, he also hoped she'd change her mind about her plan, but that would be difficult. About twenty years of hatred, twenty years of hoping this time would come. Can you change that much time for a moment of understanding? No was Jack's answer. If he was in that position he wouldn't anyway.

Just now he was curious of what she was doing, was she readying an attack? Was she just watching him write, or was she gone? Unfortunately he knew that as soon as he looked up, he would be vulnerable to her looking straight back at him, and if that happened, the battle may begin.

He finished his words, and then managed to force his head up, he stared at her, her now noticing, she stared back. The two of them actually had no idea what they should do next, she didn't know if she should jump out in rage, or if they should walk back down the mountain like they used to do. They just stared at each other, noticing all the changes each of them have had, how much more mature Jane's face was, how skinny Jack still was, Jack's scar on his cheek. That was enough.

Jane jumped down to match the size of Jack, what troubled Jack was that he didn't feel it was his time yet. Did anyone ever feel it was their time to die? Jack's answer was again, no.
***

Jane was sitting in the waiting room doing what most people would, she was waiting. She may only have been ten, but it didn't immunize her to stress. She was worried about her mum and dad. She was worried that maybe she won't have anyone to look up to, that she won't have a safety net if she does something bad, and her parents were that net.

Jack appeared from the room of her mum, and seemed upset. He looked like he was going to say something, but wasn't able to put the words together, he looked at his sister, and then fell into a phase of tears. What she didn't know, was that he was crying for her. He knew what had happened, but wasn't strong enough to tell her. She would have to find out herself.

While Jane was in checking on her parents, Jack had silently escaped, wanting to rid himself of his life. He still wanted to live, but not ever see his sister or anyone that reminded him of this life ever again. He took the soonest bus to anywhere, it seemed he was off to London, where he'd look for a life there. At the age of fourteen, you were sure to be treated as an adult. Weren't you?
***

He wasn't sure whether to let her hit him, or to parry, or to run. It was a difficult decision to make while fighting someone of the same relation; this was also a bit different to your usual reunions. He was never going to kill her, just hope she thought things through before she killed him.

The first punch was swung and Jack was ready, he ducked, then regained his height, grabbed her arm in mid-punch, twisted it behind her back then finally grabbed her other free arm. He didn't feel the need to hurt her, or even break her arm, so he didn't keep the arm twisting around; he kept it up against her back.

"You must understand. began Jack, "It wasn't my fault. I couldn't help it. She knew her arms were useless, so gave a full on backwards kick to the groin, Jack let go of her arms and fell to the ground, stunned at what one kick can do.

"You killed them, it doesn't matter if you meant it or not, you can't change anything now. He knew this. He also knew there wasn't really much of a reply to that. Jack got to his feet, but only in time to feel his sister barge into him with her shoulder leading the way. For the second time, he was on the ground and now not sure if he had the strength to pull himself up again. It wasn't just the blows he received, or the fact that he was a wimp, it was the fact that he was freezing, that he couldn't actually feel half of his body unless it was throbbing with pain.

She stared at him getting up, she knew this would end soon, and afterwards she could think about it. Jane was ready now, to do her bidding, to end the grief. She ran towards Jack, who was just about onto his feet again, she knew what would happen now. He was going to die.
***

Jane walked into the ward, looked at her father and noticed he was asleep. She looked deep into his sleeping eyes, and held his hand. She didn't feel assured by the fact that her dad wasn't snoring, or the fact that he had no pulse. The truth was staring her in the face, but she wanted to be fooled, wanted it to be a game show, or something which would make it all better. This is when the tears began. Slow at first, but they accelerated into an ever flowing waterslide. Sitting beside her dad didn't help with the feeling, but she thought he might jump up and greet her. It was a dark feeling; maybe he'd have planned a big joke, that he never did have cancer, that maybe he was getting paid a lot to make it up, then later he'd tell her that it was for TV or something and they were rich. But it never did seem likely, this inkling of doubt wasn't going to prevail, her dad was dead, there was nothing to change that.

Then was her mother's ward. This too, was exactly the same, but there was no doubt about the game show, it didn't seem as likely, unless her mum had decided to waste half her life being disabled. It didn't seem believable, and probably never would. Her mother didn't receive as many tears as her dad. This, she believed was due to the fact she half-expected it due to her dad, and her mum had always been the more, how could she put it, dying one. It didn't stop the tears from coming though, they came, and they left a tear-streaked face.

Once the thoughts of death were partially gone from her head, after she'd told the doctors, she sat back down on a seat and thought. Was it there time to go? Was it a coincidence that they both left at the same time? Rage filled her body when the answer became apparent, no. It was no coincidence, her brother had seen them both, and then afterwards, they were dead. This was no coincidence, this was murder. Her brother had killed her parents, probably had no reason to either, just did it pointlessly like all stupid brothers did.

Through the years, Jane had been getting on with life, been fostered, passed through school without hassle and gotten a job afterwards. She had been getting on fine, her life was great, she had also nearly forgotten about her troublesome past. Unfortunately a meeting was going to change that.

Jack hadn't been so lucky, he had been pronounced dead when no one could find him. He had hidden from life in the dark alleys, where he had made and lost friends. He began the life of a pickpocket and sometimes when times got to the worst, a plain and simple mugger. He was quite a simple guy, but he liked to wear his designer clothes, so he stole from a few shops, sometimes sneakily, other times just plain old cheekily, walking right past guards with a handful of clothes, he knew hiding places in London, which made it easier to escape their grasp. So he knew he was safe.

Jane was on holiday in London for the first time, and was proud to be walking around with her favourite jewellery. Showing off her wealth was what she liked to do as a hobby, and also, she knew how to protect herself. She was walking towards a shop called 'Harrods', she didn't know what it sold, but she had heard it from somewhere, probably a well known shop. There was a little alley way, there was also a man in that alley getting beaten up. She knew it wasn't hers to meddle with, but who was she kidding, she wanted to beat up the bad guys. There were two men taking on this poor man. He was bleeding down one side of his face and looked familiar from somewhere. As she dropped approached the alley, she readied herself to fight these men. One man noticed her, but just in time to feel a fist crash into his face, there was a jaw-breaking crack, and she knew she was winning, unfortunately when she began fighting the second man, the victim didn't run away, he went up behind her and grabbed her arms, redeeming her helpless.

"What is this? she cried. "I was helping you The man moved his lips close to her ear.

"Yes, yes you were. Her heart jumped, she knew this guy, but wasn't sure if it was him. The men went through her handbag which she had dropped in order to save this man. They stole everything worth something, and then the two of them ran away. This left the final man, the one she might know, to let her go and run as well. He let go of her and began to run, she didn't care about her bag right now, she cared about that guy, if she was who she thought he was, she was going to at least want to leave a scar.

After maybe thirty seconds, she'd grabbed him, pinned him to the ground and told him "I know who you are, and you can't forget what you did. You killed them, and you're not getting to forget it! She pulled a knife from his pocket, and tore a deep cut down the side of his cheek which had some fake blood running down it too to add to effect. She hoped it would stay, she couldn't be sure, but she enjoyed the pain he was feeling. Jack was paralyzed there for a few minutes as Jane left to get back to her shopping; if there was anything left of her handbag.
***

Jack wasn't on his feet still; he was wiping snow from his eyes while slowly getting up. His sight was getting back to him, though the snow was heavy enough to create a wall preventing him to see anything further than a metre away. His sister was definitely less than a metre away. She was ready to hit him with the biggest nudge ever. Behind him was a steep fall, they had joked as children by pretending to push each other off, if there parents had seen this they wouldn't have been allowed out on the mountain, but they were the only ones that went up this mountain, and they were the only ones that enjoyed it. This definitely didn't look like a game, and it definitely didn't look fun, the look she had in her eyes was anger and a bit confused, he figured she regretted this now, she couldn't stop though. He wasn't sure what to do, though he didn't have any time to think either.

Jane now understood that killing him wasn't going to rid her of her grief; it wasn't going to do anything but put more burdens onto her life. She had made the decision right there, she wasn't ready for a happy life. She definitely wasn't part of a game show, so she did what was best for her.

Jack watched as her facial expression changed, he couldn't tell because of the snow, but knew it wasn't anger anymore. She swiftly dodged Jack as he watched her, she didn't struggle to stop, and she didn't even try. She just kept going, off the edge into the nothingness of space.

Jack tried his best to grab her, he did at one point, but the snow was too overwhelming, and no matter how hard he tried, his hands didn't have the power to grip hers. All he could do was watch as she was eaten away by the wall of mist as she fell further and further to the ground. Then, there was nothing.

He was left on top of that mountain to cry. His sister had more of a life to live than him, his sister hadn't killed anyone, and his sister hadn't abandoned her brother. She was pure, he was the evil one. He'd killed, two or three family members, he really wasn't sure if his mum counted or not. He'd abandoned his sister, he'd stolen money off people for a living, and he'd ruined people's careers so that he could get some extra money or clothes. He was the one that should be in the position of his sister. But once something's done, it can't be changed.

Jack decided his fate, and chose how he'd do it, this way it'd be a strange type of family tradition. His mum and dad both turned off life support, their children both fell off a mountain.
***

Two weeks past with the death of Jack, Jane finally woke up. She looked around her, noticed there was a doctor in the room.

"What¦ Happened? struggled Jane. The doctor looked around, almost startled. She told her that she'd fallen off a mountain. The doctor's had found her lying mangled on a thick patch of snow, she had miraculously survived. Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for her brother. The doctor had been called to leave for some reason, the news began to sink in, and then she found the switch.