Brent's Full Backstory

Brent Garnett

[
Brent Garnett died at the age of 17, on the eve of his eighteenth birthday.

Reason of death; Suicide.
Method of death; Slitting of wrists.
Place of death; In the bathroom in his house.

Has an insurance that covers his death, meaning his parent would get money from it. However, no foul play was found. The only logical explanation as to why he committed suicide will be due to the stress of being poor as well as him being isolated and bullied in school.
]

My name is.. Brent. If the statement above isn’t clear enough, let me get this out of the way. I have passed away; and yes, I committed suicide.

My.. the Garnett family used to be rich. We live in a large mansion with a load of land surrounding us. The servants lives in a separate mansion from us, and our pets have their own homes as well. We had a maze at the back of the mansion and a flower garden in a greenhouse. All things are well, so why did I commit suicide you ask? Well..

When I turned 15, my father was caught bribing some important figure red handed. Apparently he has always been bribing them, but this new figure does not accept bribes and hated those who bribe. From this one incident, the angered important figure dug out all of my father’s dirty works and laid them out bare.

Due to this, nobody wanted to work with him anymore and soon we were declared bankrupt due to his business failing. At that time, I was happy… since he was never around back when his business is blooming. I thought maybe we could have more family time, like back when I was 7...

After we moved to a more affordable place with the money given by my mother's’ family, things was going a bit smoother even though we still struggled with the lack of money. My parents aren’t used to doing chores, so I took it up upon myself to do it. I was lacking, but managed nonetheless.

My father and mother too, tried looking for jobs. My father managed to get one but was constant fired due to his attitude problems. My mother too, managed to get a job but had to quit when her boss sexually harassed her.

With the pressure on him, my father started to turn to drinking. I took on a part time job as soon as I was allowed to, but by then my mother had had enough and she left us. My father started to take his frustrations out on me.

At first, it was just verbally… but it soon escalated to physical. Me, being tired from the constant abuse and working soon kept to myself in school. With no one to turn to, I was on the brink of collapsing when I heard my father talking to himself.

Maybe he was drunk-talking, but I heard him come up with a plan on how to… kill me in a way that it looked like a suicide so that he could get the insurance money and live better.

It seems that my mother had found a new man to marry after leaving us for more than a year. It was arranged by her family, and thus they no longer needed me, the child they had wanted to take in as the heir.

As such, they stopped sending money to my father; the money to pay for my school fees and food. Without money, my father was desperate for he was no longer able to buy his alcohols.

(The writing above was done a few weeks back, thus the difference in writing.)

On the day I got my paycheck, my father who had to stop drinking as much alcohol as before due to the lack of money fought and stole my money from me. Hurt and tired, I laid on the floor, trying my best to keep my tears in. God knows how much time have passed when I heard the door open. Getting up slowly, I saw my father who have collapsed in heap by the front door.

“Dad.. dad, get up. Come on, I’ll bring you to bed.”

“Shut up. .. I.. I’m not drunk.. I’m not..”

I sighed and tried my best to drag my father to bed. After covering him with the blanket, my father turned on his side, back facing me.

“If only.. If only you were dead. If you die, I don’t have to worry about your school fee. ..If you die, we’d have money again and live a comfortable life like before. If only.. If.. only..”

My father drifted off into dreamland and his words were left incompleted. I, who was devastated by his words.. Started to think about what he had just said. Maybe.. Maybe he’s right. If I died by accident or illness, he’ll be able to get the insurance money. He can live a better life again. I’m.. I’m just causing you pain aren’t I?

“...If me being alive is going to cause you pain, then I’d rather die knowing you’ll be better off without me.”

After saying that, I dragged myself up and went into the living room. Taking out my notebook and pen, I started to draft out.. My final words to my parents.

Dearest father,

I’m so sorry to have caused you such pain with my being alive. I hope that with me gone, you will be able to live comfortably once more. It pains me so to see you turning to alcohol for relief. I wish that you will once again be the strong and confident person you once were. You may have made a mistake once, but that’s not the end of the world. I’m sure you’ll be able to pull yourself back together again and stand on your own 2 feet. It’s a shame I wouldn’t be able to see that, but just know that I really love you.

Dearest mother; wherever you’re at now,

I hope that your new marriage will go smoothly and that your new husband is treating you well. It’s a shame that I will not be able to play with any of my new siblings if you gave birth, and that I could no longer braid your beautiful long hair for you anymore. I don’t blame you for leaving us, for you have filled me with love for a lifetime. Thank you, and I’m sorry I can’t accompany you into old age. Good bye mother and father. I love you. Signed: Brent.

After writing out my final words, I wrote out a will that states that when I die, my insurance money will all go to my father. Placing the letters into separate envelopes, I labeled them clearly and carefully; “Goodbye” and “My will”. Using my books as paper weights, I carefully placed them on the envelopes, making sure that it is not obstructed and can be seen clearly.

With the penknife in hand, Brent walks over to his father to look at him one last time.

“Goodbye dad. I love you.” I said while covering my father better with the blanket. I gave him a light peck on his forehead, and walk out of the room after stealing one last glance at him.

‘It’s time.’ I thought as I covered the sinkhole and filled the sink with water. ‘This will allow the blood to flow out faster I guess.. I can’t waste water, that’ll be problematic for dad.’ I then placed my arm into the cold water. Placing the penknife vertically on my wrists, I took a few deep and slow breaths to calm my beating heart down.

“I’ve got to cut deep enough.. Calm down, me. I can do this. It’ll be better for everyone.”

Pushing the penknife hard into my wrists, I tried not to move my own arm away from the pain. Gritting my teeth, I pulled the penknife upwards towards my elbow. After knowing that I had cut deep enough and that flood is flowing out, I dipped my arm into the water. Sitting on the stool I placed beside the sink, I leaned against the wall and waited. I kept myself awake as long as possible so that I can make sure that nothing will go wrong.

“I’m.. so.. rry…”

◆◇------------------------------------------------------------------------------------◇◆

My eyes opened lazily as if I’ve taken a long, long nap. I blinked away the haziness of my consciousness and sat up.

“Did I fail? I..”

I muttered to myself as I turned around and noticed I was in my living room. ‘That’s weird.. It’s not a dream is it?’ I questioned myself. Hearing sobbing, I walked towards the source of the sound and it was coming from the bathroom. Slowly approaching it and peeking in, I saw my father holding onto my pale body and weeping.

“Dad..”

‘Why? Why is he crying? Wasn’t I causing him pain and suffering by staying alive? I’m dead now, so why? Why is he still hurting? I-’ My thoughts was cut off when I heard him speak.

“Brent. Oh my poor child. No no no no no. Why? Why did you do such a foolish thing? No no no. Wake up. I’ve- I’ve only you left. I-If you leave me too.. Brent, Brent wake up. Tell me this is only a joke. No no no my son. My son ahhh-”

My father broke down in tears, hands constantly wiping my face over and over again. More tears, more wiping and more pleas for me to awake. My knees gave way as I fell to the ground. Tightening my hands into a tight fist, I cried bitter tears.

“Why? Didn’t you say that you’ll be better off if I’m dead? Why are you crying now? Why are you asking me to wake up? Why.. are you only telling me this now?”

Curling my entire body into a ball, I sobbed beside my devastated father.

“Who are you?”

Shocked by the sudden question, I looked up and see my father looking at me whilst holding onto my body. I looked around and behind me, confused.

“I’m talking to you? Who in the world are you?? How did you get in here?”

My father asked, using a harsh and threatening tone.

“I-I’m, I’m Brent.” I said before realizing that I could, I could just repair everything here. I can go back to my old life if my father can see me. “It’s me dad! It’s Brent! I’m, I’m back!”

“Do you think this is a joke? DO YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY? SAYING THIS WHILE I’M HOLDING ONTO MY SON HERE? GET OUT, GET OUT RIGHT NOW. GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!”

“D-Dad? But it’s me! Look! Just look at me! I look exactly the same, don’t I? W-wh-”

Before I could finish my sentence, my father had gotten up from where he was at and was rushing at me. In a panic, I stumbled and ran out of the front door.

“DON’T YOU DARE COME BACK HERE, YOU SACK OF-”

I didn’t stop running after that, tears pouring down my face. After reaching the park that’s 30 minutes walk away from my house, I fell into a heap and laid on the grass.

“He.. doesn’t recognise me… I.. can’t go back to my old life anymore. No matter how much I wish to, I can’t return. No matter how much I regret, I will not be forgiven.. Why? Why didn’t you tell me all those things before I passed dad? Why.. I thought this was for the best.. I.. was wrong?”

I curled up into a ball and sobbed painfully to myself.

◆◇------------------------------------------------------------------------------------◇◆

It seems that I had fallen asleep at some point.

“The park?”

I rubbed my eyes sleepily. Yawning, I pulled myself up and walked back towards my home, half-asleep. Opening the door to my house, my consciousness suddenly cleared up and before I panicked, a voice came from inside the room.

“Who is it?”

My father asked as he came to the door.

“Who.. are you?”

He.. doesn’t remember me?

“Oh um, sir, your door was open so I just wanted to check if everything was alright.”

“.. if everything is alright huh? Nothing is alright, not one thing..”

I took a closer look at my father. He didn’t smell like booze, but he also doesn’t look too good. Red, bloodshot eyes; black, heavy eyebags; messy hair; tired, worn out looking. Father… I glaced at him sadly.

Taking a deep, silent breath; I contained my emotions and talked to him calmly.

“What’s wrong sir? Y-you don’t look too good. Is something the matter?”

“What’s it to you?!”

My father shouted at me, in which I responded with a flinch. Seeing that, my father eased a bit in response.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout at you. It’s just.. Recently there’s been a lot of reporters and people coming to bother me about a recent event.”

“...”

I looked down, sadly.

“That’s quite alright, dear sir. If you don’t mind, I’m most willing to lend a listening ear if you so need.”

I looked back up at him, giving him a small and sad smile.

“You.. that look.. You remind me of- … you, you’ve lost someone dear to you too, haven’t you?” He stopped himself mid sentence while speaking before continuing. He then invited me into the living room and sat across the table from me.

“You see, my son Brent.. He, he’s a bright child you know? It’s just too bad that I was so, so blinded.. So blinded by the things I no longer have. So blinded by the rage and greed of my own.. My child, see, he did whatever he could for this family after I was declared bankrupt. He did chores; even though he had never done them before. He cooked everyday; making meals for me even though he was tired from school and work. I, all I did was drink alcohol every day. He, the day he committed suicide, I stole his paycheck from him to go out and drink. I had beat him to steal his paycheck, and I came home dead drunk. I- I must’ve said something I shouldn’t have while drunk. If- if not, m-m-my child-”

Before he could finish saying his sentence, my father broke down in tears, his shoulder shaking violently up and down. I got up from where I was sitting and went beside him. Unable to do much for him, I gently hug him and patted his back softly. When he had calmed down, I moved away slowly and kept a comfortable distance between us. I gave him a small smile.

“It’s okay, I’m sure he forgives you. After all, if he had done so much for your family, he must’ve really loved you. There, there. It’ll be alright. I’m sure you’ll be able pull yourself back together and stand on your own two feet again.”

After saying that, I stood up and walked slowly towards the door. Before I left, I turned around and bowed to him.

“I’ve got to go. I’m sorry for being a bother.”

He blinked at me, looking somewhat confused. ‘Does he feel like.. I’m his son? I guess our bond isn’t fully severed.. But I can’t stay here.’

“Dad, I forgive you.”

I said before making myself disappear from his sight. Before I lose against wanting to stay with my father, I flew away; far, far away. Far away from where I lived, so that I won’t lose to the temptation of staying with my father. It won’t help to stay with him, both of us will not be able to move on. A tear slipped out of my eyes as that thought came into my mind. I shook it off and continued of my journey.

◆◇------------------------------------------------------------------------------------◇◆

Days became weeks, weeks became months, and months became years. Decades have passed since I last saw my father. Steeling my mind, I decided to go back to where I used to lived. ‘He may.. No longer be alive. It’s been so long.. But.. I’ll be okay.’

Reaching the old apartment, I noticed that the house has been torn down. Staring at it in semi-shock, a passerby came up to me.

“Are you.. Someone related to the kind old man who was living here before it got demolished?”

“Oh.. Yes, yes you can say that.”

“Is that so? I’m sorry, but he has already passed away. If you’d like, I can tell you the location of his grave.”

“Could you? Please do. I’d love to visit him.”

◆◇------------------------------------------------------------------------------------◇◆

I got to the grave the passerby gave to me.

“Ahh, here it is. Amon Garnett.”

I kneeled down in front of his grave. Taking out my handkerchief, I started to wipe the gravestone carefully.

“Hey dad. I’m sorry for not visiting you for so long, and not being by your side when you passed… I hope you’re doing okay. Are you up in heaven? Did you passed away peacefully? Did you.. Missed me? Dad.. I’m… all alone now…”

I stopped wiping his gravestone and looked down at my thumbs. I took a deep breath. This is my fate as a fallen Forget-Me-Not Angel, I can never obtain peace no matter what and will have to suffer on earth for eternity. ‘Maybe I should try taking God’s test? But I.. don’t think I’m strong enough for it. Actually, I don’t think I’d ever be strong enough for it.’ I laughed bitterly at my own thought.

Placing the Tweedia Caerulea bouquet I brought with me by my father’s grave, I stood up and stretched. ‘I should try to travel the world for a bit. Maybe it’ll take my mind off of such horrendous topic.’

“I hope we’ll be able to meet in heaven someday... Dad.”