My Family’s Feast of Murder

My 15-year-old niece wanted to kill my five-year-old son.
I was reborn, with all my memories, just two hours before she did it.
Instead of stopping her, I set a trap on the path she was bound to take.
I thought it was just jealousy. Until I found out the online friend who coached her was my own uncle, the one after my familys inheritance.
I had to laugh.
Turns out, this was a feast where my whole family planned to murder me.
Then they cant blame me for flipping the table.
1
My vision was black.
My head felt like it was filled with wet cement. I could hear someone crying. It was my wife, Lina. Her voice was torn to shreds, crying out our sons name over and over.
Benny Oh, my Benny
I forced my eyes open. The ceiling light was blinding. On the floor, there was a pool of blood. It wasn't large, but the crimson was seared into my eyes. My older brother, Frank, was crouched there, holding my niece, Abby. She was trembling violently, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.
I didnt mean to Uncle Leo, I swear I didnt mean to He kept trying to reach for the window, and I I couldnt hold him back
Lina lunged at her, grabbing a fistful of Abbys hair. Youre lying! Benny is terrified of heights! Why would he go near the window? It was you! You pushed him!
Frank shoved Lina away. She stumbled backward, her head cracking against the corner of the coffee table. She didnt cry out. She just sat there, stunned, her eyes darting from my brother to Abby.
Then I saw my son. Benny. He was lying on the floor, his small body covered by my jacket. Just yesterday, he was begging me to take him to the amusement park this weekend. Id promised him I would.
I got to my feet. I didnt look at anyone. I walked over and pulled back the jacket. Bennys face was pale, a gash on his forehead no longer bleeding. I touched his cheek. It was cold. As cold as our apartment in the winter when the heat was out.
Frank came over and put a hand on my shoulder. Leo, Im so sorry. But its its done. What else can we do? Abby shes just a kid. She didnt do it on purpose.
I turned and stared at him. I said nothing.
Dont look at me like that, Frank took a step back. Well take responsibility for this. Well compensate you. Hell, well support you for the rest of your lives.
Support you for the rest of your lives. The words echoed in my skull. I looked at my brother, then at Abby cowering behind him. A laugh bubbled up from my chest. It grew louder and louder, a raw, shaking sound that convulsed my entire body.
Still laughing, I walked into the kitchen and came back with the meat cleaver. Id just bought it. It was razor sharp. Id tested it on a pork bone; it split it clean in two.
Leo! What are you doing?! Lina screamed.
Frank, I said, walking toward him, the cleaver held loosely at my side. You say your daughter is a child. What about my son? He was five. Wasnt he a child?
Frank pushed Abby behind him, his face ashen. Are you crazy?! Put the cleaver down! You touch my daughter and Ill kill you!
I ignored him, circling around to face Abby. She was so terrified she collapsed, a dark stain spreading across her pants.
Uncle Leo, Im sorry Im so sorry Please dont kill me
I crouched down, tapping her cheek with the flat of the blade. Her skin was icy, slick with tears.
You sorry now? I asked softly.
She nodded frantically, like a bobblehead.
Too late.
I raised the cleaver.
And then, a crushing weight slammed into my chest. I couldnt breathe. My vision started to tunnel. The cleaver felt impossibly heavy. As I fell, the last thing I saw was Lina rushing to catch me.
Her face and my son Bennys face blurred together.
So pale.
My whole damn life. Ruined.
Shit.
In the darkness, a sound.
Whirrrrr
The sound of a fan.
I struggled to open my eyes. Blinding sunlight squeezed through a gap in the curtains, painting a bright stripe across the wall. Dust motes danced in the beam.
I sat up. I looked at my hands. No blood. I touched my chest. No wound. Just a strong, steady heartbeat.
I looked around. This was my bedroom. Lina wasnt here. On the nightstand, my old phone showed the time.
June 15, 2024. 2:30 PM.
I froze.
I remembered it perfectly. Bennys accident happened on June 15, 2024. Around five in the afternoon.
I was back.
I leaped out of bed and ran barefoot into the living room. Lina was on the sofa, folding laundry. A cartoon was playing on the TV.
And there, on the rug, was my son. Benny. He was building a crooked castle with his blocks, humming a little song to himself.
Benny, I croaked.
He looked up, saw me, and broke into a grin, showing off a gappy, five-year-old smile. Daddy, youre awake! Look at my castle!
I crossed the room in two strides and pulled him into a hug. I held him so tight he could barely breathe.
Daddy, youre hurting me, he squirmed.
I loosened my grip, just looking at him. He was here. He was alive and perfect. His face was warm, his body soft. I ran my hand through his fluffy hair.
Leo? Whats wrong? Lina stood up and came over. Did you have a nightmare? Youre soaked in sweat.
I looked at my wife. She was fine. No breakdown, no hollow eyes. Just a look of mild concern.
I took a deep breath. The air smelled of sunshine and laundry detergent.
It was okay.
There was still time.
Im fine, I said, my voice thick. Just a little hungry.
The words almost came out as a sob. I swallowed it down.
I glanced at the wall clock. The hands pointed to three.
Two hours.
In two hours, my niece, Abby, would come over. And everything would happen all over again.
Not this time. This time, I wouldnt let her succeed.
I looked at my sons sweet face.
Benny, I swear, I won't let anything happen to you this time.
No one will touch you.
2
I went to the kitchen and poured a glass of cold water, downing it in one gulp. The icy liquid shocked my system, clearing my head a little.
Leaning against the doorframe, I watched Lina and Benny in the living room. She was still folding clothes, occasionally glancing at Benny with a smile. He had knocked over his block castle and was starting again.
It was all so real. So normal.
As normal as any other afternoon in my previous life.
In that life, I was a classic screw-up. I worked a dead-end factory job for a paycheck that barely covered the bills. Id come home and either waste hours on my phone or go out drinking with my buddies. When Lina told me I was going nowhere, Id just fight with her. My brother, Frank, ran a small business and made more money, and while I was jealous, I still sucked up to him.
I always thought that was it. That was my life.
Until Benny was gone.
Only then did I realize that I had failed at the most basic level. I hadnt protected my son. I hadnt protected my wife. I was a failure. A complete and utter failure.
But not anymore.
I was back. I wasnt that pathetic loser anymore. The cement in my head had been shattered, and what was buried inside wasnt a soft heart, but a blade tempered in fire.
Daddy, Daddy, Benny ran over and tugged on my hand. Come play with me.
I knelt down. What do you want to play?
Superheroes and monsters!
You got it, I said.
I let him climb onto my shoulders and galloped around the living room, making sound effects. Kapow! Wham! Im Captain Invincible! Im getting the monster!
Benny shrieked with laughter, waving his arms. Lina watched us, smiling. Youre a grown man, acting like a little kid.
I didnt answer, just kept running. I could feel Bennys weight on my shoulders, so small, so light.
But I would carry that weight with my life.
After a few minutes, I set him down. I looked at him, my expression serious. Benny, listen to me. From now on, no matter who asks you, you do not go near the window. Okay?
He blinked, confused. Why not?
Because because theres a monster by the window, and it snatches little boys who dont listen. I pinched his cheek gently. Daddy is a superhero, and Ill protect you. But you have to listen to me.
Okay! Benny nodded vigorously. Ill listen to Daddy! I wont go near the window!
Lina came over, stroking Bennys hair, then mine. Whats gotten into you today? Youre acting so strange.
What could I say? That Id been reborn? That in two hours our son was going to fall from our balcony?
I couldnt. Theyd think I was insane.
Its nothing, I forced a smile. Just messing with him.
I stood up and walked to the balcony. We lived on the twelfth floor. The balcony was open, with a large sliding window that overlooked the community lawn. Last time, this is where Benny fell.
I slid the window open and looked down. A few kids were on the playground below. A hot breeze blew in.
I inspected the window latch. It was a simple pin lock. A five-year-old couldnt possibly open it. Unless someone had loosened it beforehand.
I jiggled the pin. It was tight.
In my last life, I never noticed this detail. I was so consumed by grief that I just accepted Abbys pathetic excuse that she couldnt hold him back.
Thinking about it now, a fifteen-year-old girl, no matter how weak, could easily hold back a five-year-old boy. Unless she never tried to hold him back at all.
Or rather, she wanted him to fall.
Jealousy.
The word surfaced in my mind.
Abby was jealous of Benny. Jealous of the attention he got from my parents, jealous that he had a father who, despite being a loser, still loved him. And her? Her parents, Frank and his wife Karen, were always busy with their business. They gave her money, but never their time. She acted sweet and obedient, but inside, she was twisted.
I slid the window shut and locked the pin firmly.
Then, I went to the door and put on my shoes.
Where are you going? Lina asked.
Out to buy some cigarettes, I said.
I couldn't just wait here. I needed a plan. A plan to catch Abby and whoever was behind her. I couldnt just rush in with a cleaver and get myself killed like last time. That was stupid.
I was going to make them pay the most painful price for what they did.
I was going to make them wish they were dead.
I went to the corner store and bought a pack of smokes. I lit one, but didnt smoke it, just held it between my fingers, watching the ember glow.
I needed tools.
And I needed a witness.
No, I didnt need a witness. I needed everyone to see with their own eyes what kind of monster my niece, Abby, really was.
I pulled out my phone and found a name in my contacts: Rick. Rick was the security tech at the factory. Id done him a favor once; he owed me.
I dialed his number.
Hey, Rick? Its Leo.
Oh, hey Leo. Whats up?
I need a favor. You got any of those tiny cameras? Spy cams. The smaller the better, something I can stream to my phone.
There was a pause. Leo, what are you getting into?
Dont ask. Its an emergency. Can you get them or not?
I mean, yeah, Ive got a few old ones at my place. What for?
Just bring them to me. Meet me downstairs from my apartment. Ill explain later.
Alright, Rick sighed. Ill be there in thirty.
I hung up and ground the cigarette into the pavement with the toe of my shoe.
Abby. Frank.
Last time, you destroyed everything I had.
This time, its my turn.
3
Rick gave me three cameras, each smaller than my pinky nail. He even helped me install the app on my phone and showed me how to use it.
Leo, be careful with this stuff. You can get in serious trouble for using it illegally, Rick warned.
I know what Im doing. I clapped his shoulder. Thanks, man. I owe you one.
Instead of going home, I walked over to my brothers building. We lived in the same complex, just different towers. He was on the fifth floor, apartment 502. I was in 1202.
His apartment was empty. I knew at this time of day, Frank and Karen would be at their store.
I opened the app Rick gave me. The connection was clear. I used a spare key to the main building doormy mom had given it to me years ago in case they ever got locked out. Id never used it before. Today, it came in handy.
I went up to the fifth floor, made sure the hallway was empty, and slid a thin piece of plastic into the gap of his front door. It was a trick Id learned from a locksmith once. The lock clicked open.
I slipped inside, closing the door softly behind me.
My brothers place was huge, way nicer than my dump. The air smelled of my sister-in-law Karens expensive perfume. I had no time to admire their decor. I had one target: the living room balcony.
Just like mine, their balcony window was unenclosed. It faced my building directly. From here, you had a crystal-clear view of my apartments balcony.
This was the spot.
I took out one camera, checked the angle, and stuck it in a hidden corner of the curtain rod. It captured their entire balcony and, in the distance, mine.
I placed a second camera under the living room sofa, angled to see the front door and most of the main area.
The third one, I kept.
Once everything was set, I did a quick sweep to make sure I hadnt left any trace of my visit.
I let myself out, the door clicking shut behind me.
Back at my apartment, Lina was starting dinner. Benny was still playing with his blocks.
Youre back, she said without looking up.
Yeah.
I walked over, scooped Benny up, and kissed his cheek. Hey buddy, want some Coke?
Yeah! his eyes lit up.
No way, Lina immediately shot it down. Dinners almost ready. Soda is bad for his teeth.
Its fine, just a little bit. I got a can from the fridge and poured a small amount into a cup for Benny. Then I popped open my own can and chugged half of it.
The cold, sweet liquid burned down my throat.
My adrenaline was pumping.
I was waiting.
Waiting for my dear niece, Abby, to make her entrance.
The minutes ticked by.
The wall clocks hands moved to four-thirty.
My heart began to pound.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Ding-dong.
Lina wiped her hands and went to the door.
When she opened it, Abby was standing there, a bright smile on her face, an apple in her hand.
Hi, Aunt Lina. Hi, Uncle Leo, she chirped sweetly.
Abby, what a nice surprise, Lina said happily, letting her in. Come on in. What brings you here today?
Mom and Dad werent busy at the store, so I came home early. I was thinking about Benny and wanted to see him, Abby said, slipping off her shoes. Her eyes were already fixed on Benny and his cup of Coke.
Benny, look whos here, Lina called.
Benny glanced at her but didnt seem too excited. He just went back to sipping his drink.
At this exact time in my last life, I was still at the factory. Lina was home alone. Abby came over, charmed Lina, and then lured Benny out onto the balcony.
I watched Abby now. She wore a white dress, her hair in a ponytail. She looked so pure, so harmless. She walked toward Benny, reaching out to pat his head.
Dont touch him, I said.
My voice was cold.
Abbys hand froze in mid-air. She looked at me, a flicker of confusion and annoyance in her eyes.
Uncle Leo
Hes drinking Coke. Youll make him spill. I stood up and positioned myself between her and my son.
The atmosphere turned awkward.
Lina looked at me, puzzled. She came over and touched my arm. Leo, what is wrong with you today? Why are you talking to Abby like that?
I ignored her. I stared at Abby, and she stared back.
Her eyes werent so innocent anymore. In those clear depths, I saw a flicker of the same cold, calculating assessment that was in my own.
She was sizing me up.
Good.
The game was on.
4
Uncle Leo, are you mad at me? Abbys lower lip began to tremble, her eyes welling up. I already said I was sorry about breaking your model last week.
I had to smile.
Last time, she had broken a complex spaceship model Id spent months building. Id been furious, but I bit my tongue to keep the peace with my brother.
Now she was using it as an excuse, implying that my coldness today was just me holding a grudge.

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