[center][img]https://media.giphy.com/media/qSQKivPZ7wbfy/giphy.gif[/img][/center][indent][sub][COLOR=696969][I]Chicago, Illinois[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=696969][i]Present Day[/i][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr][indent][sup][COLOR=696969][b]1.00 // A Favor[/b][/color][/sup][/indent][center][color=A9A9A9]𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗥[/color][/center]
[indent][indent]"I'm sorry, but he died on the way."

That was what the doctor told James Pierce after his surgery. The news left him feeling numb. He had thought that he was going to break down and start crying loudly. Just like in those sappy movies that Cole always watched. Then again, Pierce wasn't normal, unlike his lover. Cole never deserved to be gunned down in broad daylight. He worked hard to achieve a bachelor's degree in English while working. And his friends and family loved and cared about him. In fact, his entire family was at the hospital, grief-stricken over the news. Yet, they still took their time to visit Pierce. 

He felt like he didn't deserve vistiors. 

Only forty-eight hours since he woke up that the authorities planned on releasing footage of the shooting. Pierce was glued to the small screen waiting for something significant to be revealed. After a lengthy press conference, the footage was shown briefly of Pierce and Cole walking together in the downtown area. He remembered how Cole was so excited to be outside. Then, the murder appeared behind them with a pistol hidden behind him. That was when the fucker's face was shown. Just before he fired several shots at them. Before he killed... Without thinking, Pierce grabbed his phone and took a picture of that scumbag. 

Then, he got out of the hospital and started getting undressed. Both the doctor and nurses protested the decision, but nobody was going to prevent him from leaving. Pierce left the hospital without trouble and immediately dialed a number.

[indent][indent][quote][color=A9A9A9]<"Hey, I need a favor.">[/color]

[color=0C710C]<"Pierce? Is that you?">[/color]

[color=A9A9A9]<"Yes, it's me. Look, I need you to look up someone from me. Can you do that?">[/color]

[color=0C710C]<"I thought you were getting married to that fellow down south?">[/color]

[color=A9A9A9]<"I'm not in the mood, David. I will send you a picture of someone. And you will search for everything about him, got it?">[/color]

[color=0C710C]<"Sounds serious. Let me see how you're doing over there. I heard-">[/color]

[color=A9A9A9]<"[b]David[/b].">[/color]

[color=0C710C]<"-it's a great place to start a family. I mean, it was rated number-">[/color]

[color=A9A9A9]<"... David?">[/color]

[color=0C710C]<"I didn't know... I'm sorry, James. I.. I will get on it now.">[/color]

[color=A9A9A9]<"Thanks.">[/color][/quote][/indent][/indent]
The call ended in silence for both of them. David was a good person, but he didn't know when to shut up and listen. On the bright side, it meant that he was going to get his info quicker than usual. But, he had to wait back at home. Pierce spent fifteen minutes walking home alone with his thoughts. Of course, he was trying to make sense of Cole's death. [color=A9A9A9][i]Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be you, Cole? I should have died instead. Nobody would have missed me. Hell, my family never cared. But I will be there for your family, and I will kill your murder. That's a promise.[/i][/color]

After walking for an extra few minutes, Pierce looked up and saw the home that Cole wanted to live in. It cost a fortune, but it was worth every cent. A front yard with the white picket fence and the perfect backyard for birthday parties and BBQs during holidays. Better than a cramped apartment. Now, it was a haunting reminder of the future that Pierce will never have. He unlocked the front door and slowly entered the house. The quietness felt out of place. Cole never was the one to enjoy the calm, always planning some kind of party or gathering. And he was good at it.

Pierce sat down on the couch and pulled out his phone. The lock screen was a photo of him and Cole at a friend's dinner party. He already missed him. Once the phone was unlocked, Pierce checked on new messages for friends that were filled with heartfelt condolences. He tried to read every single one of them. But then, David called. Pierce knew that he had found something on the killer and answered without hesitation. He heard some laughter coming from David. Next, he announced much needed good news.

[indent][indent][quote][color=0C710C]<"Found the fucker.">[/color][/quote][/indent][/indent]
[/indent][/indent]
[hr]