My Love is Vengeance, That's Never Free

[Jason Rayne]

Introduction

No one knows what it's like to be the bad man

To be the sad man

No one knows what its like

To feel these feelings

Like I do

And I blame you

No one bites back as hard

On their anger

None of my pain and woe

Can show through

But my dreams they aren't as empty

As my conscience seems to be

I have hours, only lonely

My love is vengeance

That's never free


(More Coming  Soon!)

[Jason Rayne]

Lincoln North Star Gymnasium

February 20, 2009


*Jason is sitting on the bleachers next to his mother - Emily - and father - James - in Lincoln North Star’s gymnasium. They are watching Michael - Jason’s brother - and his teammates play a basketball game against the Fremont Tigers. The game is nearly over - only twelve seconds are left in the fourth quarter - and the Tigers are leading 72-70. The Tigers’ point guard has the ball and passes it off to his power forward. At this point, the ball game seems to be all but lost, until Michael comes racing towards the Tigers’ power forward and makes a steal! Michael makes his way towards his team’s basket, with the game clock continuing to count down - nine seconds left, eight. Michael maneuvers past a defender. Seven seconds, six, five. Michael finds his way to just outside the three-point line and sets up to make a shot at the hoop. Four seconds left, three. Michael lets loose with what will in all likelihood be the last jump shot of the game. Two seconds left. The ball arcs towards the goal. One second left. Nothing but net! Ball game, North Star! The crowd sitting on the home team’s side of the bleachers erupts in cheers as Michael and the rest of the North Star players make their way towards their locker room.

Ten minutes later, Michael emerges from the locker room and makes his way over to meet his family. Michael arrives in the middle of a heated exchange between Jason and his father.*


James: That was what a real game is, Jason - a sports game.

Jason: I know what sports are, dad. I wasn’t born yesterday.

Then why don’t you act like it and try out for one? Make me proud, for once, like your brothers do, instead of wasting your time with video games?

Oh brother, here we go again. Nothing I have ever done has ever been enough…

Michael: Whoa, Jason, Dad, lay off each other, will ya? We just won the basketball game! It’s time to celebrate.

You just won the game. Jason…

Just lay off of Jason, Dad. If for nobody else, then do it for me. Alright?

*James rises from his bleacher seat and waits, in silence. Michael gives Jason a hand standing up from his seat, and Jason flashes his brother a quick smile.*

Thanks, Mike. You’re still my rock.

Hey, no problem, Jason. That’s what big brothers are for. Now let’s go celebrate!

[Jason Rayne]

September 14, 2009 - 4 PM

Lincoln North Star High School - Weight Lifting Deck

Lincoln, Nebraska

*Jason’s brother, Michael has invited Jason to stay after school with him, to keep him company and spot for him while he lifts weights. While the weight deck is by no means busy, the sounds of grunting and weights clanking on the ground give evidence that Jason and Michael are not the only people there.

Michael is laying on a weight bench, bench pressing the barbell. By the looks of the sweat dripping down Michael’s face and soaking his white work-out t-shirt, he has been working out for a good clip of time already.*

Michael: Nineteen, Twenty. Spot me, Jason.

*Jason takes the barbell from his brother and sets it down on its rack.*

Jason: Michael, why are you doing all this?

Weight lifting?

Yeah. I mean, you’re a basketball player.

Because it takes more than just practicing shooting hoops to become elite, and that’s what I plan on becoming: elite. The very best. Understand?

I think so. I want to be the best, too.

*Michael laughs, eliciting a perturbed look from Jason.*

You want to be the best at what, World of Warcraft?

Oh, har har. No. I want to be the best at what Travis does: boxing.

Are you being serious?

Yeah, I am.

Why boxing?

I won’t need to participate on a team. Most of all, though, I want to beat Travis at his own game.

I’m sick and tired of being pushed around and bullied by the likes of him. What better way is there than that, to finally put an end to his constant harassment?

*Michael would stop to think for a few seconds before replying.*

You are sure about this, then?

*Jason nods.*

Alright then, brother. You and I will be here training together, for many more hours. Deal?

*Michael extends his hand toward Jason, which Jason clasps with his own.*

It’s a deal.