“I just wanna talk, Lucy.” Cantis sits opposite his exasperated granddaughter, a crystal clear plexiglass between them. Behind Lucy are guards standing at attention by either side of the door, their expressions still and postures unmoving. Lucy’s irate demeanour reminded Cantis of her row with her brother just a few months prior. But he had no intention to reminisce on memories this time. His granddaughter disappeared years ago, and although he did have an idea as to what she was up to given her brother’s profession, he had honestly hoped it wasn’t the case. At the very least, now that she’s here in front of him, he would do all he can to at least dissuade her from rebounding when she’s inevitably released. 

Lucy finally uncrosses her arms. She leans forward, her brows furrowed and gaze piercing. Cantis felt like she had only ever scowled at him since they caught her. “I. Have. Nothing,” she seethes, “To say to you.” She leans back and crosses her arms again. “I know,” begins Cantis, “you might think that you had to join the Mafia just because Luke is a police officer, but I sincerely believe that that just isn’t you.” Lucy maintains her attitude, resolved to remain unaffected by whatever her grandfather had prepared to throw at her. 

He continues, “I know plenty of officers whose twins have nothing to do with crime. They lead proper lives, they’re upstanding citizens.” “I don’t care.” “I’m just saying, your repelling trait isn’t your sense of justice. I’ve watched over the both of you growing up. I know it isn’t.” “I don’t care.” “Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding. It might be common, but occupations really don’t dictate repelling traits.” “I. Don’t. Care.” “Once you’re out, I can help you start over, we can get together and-” “I DON’T CARE, OK?!” Years of pent up rage explodes with fury. “I JUST DON’T CARE!” She had flung her arms open to get her point across. But this would not deter Cantis.

“I don’t care what you think, I don’t care what you want, I just don’t! All these years, working with the Mafia’s been a real eye opener. This is me, this is who I am!” “Lucy, please.” “No! I’m sick of it! You! Mum! Dad! Luke!” she spat. Her rage would not be quelled. “Can’t you see?! It’s suffocating! The way you think you know me when you don’t!” She bangs the table. “You never did!” “Lucy, stop,” begged Cantis. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes. But Lucy carries on, either not noticing or simply choosing to ignore Cantis. “And why do you care anyway? You’re not even our real grandpa.” The words stung deep. “So busy with your work. You only cared when Luke enrolled into the academy!” 

RING! The sergeant’s phone buzzes, cutting Lucy’s rant. It’s Jack. “See??” says Lucy, as if it proved her point. Cantis cuts the call and places his phone down in front of him. He holds his hands up, “I’m all yours. And just because I was busy with work does not mean I didn’t care.” “Doesn’t matter,” says Lucy, leaning back into her seat once again. “I don’t care.” “But I still do, Lucy. Just… give me a chance,” pleads Cantis. He looks her straight in the eyes, imploring, “Please.” But she denies him, shaking her head coldly. “No. I’m done.” She stands up. “I’m done.” Cantis could feel the heat from her anger had yet to subside. “Just go.”

“Lucy, I’m not leaving. We could-” “Just. GO! YOU WEREN’T THERE WHEN DAD NEEDED YOU!” Her eyes burned with animosity. “Lucy, that was-” “YOU WEREN’T THERE WHEN GRANDMA DIED!” Cantis could feel the tears strolling down his face, wetting his beard. He shakes his head, “Lucy, no-” “YOU WEREN’T THERE! WHY WOULD THIS TIME BE ANY DIFFERENT?!” “Lucy, please! I’m begging you-” But the old man’s cries fall on deaf ears. “HOW CAN YOU SIT THERE AND CLAIM THAT?! HOW?! WHY?! WHY SHOULD I CARE ANYMORE?! I HATE YOU!” “Lucy!”

The guards immediately spring into action, catching her before she falls to the ground. Her body had spontaneously crumpled and fallen, her head smashing hard into the table before sliding to the floor. “LUCY!!” Cantis screams again as he bangs at the plexiglass, demanding to know what had just happened. “LUCY!” Other guards run in and restrain Cantis to stop him from damaging the screen any further. They pull him back, but it takes a lot to hold down a man of his calibre. Punching the screen, he cries out in vain, “No no no, LUCY!” His screams would not be heard, nor would they ever be, as it begins to dawn on him the reality of the situation. 

Four guards are trying their best to stop him, but Cantis himself stops attacking the screen. His tears are streaming down his face now, dripping from his beard, as he stares at the guards carrying Lucy’s limp body out of the room. “Lucy… no no why…” He drops to the floor, the guards once holding him backing away to give him space. “...WHY!” He screams in despair. And the answer hits him like a truck, further crushing his already shattered heart. “...Luke…” he gasps. A torrent of anguish and anxiety cascades over him. He holds his head in his hands, his sobs becoming more sparse, and his breathing getting deeper and heavier. His grief is soon replaced by an emotion he despises, but can do little to control. He grits his teeth, feeling his hot breath blown out of his nostrils. His phone buzzes once more on the table.