Revenge is Best Served After Reborn (James)

Jenna had a serious look on her face as Colby popped open a bottle of vodka, pouring a generous glass for each of the four of them.

Adler was the first to grab his glass, raising it high. "No need for words, let's drink!"

"To drinking!" they echoed..

Jenna, a true champ when it came to alcohol, downed her vodka in one go. Sophie, not usually one for vodka, managed to finish her glass as well. Colby was the last to drink, doing so with a clean swiftness. The four sat around the table, eyeing the array of dishes before them.

Jenna couldn't help but click her tongue. "Can you believe the old man still loves eating this unhealthy stuff at his age?"

Adler chimed in, "Right? I haven't touched this kind of food since high school!"

Jenna added, "Is it because he doesn't like lobster or steak? No! It's because he can't chew them!"

The group burst into laughter.

"Let's toast to the old man!" Adler raised his glass again.

Tonight, it seemed like everyone had so much to say, things they had kept bottled up now flowing freely.

Adler patted Colby on the shoulder, asking, "Honestly, Colby, how did you ever put up with the old man's temper? He was so harsh to anyone who wasn't his grandkid. Surely he was even harsher on you!" Jenna complained, "Exactly! He'd make me stand at attention for hours or do two hundred leg kicks if I messed up a drill!"

"I didn't have to," Colby said evenly.

This left Adler and Jenna feeling a bit miffed.

"Why?!" they both asked.

Colby simply replied, "Because I was smarter than you two."

Jenna and Adler were left speechless.

Grinding his teeth, Adler said, "If you weren't my brother, I'd smack you right now!"

"If you weren't my brother, I'd flip this table over!" Jenna added.

Sophie couldn't help but chuckle from the side.

As the drinks flowed, everyone was clearly getting tipsy. The food on the table was almost gone.

Adler remarked, "This burger tastes great! Just like the ones from my childhood!"

Jenna, with a tipsy grin, pointed at

the empty plates. "This fried chicke

and these grilled skewers!

perfect with beer!" Cost

"But I think the best part was this pie. It always brings a sense of home." Sophie added.

As Adler spoke, he picked up a bottle of vodka. With a tipsy, reddened

face, he toasted to the night sky,

glittering with stars after the Stonele

"To the old man! Rest in peace!"

rain.

QUMS

With that, Adler smashed the bottle on the ground. Jenna grabbed another bottle and did the same. "Old man, rest in peace!"

Colby finished the vodka in his glass and then took another bottle, smashing it hard on the ground.

That night, the ground was littered with smashed vodka bottles. Only Sophie remained somewhat sober.

As dawn broke, the four finally succumbed to their drunkenness, slumping over in their chairs, asleep.

In a daze, Sophie felt someone

covering her with a blanket. She opened her eyes to see Colby had already gotten up. A night's growth of stubble covered his face. Sophie

red out to touch it, saying, "I

don't like seeing you so down, Colby. Last night... should be the last time."

"Okay," Colby agreed.

Just then, Sophie's phone began to ring.