My family never gave a fiddler’s fuck about me; they were always obsessed with my brothers and sisters.   

They got priority while I was shoved to the background. 

It’s probably why I’ve looked to align myself with everyone I could, because I want to know what it feels like to be wanted in that familial way. 

A desire to be embraced by my fellows, to be appreciated, and dare I say the word that many men find so hard to… Loved. 

Zeus was supposed to be the older brother, someone to guide me in the days I was most lost, but he only led me into the maw of hell. 

The Night, the son who needed my guidance in this lost world, but his truth lies in the shadows, and he won’t tell me. 

Then there’s the… Cade family, I felt like I was their protector, a brother to George, an uncle to CJ, and Jackie. 

Jackie, you were the one I wanted to take under my wing so badly, because buddy, I saw myself in you. 

Your dad was doting on your brother, CJ, and treating you like you were the black sheep of the family. 

Shoved to the background, even when you became the Sheriff of Arcadia, you were just a tool. 

Burying you under his accolades, and when you got what you deserved, George would shove you down. 

But I think I was too late for you, Jackson. 

I watched as CJ surpassed you. 

Jackie, you looked at him with envy in your eyes as George lauded him, the perfect child. 

You watched him “eat your lunch”. 

For you, CJ cast a long shadow over every waking moment. 

I watched for months as your brother lived rent-free in your skull, as your father kept reminding you that you’d never be him. 

I hugged you as you wept, Jackie, you wept for him, but now I do not think those were tears of sorrow, young man. 

There were tears of joy, the shadow was gone, the one you’d spent so much time in, the one that kept you from growing, a world of darkness lifted from your shoulders. 

Your father couldn’t compare you to a dead man, could he, Jackie? 

It’s why you’re so concerned about his missing body, because without a body, he could be flesh and blood once more. 

You’re an officer of the law, meaning you know as well as I do that, without a body, you can’t prove death, even if we’ve all watched it with our own eyes. 

So, this week, Jackie, I intend to remind you of your place back in the shadow where you belong, but not in the shadow of brother CJ, no, no, in the shadow of ol’ Uncle Harry. 

One Shot, One Kill, and your lights go out, and it will be a darkness you will swim in, old friend. 

This is business, Jackie, family business, you’re sticking your head in business it doesn’t belong in again, Jackie.