How can I trust anyone in the world, when I myself am nothing, but a mere illusion?

-Leo Hamilton
_____________________

"Leo, will you please stop eating? You're gonna die from over eating." Will pleaded with Leo, playing a tug of war with the seventh plate of lamb chops that arrived at the table.

"William, do you know what is mentioned in the book of Luke, chapter three, verse eleven? It says, if you have food, share it with those who are hungry." Leo mimicked a preacher's voice with mock sincerity, at the same time not giving up his supremacy on the plate.

"The same gospel had said to eat only to fill up your stomach. If you have another plate of lamb, you'll get a heart attack or something." Will complained, being persistent on not allowing Leo to have it away from him.

Leo established his domain by sinking his fork into the tender meat. " Duh. Get your bloody hands off my plate Turner. You have no idea how enormous is my appetite. I'm like the python. You know, the snake that swallow the goat as a whole. I can be hungry even after eating the python."

Will covered his mouth imaging the scene in his head , "Eh..can you please avoid using abominable illustrations like that? I think I'm getting sick at the abdomen."

Jake sneaked inside precautiously and slumped on the chair next to Will. He went in hope of finding a cure to stop Leo's perpetual appetite, but his face didn't portray any positive signs of hope.

"Did you get anything?" asked Will, glancing at Leo devouring the lamb chops. No doubt, he was really a python at eating.

Jake leaned closer to Will's ear so that Leo wouldn't listen to them. "I called Ellie to ask about this. She said overeating was a co-morbid disorder of DID. We can just see that he doesn't eat beyond limit. How much did he have by now?"

"Can't be accurate bout that. I had seen him eating seven plates of lamb chops.. " Will did a quick mind calculation listing whatever Leo ate in the mean time.

Jake's mouth hung open, "Whoa. And here, like a fool I worried why Amy didn't eat for two days."

"Wait" interrupted Will, "That was not all. In between he had two servings of pork ribs, one bullseye and one bowl of ramen with kimchi."

"Man, is that even a stomach?" exclaimed Jake forming a perfect 'o' with his mouth.

"I highly doubt it" commented Will, "I've heard, people tend to overeat in distress. Do you think her friend's death is bothering her a lot?"

Jake recalled the previous day's incident and focused his thoughts on the scene where Amelia lay petrified and ghostly pale nearly resembling a marble. "Seems like the dead girl is closer to her than we expected." he mumbled.

Leo raised his head from the table . He had a chunk of meat remaining on his plate. The satisfaction evident on his face made Will and Jake assume falsely that he couldn't eat more of it.

"Are you done with it? Shall I ask for the bill to be prepared?" Will inquired with high hopes to avoid the strange gazes he received from the waiters.

Leo sniffed the air to catch the scent lingering around. "Does anyone here smell salmon?"

"No" replied Will and Jake simultaneously.

"Whoa. Your twin telepathy scares me a bit. Can anyone of you do me the honor of ordering a poached salmon fillet?" requested Leo with utmost obedience.

Will gaped at Leo. "Jake I'm done with this. I'm gonna ask the waiter to stop serving this table."

Jake held Will's wrist and gestured him to sit. "Will do you remember the place where we had the bourbon last time?" Jake said louder enough for Leo to hear.

"When did we have drinks together? I don't drink at all." whispered Will fighting for his right as a teetotaller.

Jake punched Will's arm. "Idiot, keep up with the act. That's the only way to get him out."

Leo's ear became alert at the mention of drinks. As a boozer, alcohol was his perpetual topic of interest. "Really? Was it good?" he asked.

"Good?"Jake waved his hand dismissively, "It was Godly, you'll never have one like that in your lifetime." Jake exaggerated to tempt Leo.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go." Leo became enthusiastic to move on. It was either due to his untainted innocence or by Jake's inconspicuous acting, Leo believed Jake whole-heartedly and couldn't wait to get to taste the bourbon with the elements of heaven.

Jake's lips twitched to form a smile. "Don't you wanna eat more? No problem, I'll take you some other time."

Jake threw the bone, two hundred percent sure of it going to Leo's hands.

Leo snagged the chunk of lamb chop and stuffed it into his mouth, "I won wanna eat nofore. Lesso" he blabbered with the meat in his mouth.

"Fine, as you wish." smirked Jake.

____________________

Leo dashed out of the car faster than a bullet as soon as they arrived at the club. He approached a group of hot looking girls and flattered them, even by having feminine features. They were eventually taken away by his charms and dragged him to their paradise.

There was something wrong in his look.

Jake spotted the abnormality in the disguise.

Hurriedly scrolling down the window, Jake called out to Amy's incongruous looking alter.

Leo gestured the girls around him to wait, "Beautiful ladies. Tarry a little, my chauffer needs me at the moment." Sending out infinite flying kisses and winks to the entire female population in the world, Leo retreated to the car.

"What's up man? Whatever it is, make it soon." bawled Leo.

Jake pointed out the one foot long strand of chocolate brown hair sticking out of Leo's hat. "I hope your beautiful ladies over there wouldn't be pleased to see that. Be careful, those girls have long legs because of something called as high heeled stilettos."

Leo's face lost its colour on witnessing the most unbearable sight his eyes could ever behold. A strand of feminine hair over his shoulder.

"Holy Jesus, Mary, Joseph!" Leo desperately called for the presence of the entire holy family,just to buckle up a strand of hair. Spontaneously he tucked the hair to its right place. "Thanks man, I would've been a bummer if not for you." Leo routed an extra flying kiss in a direction that was completely opposite to the girls. Only when Leo winked at him, Jake realised that the kiss was meant for him. His ears reddened at the thought.

That's ridiculous. It isn't possible right?

Jake snapped to his side as an audible chuckle voluntarily made its way out of Will's throat.

"What's so funny about this?" Jake frowned.

Will tried to suppress his grin, but instead found himself laughing till he was out of breath. "Why don't you try out with Leo? He seems to be the most perfect match for you. Since it is not restricted in our democratic country, you can give a thought to it."

"Hmph. I don't know. Maybe if he becomes much less of a pain in the ass in the future, I'll consider." Jake scratched his nose with a tinge of sarcasm. He removed the seat belt and unlocked the door. Before he could move out, he saw Will sitting immovable at the shotgun. The former cheer that his face held somehow fell back.

"Aren't you coming in?" asked Jake.

"No, you go in. I'm afraid I'll be tempted to drink. You know how hard it was for me to give up on it." Will muttered, downcast.

Jake raised an inquisitive eyebrow at his brother. "Whatever, but don't you dare leave us. You have to drive us back home if we get drunk."

"Are you gonna drink. Didn't you say heavy liquor will affect your career?" Will said with a mixed emotion of shock and amusement.

"It's not like I'm gonna get addicted to it in a shot . I'm just experimenting today. An experiment to bring out the truth. For that I've to take the poison first." Jake chuckled, secretly plotting the trap he set for someone special in his mind.

Will nodded, "Come out in a piece. It makes my work easier." Will stared off to a distant point as the old days he spent as a alcoholic came rushing into his brain.

"I'll try" Jake fixed his hair style in the car's rear view mirror and followed Leo's trail.

Leo was found by a table drinking alone. He looked stable even after taking glasses of the heavy drink. Maybe it was because of Leo being a drunkard, Amelia couldn't drink at all. Jake went to join him.

"Pour me one" Jake placed a glass before Leo, faking an intense desire to drink. Leo did as asked without any questioning. Jake emptied it in a shot in order to prove his allegiance that was never to blemished.

"Where are the girls who came along with you?" Jake massaged his temples. The alcohol content of the drink was more than what he expected. He felt bad for lying about bourbon, when he never had it in a lifetime. His throat stung with bitterness, but Leo was fine on having it again.

"I sent them away. I usually don't drink along with people. I have this common weakness of a drunkard, so to be on the safer side I drink with myself." Leo filled Jake's glass again like a person with experience of working as a bartender for years.

"Ah.... I know this. Don't you spill the beans when you are drunk? Then why do you drink with me? Do you probably have trust in me?" Jake giggled. His brain began to cloud by the effect of alcohol.

Leo shook his head. "No. How can I trust anyone in the world when I myself am nothing but a mere illusion? I drink with you because your resistance towards alcohol is less. You won't survive more than three rounds I bet."

"You bet? Wait I'll prove you wrong." Jake took out his mobile. He turned on the video recorder and perched it on the tissue paper holder. "Let's start now. I have video evidence. What will you give me if I win?"

Leo squinted and held his chin, immersed in his own maze of thoughts. "I have confidence in you, so I'll wager my hat. You know I don't give up on my hat that easily."

"What more could I expect from you, when I've been honoured to the end of the world? Forgive me, for I didn't believe my ears in the beginning. To imagine your plight without a hat is my greatest source of entertainment. " Jake tapped the heels of his shoes on the floor in jubilation.

Leo fixed his elbow on the table, clasping his hands, "And if I win, I get to have your bike key that you gave to Amelia."

Jake's eyes widened reveling its brilliant green lustre. "Does she have that thing yet? I thought she would've thrown it away" His face scrunched up in astonishment.

"She has that thing always in her pocket. It's irritating me. Even now when I sat, the thing poked my thigh. I wanna get rid of it once for all." scorned Leo in a hateful snort.

Jake raised his glass, "Okay deal. Cheers for the second round." Jake and Leo clunk their glasses and took the shot. The unforgiving liquor burned through Jake's throat and set his stomach ablaze. Even through his inner struggles, he manage to give a lopsided grin that was savage.

"See, I'm well awake. Is the heat getting to you?" Jake bullied, though he was concurrently panting with concealed agony. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead but he didn't mind it.

Leo frowned, "The bar has a heating apparatus inside so obviously I can feel the heat. Don't talk like stupid and move on to the final round."

They repeated the same procedure. Leo filled the glasses, Jake raised his glass to cheer and finally they took the shot. The final round was worse than the apostles of hell for Jake. The heat from the bottom of his stomach, made him nearly pass out.

"This bourbon isn't so good as you overdramatized. But I do feel glad because you are the first friend to buy me liquor. If time permits, next time I'll get you the real drink." It took a moment for Leo to realise that the latter wasn't paying heed to his emotional outpour, "Jake are you there?" Leo called out to Jake whose head lay down on the table soon after the last shot.

"I'm here. I've survived. Give me your hat" demanded Jake, not the least sober.

"I don't agree. Sit straight without falling down, I'll tell whether you are conscious or not" said Leo, firmly sticking to his condition.

Jake mustered strength to rise, but miserably his head landed with a bang that vibrated the table. Leo roared with laughter victoriously, "Didn't I say? It was exactly three shots. Nothing more or less."

"Please don't throw away the key. It is so precious to me. You won't understand." Jake pleaded in his pathetic state.

Leo glared at the key on his palm, "Why is it so important? Are you sentimental because of it being your first bike's key?"

"Hell no. I don't know where my first bike is so why should I care about the key? It is the first gift I ever gave to Amelia. Close to my heart, it is." Jake lamented with a sorrowful mourn. He tried to stay awake in spite of his heavy eyelids.

"Bah, I didn't know you were such a pussy." Leo pocketed the key, "Next time when you get to see her, why don't you confess your love for her?" he suggested.

"I can't" retorted Jake

"Why?"

"Because..because I'm sure she would leave me once I confess my love. I want to be with her even if it is for a short period."

Leo agreed with a solemn nod, "It's true. She resents the death of her loved ones so she's quite scared to fall in love."

"What do you mean by, her resenting their death?" Jake sat up with a jolt at the moment. His former droopy eyes didn't feel the slightest of sleepiness at Leo's disposal of drunken version of the truth.

"Will kept saying me that Taylor couldn't have murdered Nick. I turned deaf ear to him because he was saying the truth." Leo confessed without any idea in his non-abstinent state.

"I knew it" Jake banged his fist on the table, "If it wasn't Taylor, then who murdered Nick?" Jake interrogated, taking advantage of Leo's weakness.

"It was.. "

Jake leaned closer to make note of each and every word of his.

"It was.. " dragged Leo.

"Come on. Speak up dammit." Jake cursed with anxiety and trepidation over the statement to be made by Leo.

Then the inevitable happened. It became Leo's turn to kiss the table with his forehead in a loud manner. He passed out.

"Shit. Go to hell, you stale brained rotten bastard." Jake's roar echoed seeking public attention.

"Do you need any help, Sir?" The bartender with his tray full of bottles, stopped by Jake's table.

Jake looked up to him. "Do you know who framed Tyler Chase?"

"Err.. No?" he replied.

"Then shut up" growled Jake.

_____________________

Will kept saying me that Taylor couldn't have murdered Nick. I turned deaf ear to him because he was saying the truth

If it wasn't Taylor, then who murdered Nick?

Jake sat on his bed, replaying the specific part of the video again and again. As he didn't drink much, he became sober sooner than he expected. It was his stomach that kept hurting from the impact. He helped Amy to the car and Will drove them back home. Jake sneaked inside silently not being caught by his mom for getting himself drunk.

Though he woke up with an unbearable head ache, he was able to recollect each and every detail of the night. Each word of Leo's incomplete confession rang in his ears. He couldn't bear the injustice done to Tyler, his former friend's father. Because of that he and Rob ended up in a not-so-delightful relationship.

Amelia with or without knowing had committed a grave mistake. It was the false confession of Amelia that made Tyler to be tortured by years of jail punishment. Her testimony shouldn't have been taken into account for she hadn't been sane for years. The real culprit went hiding because of her.

Jake heard a soft knock at the door. He didn't have the mood to talk with anyone, but however they came breaking in. Will entered with two glasses of lemonade. Jake hurriedly hid his mobile under the pillow. Will handed one of the glasses to Jake and sat by the bedstead.

"Did it go as planned?" Will asked, remembering Jake's excuse to drink for getting the truth out of Leo.

Jake broke his knuckles, "Uh..no. That bastard just passed out after being drunk."

Will's eyes immediately moved to Jake's knuckles and he saw what he expected. Jake stopped the involuntary movement of his hands and silently cursed himself for it.

"Did mom and dad find that I drank yesterday?" Jake managed his incompetency to lie with another miserable excuse.

Will joined the play of acting ignorant, "Mom and dad took Jeanne for a picnic. They left early in the morning so there was no chance for them to find out. Have the lemonade. You'll feel better." Will stood up to leave.

"Is that one for Amy." Jake pointed out to the other glass carried by Will on his tray.

"Yeah." Will replied short.

"Keep it on my table. I'll go give it to her." said Jake.

"Fine" Will placed the tray on Jake's table. He opened the door and was about to leave, before which he backed up. "Jake, is the girl Ellie having any kind of problem in staying here? Did she tell something to you?"

"No, she didn't say anything. Why do you ask?" Jake took a sip of lemonade and cleared his throat.

Will looked around and closed the door behind him. "She had been acting weird. Today morning she came from her room yawning. I was about to ask how the funeral went yesterday, but on seeing me, she sprinted to her room and shut the door. Does she hates me or something?"

"Sounds strange. Ellie isn't a girl who intends to hurts others. Leave it to me. I'll ask what's wrong with her" Jake assured though he was confused on what made Ellie behave like that.

"Mmm.. Thanks. Don't forget to give this to Amy" Will reminded Jake as he exited the room with relief.

Jake stood before Amy's room, contemplating whether to get in or not. Gathering up the required courage, he made a soft knock at the door which was unlike himself. He waited as shuffling footsteps approached the door.

Amy came out with a dull look on her face. She appeared damn tired, which naturally made up such a look. Dark circles sketched her droopy eyelids showing that she desperately needed sleep. She took the glass of lemonade and got back to the room, shutting the door on Jake's face.

Was that it? No questions or apologies?

Jake banged on the door, this time hard enough to break it. "Amy come out. I need to talk with you. You can't hide forever."

No reply.

Is she mad at me?

"Amy are you mad at me? If you are, come out and hit me to your satisfaction. If you don't have the strength to hit, then curse me. Don't stay inside. Come out" Jake bellowed. His hands became sore from hitting continuously on the teak wood door.

"Jake, why are you breaking the door?" Jake found Ethan standing behind him. Ethan radiated the look of an attorney in his crisp suit. By Ethan's appearance, Jake was reminded that the first trial of Luciana's case was about to take place that morning.

"Amelia, are you inside? I've brought what you asked for." yelled Ethan to make sure that his voice conveyed his message beyond the door.

To Jake's surprise, there was quick response. Amelia came out in record time on hearing Ethan's voice. "Did you really get it?" she said in a hoarse voice. The alcohol seemed to have affected her voice more than anything she had ever had.

"Yeah, there was