"Diego and I grew up together, like brothers," Hunter begins as he sips from his beer.

That explains why they seem so close. And it also explains why they have such a strong brotherly bond.

"I saw Diego become who he is today and I know almost everything that involves him." Hunter states, his hand moving to touch his forehead which he massages very slowly.

I want to tell him to stop, I can see how stressed he is. But I will not do that because I am curious. I know that I will not get such an opportunity again; plus this might shade some light on why Diego is like that.

"Diego and I played together, ate together and were always found together. We sneaked out every afternoon so that we could cause trouble in the neighborhood, it was a routine for us. We were inseparable even when we were forbidden from talking to each other," I can see the smile that forms on Hunter's face as he talks about this. It looks like he is replaying the moments in his head.

"Diego was very active when we were younger, he was the notorious one between the two of us. And he was and still is the smartest and most confident as well. But Diego was also quiet, he use to flinch whenever anyone raised their hands at him and he would also start crying in his sleep whenever he managed to fall asleep; I remember the eye bugs that he had under his eyes every single day." Hunter says as he finishes his second beer, his hand moves to get the third one.

I want to tell him to stop but my mouth feels too heavy, my thoughts trying to process the words that I am hearing.

"I got curious everytime I saw the eyes bugs, and he would always tell me that it was the mosquito's that disturbed his sleep; which I did not always believe. We both grew up in a good neighborhood, both of us from middle class families but our neighborhood was somewhat ghetto." Hunter murmurs the last part as he slowly sips from the can.

My arms fold in front of me, my focus on Hunter. It is like every word he utters has more story to it.

"I remember us swimming at a nearby lake, when I saw something I wish I didn't; Diego had marks all over his body. My curiosity turned to anger when I saw burn marks on his body, his entire back being covered with whip marks. It was common for parents or guardians to hit children in our neighborhood when we were were wrong, but Diego's marks became an everyday thing. He even started wearing full sleeved shirts," The hurt that is present in Hunter's eyes and voice is heartbreaking, my eyes start becoming teary.

"Diego has always been a strong person, he is a solider in his own way and I always looked up to him for that." Hunter says with a painful smile.

"It is no secret that Diego and I are into shady business, and we really don't care. People spread rumors about us everywhere and it's alright. It just pains me to see the lies that everyone forms about him," Hunter says throwing the can away. "People say that Diego does trafficking, selling dangerous substances to youngsters, rapes women and all that shit. But they are wrong; Diego actually helps those people find jobs and takes some of them to school. A lot of people that Diego helps were abused or on the streets. Diego uses his own money, clean money from the companies he owns to help those people, but people don't know that and I doubt if they will believe it." Hunter says leaning back on the seat.

Hunter goes quiet for a while which makes me a bit uncomfortable and more curious.

"But can you tell me why Mr Martino was arrested. Was he caught doing the shady business you are talking about?" I ask with curiosity.

I sit upwards when Hunter shakes his head at me, annoyance becoming present when I see that he will not say anymore.

"Will you start speaking or will we sit here looking into space?" I ask with annoyance in my voice.

"Patience, Ms Rowland, Patience." Hunter says silently. I sigh wanting to pull my hair out. It's impossible talking to Hunter.

I feel relief when I hear him speak moments later. I would have gone crazy if he did not say anything.

"Diego wasn't in the supreme jail because of the business. Diego works smart and I doubt if anyone can find out what the business is." Hunter says as he grabs a cigarette from his sweatpants, his hand moving to grab the lighter that was on the table when I got here.

"Can I?" Hunter asks as he lifts the cigarette in the air. I want to tell him no, but I do not do that because I still want to know what is going on.

Hunter is unpredictable; he might leave me here right now, so that he smokes outside. I will not get any information from him if I say no.

I nod at him, watching as he lights it up. He puts it to his mouth, releasing a large amount of smoke a moment later which makes me cough.

"The people that abused him are the cause of his arrest: and they are also the cause of his mental health issues." Hunter murmurs silently, his fingers folding into a fist. I swallow hard, fearing that he might hit me in a fit of rage.

"They killed his woman and child for their own selfish reasons and it fucking irritates me. It hurts me seeing Diego like that while they enjoy their lives. They ruined everything for Diego. They never gave him toys when we were younger, they never gave him food unless he begged and they made sure they beat him up every fucking day for something that was beyond him. They even beat him for getting sick when he was younger. They fucking beat him for having brain tumor when he was four years old, their excuse being that he made them spend money and time." Hunter says his voice becoming louder with each second.

My heart breaks as I hear everything that Hunter says. Why would someone do such a thing? Who would do such a thing?

I do not realize that I asked the question out loud but Hunter replying makes me gasp in shock and disgust.

"I do not know why they did it, but I do know that his fucking parents did it."

AUTHOR'S NOTE.