𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍~ 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐈𝐑𝐎

♡Chapter-22♡

Year 2004

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window at nothing in particular. The soft glow of moonlight streamed through the glass, illuminating my face. My eyes drifted to the side table, landing on a familiar picture frame.

I picked it up, a faint smile tugging at my lips. It was a photo of me, my brother Sora, and our dad, the last picture he ever took of us. He'd snapped it without warning, capturing me and Sora mid-argument while he beamed at the camera with that signature smile of his.

Funny how something so simple became so precious.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I traced my thumb over his face. I pressed my lips together, fighting the sob that threatened to escape. Are you seriously going to cry again? Grow up. He’s gone.

I wiped my tears hastily and placed the frame back on the table. Reaching for the half-filled glass of water, I downed it in one go.

SMASH

The sharp sound echoed through the house, making me flinch. My head snapped toward the door.

What was that? Did Sora come back? No... he said he'd stay at his friend’s place tonight.

My heart pounded as I placed the glass back and stood, reaching for the baseball bat propped against the wall. Slowly, I opened the door, peeking out before stepping into the hallway.

The house was eerily quiet, the darkness only amplifying the sound of my racing heart. I crept downstairs, careful to avoid creaking steps, gripping the bat tightly.

"Shit... How do I fix this?!"

I froze in place, my breath hitching.

Someone broke in.

My grip tightened as I followed the voice, rounding the corner to find a figure crouched on the floor. He had his back to me, staring at a shattered vase.

I crept closer, silently positioning the tip of the bat just behind his head.

"Whose house do you think you're robbing?"

The man froze. Slowly, he turned his head to glance over his shoulder.

"Listen..." He began, his voice cautious as he stood, hands raised slightly. "This is all just a misunderstanding."

My eyes widened when I finally saw his face. "Wait... you're- the hell are you doing in my house?!" I snapped, narrowing my eyes.

He blinked, looking genuinely confused. "Your house?"

"You followed me here?!"

"What?! No, of course not!" He exclaimed, shaking his head. "This is-"

I cut him off, pressing the bat against his chest, forcing him to stumble back against the wall.

"H-hear me out!" He stammered, raising his hands higher. "I didn't follow you! I didn't even know this was your house!"

"Then what are you doing here?" I demanded.

"I... I needed a place to hide." He admitted, glancing nervously at the bat.

My brow arched. "Hide? From what?"

"The cops." He muttered, looking anywhere but at me.

I scoffed. "The cops? Why?"

"It's... a long story." He sighed. "And you probably won't believe me if I tell you."

"Try me." I said dryly, narrowing my eyes.

He hesitated before mumbling, "I... set a car on fire."