Beyond The Fine Line

Chapter XLII - New Mission

The late afternoon sun cast long, hazy shadows across the narrow street, its scorching heat still radiating off the cracked pavement. The air hung thick and heavy, tinged with the metallic tang of rust and the lingering scent of rain-soaked concrete. The garage's corrugated metal roof offered little refuge from the oppressive heat, but combined with faded graffiti, it always felt like home.

Sean paused for a moment before entering a well-lit room. As always, Izzy was buried underneath the car on a hydraulic lift. Dark eyes swept over neatly organised tools, an old fan struggling to move the air around and worn-out sofas. Somehow, it always made him feel at ease, but now something or someone else made him feel like this. As if the perception of what home was to him started to shift.

With a slight sigh, Sean walked over and gently nudged Izzy's leg. Izzy slid out from under the car on a creeper, the small wheels clattering against the concrete floor.

"Are you back to causing trouble?"

Sean grinned. "You know me."

Izzy stood up, scrutinising his little brother before pulling him into a tight hug. It had been nearly a week since they last saw each other, and Sean looked much healthier now. "Good to see you in better shape."

"Are you going soft on me?" he chuckled.

Izzy huffed and lightly smacked the back of his head. "You nearly died, idiot! Of course, I will be soft on you for a while."

"That was over two weeks ago."

"Yeah, well, two weeks isn't nearly enough to get over it," Izzy shot back, his tone a mix of worry and irritation. "Just wait until your dear sister gets her hands on you."

Sean swallowed hard. "Is she that mad?"

"Let's just say two weeks of hiding at Jay's place hasn't cooled her off," Izzy said, shaking his head with a hint of sympathy. "She'll have your head for this."

Sean rolled his eyes. "You know you don't need to tell her everything, right?"

His expression grew stern, and Izzy took a deep breath, but it didn't help. "Do you have any idea how it feels to get a call in the middle of the night saying your brother is unconscious in the hospital? I didn't even have to say anything; the bloody call woke her up!" His voice wavered between anger and concern. "I don't even want to think about what would've happened if Jay didn't take care of everything. We were all scared out of our minds, Sean. So no, you don't get to be sassy about it."

Sean looked at him, speechless. He had never seen Izzy this angry before. It made him realise that he never apologised to him for everything... for making him worry more than usual. "I'm sorry."

Izzy's gaze softened, and he gently ruffled Sean's hair. "Don't apologise, just be careful. Ever since my parents passed away, you and Sari are the only family I have left. And I'm not going to lose you over revenge, Sean."

His throat tightened, yet he couldn't let go. "But we are finally getting somewhere with it," he protested. "Win's video from the warehouse went viral. There are more anti-Chaiyawat graffiti, and public opinion is shifting. It's the best moment to move."

"Do you even listen to yourself?!"

"What else do you want us to do?" Sean huffed with annoyance.

Izzy sighed with frustration. "Sometimes I forget just how bloody stubborn you are," he muttered, leaning against the car. "Focus on the bigger picture, Sean. Your internship, your future. Find a way to make a real difference without being needlessly reckless."

"I will think about it."

"You better," Izzy warned him. "Because I'm afraid he won't let you off this easy next time."