SHADOWS OF DECEIT

Prologue

The day was still young.

The sun had risen only a few hours ago, but the shadow looming over the Hong residence told a different story.

Soon, the sky began to rumble with thunder, followed by a steady downpour.

Joshua Hong, or Jisoo as some knew him, stepped out onto the wooden porch. His blonde hair was slicked back neatly, his bow tie tied with practiced precision. He wore a perfectly tailored suit, and his polished shoes tapped softly against the porch, the heels clicking in rhythmic elegance. He emerged to greet the guests who had gathered, their expressions painted with sympathy for the young man.

A gentle yet sorrowful smile tugged at the corners of Joshua's lips as he nodded at those offering their condolences.

Slowly, he made his way towards a large portrait of a beautiful woman, framed with flowers, displayed at the centre of the hall. Clearing his throat, he spoke, drawing the attention of the small crowd.

"First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for coming to honour my mother. I'm certain she would appreciate your presence today. Her passing was heart breaking, but it wasn't entirely unexpected, given her health."

He paused, his voice steady despite the weight of grief that hung in the air.

"My mother was a strong woman. She raised me single-handedly, shaping me into the man you see before you—the accomplished doctor, Joshua Hong."

With that, he concluded his short speech and quietly excused himself, retreating to his room.

Once inside, Joshua sat on the edge of his bed. He glanced around at what had once been a vibrant and cozy space. Now, the room was eerily empty. The cupboards stood barren, the furniture had been removed, and the walls that had once been adorned with memories and art were now stripped bare, echoing the emptiness he felt inside.

He glanced at the corner of his room where his suitcases sat, neatly packed and ready. Walking over to his duffel bag, which rested on top of one of the suitcases, he unzipped it and pulled out a pair of track pants and a T-shirt for his upcoming journey.

His eyes caught sight of his passport, neatly tucked inside the bag, along with a plane ticket bound for Japan. He hesitated for a moment, contemplating his next steps, before zipping the bag shut and heading into the bathroom to change.

When he returned, he was dressed in a more comfortable outfit suited for travel. He gathered his luggage and walked out of the room, only to find the house completely deserted.

A bitter laugh escaped his lips. He knew all along that the guests had been waiting for a convenient moment to leave, and his brief speech had been that cue.

Joshua sank onto the couch, one of the few pieces of furniture left in the now-empty house. His gaze shifted to the photo of his mother, still displayed in the centre of the room. He stared at it, lost in thought, until the sudden buzz from his pocket snapped him back to reality.

He fished his phone out of his pocket and answered the call.

"Are you all set?" came the voice on the other end.

"Yeah," Joshua replied, his voice steady but distant.

"The cab should be there any moment now."

Joshua nodded to himself just as he heard the sound of tires pulling into the driveway.

"It's here."

"Alright then. Fly safe, Josh. See you in a few hours." The call ended with a soft click.

Joshua stood up and walked to the front door, pausing for a moment to look back at the house that had been his entire world. The place he had lived his whole life—full of memories he wasn't sure he'd ever revisit. He knew he might never return.

With a deep breath, he stepped outside and slid into the waiting taxi. Leaning his head against the window, he watched the streets pass by—streets that had shaped his childhood but would no longer be a part of his future.

He closed his eyes, willing himself not to second-guess his decision to leave.

He had a life here. A stable, well-established future lay before him. He could fall in love, build a home, make a name for himself, and continue being Dr. Joshua Hong. On the surface, it seemed like everything anyone could ask for.

But deep down, Joshua knew it wouldn't be enough. His heart would never be at peace—not until he understood where he truly belonged.

He glanced down at the locket hanging around his neck. A simple, delicate piece with a pair of wings resting just above his collarbone. It was an unassuming design, the kind you could find in any ordinary store.

"Hey, why do I have wings, and you have antlers?" young Joshua had asked, his brow furrowed in confusion as he looked at the delicate necklace he had been given.

"Well, Shua-yah, the wings represent me, not you. I'm an angel, aren't I?" came the playful reply from the boy who looked a lot like himself.

"But Mama gave me the antlers," Joshua had protested, still puzzled.

The other boy smiled warmly. "Well, then I'll wear yours, and you'll wear mine. That way, you'll never forget me, and I'll never forget you, even when we're apart."

Joshua closed his eyes at the memory, his fingers unconsciously tightening around nothing in particular as he sat in the taxi.

Just once, he thought, though it felt more like a silent prayer than a passing thought.

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905 words

Well that was the prologue. 

Hope you all liked it. Please ignore all my mistakes.

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