To the end

10

A Familiar Face

The heavy chains rattled as Vegas paced the small, dimly lit room, his mind racing with thoughts of his daughter and the warning Thargen had just issued. The metallic clang of the door echoed, signaling someone’s approach.

Vegas stilled, his heart quickening. Footsteps grew louder until the door opened, revealing a tall figure standing in the frame. His eyes widened in disbelief as they landed on Vegas.

“Vegas?” the man said, his voice trembling slightly, filled with shock.

Vegas looked up and recognized him immediately—Thant. The son of Thargen. But this was no ordinary meeting between enemies. Once, they had shared something more. But now, Thant was staring at Vegas as if he had seen a ghost.

Thant’s gaze flickered over Vegas, noting the bruises, the dried blood, and the tattered clothes. He stepped inside, eyes filled with confusion and a growing anger. “What the hell…?” he whispered, shaking his head. “Everyone thought you were dead. My father—he told everyone you died years ago. How—how is this even possible?”

Vegas chuckled bitterly, his voice laced with sarcasm and exhaustion. “Your father is good at making people disappear, isn’t he?”

Thant’s jaw clenched, guilt flashing across his face as he processed the sight in front of him. His father, the man who had orchestrated Vegas’s suffering, had lied. Thant had believed him, like everyone else. He stepped closer, his voice softer but filled with remorse. “I didn’t know, Vegas. I had no idea what he was doing to you.”

Vegas’s eyes hardened, the anger and betrayal he’d bottled up for years threatening to spill over. “Of course you didn’t,” he said coldly. “You were too busy being his perfect son, doing everything he told you to do.”

Thant flinched, but didn’t deny it. “I’m not here because of him. He sent me to take care of business, but I had no idea I’d find you like this.”

Vegas scoffed, glancing at the dog-eaten plate of food in the corner. “Well, now you know. Welcome to my life for the past ten years.”

Thant’s eyes filled with fury—not at Vegas, but at the situation, at his father. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. I thought… I thought you were long gone.”

“Well, surprise,” Vegas muttered, his tone sharp. “I’m still here. And your father is still the monster he’s always been.”

Thant’s fists clenched, his conflict clear. “I didn’t come here to hurt you, Vegas. You have to believe that. I... I didn’t know.”

Vegas looked at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Does it even matter now? What are you going to do, Thant? Go back to your father? Pretend you didn’t see me like this?”

Thant took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly. “No,” he said quietly, stepping forward. “I can’t pretend anymore. Seeing you like this... I can’t be a part of it.”

Vegas studied him, unsure if he could trust Thant’s words. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Thant. If your father finds out—”

“I don’t care,” Thant interrupted, his voice firm. “You didn’t deserve this. Whatever our past, whatever we were... I won’t let him continue doing this to you.”

Vegas hesitated before speaking again, his voice softer this time. “Then help me. Help me escape. I can’t stay here any longer.”

Thant’s face tightened, the weight of the decision settling on his shoulders. He glanced at the door, then back at Vegas. “I... I don’t know if I can. My father—he controls everything.”

“You’re not your father,” Vegas said, locking eyes with him. “Don’t let him turn you into a monster like him.”

Thant was silent for a long moment, his internal battle clear. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll see what I can do. But it won’t be easy.”

Vegas nodded, understanding the risk. “I don’t need easy. I just need out.”

Thant gave a reluctant nod before stepping toward the door, but before he left, he turned back, his voice quiet. “I’ll bring you real food. No more of this... dog crap.”

Vegas smirked, a small spark of the old Vegas returning. “That’d be a start.”

As Thant left, Vegas let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in years, he had a flicker of hope.

---

Weeks passed, and Thant came to see Vegas, a conflicted look etched on his face. The tension between them was palpable as they sat across from each other, the memories of their shared past hanging heavy in the air.

"Kim and the kids," Thant started, breaking the silence. "They’re doing well. They’ve been trying to adjust to everything, but it’s hard for them."

Vegas's heart sank at the mention of Kim. The thought of his former love moving on without him gnawed at his insides. "Does he talk about me?" he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Thant hesitated, then nodded. "Sometimes. He remembers you, especially when he’s with the kids. He carries you with him, Vegas."

The idea of Kim holding onto his memory brought a bittersweet relief mixed with pain. "I wanted him to move on, but not to forget me," Vegas murmured.

Thant sighed, leaning forward. "He’s trying to heal. You need to too. Staying here, trapped like this, is killing you. You need to find a way out."

Vegas looked down, his fingers clenched into fists as he fought against the swirling emotions inside him. "I can’t escape. Not without putting them at risk."

Thant’s expression hardened, determination etched into his features. "Then I’ll help you."

Vegas’s eyes widened, disbelief washing over him. "You’d help me? After everything?"

"Yes," Thant replied firmly. "Because no one deserves this... not even you. But it’ll be dangerous. We have to be smart about it."

Yet, even as they began to strategize, one thought remained in the forefront of Vegas’s mind—Kim. Would he ever see him again? Would he have the chance to hold him, to confess everything? Or would Kim become just another distant memory he’d be forced to let go of?

Next day

Thant leaned against the wall, eyeing Vegas with concern. “We need to reach Kim. I think a letter would help him understand that you’re still alive.”

Vegas looked up, his expression a mix of hope and despair. “A letter?” he echoed, his voice barely a whisper.

“Yeah. But I need your words. What should I tell him?” Thant urged, wanting to capture the essence of Vegas’s feelings.

“Write this down,” Vegas instructed, his heart racing. “Tell him… love never dies. It’s not just a natural death. It’s a fire that never goes out.”

Thant nodded, quickly jotting down Vegas's words. “What else?”

“Tell him… ‘I am still here, and I’m fighting for us.’ He needs to know I still believe in us.”

“Got it,” Thant replied, ensuring he captured every emotion. “Anything else?”

“Just remind him that love is meant to burn fiercely. No matter what happens to me, he must keep that fire alive.” Vegas’s eyes glimmered with determination.

Thant finished writing and looked at Vegas, a newfound resolve in his eyes. “I’ll make sure he gets this letter. He needs to know you’re still with him.”

“Thank you, Thant,” Vegas said, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest.

Thant smiled softly. “You hold on. We’re going to get through this, and you’ll be with him again.”