Bound by Blood

Chapter 1 : Shadow of the Past

Liam and Elara had always been close. Growing up in a small, secluded town surrounded by endless forests and quiet streets, they only had each other. Their parents, often distant and preoccupied with work or their own lives, left Liam with an unspoken responsibility: to look after Elara. From the moment she was born, with her tiny fists grasping his finger, Liam felt an overwhelming sense of purpose. She was his to protect, his to guide, and-though he didn't understand it yet-his to keep.

Liam was six years older, and from the day Elara came into the world, he became more than just an older brother. He became her guardian, her anchor in a world that often felt indifferent. As a toddler, Elara was curious and bright, her laughter filling the old, creaky house they called home. She followed Liam everywhere, her small footsteps quick and determined to keep up with his longer strides. "Wait for me, Liam!" she'd cry, and he always did, glancing back to make sure she was close.

When Elara was four, she had a tendency to wander. One afternoon, she toddled out into the woods behind their house, chasing after a butterfly. Liam, then ten, found her near the edge of a steep ravine. He yelled her name, his voice sharp with panic, and ran to pull her back just as her small foot slipped. She giggled, oblivious to the danger, but Liam's heart pounded in his chest. "You can't do that, El," he scolded, gripping her arms tightly. Tears filled her wide eyes, and she sniffled. "I'm sorry, Liam."

He softened instantly, pulling her into a tight hug. "You scared me," he murmured into her hair. "Promise me you'll stay where I can see you. I don't ever want to lose you." She nodded solemnly, wrapping her small arms around his neck.

From that moment on, Liam's protectiveness grew stronger. He wasn't just an older brother; he was her shadow, her shield against anything that could harm her.

As they grew older, their bond deepened. Their parents were rarely home, leaving early in the morning and returning late at night. Liam took on the role of caregiver, packing Elara's lunches, helping her with homework, and making sure she brushed her teeth before bed. He read her stories at night, his voice calm and soothing as she drifted to sleep.

By the time Elara started kindergarten, Liam was already a towering presence in her life. He walked her to school every morning, his hand firmly clasped around hers, and waited outside her classroom at the end of the day. When other kids teased her for being shy, Liam was always there to defend her. One boy, Billy, made the mistake of pulling Elara's pigtails during recess. Liam, then twelve, cornered him behind the school and made it clear that no one was to bother his sister again.

"He's mean," Elara whispered later that day as Liam carried her backpack on the walk home.

"Don't worry about him," Liam replied, his voice steady. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Elara beamed up at him, her trust in him absolute.

As the years passed, Liam's protectiveness became more intense. By the time Elara was eight and Liam fourteen, their parents' absence had grown more noticeable. They spent most of their time together, creating their own little world. Liam taught her how to ride a bike, catching her every time she wobbled. When she fell and scraped her knee, he carried her home, cradling her as though she were made of glass.

"You don't have to baby me," Elara said with a pout as he cleaned the wound.

"You're not a baby," Liam replied, his tone soft but firm. "But you're my responsibility. And I'm going to take care of you. Always."

Elara didn't question it. She adored her brother, and his unwavering presence made her feel safe in a way nothing else could.

As Liam entered his teenage years, his world began to narrow. While other boys his age were discovering independence, dating, and forming friendships, Liam remained fixated on Elara. He didn't care about parties or sports. His time was spent with her-playing games, helping her with her art projects, or simply sitting in companionable silence as she read on the couch.

At school, Liam became known as the brooding, quiet boy who didn't tolerate nonsense. Teachers praised his intelligence, but his peers found him unapproachable. He didn't mind. Elara was all that mattered.

By the time Elara turned twelve, she had blossomed into a kind and gentle girl with a passion for painting and a love for animals. She often spent hours sketching the birds and squirrels that flitted around their yard, her small hands smudged with charcoal and paint. Liam watched her with a mix of pride and something deeper, something he couldn't quite name.

One summer evening, the two of them sat on the porch, watching fireflies dance in the fading light. Elara leaned her head on his shoulder, her voice soft. "Liam, do you think we'll always be like this? Just us against the world?"

He hesitated, his heart aching with a feeling he didn't fully understand. "Always," he said finally, his voice steady. "I'll never let anything happen to you, Elara. Ever."

She smiled, her trust in him unwavering. She couldn't see the storm brewing behind his calm exterior-the growing shadow of his love, possessive and consuming.

As Liam turned eighteen and Elara twelve, subtle shifts began to take place. He became more withdrawn from the outside world, his focus entirely on her. Elara, on the cusp of adolescence, started to seek independence in small ways-spending time with friends, expressing interest in hobbies outside their shared bubble.

Liam struggled to hide his unease. He hated the idea of anyone else occupying her time, her thoughts. When Elara mentioned a boy in her art class who had complimented her drawing, Liam's jaw tightened. "What's his name?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

"Why does it matter?" Elara replied, laughing. "He's just a friend."

But to Liam, no one was "just a friend" when it came to Elara.

One day, she came home later than usual, her cheeks flushed from running through the woods with her classmates. Liam was waiting for her on the porch, his arms crossed. "Where were you?" he asked, his voice low.

"I told you, Liam," she said, brushing past him. "I was with my friends. We were just playing."

He grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful. "You need to tell me when you're going to be late. I was worried."

Elara sighed, her expression softening. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."

Liam released her, his eyes searching hers. "I just want you to be safe."

"I know," she whispered, hugging him. "You're the best brother ever."

But Liam didn't feel like her brother. Not anymore.