Silent Lies

Truth!?

Thick smoke enveloped the room, suffocating and blinding. The air was heavy, filled with the sound of desperate coughing. Shadows stumbled through the haze, their outlines barely visible before they collapsed one by one.

Jeonghan's knees buckled as his vision blurred, and Seungcheol’s voice calling his name became distant. Soon, everything faded into silence.

---

When Jeonghan opened his eyes, the world felt wrong. The sharp smell of smoke was gone, replaced by a cold, sterile air. His head throbbed, and as he sat up, he realized he was no longer where he’d been moments ago.

“Jeonghan,” a familiar voice rasped.

He turned to see Seungcheol beside him, slowly regaining consciousness. Relief washed over Jeonghan, but it was short-lived as they both took in their surroundings. The room was dimly lit, the walls an ominous gray with no windows or doors in sight.

“What the hell…” Seungcheol muttered, standing unsteadily.

Before they could process further, a movement caught their attention. Sitting on a chair in the far corner, his head bowed, was Joshua.

“Joshua?” Jeonghan’s voice was sharp with disbelief.

Seungcheol’s jaw clenched as he stepped forward. “What is this? What are you doing here? Where are we?”

Joshua didn’t look up.

“Answer us!” Jeonghan demanded, his voice echoing in the stillness. “What is this place? Why are we here?!”

Joshua finally lifted his head, his eyes shadowed with a mix of guilt and exhaustion. He said nothing for a moment, the silence stretching painfully.

“Talk!” Seungcheol barked, his patience snapping. “We trusted you! And now we’re here, trapped, after everything—because of you!”

Joshua’s lips parted, his voice trembling as he spoke. “I’m not… the one behind the disappearances.”

Jeonghan recoiled, disbelief flashing in his eyes. “What nonsense are you spouting now? We saw it with our own eyes—your father! You manipulated us, made us believe you were helping, but you… you were behind it all.”

Seungcheol’s fury burned brighter. “You betrayed us, Joshua! You broke our trust!”

Joshua abruptly stood, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. His voice, usually calm, was now sharp with anger and pain. “I’m not the Joshua you think I am!”

The room fell silent as the words hung in the air.

“What?” Jeonghan whispered, his confusion mixing with a growing dread.

Joshua’s hands clenched at his sides, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “The man you’re accusing… the one you think is me… that’s not me. That’s Hong Jisoo.”

“Stop with your lies!” Seungcheol growled.

“I’m not lying!” Joshua snapped, his voice breaking. “I have a twin brother.
Hong Jisoo. He’s the one behind the disappearances.”

Jeonghan’s breath caught, his mind spinning. “Twin brother?”

Joshua nodded, his gaze dropping again. “He’s been hiding in plain sight, using my name, my face.  The day you took the case in your hands I was trapped, I was trapped they told me if I told you anything they'll kill you all and they have no mercy at all
I didn't have any choice . They have  locked me for months in an apartment. The one who was trying to solve the case with you was jisoo not me , he tried to manipulate
you all .mingyu vernon and hoshi got manipulated  they just used to tell what you  both were planning. I tried to escape many times but I was caught and tortured by them, I tried to stop them, but… I couldn’t. He’s always been one step ahead. But I knew you'll solve the case one day and get to know everything I know I have kept this secret I'm so sorry cuz I had my own reasons."