Shadows of Deceit | MilkLove AU

Ch12: Resonance of Secrets

After fleeing the grim scene, Pasu's heart raced as he clutched the newborn tightly against his chest, the tiny body a fragile reminder of his sister's sacrifice. He slipped into a dim alley, shadows clinging to him like a shroud, waiting for Phong.

"Pasu!" Phong's voice broke through the darkness, concern etched on his face. "What's going on? Did you find Nalin?"

Pasu glanced around, ensuring their solitude, before the words tumbled out, heavy and broken. "Nalin... she didn't make it." His voice cracked, barely above a whisper. "I need you to help me. Can you take her baby and...please, get her to safety."

"What do you mean? You can't just leave her!" Phong's voice rose, disbelief mixing with an urgency that mirrored Pasu's own turmoil.

"I don't have a choice!" Pasu's desperation surged, his grip tightening on the baby. "If I don't stop those responsible for Nalin's death, it'll all be for nothing. I need you to take her to an orphanage. Not BearsRary but rather, some place where she can blend in. Please, Phong!"

"But what if they find out?" Phong's brow furrowed, doubt flickering in his eyes. "What if someone recognizes her? What if - "

"I'll monitor her from a distance," Pasu interrupted, his voice rising in intensity, laced with fear. "I can't let anyone know what's happened. If they discover my involvement, it'll put her in even more danger."

Phong hesitated, shifting his weight as the gravity of the situation settled around them. "Pasu... is this really the right choice?"

"It's the only choice I have!" Pasu's plea was raw, the anguish of loss and urgency for justice washing over him. "You have to trust me. Just keep her safe. I'll figure out the rest. I promise."

With a reluctant sigh, Phong nodded, though uncertainty hung in the air. "Alright... but you need to be careful. This is dangerous, not just for you but for all of us."

"I know," Pasu muttered, the weight of his sister's death pressing down on him like a stone. "I have to go. Keep her safe, Phong. Please."

As Pasu hurried away, guilt gnawed at his insides, but he forced his resolve to harden. Nalin's death would not be in vain; he would find justice, no matter the cost. Little did he realize, this decision marked the beginning of a dark path, one that would twist and turn, leading to consequences far beyond his control.

***

After the chaotic raid, Pasu stood in the crumbling remains of an abandoned warehouse, the musty air thick with the scent of decay. The mission had failed; the syndicate's leader had slipped through their fingers, leaving Pasu with an unsettling feeling that someone had tipped them off. He busied himself with the cleanup, avoiding eye contact with the others, but his mind raced with the implications of the evening's events.

As he worked, a gurney was rolled in, covered with a stained sheet. Pasu's heart sank as he recognized the shape beneath. Before he could react, Nalin's husband burst into the alley, breathless and frantic.