Behind Blue Eyes

Prologue

Sasha and Alexander were twins whose parents, in a singular moment of humor, had deemed it wasn't enough that their unplanned progeny shared identical genetic code but should also share a name. Fortunately, the twins' usual social circle mainly consisted of singletons who could barely chew gum and walk at the same time. Not that anyone would have dared make a joke to their faces about their shared name.

Few ever messed with the fourteen-year-old York brothers. Tall and broad-shouldered, they could and frequently did pass for eighteen, but it was their buzz cuts and well-worn, white-laced, Doc Marten boots that bestowed them with enough menace to ensure they were usually given a wide berth. Contrary to stereotypes, they were academically in the eightieth percentile. Failing grades or truancy were not acceptable to their boss lest they attract attention from social workers or worse. Under strict orders to keep their noses clean, they were solely observers, leaving schoolyard bullying to others. They were a couple of hard-arses but with a shared genetic weakness: empathy for outcasts.

It was just a regular afternoon break, the last of the day, smoking in the bike sheds, when they disobeyed their boss's orders and got involved.

"Still angry about Saturday?" Sasha asked, taking a puff of his cigarette.

Alex looked up from retying his boot. "I still don't understand why we can only get the small tattoo and not the real thing. It's emasculating."

Sasha laughed. "Continue speaking that way, and you'll have bigger things to worry about than a tattoo on the inside of your arm. Besides, it's the boss's way or the highway." He flicked his cigarette butt over the low brick wall that they were sitting on and into the rain; he watched as the water carried it across the tarmac before disappearing down a drain.

Alex let out a big sigh. "The other lads think it's pretty lame too."

"Then they can change the rules when they're boss but until th—"

Matthew Barnes ran into the yard between the bike shed and the school gymnasium, chased by his elder brother Kyle and Kyle's mates. The twins watched as Matthew, realizing he had nowhere left to run, raised his fists only to be met with howls of laughter as his assailants closed ranks to pin him against the gymnasium wall. As the daily beatings went, Kyle and his crew appeared to have stepped it up a level. They ran off laughing, leaving Matthew crumpled on the ground. Sasha made a move to go to him, but Alex grabbed his arm and held him back. "It's not our fight," he reminded him. "Besides, he's okay," Alex added as Matthew scrambled to his feet and, clutching at a bloody nose, staggered inside the gymnasium.

"If things go on like this for much longer, he's not going to be in any shape for his tryout with the Academy," Sasha said, frowning at his brother.

"I thought he had it last week, but I don't know how it went."

"It's the worse beating I've seen him get. We should go check on him," Sasha said.

Alex shook his head. "We stay out of it. I'm sure he's okay. Somehow he always is. Guess he's a lot tougher than he looks."

The bell sounded the end of the afternoon recess. They exchanged glances, then headed off across the yard to their history class.

When Matthew didn't show up for class, Sasha wasn't surprised, assuming he was probably with the school nurse. But when the teacher took attendance and asked if anyone had seen Matthew, he exchanged glances with Alex. The teacher should have received a note from the nurse. Over the next hour, Sasha couldn't concentrate on the class. He kept exchanging glances with Alex, nodding to the empty seat usually occupied by Matthew.

At the end of the class, Sasha paused outside. "I'm going back to the gym to see if he's still there. Coming?"

"Okay," Alex replied unenthusiastically. "Just why are we so concerned about him all of a sudden."