The Suspect

Chapter twenty five - Bumper Cars

Chapter twenty five

Bumper Cars

Adham was still just a kid, when his family was displaced from their home country, in search for better living conditions. He knew only about his home in Malaysia.

They were a small family of four, the parents, Adham, and his younger brother Amer. The brothers looked exactly like each other; they were often mistaken for twins.

They were so close. Maybe it was because of the only one year difference between them. Maybe it was because they are foreigners in both their home country and the country they call home, so they can't share a lot except with each other. Maybe it was because they had no one except one another. Whatever it was, the bond they both shared reached far beyond words or possible descriptions. They were hip-to-hip wherever they're found.

Adham was so protective over his young brother; even if the difference between them was just one year, Adham still felt responsible for the well-being of his brother. As close as they were, they were both extremely different in personalities.

While Adham was an introvert, Amer was the definition of an extrovert. When Adham was thinking every action through, Amer was off taking every risky action he could take. Adham followed and tried to save what can be saved. He would always stop his younger brother when needed and support as well, when needed. Adham was the mind of the pair, while Amer was the charming, impulsive brother.

Then Adham lost his brother.

He couldn't find him when needed and as much as he tried to, Adham could never be there for Amer.

Amer pushed him away.

They repelled like bumper cars whenever Adham tried to get his younger brother back on track. Adham was lost and clueless on what he should do to get his brother back.

It had all happened suddenly. One moment they were the inseparable brothers, the second moment Amer was pushing his elder brother out of his life. It happens, right? This happens between all siblings, and it will end soon, right?

No.

What happened couldn't be changed.

Amer was with the wrong company; his brother knew, yet he couldn't help him. Amer was just in the beginning of high school, when it all started.

Drugs entered Amer's life. It was a fast process: the cheerful, carefree brother turning into a crazed addict.

Out of control. Totally.

His parents just came up with excuses for his uncharacteristic attitude, his anger, and his aloofness. "He is just going through his teenage years." "He will be okay when he grows up." "It's just a phase."...

As scared as Adham was, he tried to believe his parents' reasoning. In the end, they know better, don't they?

No. They don't. The family didn't realize the dangerous life Amer is leading till it was too late.

It was that night that proved them all wrong.

It ran in Adham's mind every day. 

He and his parents were watching a movie and spending their family time. They were interrupted by Adham's phone. Adham answered the call on the third ring. "Hello"

"Hello, this is the emergency number on Amer Abbas's file. Are you a family member?"

Adham's hands started shaking as he answered rapidly "Yes. I'm his brother. What happened? Where is Amer?" His mother had heard him and was staring at him with her hands over her mouth and her eyes searching his own. Meanwhile, his father was standing protectively and trying to settle her fears.

"Your brother was found and sent to our hospital. He is in a very critical condition..." The nurse started recounting the hospital's address. Adham's ears started ringing. The phone was slowly slipping out of his hands. He blinked constantly to try and bring himself back to reality. His father immediately knelt to get the forgotten phone and handled what Adham couldn't handle.

Adham's mother was clinging to his arm and asking him about his brother, but he just couldn't find the strength to explain. It was the weakest state Adham has ever reached. His hands were still shaking. He needed to see him. He needed to see his brother. His everything. Adham turned his back to his parents; they had each other. He needs his brother.

He can recall the hospital's address. The car keys were snatched harshly from the key holder.

'God let him be okay. I can't handle anything happening to him.'

..

Later that night they found out that Amer had overdosed and was found on the side of the street.

It killed Adham. Seeing his younger brother like this killed Adham. The overdosing may have failed at ending Amer's life, but it had succeeded in killing Adham. Since then, Adham had turned to this silent version of himself. The guy who doesn't believe in the goodness of life. The guilty man who is trying to make up for his past mistakes.

Amer woke up ready to change, to go back to his life and to tell the police everything he knows. He revealed to his brother the horrors he had went through: getting addicted, working for an unknown person to get the substance his body craves, and the reason behind his overdosing.

Amer was in love with a Malaysian girl, Ayu who he had met in all this mess. She was the only reason he wanted and needed to stop. He had tried to save her and himself from the life they were both tangled in. However, it was known as a fact: no one escapes the "Lion".

They found out about his intentions and decided to teach him a lesson by killing Ayu, while he watched helplessly. They didn't stop at destroying him emotionally and killing the girl he is madly in love with. They injected Amer with substance meant to kill him. He was supposed to be found overdosed, dead, and thrown on the side of the road.

Unfortunately for them and unexpectedly, Amer was found earlier than he was supposed to and he woke up with rage and a need for justice for Ayu's life. The police could, however, do nothing by the little information he had. They need more information and evidence to give those bastards what they deserve.

Amer was broken; he could not be trusted with anything. Their parents knew not of all those details. All they knew was that Amer is addicted and needs rehabilitation as soon as possible. They jumped on it, after a lot of crying and confusion. Meanwhile, Adham was blaming himself for what happened to his brother. He hated himself for not forcing himself back into Amer's life. He was haunted by the "what if's" running inside his mind. He should've been a better brother. He should have and he will try at least to give Amer his only wish: justice for his dead girl.

He will give it to him. He went to the police officer holding the case. Ali Imam. The genius who knew exactly how Adham can help. After getting needed permissions, Ali had started on his plan of replacing Amer with his brother Adham. For the Lion and his followers, Adham acted as Amer, the lost addict who survived their lesson and needed their forgiveness for the substance they offer. He needed to act perfectly to be able to gain their trust, to climb their ladder, and to get closer to the Lion.

Amer's name was changed in all official papers, with the help of the officer, to stay safe.

Adham had told his family that he needs to live the rest of his life alone and disappeared. He wouldn't handle causing them any harm in this journey. While Amer passed through his rehabilitation period and came out a healed man ready to complete his studies, Adham was leading a multifaceted lonely life.

It has been seven years, since Adham has become this shell.

Then Ameera happened.

She lightened up his dark lonely world.

Then guilt came again. He should've saved A'aidah. How could he have, though? He had no information about what the Lion does in his college. All he knew was that Zach was bad news. The Lion thought he was scaring "Amer", when Adham was suspected for A'aidah's assassination. He wasn't meant to be thrown in jail, but it was just supposed to be a message to "Amer".

...