Chapter 65 - Bloodstains and Secrets

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 "This chapter contains depictions of violence, death, and emotionally charged situations, including an implied or accidental suicide involving a firearm, as well as emotionally charged dialogue and themes related to guilt, mental health, and trauma. Reader discretion is advised."

Being the older brother comes with responsibilities I thought long buried by time. Adopted as a child and raised in foreign lands, I believed I could forget my past—forget Rasen. But the years passed, and despite my efforts, I could never break the bond that tied us together.

I completed three years of military service, convinced that discipline would free me from that emotional burden. Yet, as soon as I gained my independence, I began searching for him.

Each week, I received photos and reports. Rasen appeared happy in them, living an ordinary life far removed from everything that had once scarred us. Seeing him like that brought me some relief, even though the weight of our differences still pulsed in my chest. I kept a photo of our family in my wallet—a constant reminder of what we had lost, and of what I still had to protect, even from afar.

But fate didn't let me hold on to that peace for long. The Red Moon case—an incident few understand—began weaving itself into our lives in unexpected ways. I got involved with dangerous people, including the director of Case A and Darían, a man who now represented both an opportunity and a threat, entangled in the biological weapons labs funded by the very same Council of Thirteen.

The confrontation between Rasen, Evans, and Eduardo was a clash of accusations. Eduardo, the sole key witness in the case, found himself trapped in a web of lies, guilt, and fear.

"The Council's blacklist doesn't forgive," Eduardo spat, his gaze fixed on Evans. "You ruined everything with your damn curiosity!"

Exhausted and furious, Evans shot back:

"I'm not the only one to blame! If you hadn't played untouchable, none of this would've happened!"

Their words flew like blades. Tension peaked when Eduardo, unable to bear the pressure, stormed out of the house. But Evans followed, guilt and rage twisting inside him, leading to a fatal mistake.

The next day, headlines reported Eduardo's death. The sole witness to the case had been found at the bottom of a ravine. On the edge of madness, Evans confronted Rasen in desperation:

"I didn't mean for this to happen! It was an accident!"

Flashback

Eduardo stormed out of the house, his footsteps pounding against the rain-soaked pavement. Evans chased after him, voice cracking with a mix of guilt and panic.

"I'm not the only one who made mistakes! You're guilty too, Eduardo!" Evans shouted as he ran after him in the downpour.

Eduardo came to a sudden stop in front of a taxi that screeched to a halt. The driver yelled, but Eduardo stood motionless, drenched and trembling.

"Get out of the way, idiot!" the driver yelled before speeding off, cursing.

The street fell silent, swallowing every sound—until Eduardo reached behind his belt and pulled out a gun. His arm shook. His eyes were wild.

"You'll pay for this, Evans! You doomed us both!" he shouted.

Evans stepped back, soaked, tears blending with the rain.

"Stop, Eduardo! You don't have to do this… not like this! I'm scared too—but this isn't the way!"

For a second, the gun lowered just slightly.

"Scared? You signed! You!" Eduardo screamed, but his voice cracked. His finger trembled on the trigger. For a moment, doubt flickered in his eyes.

Evans saw it. That one second.

And in a desperate act, he lunged at him.

The struggle was clumsy. Brutal. The gun twisted in the air between their hands. They slipped, yelled. And then—

BANG!

The gunshot rang out like thunder through the stillness. A bird flew off, startled, from a nearby post.

Eduardo fell backward, limp, eyes frozen wide in disbelief. The gun slipped from his hand, landing with a dull thud on the wet pavement.

Evans stood paralyzed. No screams. No words. Only the rain, and the endless echo of a shot that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

End of Flashback

The echo of the gunshot still echoed in Evans's mind, a ghost that followed him day and night.

Rasen stood firm, unmoved, as his brother collapsed before him.

"Your hands are stained with blood, Evans," he said coldly. "There's no excuse that can save you now."

Sweat and tears streaming down his face, Evans dropped to the ground, his hands trembling as he searched for something—anything—to hold on to.

"I… I didn't mean to do it. It was an accident. He forced me!" he stammered, though the words already rang hollow, even to his own ears.

Rasen turned away without even looking at him.

"Accident or not, Eduardo is dead. And you're the only one to blame."

Evans looked up, his eyes desperate.

"I did it for us! For our parents!"

Rasen let out a bitter laugh but didn't stop walking.

"No, Evans. You did it for yourself. You've always been selfish—trying to redeem your own sins, even if it meant dragging others down with you."

The words hit Evans like a hammer. His brother—the one person he had always wanted to protect—had just condemned him with a single sentence.

Later that night, Rasen met with Dr. Darían in the study. Papers were scattered across the table, along with a photo that caught Rasen's eye.

It was Aisha.

"What does she have to do with this?" Rasen asked, his tone sharper than usual.

Darían adjusted his glasses, a cold smile forming on his lips.

"She's the key to solving this mess. I need you to find her and bring her to me."

Rasen clenched his fists, struggling to keep calm. He narrowed his eyes at the man in front of him.

"And what do you plan to do with her?"

"That's not your concern. What should concern you is the fact that she's your only chance to clear your brother's name. Bring her to me, and I'll make sure every trace linking him to this disappears."

Rasen looked at the photo again, torn between loyalty to Evans and the danger he knew Aisha would face if he accepted the deal.

"And if I refuse?" he finally asked.

Darían smiled, snapping the briefcase shut with a click.

"Then you'd better have a solid plan to save him. But let me warn you, Rasen—time is not on your side."

Rasen stood, slipping the photo into his jacket.

"I'll do it. But not for you."

Darían watched him leave the room, his cold smile never fading.

Back in his room, Rasen sat alone with the photo of Aisha in his hands. The image was a reminder of all he had lost—and of what was still left to protect.

As moonlight poured through the window, Rasen closed his eyes and made a decision.

"I'll find you, Aisha. Even if it means facing all the demons that haunt us."

The road ahead was dark, filled with danger and uncertainty.But Rasen knew one thing for certain—He couldn't afford to fail.