Kael slowly opened his eyes. The lights above burned faintly, and the familiar antiseptic smell told him everything: he was in a hospital.
Arms wrapped tightly around him. It was Siya, hugging him, tears streaming down her face.
"You stupid idiot!" she cried. "If you were in trouble, why didn't you tell me?! I'll call Dad—he'll bring every police officer in the country!"
Kael coughed. "I'm sorry, Siya. It was all my mistake. I was scared... they—"
He stopped. He couldn't say more. He didn't want to scare them further.
A video call lit up from the holoscreen beside him. It was Ram.
Ram: "Rayne, you're brave. You did what you could. Don't be sorry about it. I'm just happy you're safe."
Kael smiled faintly. "Big bro... are you okay?"
Ram: "Yeah. I'm recovering well from surgery. A few more days, and I'll be home. Don't make yourself heavy with guilt."
Lara came over and placed her hand on Siya's shoulder.
Lara: "He just got his mind back. I think we should let him rest for now."
As Siya and Lara stepped aside, Kael looked at Ram.
Kael: "Where's Rayne?"
Siya turned back. "Rayne? There wasn't anyone else. Just you. What happened? Was he there too?"
Kael's heart sank. "Yes. I have to go. I need to tell the police!"
Lara stopped him firmly. "Wait. I'll handle it. You need to rest."
---
An hour passed. The door burst open.
Sorius and Eva Vexis entered, followed by police officers. Eva rushed forward, gripping Kael by his hospital gown.
Eva: "Where is my son?! What did you do to him?!"
Sorius held her back. "Eva, stop! Kael's hurt. He's a victim too."
Kael: "I'm sorry, Uncle... it's my fault. I didn't give them more. They took Rayne."
Eva shouted: "Yes, it's your fault! You and your cursed family—you're unlucky for me and my son!"
Sorius turned cold. "That's enough. Get out."
Eva stormed out. Sorius sat beside Kael, gently holding his hand.
Sorius: "Kael, you're just a kid. Those scums had guns and knives. You could've died. You did everything you could. I just want you to help us now. Tell us everything you remember—how it started, how you got there."
Kael hesitated. The drugs.
Sorius looked him in the eye. "Don't worry. Just between us and the officer. Siya, Lara—please give us a moment."
Kael took a breath. He told him everything.
Sorius chuckled afterward. "So... you two do drugs, huh? Bad habit. That better be your last time. If I catch wind of it again, I'll tell your father."
Kael: "I'm really sorry, Uncle. I promise."
Sorius: "Heh. You should be. It's okay."
Kael: "But... why didn't you get angry with me? I thought any parent would lose it."
Sorius smirked. "You just reminded me of me and your father. Back in the day, we used to kill and torture people."
Kael's eyes widened.
Sorius: "Just kidding, my boy."
He left with the officer.
Moments later, Eva returned alone.
Kael: "Why does Aunty hate you and our family so much? Aren't we supposed to be friends?"
Eva: "We share a tragic past. One I don't plan to talk about."
Lara entered.
Lara: "Leave it, Kael. Just rest."
Kael: "But why didn't Uncle Sorius get mad when I told him about the drugs?"
Lara sighed, then slapped him lightly.
Lara: "Because it's a terrible thing, Kael. You should stop it before it consumes you."
Kael: "I'm sorry... but he also said he and Dad used to kill people."
Lara laughed. "He's such a jerk. Always jokes like that to lighten the mood. Don't take him seriously. He's a politician—politicians always lie."
There was a short silence.
Lara (softly): "But Kael... you're an adult now. And there are many things about our families—many secrets—that shouldn't be spoken."
Kael sat there, stunned. But he pushed those thoughts aside.
He closed his eyes, thinking only about one thing: Rayne.
---
Meanwhile — Inside the Convoy
Tichala: "We got the money. 40 mil. With everything else, we're at 97 million. Should we leave for the next spot?"
Soy: "Yes. Let's move."
They sat inside a black, armored vehicle called a Connex.
Rayne slowly stirred. His vision blurred. He was cuffed — magnetic, electric cuffs. He turned.
Rayne: "Where... where's Kael?"
Soy: "I think you shouldn't worry about him. He's safe now. We killed him. Talked too much."
Rayne's eyes widened with rage. He tried to lunge, but the cuffs locked tight.
Soy punched him again — not too hard. But Rayne didn't fall this time.
Soy (impressed): "I hit you softer than before... and you took it. Not bad."
Rayne gritted his teeth, blood on his lip.
Rayne: "Where are you taking me? What did you do to Kael?!"
Soy grinned.
Soy: "Well, first, we kicked him in the balls. He cried like a baby. Then... we slowly peeled off his nails while he screamed."
Rayne's heart pounded. But something about Soy's grin… was off.
Was he joking? Or telling the truth?
Rayne: "You jerk! I'll kill you!"
He tried to get close to Soy again, but Tichala quickly grabbed him by the neck and kneed him in the face. Blood dripped from Rayne's mouth.
Soy: "Hey, you hit him hard! He's very important to us."
Tichala (groaning): "Aah, I hate traveling in cars—and this motherfucker is irritating me. Why are we even keeping him?"
Rayne heard everything. He felt helpless—these guys were tossing him around like a toy.
He struggled again, but this time James stepped in and shoved him to the back, tying him tighter.
James (mocking): "He's more dramatic than a girl. Hey, Vayen—or Rayne—whatever your name is, calm down. Your friend's fine."
Rayne: "How can we believe you?!"
James (smirking): "Oh, you want proof?"
He tapped his conn and turned the screen. A short clip played—Kael sleeping in a hospital bed.
Rayne: "How the hell do you have this footage?! This isn't real—it's AI-made!"
James: "See? There's nothing more I can show. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."
Soy (calmly): "Sorry, I just wanted to mess with you a little."
Rayne stared, heart slowing. A wave of relief hit him—Kael was alive.
Soy: "We're not the bad guys, Rayne. We're fighting, just like you. But our goals… they're bigger."
James (interrupting): "Hey, we reached the destination."
The vehicle came to a halt. They dragged Rayne out and set him on Soy's back. As he was carried inside, Rayne saw a girl standing at the entrance.
???: "Hello, Rayne."
---
Kael was recovering, but Rayne's nightmare had just begun. Are the scars Soy leaves only on the outside? Or will Rayne find something deeper waiting ahead?