1 A New Beginning (1/2)

It was just for a moment. Was that really him?

I stopped to take another look.

How could I see him here? Now?

I took off running like my life depended on it.

After so long he's just 50 meters in front of me.

40

30

20

10

”BRAD!!!”

As he turned towards me the face of my little brother which I hadn't seen for ten years was looking back at me.

Finally!

I reached out to embrace him. Tears filled my eyes. The ever-present pain of longing and loss released its grip on my heart as it exploded with boundless warmth.

”Brad I can't tell you how much I've missed you.”

I couldn't believe it. I searched for years. I never stopped looking. I used everything I had to find him, yet that day, with no warning, I saw him on the street. I felt so lucky.

Reveling in the immense joy of finally finding him, it took me a moment to notice a cold piercing pain growing in my chest.

As I stepped back I looked down to see a thin dark colored blade coated in bright red liquid. It slowly revealed its sharp edges as it finished withdrawing from my chest. At the end of the blade a hand was splattered with my freshly spilled blood, Brad's hand. I looked up, eyes filled with confusion.

How could this happen? How could that sweet innocent child I knew ten years ago do this? Why?

My knees became weak. A bitter coldness rapidly advanced from my extremities toward my struggling heart.

I desperately searched his face for meaning, a clue to reveal his motives, his reasons.

The only thing reflected in his eyes was pain. His features twisted as if he was the one on death's door.

Our gazes locked, all at once overwhelming sadness, regret, and grief screamed to break free from the depths of his eyes as they trembled, ”Brother... I truly wish... you had stayed away.”

The last bit of heat evacuated the hole in my chest. The cold took over and my body began to fall as my brother's face got further and further away.

I desperately tried to get my lips to move.

Just one word! I just need to get out one word! I just want to ask him why! I have to know!

Like an unforgiving wave the darkness silenced me.

.....

.....

.....

”Troy....Troy....TROY!!!”