Date: Saturday, March 25th, 2025

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Place: Sunshine Motel, Luna Suburbs

There were rats in the room. Adrian James could hear them skittering around on the dirty motel floor.

The window, slightly open, gave way to the rancid stench of the city. Car exhaust and metallic fumes wafted around his bedroom, mingling with the tobacco musk that had etched itself into the run-down walls and broken furniture.

His lungs spasmed in rebellion, a cough escaping his chapped lips. He struggled to sit upright but could not muster the energy, so he used his hand to feel against the counter by the bed, searching for the desired potion.

Rummaging recklessly, he tipped the crystal lamp off the counter, sending the heirloom crashing to the ground.

That did not deter him from his search, however. Instead, he craned his stiff neck to see properly. Sure enough, he immediately spotted the little badger lying at the edge of his bedside desk. Flexing his body toward its direction, he brought his precious possession to his chest.

He began to unwrap the covering lazily, but a loud crashing sound from the outside gave him pause. He peeked toward the window, the harsh sunlight pricking at his eyes... Such vehemence the world knows, such ever-churning energy, it rolls and rolls until it crushes your bones.

He too was once full of life, he was loud and burning with passion. He shook his head, cringing at the silly sentiment, then brought back his attention to the parcel in his hands. Amidst the piece of cloth lay a syringe and a liquid container.

The hooligans in the alley last night had roughened him up pretty good, so much so, that he doubted the usual dose would numb away the pain. A concerned face flashed in his mind momentarily, a lousy promise he had made echoed in his ears: “Don’t worry, I won’t go overboard,” he had said. “I won't be doing this forever,” he swore. Another memory flashed in his mind: “I'm not an idiot to get addicted, it’s just recreational.” He had been too cocky all his life.

The memories and promises were buried as quickly as they had been dredged up, and soon the burning urge in his skin overpowered any other thought. His mind was muddled, but his hands moved with practiced precision. He sterilized the needle with a slight tremor, another cough rattling through his chest.

Unfazed, he continued his ritual: cleaning the needle, then tying off his arm, and securing the tourniquet tightly with his teeth. He tapped at the flesh, out of habit more than anything, and after a few seconds, he found a vein. The needle pricked into his forearm stinging as it punctured the skin. With the ritual completed, he sank back onto the pillow.

His breathing hitched, each cough scraping at his lungs. His face flushed, his skin paling, then turning a sickly shade as the drug began to take hold. The world tilted and blurred around him, and the last thought he had before surrendering to the haze of death was, “Lived in vain, and died in vain, what a fitting end.”

...----------------...

A.J. was fuming, his face flushed, chest heaving up and down. Through the tears burning in his eyes, he could see the maids scuttering around to clean the mess he had made. Levi’s face was scrunched, his hands resting on his hips. With an air of annoyance, he chastised, “Seriously, A.J., you’re this old and still acting like a baby. You know you could’ve seriously hurt someone.”

Behind Levi, the TV screen was cracked, and on the ground in front of the ruckus lay an electronic game smashed to pieces. A.J. brought his hands to his eyes, rubbing them violently, then swallowed hard. His breath was still erratic but for all the wrong reasons. He felt like he might faint.

He almost did. The light-headedness crashed over him like a wave, and he held onto the couch for stability. His brother’s face looked boyishly young. Behind him, in the corner, another boy leaned against the wall, his lips pursed. Tears fell freely this time. This can’t be happening, A.J. thought to himself.

The head maid rushed over with a cup of tea, pulling him to the sofa. She patted his arm repeatedly, her voice wearied by stress. “It’s alright, child, it’s alright, drink now.” His lashes fluttered, but suddenly, his elder brother grabbed his face, looking down at him with furrowed brows.

“Are you crying?” Levi asked through gritted teeth. “You act like such a tyrant all the time, yet you dare to cry?” He scrunched A.J.’s face obnoxiously, but A.J. didn’t swat him away. Instead, his tears turned into a monsoon of choked sobs. Levi froze, releasing his brother’s face, his voice softening. “Dude, it’s not a big deal. You can borrow mine if you want.”

Levi wasn’t sure how to placate his younger brother; he never had to before. A.J. got everything he wanted by being a brat who made everyone miserable until they eventually gave in. But this wasn’t like his usual tantrums. The kid seemed genuinely distraught. “You know how busy Dad is,” Levi tried. “But brother will take you to the mall.” He tapped his chest reassuringly. “Whatever you want, I’ll get it for you.”

That made A.J. sob harder. Eventually, they coaxed him to his room to take a nap, promising they would take him out at night and make it up to him.

...----------------...

His bedroom was just as he remembered it: a messy exhibition of toys and posters. A Batman comic cutout hung on his mahogany closet, and video games and CDs lay discarded on his desk.

An iPhone 6 with a shattered screen was left lying precariously close to the edge of his bed. He tried unlocking it, but could not recall the password pin. In the end, he was left staring at the lock screen in a daze, "Saturday, March 25th, 2015".

He walked toward the vanity and saw his face reflected at him in the mirror: by some strange twist of fate, he had returned to his fourteenth birthday. The baby fat still lingered on his face, and his round eyes had not yet lost their luster. He moved toward his en-suite bathroom and turned on the cold shower. The water splashed down on him but did little to settle his restless heart.

If today was his fourteenth birthday, then earlier this morning, Ren Vera had been handed off to his family under the guise of “looking after a sick dear friend’s child.” That, Adrian knew, was utter bullshit. The boy had been taken as a hostage. Ren’s family owed a debt to the James family, and his father’s thugs had traded the child’s life until the payment was finalized.

Adrian and Levi had been none the wiser growing up, but Ren always knew. After all, Ren was partially responsible for his family’s downfall in his past life.

Adrian stole a second glance in the mirror. The furrow in his brows was the only thing that betrayed the change in his demeanor. Well, that, and the tension in his shoulders. But his absent parents were rarely around to notice any remarkable changes about him.

He had been given a second chance at life, and though, in his past life, nobody had believed he would amount to anything, in this one, he could have the upper hand. No, he would.

He rummaged through his closet and finally settled on a black top and jeans. When he walked into the gaming area, his brother was showing Ren a “spectacular move” in a video game. Ren’s eyes showed lackluster interest as he craned his neck to scrutinize A.J. as he entered.

They had kept their distance in his past life, mostly because of the two-year age difference. In the end, Ren and Levi become thick as thieves, while Adrian ends up left behind in their shadow.

He cleared his throat, unsure how to interact with his brother, but he pushed through the discomfort. “Are we still going to the mall?” he asked, his voice sounding timid. His cheeks flushed with color, and he cursed inwardly. He had been a hedonistic, detached young master in his past life, but it seemed his current self still knew shame.

Levi paused the game and looked up at his brother, who was loitering awkwardly by the door. He had sworn long ago that nothing that came out of A.J. would shock him, but for the second time today, his brother had managed to do just that. “Yeah,” he retorted, “yeah, sure. I’ll go get changed quickly,” he said, hurrying out of the room. Who would have imagined the little tyrant would actually take him up on his offer?

With Levi gone, Adrian walked toward Ren, who went stiff as he approached. Not surprising... Ren would continue to be cautious around him; he’d have to gently change that. Plopping down on the poof ottoman and resuming the game, he casually glanced at his senior. “How are you adjusting so far?” He didn’t mean for his tone to sound like a concerned uncle, especially with his current high-pitched teenage voice, but oh well.

Ren looked taken aback for a second but immediately composed himself. “I’m doing alright, thank you,” he answered. “I’m very grateful that Uncle agreed to take care of me during this time.”

A well-rehearsed PR answer, Adrian thought to himself. He couldn’t help but scoff. Ren pursed his lips at that.

Shortly after, Levi appeared through the door, provocatively holding a golden card in the light. He expected his brother to pout or show some reaction but received none. Resigned, he ushered them to the car, taking a seat next to the private driver while A.J. and Ren sat in the back.

As chatty as ever, Levi’s voice echoed over the pop tune, juggling a dozen topics in the span of minutes, craning his neck to engage Ren, then occasionally dragging the driver into the conversation. Noticing that the little tyrant had not said a word the whole ride, he squinted, expecting to see him sulking in the back seat. Shockingly, A.J. sported a contented smile. Levi did not catch the jab the driver had hurled his way; instead, he asked, confused, “Why are you smiling?” The question sounded strange to his ears, but A.J. smiling was stranger.

“Just enjoying myself,” Adrian answered simply. Levi felt goosebumps spread across his back.

The car parked in the underground mall garage, and Adrian, who was, contrary to popular opinion, not thinking about fratricide or any sort of evil -at least not the kind his brother was worried about- skipped out of the car with a lightness in his step. This was his chance to make things right. Another smile crept up on him, and he cupped his mouth with his hand, but he couldn’t hide the slant in his eyes.

Witnessing this, his brother was thoroughly creeped out. He leaned toward Ren and whispered a warning, “Not to scare you or anything, but make sure to lock your bedroom door tonight.”

Inside the elevator, Levi tentatively asked his young demon brother, “So, little demon,” Catching himself, he zipped his lips momentarily. “I mean, prince, little prince, what do you feel like buying?” He gave a lopsided smile, awaiting the impending doom of the typical shopping nightmare.

“Maybe we can watch a movie?” Adrian offered instead. Levi was jolted by a sudden thought. Perhaps the little demon’s new tactic of getting rid of him was by shocking him to death.

...****************...

Author's note: Nobody died at the movies.

♫ Your Blood - Aurora

Seen below are adult Ren (in the suit) and A.J. (with the man bun). AI-generated art on Gemini.

Things could’ve gone much worse, I remind myself. My father’s assistant sat me down weeks ago in preparation for this. Father stayed silent; he couldn’t look me in the eyes. Mother sent herself into a psychotic breakdown and ended up in the mental ward. Things could’ve gone so much worse.

Levi shows me to my room after we return from the mall, and A.J. runs off to who knows where. Levi’s voice is chipper in that typical way of kids without a care in the world. “If you need anything, ring the bell, and it’ll alert the maids in the kitchen,” he offers helpfully. “I’m sorry you had to witness that earlier, by the way,” he grimaces, looking embarrassed.

“Witness what?” I ask, looking around, committing the layout of the house to memory. Levi’s voice brings me back to reality.

“A.J.’s tantrums,” he sighs. “There’ll be many more of those in the future,” he says, resigned.

“I’d be upset too if my family ditched me on my birthday.”

“Yeah,” he nods. “They’re barely around...” He looks like he’s about to say something else but instead shakes his head and mutters, “Oh, and I’m sorry about your mom, but it’s good to have you here.”

Knowing he’s a chatterbox, I open the door and bid him farewell. “Thank you.” I try adding a smile, but I’m too drained to make it look genuine. “Good night.”

“Good night,” his voice echoes back in a sing-song as he walks down the hall to his chambers. I want to lock myself in immediately, but of course, there aren’t any locks on the door. Great.

...----------------...

Five minutes before midnight, a knock on my door jolts me awake. The door begins to creak open before I’m even out of bed. The maid who walks in is the same one A.J. had thrown the game console at earlier today. She stares at me through long lashes, her face stoic. “The master of the house is ready to see you. Get dressed,” she orders.

She does not budge as I quickly change into my day clothes, her face impassive, and I try not to feel exposed. It doesn’t work. Once I’m halfway decent, she starts walking out of the room into the dark corridor, and I skip after her, trying to tie my shoelaces in the process. The mansion is chilly during the day, and at this hour, it feels even colder.

After descending a set of stairs and passing through a maze of hallways, we end up in front of an arched oak doorframe. She knocks twice, and a voice on the other side ushers us in. I note her back stiffening as she leads me inside. The man sitting behind the desk waves his hand in dismissal, and she leaves, closing the door behind her.

His face is weathered with age, smile lines etched into his skin. He looks up at me through thick spectacles. “Come, sit.”

I walk toward the desk, the draft sending goosebumps up my skin. I start shivering. Carefully taking a seat, I stare back at him, trying to maintain eye contact. He gives me a magnanimous smile, and if I didn’t know better, I might fall for it.

“Are you cold?” he asks.

“No, sir.” My tone is clipped. Another shiver runs up my spine, and I fail to hide it.

“There are coats in that closet. Get one.” His demeanor reminds me of an old grandpa. I’m out of my depth, but I comply. My walk toward the closet feels agonizingly slow, my control over the shivers abysmal.

I open the closet and look inside. A pair of hazel eyes stare right back at me. The figure in the closet raises a finger to their mouth in the universal signal for keep your mouth shut. I hiccup. Picking a coat at random, I shut the door of the closet and go back to take a seat.

“It deeply saddens me that things have come this far,” Donnie James says, laying down the papers in his hands. “Your father was always a dear friend of mine,” he adds, his eyebrows furrowing as if in deep turmoil. I clench my fists but remain silent.

“In a couple of days, a client will come to meet you,” he continues. “You are to be on your best behavior.”

“Yes, sir.” He nods and raises his hand for me to leave. Before I get to the door, he issues one last threat.

“Oh, and Vera,” he starts. “I trust you do not need to be told this, but the boys are better kept in the dark.” He looks at me pointedly.

After a beat of silence, he shakes his head, and says, “Such a lovely woman, your mother. It would be a shame...”

“Of course, sir,” I counter. I would need not say anything when your youngest likes hiding in your coat closet, I think to myself.

Even with all the knowledge in the world, there is only so much a fourteen-year-old boy can do. I feel helpless. For the first time since my abrupt awakening, I truly absorb the dreadfulness of the situation.

My brain keeps spinning out of control, and by the time the maid knocks on my door, it’s already 7 a.m., and I haven’t slept a wink. At the dining table, Father sits at the head, all doting and loving, and I have to fight the urge to puke. I could kill him; I would be tried as a child… It would give Levi and Ren ample time to escape his clutches.

“A.J.?” Mother’s voice snaps me back to reality. “You haven’t touched your plate,” she remarks, furrowing her brows.

Levi rolls his eyes, whispering in my ear, “Squirming if you’re not the center of attention for even a minute, eh?”

“I’m not hungry,” I tell her, though I force myself to take a forkful anyway.

“Oh, my little boy,” Father coos gently, reaching over to pat my head. “Those bastards wouldn’t let me be yesterday, but I’ll make it up to you. Don’t think I forgot,” he says, giving me that look. The one meant to convey seriousness when speaking to a child. My stomach flips.

“Anything you want,” he continues. “Just say it, and you’ll get it.” I can feel Levi rolling his eyes again without even looking.

I want you to leave us alone, but I can’t say that, so instead, I say, “I want to share a room with Ren.”

Levi chokes on his food, his eyes going wide as saucers. I hold my ground. “It would be nice to have a friend around. It’s like having sleepovers every night,” I add, quirking my mouth into my best rendition of harmlessness, complete with puppy eyes.

“My boy,” Father stutters, “surely we shouldn’t bother our guest.” His tone sharpens. Ren enters the kitchen as if on cue, with a servant trailing behind him, and I squirm. Yup, I’m doing this.

I purse my lips, squint my eyes, and take a gulp of breath. “But Father!” It’s starting. “That’s my birthday wish. It’s all I want! You can’t even give me this one simple thing!”

Father raises his hands bracing for the little ticking time bomb known as an A.J. tantrum. “Surely, you can have sleepovers at your brother’s whenever you want, even at Ren’s,” he adds, swallowing. “When he’s settled in, that is.”

Levi huffs annoyed. “I do not agree to this,” he interjects. But Mother grabs his hand, “Why, it would be a lovely idea! As the elder brother you should take this opportunity to get along better.”

“What do you mean opportunity? This isn't a business deal,” he huffs again, shaking her hand off. “You will not force me to bend over backward for another one of A.J.'s whims, this isn't happening.”

The resentment dripping from Levi's voice catches me off guard, and I wince at the sudden jolt of hurt. But I do not allow myself to dwell on it.

The conversation has gone wayward, I gotta up the dose. What would fourteen-year-old A.J. do, I ask myself. The answer comes in the form of the first scene I saw when I opened my eyes yesterday.

I grab the crystal glass and hurl it at the wall. “You don’t love me anymore!” I scream for good measure. Levi grips my arm tightly, trying to stop me from throwing something else, and frustration flares in my chest.

Mother looks scandalized, yet remains seated at the table, as prim and proper as ever. The only indication of her shock is a raised eyebrow and slightly parted lips. Ren stands frozen at the door, observing the scene.

Alright, so we must escalate. And escalate we shall. I stand abruptly, shoving the chair back. Levi lets out a startled scream, but I can’t worry about accidentally hurting him right now. He’ll survive.

“None of you love me!” I scream again, gripping the edge of the wooden table. When it refuses to budge, I seize the tablecloth instead, yanking it hard and sending bowls and cutlery crashing to the ground.

“You will give me what I want,” I snarl, my voice genuinely ragged this time, and I look directly at my father. “Or I will burn this house to the ground. With you in it.” I do not miss the way he flinches in response.

The silence that follows is broken only by my ragged breathing, and I am not surprised to find that I truly meant what I said.