Shadows of the past

Chapter 2: Shadows of the past

[Scene: Outside Ryan's Brother’s Apartment – Night]

(Ryan stumbles slightly as he lands on the ground, aided by Joshua, but his attention is immediately drawn to the sight before him. A fleet of black-suited bodyguards armed with small firearms stand in a protective formation, their presence silent but intimidating. Ryan’s eyes widen in shock.)

Ryan: (in disbelief) What the hell is this? An army? Who the hell are you?

Joshua: (calmly) Insurance. The kind you need when you deal with dangerous people.

(Ryan notices a sleek black luxury car idling nearby. As Joshua ushers him toward the vehicle, Ryan catches a glimpse of a small child, a boy no older than five, lying in the backseat with a tablet in his hands. The boy looks up briefly, his innocent green eyes meeting Ryan's startled gaze.)

Ryan: (stopping in his tracks) What is this? You have a kid?

(Joshua sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose as though anticipating the reaction.)

Joshua: (tersely) Now’s not the time, Ryan.

Ryan: (angrily) Not the time? There’s a literal child in your car! Are you seriously going to kidnap me while playing happy family on the side? What the hell are you playing at?

(Joshua’s expression darkens as he steps closer, his voice low but firm.)

Joshua: (coldly) Watch your words.

Ryan: (sarcastic, bitterly laughing) Oh, I’m sorry. Am I supposed to ignore the fact that you’ve clearly moved on? Got yourself a wife and kid, huh? Guess that’s why you didn’t bother showing up for five years.

(Joshua’s jaw tightens, his patience fraying.)

Joshua: (dangerously calm) You’re making assumptions you don’t understand, Ryan.

Ryan: (pointing at the car) Oh, I understand plenty. You’re still as sly as ever, dragging me into whatever twisted game this is while keeping secrets. Typical.

Joshua: (grabbing Ryan’s arm) Enough.

Ryan: (trying to pull away, Joshua grabs his waist tightly and twists his wrist back and pulls him towards him) Let go of me! What the hell do you think you are doing you piece of shit.

(Joshua doesn’t let go, instead pulling Ryan forcefully toward the car. The bodyguards shift slightly, prepared for action but staying silent. Ryan struggles but is ultimately pushed into the car, landing ungracefully on the leather seat next to the boy, who is watching with wide eyes.)

Joshua:Letting go of your little claw, ha? Your still handy, aren't you? Not like the version I know back then.

Ryan:Bullshit!! (furious) You can’t just force me into your car like some kind of criminal!

Joshua: (getting into the car, slamming the door) Watch me.

(The car begins to move, the tension inside is palpable. Ryan glares at Joshua, his frustration boiling over.)

Ryan: (sarcastically) Great. Kidnapping and child endangerment. You’ve really outdone yourself this time.

Joshua: (sighing) The boy is my nephew. Not my son.

(Ryan blinks, caught off guard by the sudden revelation.)

Ryan: (slowly) Nephew? Then why—

Joshua: (interrupting, sharply) Because his parents are dead. Just like your brother.

(The bluntness of the statement stuns Ryan into silence. Joshua’s voice softens, but his words carry a weight that lingers.)

Joshua: (quietly) You think you’re the only one who lost family tonight? I’ve spent years protecting him from the same people who just killed your brother.

Ryan: (hesitant) Then why involve me? Why drag me into this?

Joshua: (leaning forward, meeting Ryan’s gaze) Because your brother knew something. Something that could either save us—or destroy us all. And right now, you’re the only lead I have.

Ryan: (defensive) I don’t know anything! He never told me—

Joshua: (cutting him off) Exactly. He didn’t tell you because he knew you wouldn’t care.

(Ryan flinches, the words hitting harder than he expected. Joshua’s tone grows colder, his frustration spilling out.)

Joshua: (accusingly) You’re acting like you’re heartbroken, but where’s the fire, Ryan? Where’s the anger? Your brother’s dead, and all you can do is yell at me like this is some petty argument from college.

Ryan: (angrily) That’s not fair—

Joshua: (leaning closer, voice low and dangerous) Life isn’t fair, Ryan. And it sure as hell doesn’t wait for you to decide how you feel.

(Ryan clenches his fists, his emotions swirling—grief, guilt, and anger all tangled together. He looks away, unable to meet Joshua’s piercing gaze.)

Ryan: (softly) You think I don’t feel anything? I loved my brother.

Joshua: (leaning back, voice softening slightly) Then prove it.

(The car falls into silence, the weight of Joshua’s words settling heavily in the air. The boy, sensing the tension, turns back to his tablet, the faint sound of a game filling the quiet.)

Joshua: (after a pause) I didn’t come back into your life to hurt you, Ryan. But if you want to find the people who did this to your brother, you need to stop running from the truth.

Ryan: (looking at him) And what’s the truth?

Joshua: (meeting his gaze) That your brother died protecting something bigger than both of us. And if you don’t want to end up like him, you’ll trust me.

(Ryan hesitates, the weight of the situation pressing down on him as the car speeds into the night.)

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***