The Pendrive and the Blackout

Chapter 5: The Pendrive and the Blackout

(week after his brother’s death)

Ryan walked into the apartment where his brother had died, his face expressionless but his heart weighed down by guilt and sorrow. The police had already cleared the scene, but the echoes of tragedy still lingered. He silently went through the necessary procedures—identifying his brother’s body, signing off on paperwork, and overseeing the cremation.

The air was heavy with finality as Ryan watched the ashes slip through his fingers into the urn. He didn’t cry—he hadn’t since the night it happened—but the guilt gnawed at him like a relentless predator. "I should have been there," he thought.

Back at his apartment, Ryan let the hot water from the shower cascade over his perfect curves, washing away the physical exhaustion but not the emotional torment. His mind kept replaying the events of the past few days.

Wrapped in a towel, he sat at his desk and tried to focus on the work files he had abandoned. But no matter how hard he tried, his thoughts kept drifting back to his brother’s death.

Then it struck him. Among the belongings the police had handed over—his brother’s phone, wallet, and keys—something was missing. His brother’s favorite pen, the one with the hidden USB drive.

Ryan frowned. His brother had always carried that pen, a sentimental gift from an ex-girlfriend. Despite dating her for eight years, his brother had never introduced her to Ryan, and their breakup was equally mysterious.

"Why wasn’t it with him?" Ryan muttered to himself, his lawyer instincts kicking in. The pen wasn’t just sentimental—it could hold vital information.

Determined, Ryan decided to revisit his brother’s apartment that evening. The building was eerily quiet, the air thick with an ominous stillness. Ryan let himself in and began searching for anything that might serve as a clue.

In the corner of the living room, half-hidden under debris, Ryan found a photograph. It was of his mother, his brother, and himself. The three of them were at a distant amusement park. His brother was smiling—a rare, genuine smile.

Ryan stared at the photo, his chest tightening. "Did he ever smile at me like that?" he wondered.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. Ryan’s heart raced as the heavy tread of shoes grew louder, heading directly toward him.

He quickly pocketed the photograph and turned toward the door. Before he could react, a gloved hand clamped over his mouth. His muffled scream went unheard as another pair of hands grabbed his arms.

The room spun, and the world went black.

As consciousness slipped away, Ryan’s mind flashed to Joshua.

"Mr. Insurance," Ryan thought sarcastically, remembering how he had mockingly referred to Joshua as his "personal insurance policy" as Joshua referred to himself at their meeting.

"This is just great. I should’ve listened to him. But of course, here I am, about to die with a ridiculous nickname for him stuck in my head."

And with that, Ryan’s vision faded completely.

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