"However, this paradox transported him to the gates of heaven and salvation while simultaneously relegating him to the lowest place one could reach. He was the mud ingrained in the soles of people's shoes."
"Decided to abandon music, Josh felt lost in the whirlwinds of emotions that art evoked in his soul." Unable to cope with this emotional rollercoaster, he decided to embark on his first escape. However, there was a strong motivation driving his path: finding his lost sister. Determined, he needed money to start his journey, and that's when the dark world of crime began to attract him.
Initially, he became an informant, utilizing his skills to obtain valuable information. He was adept at this task, able to move in the shadows and collect secrets masterfully. However, his story as an informant took a turning point when he crossed paths with an enigmatic Soviet guard, whose true name still remains hidden.
Memories of a particularly striking night emerged in Josh's mind, when he was abruptly thrown into the trunk of a car. The dark and confined world made his heart race and sweat drip down his forehead. The journey seemed endless until the car finally stopped. When the trunk door was opened, Josh felt the cold tip of a gun press against his temple.
As his blindfold was removed, he found himself in an exquisite mansion, bathed in opulence and the sweet scent of incense. A suitcase full of money was placed before him, while the mysterious Soviet, with a penetrating gaze, began to speak: "The money is yours, your share for the service of your information, and you've never seen such wealth in your life."
Josh, still shaken by the experience, responded uncertainly, "I have already been paid."
The Soviet, Efim Kuznetsov smiled enigmatically and pointed to the suitcase of money. "Whenever I look into your eyes, I see potential beyond what you've already delivered. This, he said, referring to the amount of money, "is just the beginning. You can have so much more."
And that's how Josh's encounter with Efim Kuznetsov, the enigmatic Soviet mercenary, set him on a path that would lead him deeper into the dark depths of the criminal world."
And he knew he needed more money to find his sister, and that's how he plunged into the dark depths of the criminal world. He discovered that darkness attracts darkness. In the first two years, he found himself involved in a dangerous journey, facing a disturbing mix of studies, lies, and violence. Every day, he felt the weight of exhaustion accumulating in his body like an unbearable burden.
"In the third year of his life as a mercenary, exhaustion had become his constant companion. Sleep eluded him, and when he did manage to find some respite, disturbing dreams tormented his restless mind. The sounds of bullets whizzing through the air and the screams of agony echoed in his thoughts, merging into a deafening cacophony. It was as if he was trapped in an endless nightmare from which there was no escape.
Despite his physical and mental exhaustion, he refused to allow himself to slow down. The pressures and demands of the relentless environment he had immersed himself in drove him further into what can be described as the Superman syndrome – a compulsion to take on tasks beyond his capabilities. But this unyielding pursuit of impossible goals had its consequences.
Gradually, exhaustion transformed into a state of numbness. The weight of the accumulated pressure and the chaos that surrounded him led to a gradual detachment from his emotions. He isolated himself from any form of feeling, becoming an empty being devoid of human connection.
The sounds of violence now blended with the silence that reigned within him. His once sharp and alert emotional senses were dulled. He could no longer feel the gentle touch of a cool breeze on his face or the comforting scent of rain after a storm. The world around him seemed gray and lifeless.
No longer caring about the consequences of his actions as long as they served his purpose of accumulating wealth, the search for his sister, once driven by love and hope, had turned into an unbridled obsession. Consuming everything that remained of his humanity, this obsession fueled his descent into the depths of darkness."
The dynamics of his life were now dictated by an insatiable craving for power and money. He was willing to do anything to achieve his goals, even if it meant leaving a trail of destruction wherever he went.
When he finally found his sister, emotions clashed within him like a violent storm. The reality is that she no longer answered to the name Janine, but rather Madison Harris hit him like an arrow straight to the heart. He felt the fire burning in his chest, the pain of separation, and the agony of all the lost years.
As he watched Madison from afar, smiling and conversing, a bright light radiated from her presence. But he knew he was only a spectator in the shadows, a being immersed in darkness who had no place in her life. He resigned himself to the fact that he could never be the perfect brother she deserved, and this awareness consumed him.
His sister had no idea of his existence, unaware of the battles he had fought and the choices that had transformed him into a shadowy figure. She had a new family, a new identity, and a new life. And paradoxically, he felt relief knowing that she was free from the pain he carried. He was the only one burdened by the weight of memories, choices, and regrets.
As much as he loved his sister with all his being, Josh made the difficult decision to distance himself. Janine, or Madison, would never be part of his life. He loved her enough to let her forge her path and not be a part of his life, to keep her away from the shadow he cast. It was a silent, painful, yet necessary goodbye. He could continue loving her from afar.
And so, he returned to the dark depths from which he had emerged, continuing his solitary journey. He distanced himself from Madison, but his love for her would remain unwavering, kept in a secret place in his heart.
With his sister removed from his life, he embarked on a journey in search of self-gratification. He knew that complete happiness was an illusory concept, but believed he could find some form of personal fulfillment in the material accomplishments that money could provide.
Over the years of hard work and wealth accumulation, Josh set goals for himself. Luxury cars, powerful motorcycles, elegant boats, and lavish homes became symbols of his relentless pursuit of self-gratification. Each newly achieved objective brought him a momentary sense of triumph, fueling his insatiable need for more.
The roar of engines and the gleaming shine of machines gave him a sense of power and control. The gentle touch of the steering wheel, the smell of leather on the seats. The thrill of the wind hitting his face as he rode his motorcycle at dizzying speeds provided a momentary escape from the torments that haunted him.
Acquiring a luxurious home was a way to affirm his success and position in the world. The touch of marble floors beneath his bare feet, the soft sound of water falling into an infinity pool, and the stunning view of the city at night were constant reminders of his pursuit of something greater than himself.
Josh stood in front of the window, watching raindrops trickle down the glass. His thoughts delved into the past, reliving moments that had long been left behind. An uncomfortable sensation seized him, a silly and childish fear that left him restless. Why was he thinking about his entire past now?
Unable to resist the curiosity, he made his way to the bathroom, feeling an urgency to confront the reflection in the mirror. It would be like facing a new, darker version of himself, a portal to other secrets and regrets he would rather forget.
With his heart racing, Josh closed his eyes for a brief moment, preparing for what was to come. When he slowly opened his eyes, his body froze in shock. The person reflected in the mirror was not who he expected to see. The gaze filled with guilt and sadness was eerily familiar, yet at the same time unknown. It was as if he was meeting himself for the first time.
The sensation of terror grew within him, swirling in a whirlwind of emotions. Without thinking, Josh propelled his body forward, delivering a powerful punch to the mirror. A shattering sound echoed through the room as the shards of the mirror scattered across the floor.
The deafening noise of the impact was enough to awaken Emeline and Spencer, who rushed to the bathroom, startled and confused by the scene before them. Emeline stood there, panting, looking at the reflected shards on the floor, her expression filled with concern. She approached Damián cautiously, calling him by his new name.
"Damián, I'm here, and Aster too, we're with you," Emeline said, her voice gentle and comforting. She enveloped Damián in a hug, conveying her support and understanding.