The night was thick with tension as the moonlight cast eerie shadows on the cobblestone alley. Ethan's heart raced like the rhythm of a frenzied drum as the sound of approaching footsteps reverberated through the narrow passage. He pressed himself against the damp brick wall, his breath coming in shallow, controlled gasps.
Before him, a trio of mysterious men emerged, their figures cloaked in the inky darkness. Each step they took echoed like a countdown to an unknown fate. Ethan's eyes flickered with a mix of fear and determination as he assessed his surroundings for an escape route.
"You can't run forever, Ethan," one of the mysterious men taunted, his voice dripping with cold amusement. "We know what you possess, and we'll have it, one way or another."
Ethan's lips tightened into a defiant line, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He knew he was backed into a corner, surrounded by the very people who sought to exploit his brilliance for their own gain. But he wasn't ready to relinquish the knowledge he held, the secrets that had driven his father to his grave.
The mysterious man's chilling ultimatum sliced through the tense air like a blade. "Surrender your knowledge or surrender your life."
His heart pounded against his ribs, and for a fleeting moment, doubt gnawed at the edges of his determination. Yet, as the moon emerged from behind a cloud, casting a silvery glow on his features, his resolve solidified. He met the mysterious man's gaze with steely defiance, his eyes a reflection of the unyielding fire within.
The gunshot shattered the stillness, its echo merging with the lapping of waves against the nearby shore. Time seemed to slow as the bullet cut through the air, and in that suspended moment, Ethan's fate hung in the balance.
As the sound reverberated, a searing pain erupted in his chest. He staggered backward, his body convulsing as a rush of adrenaline flooded his veins. His senses reeled as the world around him spun, and the ground seemed to give way beneath his feet.
With a final, defiant breath, he plummeted into the dark abyss of the ocean. The frigid waters closed in around him, swallowing his body in their icy embrace. His mind raced, memories flashing before his eyes, a montage of his journey and the loved ones he'd lost.
But even in the face of death, his resolve remained unbroken. The depths of the ocean couldn't extinguish the fire that burned within him, the relentless pursuit of truth and justice. As the waters embraced him, his consciousness clung to his purpose, his determination casting a flicker of hope in the midst of darkness. The truth of who had pulled the trigger remained as shrouded as the night that had witnessed his fall.
13 years ago:
The sun's golden rays painted the morning sky with a soft glow. Inside a cozy home, the melody of a ringing cellphone pierced the air, breaking the silence. The room was adorned with the innocence of youth, and at its center stood an adorable boy, his shock of white hair gleaming like freshly fallen snow. With eyes as green as emeralds and skin as pure as milk, he exuded an otherworldly beauty that seemed almost divine.
As the phone's trill echoed, the boy's sweet voice joined the symphony, his words carrying a touch of excitement.
"Ring, ring," he mimicked playfully. "Mom, father is calling."
With eagerness dancing in his gaze, he scampered across the room on nimble feet, his tiny footsteps barely making a sound against the polished floor. He reached for the phone, his youthful anticipation evident as he answered the call. There was a touch of longing in his voice, an unspoken desire to bridge the distance that separated him from his father.
"Hello?"
he chirped, the receiver pressed close to his ear. But the response he received was far from what he anticipated. The air grew heavy with tension, and his innocent curiosity shifted into confusion as his father's voice trembled with desperation.
"Evelina?"
the boy's father implored, his voice a mixture of urgency and anxiety. Ethan's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively halted in his tracks, his brows furrowing.
"Papa, it's me, Ethan,"
he replied, the concern evident in his voice. On the other end of the line, a desperate yet pained voice echoed.
"Ethan, give the phone to your mother. Tell her to take you far away, to stay safe,"
his father's voice cracked, carrying the weight of tears that threatened to fall. The world seemed to slow down as the gravity of the situation dawned on the boy. His mother, drawn by his distressed cries, rushed to his side.
"What's wrong, dear?"
her motherly voice enveloped him with warmth and love, seeking to soothe his growing distress.
"Mom, here, Dad,"
he murmured, his gaze fixed on the phone he held. He handed the device to his mother, the confusion and worry etched into his features. The room grew tense as his mother's voice became the bridge between him and his distant father.
"Yes, David?"
Her voice trembled as she spoke, anxiety lacing her words. The urgency in her husband's voice sent a shiver down her spine.
"Evelina, run away. They've caught up with me. I don't mind if I... if I don't make it. But you two, stay safe. Take Ethan and hide,"
his father's voice wavered, the raw emotion breaking through. The room seemed to blur as his words sunk in.
Before she could respond, the line went silent. Panic clutched at her heart as the chilling sound of a gunshot reverberated through the phone. A guttural cry of pain followed, and then... silence.
Terror-stricken, Evelina clung to the phone, her fingers trembling. She sprinted to their room, her movements swift and purposeful. With Ethan in her arms, confusion painted across his innocent face, she reached for an emergency bag tucked away beneath their bed. Her husband's urgency fueled her actions as she snatched it, her mind racing.
"Ethan, come with me,"
she urged, her voice a blend of strength and desperation. With her heart pounding, she scooped up her son and dashed out of the house, leaving behind a life that had shattered in the span of a single phone call.